How Can Internet Impact Their Life? Essay

Growing numbers of Americans have access to the Internet at work and at home. That is especially true for Internet veterans: 56% of the long wired1’ say they have access in both places, compared to only 32% of Internet novices who report access at work and at home. The Internet’s growing role in the workplace has translated to changes in the amount of time people spend doing work – whether it is at the office or at home. One in seven Internet users say their use of the Internet has resulted in an increase in the amount of time they spend working at home and one in ten say the Internet increases the time they spend working at the office (kutais 2002 138). Although the magnitudes here are not great, the Internet veterans report greater impacts. As the current time progress, the contributions of internet from the lives of a single individual to the entire community engage in complex approach (Anandarajan 2004 57; Bonilla 2004 88). The evolution of cyberspace provides interconnections to different cultures and traditions that somehow create a notion of monogamy in the ideations and concepts of every human civilization. Information and various socializations are easily facilitated through the use of web connections (Vogel 2007 247). The research involves the utilization of interview procedures in order to obtain probable effects and contribution of internet in the lives of American people. Literature Review The increasingly important role of the internet in users’ lives is also evident when it comes to money matters. These changes in some users’ perspectives are understandable. The initial excitement and fun of emailing a distant friend or family member is bound to make people at first herald the way the Internet enhances the feeling of closeness (Pogue 2006 121). Although the magnitudes here are not great, the Internet veterans report greater impacts (Robert 1994 13). Of those who have been online for more than three years, 21% report that the Internet has increased the amount of time they spend working at home, while 4% report it decreases the amount of time they spend working at home (Huber 2002 186). These veterans also report large impacts when it comes to spending time at the office, but the effects cut both ways. Eleven percent of veterans say the Internet has increased the time they spend at the office; 11% say it decreases time at the office. This compares with 10% of Internet users who report an increase in time spent at the office and 6% who report a decrease. The use of the Internet to find important information or carry out tasks also grew among their respondents. An average user in March 2000 had tried about 11 activities online, compared to an average user a year later who had performed about 14 activities online. They found that a year’s experience online results in a modest decline in the amount of time an average Internet user is online during a typical session. In March 2001, such a session lasted about 83 minutes, compared to 90 minutes for an average session the year before (Vogel 2007 248). There is great flux in people’s time spent online. Some Internet users are spending more time online, especially those who use the Internet at work and those who find new things to do online. Conversely, some are spending less time online and they tend to report that they don’t have as much time as before to be online. Some say they don’t find using the Internet as appealing as they did before. Internet users—veteran users especially—report that their use of email and the Web has changed the amount of time they spend watching TV, shopping in stores, and reading newspapers (Huber 2002 187). One-quarter of all Internet users say that the Internet has decreased the time they spend watching television, with fully one-third (31%) of veterans saying this (kutais 2002 138). The Internet has also prompted some users to spend less time reading newspapers; 14% say this, with 21% of Internet veterans reporting a decline in newspaper reading (Karin and Keller 1997 138). However, Internet users, and veterans in particular, are active online surfers for news, so they might be simply switching time with the paper to tame with the online version. As for elements of the Internet that bother people, spam emails lead the way (especially from marketers), and a substantial number of Internet users complain that they have received unwanted emails with sexual content (Vogel 2007 248). More than ten Internet users (44%) in March 2001 said that unwanted â€Å"spam’ emails were a problem for than, a large increase from 33% who said this in March 2000 (Winston 1998 64). Moreover, many reports getting so much spam that it is hard for them to get to the emails that matter to them . Most Internet users (56%) have received an email with adult content or advertising adult Web sites; 20% say this happens often (Bonilla 2004 88). In this report, the Pew Internet & American Life Project traces the same Internet users from one year to the next. In March 2000, they interviewed 3,533 Americans, inquiring if they used the Internet and if so, what they do when they surf the Web and use email to stay in touch with family and friends. In March 2001, they re-interviewed 1,501 of the people they talked with in their March 2000 sample. Throughout this report, they compare the answers they got in 2001 to the answers we got from the same people in 2000. This provides a rich picture of how people’s internet use changed over the course of a year. Matching the 1,501 people from their March 2001 survey to the previous year, 57% said they were internet users as of March 2001 – compared to the 46% of them who were internet users in March 2000. As we did in March 2000, they asked people how the Internet has affected the way they keep up with family and friends (Pittinsky 2003 99). The study probed whether and how often people go online for work-related tasks and they inquired into the kinds of activities people do online. Further, they pursued some new themes in March 2001, examining the impact of the internet on people’s time-use and looking into people’s feelings about some of the Internet’s possible â€Å"hassle factors† such as unwanted are emails (Huber 2002 188). Not only do we explore how peoples Internet use has changed in the aggregate between 2000 and 2001, they also examine how different kinds of users have changed their surfing patterns. A consistent finding throughout their reports is that the length of time a person has been using the Internet is a strong predictor of how often, person goes online and how much a user does on the Internet (Bonilla 2004 88). The longer a person has been online, the more likely he or she is to have surfed for health care information, sent an instant message, or purchased a product over the Internet (Huber 2002 187). To explore the impact of users’ experience levels more carefully, they compare the Internet’s veterans or the â€Å"long wired,† who have been online for more than three years as of March 2000, to â€Å"mid-range† users who were online for two to three years in March 2000, and â€Å"newcomers† who were online for a year or less in March 2000 . In analysis of these three categories below, when they refer to, say, newcomers in 2000 and newcomers in 2001, they refer to the same respondents and how their responses compared to what they told us in March 2000 (kutais 2002 140). For Internet users with access at work, four in nine (44%) say that the Internet improves their ability to do their job a lot The Internet’s long wired† users—those online for more than three years—report the greatest impact, with 55% saying the Internet has helped them at work a lot By a large margin, those veterans who say the Internet has improved how they do their job are men—fully 60%. The effect is less pronounced for those new to the Internet, with 36% of newcomers saying the Internet has helped them a lot on the job. Americans’ engagement with the Internet as a way to stay in touch with friends and family remains strong. In March 2000, 79% of Internet users said that they email members of their immediate and extended family, a number that grew to 84% a year later (Karin and Keller 1997 138) Seventy-nine percent of all Internet users said they email friends in March 2000, essentially the same as the 80% who said they email friends in March 2001. However, as some people gain experience online their perceptions of the Internet’s role in personal communication change (Vogel 2007 248). Fewer report that emailing is very useful for being in contact with family and friends and a notable number of email users cut back the frequency with which they email family and friends (Huber 2002 186). At the same time, they a bow a substantial increase in the use of email for serious communication, such as sharing worries and seeking advice. All this is in the context of people continuing to value the internet highly, 82% of veterans said that in 2001 compared with 68% who said it in 2000 (kutais 2002 140). Methodology Research Design The study is cross-sectional descriptive design since it studies variables of interest in a sample of subjects are assayed once and the relationships between them are determined. This is also used to examine and identify the cause and effect relationship of the dependent and independent variables. The main purpose of descriptive study is to observe, describe, and document aspects of situations. Furthermore, the design’s objective is to portray accurately the characteristics of persons, situations, or groups and/or the frequency with which certain phenomena occur in the overall course of study. Sampling Criteria The sampling criteria of the respondents to be involved shall cover age, specifically 18 and above; with no racial and/ or gender categorization; and locale, specifically the Cambridge University College of Information Technology. Sampling Technique Random Sampling will be used in this study. The researchers will use simple random sampling since it is more appropriate and practical to use. This is a technique where we select a group of subjects (a sample) for study from a larger group (a population). Each individual is chosen entirely by chance and each member of the population has a known, but possibly non-equal, chance of being included in the sample. Random Sampling is used to prevent the possibility of a biased or erroneous inference. The researchers will use this sampling method to reach a sample frame of at least 2,300 respondents with time frame of September to October 2005. Data Gathering Procedures Upon conducting the study, the initial step is to formulate the tool for evaluation, which includes an open-ended questionnaire: The researchers of this study must accomplish a written consent signed by the concerned locale administrations, significant officials, and the respondents themselves granted that the knowledge and coverage of the research are explained in full detail. The researchers will obtain the sample population guided by the criteria imposed for sample gathering. After which, the respondents shall be given a complete information guided by the standards proceedings of ethical matters. The researchers shall utilize the evaluation tool in order to obtain the set of answers facilitating homogenous perspective. The researchers will provide the interpretation and analysis on the quantitative data in hand. After which, the numerical data obtained shall be categorized into three criterion, namely satisfactory, average and unsatisfactory, in order to facilitate the comparison against the factors influencing the outcome. After which, the proceedings shall involve the tabulation and collation of the data gathered, determine factors and differences on the learning outcomes, and identify the point of views of the respondents. The tabulated data shall then be interpreted and analyzed in order to serve basis for the end conclusion of the study. Considering the previous studies and established norms, the study shall then provide implications associated to the previous research and study. Moreover, the study shall analyze the correlations of the data obtained in order to draw the leading factors that answers the problem statement on how internet affects the lives of the users. Discussion The impact of internet in the lives o human civilization can vary according to the culture and racial orientation as well as the modernization phase employed by the country; however, the settings are proven to be disregarded most especially the impact of internet engages the homogenous aspect of facilitating efficient and fastest means of communication. Hence, one of the impacts obtained from the methodological study is the use of email against the acquisition of knowledge through web-surfing utilizing search engines (kutais 2002 140). Apparently, the use of email has been one of the most prominent purposes of internet. In order to reach an individual from any other part of the world, communication usually takes day, but with internet, it only takes clicks for the message to be delivered. Such outcomes obtained from September 2005 implicate a significant increase from mid-2004 (Pogue 2006 121). The study shows that the use of search engines in June 2004 on a usual day has increase significantly from 30% to 41% of the population that utilizes internet, which evidently expanded from the data compared last year. Such outcomes implicate that the population utilizing search engines on a typical day increased from crudely 38 million in June 2004 to approximately 59 million in September 2005 – a shoot-up of approximately 55%. Such interpretation concludes that the utilization of search engines is clearly making its way to popularity than email, which affects greatly the usual pattern of day-by-day activities on any given day (Vogel 2007 249). On the other hand, the Pew Internet Project data implicates that on a usual day, the utilization of email is still the top internet activity (kutais 2002 140). Considering no specification of day schedule, approximately 52% of American internet users are sending and receiving email, up from 45% in June of 2004. Consistent with the finding that Internet users are less likely to email family members, the study found that a year’s time means that people are less likely to say that they communicate more with family members now that they use email. In March 2001, 56% of those who email family members said that they communicate more with others in the family now that they have email. This number fell to 46% in 2001. At the same time, people are somewhat more likely in 2001 to say that email has improved family relationship. In March 2000, 35% of Internet users said the Internet has improved family relationship. ; this number increased to 39% in March 2001. Again, this suggests that though frequency of contact may decline, the Internet positive impact on family relationships does not decline (Winston 1998 64). The story is similar, although the less pronounced, when people are asked about using email to communicate with friends. In March 2000, 92% of those who email friends said email was useful to stay in touch with friends, with 55% saying it was â€Å"very useful† In March 2001, 90% of people who email friends said email was a useful way to connect with friends; 52% said it was â€Å"very useful. † Long-wired Internet users are largely responsible for this decrease, with this class of Internet user being the only one in which a year’s time led to a decline in support for the idea that the Internet is a â€Å"very useful† way to communicate with friends. For connections to friends, 69% of March 2000’s Internet users said the Internet improved connections to friends â€Å"a lot† or â€Å"somewhat† and 65% said this in March 2001. The share of people saying the Internet improved connections to friends changed very little, going from 37% in 2000 to 35% in 2001 (kutais 2002 140). Within categories of users, again it was the veterans who recorded a notable decline in enthusiasm for this proposition. Similarly, people were somewhat less likely to say email has increased the amount of communication with friends, with 61% of them who email friends saying in March 2000 that email means they communicate with friends more often, compared to 54% saying that a year later. People’s emailing habits have changed in a year’s time, with the daily email to family and friends becoming less frequent. Accompanying this decline, however, has been a sharp increase in the use of email for important communications (Robert 1994 13). Many more people in 2001 report that they use email to get advice or share worries with those close to them. Some 12% of people who have ever emailed family members sent email to a key family member every day in 2001, down from 21% in 2000. Newcomers to the internet in 2000 had the starkest declines, suggesting a novelty effect wearing off. Similarly, about 13% of Internet users emailed a key friend on a daily basis in 2001, down from 17% in 2000. The weekly email is the staple for most Internet users, as about 50% of email users said they send electronic messages to family and friends once a week.

Compare and contrast Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Essay

Introduction The current essay focuses on two different therapeutic techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. The initial component of the essay outlines the therapeutic orientations of both approaches; then, the different approaches are related to a case study of a young lady called Linda who is seeking counseling due to feelings of hopelessness. The essay is then finished with some of the author’s personal opinions on the two therapeutic approaches. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy While Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been in development since the 1980’s, it has only recently risen to prominence and is sometimes described as a ‘new wave’ therapeutic technique. ACT is a modern behaviour therapy that uses acceptance and mindfulness interventions alongside commitment and behaviour change strategies to enhance psychological flexibility (Sonja, 2011). ACT differs from many modern therapies, in particular its approach to dealing with distressing emotions, thoughts and behaviours. Unlike many modern psychotherapies, ACT does not look to reduce the severity or frequency of unwanted thoughts and emotions; however, it instead focuses on helping people to live more rewarding lives even in the presence of undesirable thoughts, emotions and sensations. ACT is underpinned by a program of research on the nature of human language and cognitions know as Rational Frame Theory (RFT). RFT describes how normal human language processes dramatically change the human experience by resulting in the ability to readily and frequently evaluate virtually all of its experiences negatively (Flaxman and Blackledge, 2010). This verbal capacity allows humans to compare their ‘ideal’ to their ‘flaws’. Any discrepancies can be interpreted as unworthiness, and this can be a cause of psychological distress. RFT has led to the development of an empirically based model of human functioning that comprises six interrelated therapeutic processes. These are: acceptance, defusion, contact with the present moment, self as context, values, and committed action. While detailed descriptions  of these processes are beyond the scope of the current essay, a few elements can be explored. Cognitive fusion is a core process, which can lead to psychological distress. Cognitive fusion refers to when words themselves take on the properties of the things to which they refer (Flaxman and Blackledge, 2010). For example, if someone has gone through a violent attack, that individual may have thoughts about the attack, which can bring up in the present, all the thoughts, emotions and memories associated with that event, even if it was many years ago. In this example the individual may start to think that all people are dangerous, and therefore not go out. Thus the process of ‘fusion’, by which verbal processes come to excessively or inappropriately influence behavior, which may lead one to behave in ways that are guided by inflexible verbal networks. ACT would look at assisting the individual to not be governed rigidly by the thoughts in their head, working instead to find ways to more effectively interact with the directly experienced world, rather than the verbal ly constructed one in their mind (Sonja, 2011). Acceptance and commitment While the word acceptance may have associations for some such as â€Å"grin and bear it† or ‘soldiering on’, the word is used differently in ACT. In ACT the word acceptance refers to the willingness to experience distressing emotions and experiences that are encountered in the process of behaving in a way which is consistent with one’s values (Flaxman and Blackledge, 2010). Commitment refers to a public commitment to a specific value or value-consistent behavior, where the individual acts in accordance with their values. For example, a person whose value is to be ‘a caring partner’ may commit to taking their partner out for a meal each week. Solution-focused brief therapy Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) was developed by Steve De Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg in 1986. SFBT believes that change can come from two primary  sources, firstly by getting clients to discuss their preferred future, for example what their lives might look like should therapy be successful and, secondly, by detailing their skills and resources that clients have at their disposal (Macdonald, 2011). SFBT holds that language and words are very important, and that helping clients talk about their lives in more useful language can lead to positive change. One of the major differences between SFBT and other psychotherapies is that while SFBT acknowledged that clients tend to come to therapy to talk about their problems, the SFBT will not encourage them to talk about their problems, but rather to talk about solutions (Rafter, Evans and Iveson, 2012). One of the central assumptions of SFBT is that the client will choose the goals for therapy and that the client themselves have resources which they will use in making changes (Macdonald, 2011). The therapeutic conversation aims at restoring hope and self-esteem, while reducing anxiety to a point where people become able to think more widely and creatively about solutions. SFBT holds that high anxiety can restrict cognition and attention to the surrounding environment and that, by reducing anxiety, it would allow for wider thinking about possible approaches to problems, as well as mobilizing their existing strengths and resources to address their desired goals (Rafter et al, 2012). Therapeutic relationship and goals The therapist adopts a non-expert or ‘not-knowing’ stance, in which the individual selects the goals and the means to get to the goals. Unrealistic goals may be negotiated with the therapist. Unlike other therapies no homework is given and no advice is given as to what should be done next. As Insoo Kim Berg said: ‘leave no footprints in the clients life’. The word ‘brief’ in SFBT means that therapy should not last ‘one more session than is necessary’. Research shows that the average client utilizes 3 to 6 and a half sessions (Macdonald, 2011). The therapist seeks to maintain respectful curiosity about the client’s situation. The therapist assumes that change is possible or even inevitable,  given the nature of the human existence, this philosophical stand point has its basis in Buddhist teachings, that change is a continual process and stability is only an illusion (Richard, 2011). Assumptions of SFBT De Shazer’s 3 rules which underpin SFBT 1 If it ain’t broke don’t fix it 2 Once you know what works do more of it 3 If it doesn’t work, don’t do it again, do something different (Rafter et al, 2012). All clients are motivated towards something. Clients do not lack motivation and it is the therapist’s job to uncover what they are motivated towards. Attempting to understand the cause of the problem is not helpful and, in some cases, can be harmful as clients get caught up in describing their situation in negative language. However fixed a problem pattern may be, the client will be engaging in some of the solution. Linda’s presenting problem Linda has come to counseling, as she appears unsure about the direction her life is heading. There appears to be a gap between what Linda wanted to be and what she perceives herself to be now. She has described issues with her partner, including arguments over marriage. Linda also describes some negative thoughts about herself such as feeling ‘hopeless’ and ‘not good enough’. These thoughts and feeling appears to be very distressing to Linda. Many of these thoughts appear to be related to her new job where is often feels inadequate. Linda has also stated that she has found social interaction less rewarding recently and describes it as ‘pointless’. Linda and ACT One of the first steps for Linda would be discussing with the ACT therapist  her chosen life values, that is the things that are most important in Linda’s life. For example, Linda might decide that being very successful in her work is an important value for her. Once the goal is established the therapist and Linda would look to commit to a pattern of behavior that is in line with the goal of ‘being successful at work’. Often avoidance and cognitive fusion issues can act as a barrier for clients in achieving their goals. Experiential Avoidance, Cognitive Fusions and Linda Within ACT, the case formulation is that affective disorders are the result of unsuccessful attempts to escape from challenging private events that the individual is unwilling to experience (Zettle, 2004). This is also known as experiential avoidance, which can be defined as the process by which individuals engage in strategies designed to alter the frequency or experience of private events, such as thoughts and feelings, memories or bodily sensations (Sonja, 2011). For example, Linda describes herself as ‘conservative’ and not much of a ‘risk taker’; up to this point in her life Linda has taken jobs that are well within her comfort zone. As such, Linda may have avoided challenging work environments and avoided the pressure and criticism that comes along with these positions. The ACT therapist would focus on a course of work with Linda encouraging her to experience the full spectrum of thoughts, feelings and emotions so she does not feel the need to avoid or escape (Sonja, 2011). In this case asking Linda to experience the thought/feeling that ‘she is sometimes not good enough’. By facing this thought Linda may become more comfortable with it, and be able to function even in the presence of these distressing thoughts. As experiential avoidance is seen as the underlying cause to psychological distress it stands to reason that the solution would lie in engaging clients in the situations they find difficult. If we accept that life will inevitably have psychologically distressful events and that often these events cannot be avoided, then therapy should help clients accept the distress that arises during life. At the core of RFT’s account of language and cognitions is the assumption that the kind of abstract, evaluative words  we struggle with that claim to capture reality, in fact cannot. Thus, the acceptance part of ACT is not an acceptance of how an individually literally perceives it, but rather the acceptance of his experience as it is, and not how his mind says it is. In this instance ACT would look to reduce the hold of language on the situation. Linda may make the statement ‘I’m hopeless’, ACT would look to reframe this to ‘I’m having thoughts that I’m hopeless’ rather than ‘I’m hopeless’. Reframing the statement in this way would move Linda away from defining herself as being ‘hopeless’ to defining herself as a person who sometimes feels hopeless; this would hopefully lessen the psychological distress and help Linda be more able to move towards her chosen goals. Linda and SFBT SFBT holds that there are two powerful tools to assisting recovery. The first, that positive talk about an individual’s preferred future will result in positive change; and secondly, identifying and highlighting the resources an individual already has at their disposal will better allow the individuals to use those resources. The SFBT therapist may ask Linda ‘What are your best hopes for therapy?’ thus encouraging problem free talk which is used to enhance the therapeutic alliance (Rafter et al, 2012). Problem free talk can often reduce anxiety and guilt if the therapist enquires about their success and interest as well as the problem. For example Linda has stated that there is a gap between how she is and how she wants to be, the SFBT therapist may ask ‘Can you tell me about a time when your actual self and ideal self were closer together?’ Perhaps one of the most famous elements of SFBT is the ‘miracle question’; as such it is worth looking at the miracle question in relation to Linda. The miracle question is designed to bring a sense of optimism and play, allowing creative thinking to emerge and confirming the goals already identified at the outset (Richard, 2011). The miracle question is designed to encourage the client to talk about the potential positive results of successful treatment. The miracle question is as follows: ‘I’m going to ask you a kind of strange question now. Suppose [pause] you go to bed and to sleep tonight as usual [pause] and while you are asleep a miracle happens [pause] and the problem that bought you here today [look round all present] is solved [pause]. But you are asleep and don’t know that it has been solved [pause]. What will be the first small sign that this miracle has happened and that the problem is solved?’ When asked the miracle question Linda would be prompted to describe feelings, thoughts or emotions which she wants to have in the future. She may answer ‘Well I guess I might feel more confident in my abilities, I may be more comfortable with who I am and I wouldn’t feel so anxious’. The SFBT therapist would then seek to expand on this answer by asking ‘what else?’ while always focusing on the positive elements of the answers. In the above example we see that Linda says ‘I wouldn’t feel so anxious’ the SFBT therapist may respond ‘Well you say you wouldn’t feel anxious, so what would you feel?’ to which Linda would hopefully respond with something positive ‘I’d feel calm and satisfied’. ACT vs. SFBT The power of language Both ACT and SFBT hold language as a powerful influence on human distress. ACT argues that as human language has become more complex it has also presented humans with new challenges. Specifically how we use language to relate our own self to other people/stimuli. People learn arbitrary ways of evaluating themselves and their experiences in culturally agreed upon ways, for example ‘having no partner means that you are undesirable, being inadequate is bad’ and people hold these statements as rules or absolute truths (Sonja, 2011). Take, for example, the statement ‘being inadequate is bad’ this could lead an individual who has been inadequate to conclude that they themselves are bad, the individual may arrive at this conclusion without acknowledging the subjective and incomplete nature of the statement ‘being inadequate is bad’. Humans, according to ACT, come to place too much  value in the accuracy of language. Indeed language holds so much powe r that what is verbally believed is consumed as solid fact (Sonja, 2011). SFBT focuses on a different effect of language on the human condition. While ACT states that it’s how we relate language to ambiguous stimuli which is the cause of psychological distress, SFBT focus on the use of ‘problem free talk’ to improve an individuals psychological distress. SFBT holds that talking about solutions rather than the problem will in itself allow for positive change in an individuals life. The idea being that time is spent talking about individual’s strengths, rather than their problems, will reduce stress. When stress is reduced SFBT holds that clients are more able to access solutions for their problems, as when clients are anxious they have restricted cognitions. The therapeutic relationship Studies have indicated that the therapeutic alliance has a significant impact on the outcome of treatment (Lambert and Barley, 2002). ACT and SFBT share some similar ideas around what the therapeutic relationship should look like. Both approaches believe that the therapist should take a ‘not-knowing’ position which puts the therapist ‘in the same boat’ as the client. In ACT the therapist acknowledges that they themselves are human and struggle as well and thus they should be able to apply ACT principals to their own experiences in order to respond consistently and coherently with the model and to form an authentic relationship. If the therapist does not apply the principal to their life in and out of the session they may come across as disingenuous (Sonja, 2011). While ACT requires the therapist to buy into the principles they are preaching, SFBT requires the therapist to assume that change is possible and even inevitable, given the nature of human existence. The therapist needs to hold genuine optimism about the possibility of recovery. An SFBT Therapist also uses language matching or language tracking as a means to building a solid therapeutic relationship. Language matching refers to when the therapist uses the client’s word for events and situations. If possible the  therapist should use words or phrases the client uses in every statement. It is argued that renaming something amounts to contradicting the clients, which may not be helpful in building relationships. Personal preference Both ACT and SFBT have strong and affective therapeutic intervention styles. In my opinion, it is ACT’s unique approach to psychological distress that stands out as the most powerful. The idea that part of being human involves times of psychological distress resonates strongly with my own set of ideas. Indeed trying to restrict unpleasant psychological experiences seems in some ways to be unnatural, and against what it is to be human. Helping people to live and function in the presence of distressing emotions seems a more worthwhile pursuit than attempting to eliminate or restrict unpleasant experiences. In modern society there is an obsession with the idea that people should be happy all the time and this creates a situation whereby people who do not feel happy feel bad about not being happy and thus compound their misery. The central idea of SFBT, that the therapeutic session should be centered on solutions rather than the problems is a clever tweak on the traditional approach to therapy. In my opinion, it makes sense to spend more time talking about what resources an individual might have and engaging in positive speak rather than talking at length about what is going wrong. Psychodynamic therapists have long said if you name an emotion in a session, then soon that emotion will appear, often accompanied by memories and experiences connected to it, therefore it stands to reason that if the problem is discussed at length this will be accompanied by the negative thoughts and emotions experienced with it, equally if the solution is discussed the thoughts and emotions may be more positive and foster hope. I feel that this technique could be easily amalgamated into other therapeutic frameworks. It would also be personally more enjoyable to the therapist to be discussing positive solutions, rather than spen ding all the time listening to problems. Conclusion Both ACT and SFBT offer a unique take of traditional psychotherapies. ACT helps individuals in achieving their chosen life goals even in the face of psychological distress and difficulties, while SFBT approaches psychological distress in a unique way by focusing less on the distress itself but rather the solutions and resources the individual has available to themselves. For Linda, ACT would entail some exposure of her fears of criticism, in order for her to achieve her goal of professional success, ACT would help her deal with the inevitable professional criticism which occurs in high pressure jobs. While SFBT would lessen Linda’s anxieties with solution focused talk, which in turn would mean that Linda could more affectively assess her personal resources and apply them to achieving her goals. References: Batten, Sonja V. (2011). Essentials of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com Corsini, Raymon., Wedding, Danny. (2014). Current Psychotherapies. United States of America: Brooks/Cole. Flaxman, Paul E.; Blackledge, J.T.; Bond, Frank W. (2010). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy : Distinctive Features. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com Macdonald, Alasdair (2011). Solution-Focused Therapy : Theory, Research & Practice. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com McKay, Matthew; Lev, Avigail; Skeen, Michelle (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Interpersonal Problems : Using Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Schema Awareness to Change Interpersonal Behaviors. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com Nelson-Jones, Richard. (2011). Counselling & Therapy. London: SAGE publications. Ratner, Harvey; George, Evan; Iveson, Chris (2012). Solution Focused Brief Therapy : 100 Key Points and Techniques. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com

Hero Myth †Achilles Essay

The concept of the hero is as old as myth itself. Throughout history both concepts have evolved together. Myths tell tales of the adventures of man, frequently the son of a god or goddess and a human, who is endowed with great promise and destined to perform great feats. Often these feats involve acts of rescue, war or protection. This heroic myth is rooted in the ideal of familial romance. Particularly during adolescence it sustains and expresses the identification of the ego with idealized imagery. The hero myths have been used for centuries to educate and train youths as parts of institutions and groups. One example of a hero is Achilles, made famous through Homer’s epic Illiad. While we may not look at myths today in the same ways as our ancient forebears, the hero myth is still alive and well in our culture today. Achilles was the hero of the Trojan war as related by Homer in the Illiad. He was the mightiest of the Trojan warriors. He began life as a demigod, the son of Peleus, the king of the Myrmidons and a mortal, and Thetis who was a Nereid. The Myrmidons were legendary warriors, very skilled and brave. Nereids are sea nymphs being the daughters of Nereus and Doris. Thetis was very concerned that her son was a mortal. Therefore she attempted to make him immortal. There are two stories of how she wet about this. The lesser-known story is that she burned him in a fire nightly and then healed his wounds with a magical ambrosia. The more well-known story is that she held him tightly by the heel and submersed him in the river Styx. This made his entire body invulnerable except for the spot on his heel where she held him while he was in the river. During Achilles’ boyhood, a seer named Calchas prophesied that Troy would not fall without help from Achilles. Knowing that he would die if he went to Troy, Thetis sent Achilles to the court of Lycomedes in Scyros. He was hidden there in the guise of a young girl. While at the court he had a romance with Deidameia who was the daughter of Lycomedes. The result was a son who was named Pyrrhus. The disguise finally came to an end when Odysseus exposed Achilles by placing arms and armor amongst a display of female garments and picked Achilles out when he was the only â€Å"female† to be interested in the war equipment. Achilles then willingly joined Odysseus on the journey to Troy. He led a host of his father’s Myrmidon troops in addition to his utor Phoenix and his friend Patroclus. Once in Troy, Achilles quickly gained the reputation as an undefeatable warrior. One of his most notable feats was the capture of 23 Trojan towns. One of these was Lyrnessos where he took a war prize in the form of a woman named Briseis. The central action of the Illiad was sparked when Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks, was forced to give up his war-prize woman, Chryseis, by an oracle of Apollo. As compensation for the loss of Chryseis, Agamemnon took Briseis from Achilles. Thus enraged, Achilles refused to continue fighting for the Greeks. With Achilles’ withdrawal from the action, the war started to go badly for the Greeks and they offered large reparations to try to lure back their greatest warrior. Achilles continued to refuse to rejoin the war, however, he did agree to allow his close friend Patroclus to don his arms and armor and fight in his place. The next day Hector, a Trojan hero, mistook Patroclus for Achilles and killed Patroclus. Achilles was engulfed with rage at Hector and consumed by grief for his friend’s death. Thetis went to Hephaestus and obtained fabulous new armor for Achilles. Achilles recommenced fighting and killed Hector. Not satisfied with Hector’s death, Achilles used his chariot to drag the body before the walls of Troy and refused the corpse funeral rites. Hector’s father Priam, the king of Troy, went secretly to the Greek camp to beg the return of the body. Finally, Achilles relented and allowed Priam to take Hector’s remains. After Hector’s death time started to run out for Achilles. He continued to fight heroically and killed many Trojans as well as their allies. Eventually, Paris, who was another of Priam’s sons, enlisted the aid of Apollo and wounded Achilles in his weak spot – the heel – with an arrow. This caused Achilles death. The enduring legend from the story of Achilles has to do with the concept of the Achilles’ heel. An Achilles’ heel has come to mean that despite overall strength, there is a mortal weakness that can lead to one’s downfall. While the original myth refers to a physical weakness, in modern times it has come to reference other types of character flaws or qualities that can cause ruination. The concept of the hero has changed somewhat in our modern culture. Instead of daring people who buck trends and traditions in order to help their families, nations or cultures, today we tend to revere people like sports figures and actors. While we have the occasional government or political leader such as Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela, most of what you hear about is who is making the most money due to their sports or acting ability. The concept of the sports figure hero can have some validity as these figures do occasionally overcome great odds and perform daring feats on the modern â€Å"battlefield†, i. e. , the sports arena. However, this is nothing compared to the feats of the ancient heros. Hero myths are powerful stories from ancient times. So powerful are they that they cross cultures and ages, continuing to influence us today. Achilles was one of the great heros of ancient times as the mightiest warrior of the Trojan war. While who we classify as a hero has changed in our modern societies, we still look to the concept today. We teach young people about heros as a method to inspire them. We look to our heros as adults to give us guidance and to give us something to guide our hopes and dreams. While modern heros may not be of Achilles’ status, they remain an integral part of our cultures.

Monetary Policy for Global Financial Crisis Assignment

Monetary Policy for Global Financial Crisis - Assignment Example The world’s drastic encounter with the Global Financial Crisis saw the demise of many financial institutions which later translated to the proclamation for steady measures to sustain many of the world’s economies. The disaster translated to a down turn in many stock markets, intrinsic topple of economies alongside a decline in all aspects of money dependent sectors of the world as a whole. The cause in the occurrence of the event was the decline in value in prime property and translating into monetary liquidity problems in the United States’ banking sector (Bordo & Michael, 2008, 17). A trace of the financial crisis takes us back to the end of 2007, when many of the securities held by banks in the United States devalued, perpetually leading to the same for the banking sectors all over the world. Background Information Characteristic of the crisis was the liquidity of banks in rendering services to their customers as their solvency had been vastly affected; leadin g to a very low capability to lend to customers and investors could therefore not be in a position to accomplish prospected development. The global financial crisis of 2008 was labeled the worst financial disaster since 1930’s Great Depression. It led to many adverse effects worldwide, even to the individuals who suffered mainly evictions from rental houses and evictions from mortgaged houses. Banks in the United States alone lost over a trillion dollars from dealing with toxic assets, many suffering closure and others having to lend from larger banks. The unexpected decline in the value of the world’s assets hit many banking institutions with a big bang, while many who had extended mortgages and other monetary loans could not sustain themselves with the low levels of liquidity which they encountered. The perpetual increase in the spread of the effects of the financial crisis saw other countries experiencing difficulties in sustaining their economies, much specifically those that committed much of their economy’s dominance in the western countries such as India and China. The drastic effects on the general macroeconomics of all the world’s effects of the global financial crisis obliged major monetary policy developments in economies, in an effort to protect their growth from dropping as well as the protect the individual from suffering the effects of the same. Governments had to strategize responses to protect themselves as well as device long term strategies to ensure the same does not happen to them (Gali, 2008, 165). Monetary Policies: Monetary Aggregate The purpose of the monetary aggregate policy is to increase the amount of physical money in circulation. It works towards increasing the amounts in the public so that enough of it is circulating. The effect of having a lot of circulating money is defined in many ways and it requires great scrutiny from economists. The quantity theory of money is a clear definition of the effects of applying the money aggregate monetary policy (Kenneth, R., 1985, 1175). In essence, fighting a financial crisis seeks to maximize the amount of money that is in circulation. According to the quantity theory

Effects of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Research Paper

Effects of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Research Paper Example With regard to healing and treatment, ADHD is primarily treated by using appropriate drug therapy or psychiatric guidance and counseling. Several controversies on ADHD are largely based on whether it is over or under diagnosed and treated. ADHD is a chronic mental health problem that is disturbing, and which may affect several aspects of a person’s life. It causes academic problems, affects an individual’s social skills, and can negatively affect the parent-child relationships. It also affects an individual’s overactivity by reducing it such that an individual is inactive, impulsiveness, inattention, and internally restless.   ADHD has an effect of distorting an individual’s self-perception and self-image (Nigg, 2006). It disrupts an individual’s self-development as well as making one be antisocial and extremely aggressive. According to Nigg (2006), individuals with ADHD portray extremely oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) that is characterized by the existence of strikingly defiant, provocative behavior, disobedient, and by the lack of harsher dissocial or violent acts that infringe the law or the constitutional rights of others. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might impact on all the aspects of a child’s life. Certainly, it also affects parents and siblings hence causing trouble for most families and it has impacted on the marital functioning. The undesirable effects of ADHD on families and children change from the period of preschool years and it continues throughout primary school and to adolescence, with varying characteristics of the disorder becoming outstanding at diverse stages. ADHD may also continue into adulthood causing disturbance to both personal and professional life. ADHD has been also related to a high cost in health care for the sick and their family members. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic, devastating disorder which can result in too many effects in various aspects of a person’s life. This includes difficulties in academics, stressed parent-child relationships, social skills problems and, reduced parenting efficacy, especially when ADHD is comorbid with behavior problems.

Screening response Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Screening response - Movie Review Example African men were not regarded good enough to have associations with white women. It is only Lago who degrades Othello and starts gossips about Desmond’s affairs with Cassio. However, even though Lago was the only white man to complain about this, he represented a vast majority of the white population. Lago, signifying all other white people, had no trouble portraying Othello, who represented a vast majority of African Americans, as a lustful person (Berardinelli 1). Another case of racism is where Brabantio is persuaded that Othello must have used magic to entice Desdemona as there was no other way that a white girl would settle at marrying an African American. Finally, the most significant or saddest aspect of racism, in the film, is that of Othello himself (Berardinelli 1). What Lago does is cunningly take advantage of Othello’s insecurities (Berardinelli 1). Othello might believe Lago’s stories since deep down his heart Othello doubts Desdemona’s loyalty and love. Such a film is extremely educational, and its further view is

Assisted Migration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assisted Migration - Essay Example The traditional environmental preservation concept sought to preserve the environmental conditions, and thus make them more suitable and habitable for the plant and animal species, without any interference with the species that would entail moving them. Climatic change has occurred following global warming, deforestation and other human-interruptive environmental activities, which has rendered the climate and the habitats for various species to consistently change, and thus become less habitable by the species that previously lived in such environments (Assisted Migration, 84). With these changes, the species of organisms are trying to move from the regions where the environmental conditions have been disrupted, to the regions where the environment is naturally suitable for them. This discussion seeks to argue that we ought to engage in Assisted Migration. Explanation of an argument Assisted Migration is necessary in the modern climatic conditions, to ensure that the plant and animal species that are living in regions that do not favor them, are rescued and moved to other regions, where they can co-exist favorably and continue to thrive. Human beings are the ultimate contributors to the environmental and the climatic changes that have been experienced in the world (Assisted Migration, 77). ... ensure that the living organisms have been moved to the safer and environmentally friendly regions, which are compatible with their natural requirements. Considering that the damage is already done in certain environmental conditions where such species used to co-exist, the only way of guarding against the extinction of such species is finding for a favorable environment for them, and then moving the species there. It is therefore the responsibility of human beings to ensure that the species that would have survived, without the climate change that the humans have caused, continues to survive, no matter what (Assisted Migration, 77). This commitment requires that humans will do everything, even if it means moving the organisms that are stressed out to an environment that is friendly to them, as long as it is sure that the species will thrive under the new climate. This serves as the fundamental basis for supporting the thesis that; we ought to engage in Assisted Migration, since the survival and safeguarding against the extinction of endangered species is paramount, which calls for the necessary measures to be adopted to ensure the survival of such organisms, notwithstanding the costs or the implication of this act on the organisms’ baseline (Assisted Migration, 76). Reasonable criticism to the argument While the concept of Assisted Migration is vital to ensure the survival and continued thrive of endangered species, while guarding them against extinction, it is detrimental and disruptive to the natural species, since it amounts to the creation of invasive species (Assisted Migration, 78). Thus, any attempt to move organisms from their natural habitat to a different one, despite the fact that it would enhance the survival of such species, will violate the integrity

Interstate 405 freeway traffic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Interstate 405 freeway traffic - Essay Example will discuss how the selected part of the 405 freeway affects the urban experience, the current state of the 405 freeway and what steps should be taken to make the freeway both traffic free and environment friendly. The selection of the interstate 405 as the subject is significant simply because it is a heavily travelled thoroughfare by both freight haulers and commuters over its whole length. Additionally, the subject is of great importance because the 405 interstate freeways is the most congested and busiest freeway in the whole of the United States of America. The 405 freeway affects the urban experience by having an impact even on people who are outside California. Moreover, it has led to the development of a number of suburbs and cities along its path via the Los Angeles area. The 405 interstate is part of the express way and California freeway system. At 21 and 22 exits, the annual average daily traffic in 2008 reached 374000. This count was the highest in America (Santini, 2009). The 405 interstate commences at El Toro Y interchange in south eastern Irvine. Afterwards, it meanders northwest via Orange County to Los Angeles County’s Long Beach. It then follows the pacific coastâ₠¬â„¢ outline before it crosses the Santa Monica Mountains. Next, it goes north via San Fernando Valley, then ends with interstate 5 in Los Angeles’s mission district. The congestion problems of the interstate 405 are often legendary (Lomax, Pg.78). This has led to people joking that it was given number 405 simply because the traffic on it slows down to five or four miles per hour, or basically because the interstate 405 drivers need five or four hours to reach their destinations. 5mph average speeds are commonly recorded in the morning or afternoon commutes. Also, the interchanges associated with Santa Monica Freeway and Ventura Freeway rank among the most congested interchanges in America. Consequently, it takes a lot longer to manoeuvre through the whole of the Los Angeles area

Appropriate Advertising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Appropriate Advertising - Essay Example They will expose, shape, and try to mold the minds of children into tomorrow's consumers. Advertising, like television programming, should be screened for adult content, adult products, and relegated to an appropriate time slot. Children's exposure to a wide variety of products and influences is limited by society. Social norms limit drinking age, access to tobacco, and entry into the military. There should also be strict laws on the media content that enters and influences the minds of children. There is little doubt that when Miller Brewery advertises on Saturday afternoon they are not just selling beer. They are also grooming future customers. Advertisers know that children are watching and paying close attention. According to marketing researchers Maher, Hu, and Kolbe (2006), children as young as 6 years old are able to recall television advertisements with a 90% accuracy rate after seeing a commercial (p 31). At this tender and impressionable age, advertising can substantially influence a child's future willingness to drink or engage in other social deviance. Not only are children force-fed a propensity for unhealthy products, they are also socialized with an unrealistic view of materialism. Intent is as important as content in an advertisement viewed by children.

Read two essays, and which historian (Dan Carter or Bruce Schulman) Assignment

Read two essays, and which historian (Dan Carter or Bruce Schulman) does the best job of describing the origins of the New Right Why - Assignment Example Carter’s approach of depicting the origins of the New Right is from an event’s (politician’s race) perspective. However, his work neglected to explore the holistic nature of the New Right phenomenon and presented a one-sided argument -- that political movement alone spurred its resurgence. Carter’s work focused on Wallace’s contribution: â€Å"his attacks on the federal government have become the gospel of modern conservatism; his angry rhetoric, the foundation for the new ground rules of political warfare† (Hoffman, Blum, and Gjerde 485). According to his work, the resurgence of New Right started with â€Å"George Wallace’s racist populism, sharpened with Nixon and Agnew’s ‘law and order’ demagogy and triumphant with Reagan’s ‘tough on crime’ policies† (Lyons 28). Schulman’s work capitalized in his clear demographic story of the economic shifting towards the Sunbelt (a rightist territory) and establishment of supporting arguments about the strengthening of New Right. His arguments include the 1) stating of economic developments; 2) fostering of a less federal government; 3) posing the effects of the failure of North and Eastern unions like, they â€Å"had risen with the great industrial revolution in the heartland, and they were falling with it too† (Hoffman, Blum, and Gjerde 488); and emphasizing, not just political developments but socio-cultural developments. Schulman’s format worked well in presenting the emergence of New Right as a participating event in the â€Å"reconfiguration of twentieth-century American politics† (McGirr 273). Much of New Right activities took center stage in politics, yet its big picture lies in the industrial and commercial movements of the economy, and socio-cultural flow within the civilian spheres. Thus, it is appropriate to include not just a single perspective in presenting the New Right’s origins. Bruce Schulman’s work took heed of this topic’s nature and

Problem-Solution Essay Essay Example for Free

Problem-Solution Essay Essay It only comes once every four years. It is a day of unity, expression, equality and freedom. Every citizen over the age of eighteen in the United States has the opportunity –the right– to be a part of something huge. Presidential Election Day. The long awaited day that is consumed by the media, Facebook, and Twitter months in advance. An individual can choose to voice an opinion with discretion and secrecy in the voting booth, or one could also choose a more vocal approach with heated debates, obnoxious campaign signs, and even the occasional protest. After all, this is the land of the free, and if there’s one thing Burger King has taught me, it‘s that in the United States you really can â€Å"have it your way.† So why is it, then, that in the midst of the exciting and tumultuous day of our general election, I see the youth of the country sitting in their dorm rooms with absolutely no intent of casting their ballots? Seeing firsthand the lack of political activity among my peers and all those belonging to Generation Y makes me question whether or not I should care enough to vote myself. There is no argument that young voters (ages 18-34) have increasingly shown a lack of voter turnout in general elections. According to an article by The New Republic, 53 percent of 18-29 year-olds visited the polls in 1972. By the year 2000, that figure had dropped to 35 percent, which became a new historical low. So why is this a problem for me and my fellow Generation Y brothers and sisters? The answer is clear and simple. By choosing not to vote, we are also choosing not to have anyone represent our ideals and political agendas in government. At a time with increasing student-loan debt, a shocking unemployment rate and overall declination of the quality of life, Generation Y has more reason now than ever to start affecting political change. â€Å"People who try to have influence on government are going to have more influence than people who do not try† (Wilson 161). All of this begins with the polls. Many causes of political apathy among the younger generation have been noted, and in some cases, several attempts have been made to attract these voters. Registration is one of these causes and this resonates in particular with college students. First-time voters have to get a registration form, learn how and when to register, and then deliver it. Most college students will have to request absentee ballots if they are unable to go to their designated polling stations on Election Day. Unlike the older generation, younger voters are typically not yet settled and therefore the voting process takes more effort. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, over a quarter of college students reported that they did not register to vote because they didn’t know how or had missed the deadline. However, there have been steps to make this process simpler including the motor-voter bill of 1993. This allows citizens to register to vote as they are applying for a driver’s license (Wilson 166). Perhaps one of the biggest causes for lower voter turnout among young people was identified through the honesty of my own roommate. Paige Toepper, my roommate and also fellow first-time voter, did not go to the polls for the 2012 election simply because she had not previously been engaged in the political issues and felt ill-equipped to suddenly be making such decisions. â€Å"I haven’t been following up on politics until this point and I don’t believe I should vote for something when I’m not even sure what it is that I am voting for.† Once I heard this from my roommate, I found it to be a common theme on my entire floor. The problem isn’t that Generation Y doesn’t care to vote but, rather, that no one has really had the chance yet to be exposed to politics in an informative light where we feel confident in our own beliefs. My proposal for the solution to this problem begins in the education system. We should integrate politics and current events into our curriculum for high school students. This would also include the entire process for registering first-time voters, so that those who have not been exposed have a base to fall back on. The lack of voter turnout among the younger generation is a serious problem for the future of America if young people aren’t allowing their voices to be heard and to influence government. If people do not start voting while they are young, there is no way to know if they will ever begin to exercise this fundamental right. Being able to integrate politics as part of high school curriculum is an easy way to start getting the young generation engaged and involved. By doing this we can begin to push forward new innovative ideas and ultimately begin to successfully form our future as a society.

Sports vs Videogames Essay Example for Free

Sports vs Videogames Essay Sports Vs Video games We no longer live in a society where kids run around actively throughout the neighborhood. Late night soccer games, pick up games in the park, and innocence children are gone in sports. Today children are more interested in video game, computers and television, and parents are afraid of letting their children run around the streets because of kidnapping. The majority of kids are no longer interested in physical activity. Why do most kids enjoy video games rather than sports? Video games were first introduced in the 70’s and have been gaining popularity ever since. By the end of the decade video games had already become a preferred activity for kids. According to a recent study by Harris Interactive 1,178 children in the U. S, almost 9 percent of children gamers are pathologically or clinically â€Å"addicted to video games. However, 23 percent of youth say that they have felt addicted to video games, with about one-third of males and a little more than one in 10 females reporting the sensation. This is wrong, kids should not be addicted to anything at their age. Kids need to stop playing so many video games and start to playing more sports. Video games in today’s society have a negative influence on kids because it separates them from reality. This can be drastic on kids because they are constantly cutting off physical activity time and social interactions. Kids in this generation are constantly around technology whether at school, in their cars or at home. They are immersed in technology that promotes instant gratification, whether it is by Video games, computers or Mp3 players they are always around it. Technology not only has influenced kids for the worst but has also made them redundant against sports. Playing video games has adverse effects on youth by lowering their social skills, decrease sleep patterns and an increase of weight. If kids chose to play sports not only would they increase their social skills by meeting new teammates, but they would also get a great workout and increase their sleep. What makes video games better to play for kids rather than sports? I think it is because the world you get to enter it is like no other. You are free to do whatever you chose to. There are no rules no regulations, kids choose how and when to play, so I think that this is their way of feeling sort of like adults. They do not have to listen to anyone when playing video games, so I think this is sort of an escape from reality for sometime. According to the parent report. com it would appear that the excitement of video games causes the brain to release a chemical that is, in essence, addictive. This makes sense because kids are receiving constant gratification and happiness from playing video games. If kids were to play more sports rather than video games they would see that playing sports are way more compelling, fun and exciting. It is real live action, not make believe. Kids get to learn a new skill and exercise while doing it. Sports are an essential part of a kids life if they start to lack on physical activity not only will they be lazier when doing anything that requires physical activity, but will also lack the motivational to better yourself. We need to encourage kids to play more sports, and put down the controller. Kids have lost what it means to be a kid. I remember when I was a kid I would wake up at seven watch cartoons, then go out and play till it was dark. I did have a Sega, and Nintendo 64, but I found more pleasure with meeting new people and actually playing sports. I fear that if this process continues we will become sloth’s, and lose or education to video games. I used to work at Gamestop and people of all ages would come in. The ones who bought most video were kids and teenagers. Kids would wait in lines for hours when we had a pre- release and, would waste all of their birthday money or gift cards on various video games. When I was a kid my money would have gone to a new soccer ball or cleats, this just goes to show how much times have changed. There is nothing better for a kid or teenager to go outside and run around. What better way then enrolling them in karate or any other sport. According to Jennifer Dowd, Research has found that participating in sports can have a healthy developmental impact on young children. These activities can promote cooperative play, teamwork, and good sportsmanship while helping to refine gross motor skills. Sports can also help children get along with and become accepted by others, including peers, family members, teachers, and coaches. Plus, through positive feedback, group play builds self-esteem, helping your child realize that shes a capable personal who is able to accomplish significant achievements. I agree with her, being involved in a sport keeps you out of the house and builds essential tools for the future. Playing Video games is fun but as I have shown, it can really have negative side effects.

Cameras are an everyday commodity

Cameras are an everyday commodity Introduction / history Cameras are an everyday commodity and are commonly used today. It is a much simpler and advance device compared to the first ever camera made; the camera obscura. It was a sliding wooden box camera with a dark chamber which consists of an optical device. The first photograph taken with the camera obscura was by Joseph Nicephore Niepce in year 1814 but the image was only temporary. Soon after, the first practical photograph method was invented by Louis Jacques Daguerre and named it â€Å"daguerreotype†. However the process was perfected by William Fox Talbot and named it the â€Å"Calotype† in 1840. It is the first negative-positive process making multiple copies possible. The use of photographic film was found by George Eastman. His first camera called â€Å"Kodak† was a very simple box camera with a fixed focus lens and single shutter speed. It came along with a relatively low price which appealed to many average consumers. In 1900, He broadens mass market photography by introducing the concept of snapshot also known as â€Å"the Brownie†. George Eastman is known to bring photography and cameras general to the public. In 1913, the first 35mm camera develops. Oskar Barnack explored using 35mm cine film while building a compact camera capable for high quality enlargements. It gains immediate popularity as the format of choice for high end compact cameras. The 35mm cameras were expensive for most people and remain rollfilm as the format of choice for mass market cameras. However, 35mm film came to dominate the market when the cheapest cameras using rollfilm was discontinued. As conventional cameras became more sophisticated, a new type of camera appeared in the market. Edwin Land invented instant cameras; Polaroid photography. The Polaroid camera allows photographer to remove a developing print after the image is snapped. It was later made available to the public in 1948. In 1986, Fuji introduced disposable cameras. It is a camera that recycles parts which later was named â€Å"single use cameras†. In the late 1980s, digital photography entered the market of commerce. Kodaks introduction on the professional digital camera system (DSC) allows photojournalists to take electronic pictures. However, the first real digital camera introduced to consumers was in 1990. The camera was able to store compressed images and later downloaded into a PC or a Mac via cable. Photography became common to consumers and made available to consumers by the creator of Macintosh computer. It is a color digital camera with a 50mm fixed focus lens. Also able to store images into its memory, this had set some quality for digital cameras in the future.

Usage of the Outsider Theme in Claude McKays Poetry Essay examples --

Usage of the Outsider Theme in Claude McKay's Poetry Claude McKay was an important figure during the 1920's in the Harlem Rennaisance. Primarily a poet, McKay used the point of view of the outsider as a prevalent theme in his works. This is best observed in such poems as "Outcast," "America," and "The White House." In these poems, McKay portrays the African-American as the outsiderof western society and its politics and laws and at times, the very land that he is native to. McKays's poem, "Outcast," is the most obvious example of this outsider theme. From the title to the last line there are many references to a feeling of alienation and neglect. The voice in the poem longs for "the dim regions whence my fathers came." The voice also longs for "forgotten jungle songs" and yearns to "go back to darkness and to peace." This is the voice of the African-American removed from his native country and made an outsider of his own home. Alienation is also voiced as "I may never hope for full release while to its alien gods I bend my knee." This line illustrates that the...

Controlling Chemical and Biological Weapons Essay -- Exploratory Essay

Controlling Chemical and Biological Weapons History and Introduction Chemical and biological weapons (CBWs) have been used over the ages as an effective means of warfare. The earliest incident of biological weapons (BWs) occurred in the third century B.C., when the Carthaginian leader Hannibal filled up pots with venomous snakes and threw them onto enemy ships. (Cirincione, 48) Since then, biological weapons have been used very infrequently. This is mainly due to enormous cost required to create and handle BW's (many of the groups who have attempted to create such weapons have ended up infecting themselves more often then their intended targets). (Henderson, 25) In contrast, chemical weapons have been used fairly frequently in warfare. The earliest example of chemical weapons comes from the Trojan War when the Greeks "mixed sulfur and pitch resin to engulf enemy troops in toxic fumes." (Cirincione, 51) More recently the Germans and the Allies of World War I utilized the capabilities of chlorine gas in order to asphyxiate their enemies.(Slotten, 478) T hese weapons are thought to have been employed more frequently because they are more "humane" than biological or traditional weapons of war. Explains Capt. Alfred T Mahan of the U.S. Army after the Germans deployed chlorine gas during WWI, "the use of gases might make war more humane, instead of dying an agonizing death from horrible wounds, soldiers might be incapacitated by gas and then be humanely carted off to prisoner of war camps where they could quickly recuperate with no ill effects."(Slotten, 478) Though Mahan's rationale may be a little naà ¯ve, one can see why after the war there were many advocates for chemical weapons. Since their application in WWI by both the... ... the intelligence of the authorities in developed nations, who in turn can put political pressure on the nations building CBWs. Intelligence is the key. The more we know, the easier it is to stop terrorist groups and nations from using these weapons of mass destruction. Sources: Cirincione, Joseph, with Jon B. Wolfsthal and Miriam Rajkumar, "Deadly Arsenals: Tracking Weapons of Mass Destruction." The Brooking Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 2002. Henderson, Harry, "Global Terrorism: The Complete Reference Guide." Checkmark Boook, 2001. New York, N.Y. Moodie, Michael."Agents of Death." Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, Spring 2000. v15 i1 p6. Slotten, Hugh R. "Humane Chemistry or Scientific Barbarism? American Responses to World War I Poison Gas, 1915-1930." The Journal of American History, Volume 77, Issue 2. September, 1990. p. 476-498.

Lead And The Environment :: essays research papers

Lead and The Environment Some materials are so commonplace that we take them for granted. One of those materials is a grayish metal that has been with us for thousands of years. That metal is lead, still one of the world's most useful substances, and one that never ceases to find a role in human society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lead has the atomic symbol of Pb (for plumbum, lead in Latin). The atomic number for lead is 82 and the atomic mass is 207.19 AMU. It melts at about 327.502 oC and boils at 1740 oC. Lead is a heavy, ductile, soft, gray solid. It is soluble in nitric acid and insoluble in water. It is found in North, Central and South America, Australia, Africa and Europe. In modern times, lead has found a wide range of uses, and world demand for lead and its products has steadily increased. Lead's usefulness stems from the metal's many desirable properties: softness, high density, low melting point, ability to block radiation, resistance to corrosion, readiness to form alloys and chemical compounds, and ease of recycling. Its versatility, as well as its physical and chemical properties, accounted for its extensive use. Lead can be rolled into sheets which can be made into rods and pipes. It can also be molded into containers and mixed with other metallic elements.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lead was used in ancient times for making coinage, art objects and water pipes. One of the first known toxic substances, lead was used by the Romans for lining aqueducts and in glazes on containers used for food and wine storage; and it is suspected to have resulted in widespread lead poisoning. Members of the famous Franklin Expedition to the Northwest Passage in the mid-1840s met a similar fate, being poisoned from lead in solder, widely used at the time to seal tins used to store foods. Until recently, one of the most significant uses was an anti-knock additive in gasoline. In the 1970s and 1980s, steps were taken to reduce the use of leaded gas. By 1990, these actions had virtually eliminated the use of lead in gasoline. Lead is also one of the best and earliest examples of recycling about 55 percent of the lead used in Canada comes from recycled material.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One particular category of toxic tort is injury caused by exposure to lead-based paint. The hazards of lead-based paint have been known since the early 1900s, when the use of lead in the manufacture of paint was banned in Australia. The lead mining and lead pigment industries in the United States were able, however, to forestall the banning the use of lead in the manufacture of

Eating Disorder Research Paper Essay

Media and society are often looked at as a source of daily entertainment, gossip and news. Every day, people are constantly exposed to thousands of images of glamour, beauty, celebrities, and much more. The media is so compelling that it has the power to change what people believe in. The images that are shown repeatedly make a way into teenagers mind and they want to be a part of what the media shows. Teens feel the need to change their body to look a certain way and be like someone else. But a fact unknown to teenagers is that even celebrities’ body are not perfect. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. People with anorexia have a huge fear of gaining weight and a change in their body shape and size (â€Å"Eating Disorders†). Anorexia has been characterized as a â€Å"rich white girl† disorder because most anorectics are white and about three-quarters of them come from households at the middle income level or above (Davidson and Fundukian). Bulimia on the other hand is when a person eats large amount of food over a short period of time then later performs activities to try to burn the calories off. Binging is the most common symptom of bulimia and it is often done when trying to get rid of the food eaten. Bulimia is thought to affect around 1% to 5% of teenage American girls and up to 3% will be bulimic at some point in their life (Arnold and Walsh 30). Studies show that â€Å"media exposure has a direct impact on disorder symptoms and indirect effects through gender role endorsement, ideal-body stereotype internalization and body satisfaction. † The covers of magazines display pictures of both men and women whose images are offered as near perfection in society. â€Å"Research has shown that even brief exposure to ads showing highly attractive models results in decreased satisfaction with one’s own appearance† (McMurray). Teenagers should know that celebrities are not magically beautiful and thin, they are made to look that way. â€Å"Today’s culture is unique in that the media is a far more powerful presence than ever before† (Derenne and Bersin). The media has been named as a causative factor for body dissatisfaction, which promotes unrealistic standards of female beauty and show images that create and reinforce cultural definitions of attractiveness. (Qtd. in Wexler). The media opens the door of eating disorders to teenagers and brainwashes them into thinking that being thin is important and necessary. The media needs to be very careful in the messages that they give to teenagers regarding body image. Dr. Bond says how â€Å"the media should be more responsible in not publishing pictures of very thin models and celebrities because young people wish to emulate them. Eating disorders are not going away, if anything they are becoming more common (Thinspiration? ). Advertisements everywhere continually expose the notion that losing weight will make people happier. Advertisements that show thin celebrities reach out to individuals telling them what they can be or become if they were thin. By looking at these advertisements, women start to feel insecure about the way they look. The NEDA reports that â€Å"women’s magazines contained 10. 5 times more advertisements and articles promoting diet and weight loss then were found in men’s magazines. It also reports that a study of 4,294 network television commercials revealed that one out of every 3. 8 commercials conveyed some sort of attractiveness message of what is or is not attractive† (Qtd. In Wexler). Many women frequently compare their bodies to those around them and the body images on advertisements lowers their self-esteem. The advertisements of celebrities affects the stereotypical idea of an ideal body which leads to eating disorders (Stice et al 5). Online, there are websites that promote anorexia. Teens with anorexia can then put up pictures of their skinny bodies for other anorectics to see and feel encouraged by. They feature pictures of celebrities such Keira Knightley and Victoria Beckham that promote 400-500 calories a day diet. In a year alone more than 500,000 people visited the sites and a 2011 EU survey found more than one in five six-to 11-year olds had been exposed to one or more sites with these â€Å"harmful content† (Thinspiration? . Teens who are anorexic feel that having an eating disorder is not a bad thing. They look upon each other for support, telling each other secrets of losing weight. The quote â€Å"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels† by Kate Moss is popular among these pro-anorexia websites (Wardrop). TV shows also send the message to be thin to whoever watches them. Disney Channel, which attracts millions of viewers, especially the young, made fun of eating disorder and actually promoted the idea of being thin. In the show Shake It Up, someone stated â€Å"I could just eat you guys up, you know, if I ate† (â€Å"Party It Up†). In another Disney show, So Random, a conversation goes on where one character tells another â€Å"Angus only eats one full meal a day† to which Angus replies â€Å"My agent’s always on me about looking my best (â€Å"Colbie Caillat†). Disney thinks about eating disorders as a joke which is not dangerous. For many kids, the people on Disney are their role models, and if kids see their role models not eating, they are going to think that it is okay to not eat. Also if Disney encourages the idea of not eating that kids will do the same thing. Demi Lovato who battled an eating disorder attacked Disney about these risky messages that they send to kids. Experts say that Lovato opened the Pandora’s Box about the dangerous effects television shows can have on the negative body image of young women (â€Å"Disney Pop Star†). Even in other TV shows, the overweight characters are most likely portrayed as lazy and the one with no friends, while thin characters are successful and popular. This also sends a message that in order to be successful in life a person has to be thin. Teenagers feel pressured into looking the way society wants them to look like. Everywhere they go, they see posters of celebrities enhanced to look â€Å"perfect. Society thinks that if someone does not look a certain way then it is not acceptable and that they should change how their body looks. From a young age, women are given the message that in order to be happy, they must be thin. Thousands of teenage girl starve themselves to attain what the fashion industry considers to be the â€Å"ideal† figure (Thompson). Society has become obsessive and prejudiced when it comes to body image. Society and media work together to get that one message across to teens today; to be thin. New diets come out every month and media spends money trying to advertise them and get celebrity endorsements. In stores, the front pages of magazines show that one celebrity that everyone looks up too. How they talk about that one diet that â€Å"changed their life† and made them â€Å"happy† again. Teens think that if these celebrities can be skinny, then why can’t they? Teens spend their times looking at websites and magazines that tell them how to be skinny. By constantly portraying â€Å"perfect† bodies in the media, it promotes unhealthy eating that can sometimes lead to death (â€Å"Disney Pop Star†). Even today, dolls like Barbie send that message to young girl to be thin. The Barbie doll is a stereotype of a woman with no flaws and a perfect body who gets to be whatever she wants. Girls who play with Barbie feel the need to look and act like her. The traditional Barbie is known for her 40-18-32 measurements (Young) which would be unproportional on human bodies (Grey). If Barbie were real, she would be 5’9†³ tall and weigh 110 pounds, about 35 pounds below the minimum healthy weight for a woman of that size (McMurray). Barbie helps to perpetuate an ideal of materialism, beauty, and being thin is happiness and since a young age, the desire to be thin is recognized by girls everywhere. But eating disorders doesn’t just affect women, it affects men also. In a study by Harvard researchers, 25% of 3,000 adults had anorexia or bulimia and 40% of binge eaters were men (Boodman). Just like women, men also feel pressured into looking a certain way. In school, boys are told to be healthy if they want to keep playing a sport. But that habit can become something more dangerous. â€Å"Studies show that gay males particularly place a higher calculation on thinness than heterosexual males, with a level of concern for thinness almost equal to that of the typical heterosexual female† (Anderson, Cohn, and Holbrook 41). Because of this many men might be afraid about coming out to the world about their eating disorder. Some people think of an eating disorder as more of a woman thing and â€Å"psychological tests for eating disorders are biased towards diagnosing women† (Anderson, Cohn, and Holbrook 41). Eating disorders are also common in the entertainment business. Celebrities and models are also under pressure to look their best. The average model weighs 23% less than the average woman and fit the category of being anorexic (Thompson). Models go through plastic surgery and photos are air-brushed before going to print. The body type and images are unobtainable to the average individual and the constant force of these images on society makes teens believe that they should be. Many celebrities and models who feel that an eating disorder is something more dangerous than what everyone else seems have come out and talked about that issues. Even celebrities who once had an eating disorder spend time educating others and telling them that it is okay to get help. In 1992 after the news about Princess Diana being bulimic was released, there was a significant increase in the number of bulimia diagnoses. This effect then came known as the â€Å"Diana Effect† (Celebrities Who Battled Eating Disorders). Just like how Lucy Grealy states in her memoir Autobiography of a Face, â€Å"Beauty, as defined by society at large, seemed to be only about who was best at looking like everyone else† (187) it looks like that concept has not changed since that time. In today’s society everything is about being thin and trying to look like a model or a celebrity. Teenagers try to do everything to make themselves how society wants it but in the end they just destroy themselves. Society and media think of an eating disorder as a joke but it is a disease; a disease that has the power to take the lives of both women and men. For anybody out there who thinks that an eating disorder is not a big deal then they are wrong. People, especially the media, should know that the message they send out to teens is wrong; everything is not just about being thin. Simply by the media bringing out the concept that being beautiful and thin is necessary for a successful life is wrong. Having to look like a model to be accepted in society is wrong. All these messages have a huge negative effect on teenagers and they think down of themselves just because they do not think they are â€Å"right† for society. The fake advertisements that are shown is just another step for teens to developing a dangerous and deadly addiction that is called an eating disorder. â€Å"I think we look at society and we look at every ad that out there and everything that tells us how we’re supposed to look, and how we’re supposed to live, and how we’re supposed to be instead of saying ‘Is that how really I feel? ’, ‘Is that really what I want to do? ’, and ‘Is that really how I want to live? ’† (Ellen DeGeneres).

Enduring Vision Chapter 30 Notes

Identifications: * Yuppies/VCRs/Three Mile Island * Yuppies: young, urban professionals who wore ostentatious gear such Rolex watches or BMW cars. they came to symbolize the increased pursuit of wealth and materialism of Americans in the 1980s, represented decade of greed, stopped being radical, worried about weight. * VCRs: video cassette recorders became popular in the late 70's that allowed viewers to tape and view later their favorite programs and to rent movies on cassette.As entertainment became privatized, families stayed home with the VCR instead of going to the movies * Three Mile Island: 1979 an accident at the nuclear plant at this location that caused a radiation leak and forced the evacuation of 140,000 people near the site. the story made headlines around the world and seemed to confirm people's fears about nuclear power. * Roe v. Wade/Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)/AIDS/Moral Majority/televangelists * Roe v. Wade: the 1973 Supreme Court decision holding that a state ban on all abortions was unconstitutional. he decision forbade state control over abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy, permitted states to limit abortions to protect the mother's health in the second trimester, and permitted states to protect the fetus during the third trimester * Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): a constitutional amendment originally introduced in congress in 1923 and passed by congress in 1972, stating that â€Å"equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the united states or by any state on account of sex. despite public support, the amendment failed to acquire the necessary support from three-fourths of the state legislatures. DID NOT RATIFY * AIDS: AIDS epidemic in the 1970s made many Americans more cautious in their sexual behavior. * Moral Majority: political organization of the United States which had an agenda of evangelical Christian-oriented political lobbying. Formed by Jerry Falwell. organization made up of conservative C hristian political action committees which campaigned on issues its personnel believed were important to maintaining its Christian conception of moral law. his group pressured for legislation that would ban abortion and ban the states' acceptance of homosexuality. * Televangelists: ministers who would spread their messages via television networks * Gerald R. Ford/WIN/Mayaguez incident/Election of 1976 * Gerald R. Ford: Nixon’s vice president after Agnew resigned; he became the only president never to be elected. Taking office after Nixon resigned, he pardoned Nixon for all federal crimes that he â€Å"committed or may have committed. * WIN: â€Å"Whip Inflation Now† a program by the ford administration to curb inflation and dramatic price increases by putting pressure on businesses to lower prices and deter consumers from hording goods. Did not really work. Start due to OPEC * Mayaguez incident: in May of 1975, Cambodian communists seize the ship Mayaguez and 39 Ameri cans are held hostage. In retaliation the president ordered bombing on Cambodia and the launch of a rescue mission * Election of 1976: Jimmy Carter/democrat vs.Gerald Ford/republican= carter wins * Jimmy Carter/Love Canal/Panama Canal Treaty/SALT II/Iran hostage crisis/Camp David * Jimmy Carter: from Georgia was viewed as a Washington â€Å"outsider† with no political ties and no scandals, people thought he would bring fresh ideas * stressed human rights. because of the soviet war in Afghanistan, he enacted an embargo on grain shipments to USSR and boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Created the department of energy and the department of education. e was criticized for his return of the panama canal zone * Love Canal: a neighborhood in Niagara falls, New York, which became the subject of national and international attention, controversy, and eventual environmental notoriety following the discovery of 21,000 tons of toxic waste buried beneath the neighborhood * Panama Canal Treaty: 1978 – passed by president carter, these called for the gradual return of the Panama Canal to the people and government of panama.Very controversial. The people were not happy. * SALT II: (strategic arms limitation treaty) superpowers pledged to limit nuclear arms production, although signed it was never officially ratified by the American senate * Iran hostage crisis: in November 1979, revolutionaries stormed the American embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage. The carter administration tried unsuccessfully to negotiate for the hostages’ release. n January 20, 1981, the day carter left office, Iran released the Americans, ending their 444 days in captivity * Camp David: peace talks between Egypt and Israel mediated by president carter * they led to a peace treaty the next year that returned the Sinai peninsula to Egypt, guaranteed Israeli access to the red sea and Suez canal, and more-or-less normalized diplomatic and economic relations between the t wo countries. his isolated Egypt from the other Arab countries and led to Sadat’s assassination in 1981 * Ronald Reagan/Reagan Revolution/Reaganomics/deregulation/Contras/Grenada/Beirut bombings * Ronald Reagan: elected president in 1980 and again in 1984. he ran on a campaign based on the common man and â€Å"populist† ideas. Had participated in McCarthy trials. Iran released hostages on his inauguration day in 1980. he used the strategic defense initiative to avoid conflict. his meetings with Gorbachev were the first steps to ending the cold war. e was also responsible for the Iran-contra affair which bought hostages with guns * Reagan Revolution: increased defense spending reduced social programs and cut taxes they were based on supply side theory of growing the economy by cutting government interference and taxes. attempt to return America to the traditional values of church, family, and free enterprise * Reaganomics: these policies combined a monetarist fiscal pol icy, supply-side(cut income taxes), and domestic budget cutting. heir goal was to reduce the size of the federal government and stimulate economic growth, unemployed started going back to work * it included tax breaks for the rich, â€Å"supply-side economics,† and â€Å"trickle down† theory * Deregulation: the lifting of restrictions on business, industry, and professional activities for which government rules had been established and that bureaucracies had been created to administer * Contras: a Nicaraguan rebel group that got financial support from the CIA. his group was formed as a response to the overthrowing of Anastazio Somoza Debayle * Grenada: a small Latin country where a communist government had taken power. Reagan invaded the country in protest of communist expansion, showing that he was not pursuing detente. Beirut bombings: Lebanon 1983: two truck bombs struck separate buildings housing united states and French military forces killing 299 Americans and Fr enchmen – suicide bombers – led to the withdrawal of the international peacekeeping force from Lebanon – Reagan administration was ; is severely criticized for its foreign policy * SDI/Election of 1984/Iran-Contra Affair/Mikhail Gorbachev/START/INF Treaty/Pan Am 103 * SDI: Reagan’s proposed strategic defense initiative (1983), also known as â€Å"star ars,† called for a land- or space-based shield against a nuclear attack. Although SDI was criticized as unfeasible and in violation of the antiballistic missile (ABM) treaty, congress approved billions of dollars for development. * Election of 1984: republican: Ronald Reagan (won in a landslide) democrat: Walter Mondale (running mate: Geraldine Ferraro– first woman candidate). Iran-Contra Affair: president Reagan authorized the off-the-books sale of stolen weapons from the pentagon to Iran in order to fund the Nicaraguan contras; congress had forbidden him to use government funds to support the contras; helped keep Iraq from winning the Iraq-Iran war (did not want a middle eastern superpower); very illegal (Iran was considered a terrorist state) and almost caused Reagan to be impeached * Mikhail Gorbachev: soviet statesman whose foreign policy brought an end to the cold war and whose domestic policy introduced major reforms * START: â€Å"Strategic Arms Reduction Talks†, talks between the united states and the soviet union in which reductions in missiles and nuclear warheads, not merely a limitation on increases, were negotiated * INF Treaty: 1987 agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union. Signed in Washington, DC. by US. President Ronald Reagan and Gorbachev on December 8, 1987. he treaty eliminated nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with intermediate ranges, defined as between 500-5,500 km (300-3,400 miles). under the treaty both nations were allowed to inspect each other's military installations * Pan Am 103: 19 88 Libyan terrorist attack on US; destroyed American plane (bomb); worst terrorist attack on us until 9/11 (270 killed) Questions: 1. Which social activist movement of the 1960s continued strongly in the 1970s and 1980s? Why? a. The environmental movement continued strongly in the 1970’s and 1980s. It gained momentum with Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and the environmental laws of the 1960’s and the start of Earth Day in 1970.The creation of groups such as Sierra Club and Greenpeace, for which membership increased greatly. Campaigns to save animals, plants, and the ocean were launched. In the 1970’s environmentalists attacked the nuclear plants employing rallies and protests. The Three Mile Island incident and the China Syndrome movie also aided in Environment change. b. The woman’s movement also continued strongly. With the Roe v. Wade decision, and the ERA 2. What was the  Roe  v. Wade  decision? Why did it prove to be politically divisive throughout the 1980s and early 1990s? c. Roe v. Wade was the 1973 Supreme Court decision holding that a state ban on all abortions was unconstitutional.The decision forbade state control over abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy, permitted states to limit abortions to protect the mother's health in the second trimester, and permitted states to protect the fetus during the third trimester. d. The decision proved controversial, especially with the Evangelicals who were pro-life. The women, however, responded with Pro-life campaigns, which polls revealed represented the majority of Americans. 3. How did prospects for Native Americans improve in the late 1960s and 1970s? What significant problems continued to plague American Indians? e. Acts of militancy by the Native Americans caused the government to give the native Americans more rights over their lives and the reservations. Pride in being Native grew.The natives also launched business ventures on the reservations, maki ng a lot of doe. They also gained the rights guaranteed in previous treaties. Alcoholism, disease, and high unemployment rates still affected the reservations but they still gained prosperity as a whole. 4. In what ways did religious faith play a more decisive cultural and political role in the 1970s and 1980s? f. The evangelists took on conservative backlash against the radical changes in America. They first made movements against Roe v. Wade which led to the government stopping Medicaid for abortions. It also stopped the passing of the ERA bill. It also retrogressed the gay rights movement. New groups formed with religion and spiritual questioning.The moral majority formed the pro-life, pro-family, pro-moral, and pro-American crusade. Televangelists appeared on TV across the nation reaching millions of viewers. 5. What were the troubles that overwhelmed the Carter administration and prevented Carter's reelection? g. Carter gave the Panama Canal back to Panama. His sheltering of th e Shah in Iran led to the hostage situation in Iran. The Iranians abused the American flag, and had anti-American mobs. Inflation grew sharply worse as a second major oil crisis drove up prices. The Federal Reserve Board pushed the discount rate ever higher. With the cost of both credit and oil so high, economic activity deteriorated to â€Å"stagflation. † Carter’s reign was cursed.