buy custom About Racism essay

buy custom About Racism essay Racism refers to the belief that a certain racial group is superior or inferior to another, which causes it to be discriminated against based on their various inherent traits (Shah, 2010). Racism has a very long history in the society, infiltrating every aspect of our lives. It is unfortunate that even today racism still continues to exist and shows no sign of declining in the near future. It exists in different forms based on the difference of skin color, religion, culture, economic status, etc. (Shah, 2010). A better understanding of racism requires a closer look at the core cause which is an institutional ideology. It is more than just ill-treatment of certain people, or hatred; it is an evil that is nourished and sustained by governments and institutions (Shah, 2010). The initial evidence of racism emerged at the end of the 16th century with the slave trade in America and Britain. The rich and the powerful used racism to justify this inhuman and most atrocious treatment of black people to gain material wealth. Towards the end of the 17th century, racism had become an established and organized justification for degrading and mistreating slaves (Shah, 2010). When the slave trade declined, racism took a new form in the 1940s to justify the ideology of imperialism which reigned more than a century. The white mans burden concept was a trend started in England. According to it, British colonialists declared themselves as the father and mother of colonial children charged with the responsibility of their spiritual and material welfare. Colonialists used racism to justify their exploitation of the natives, stealing of their properties, as well as their capitalist expansion into various countries (Shah, 2010). Perhaps the best achievement in the fight against racism in the USA was the election of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama (Shah, 2010). The President Obama became the first African American who held the highest and most coveted position worldwide. The tears of joy, which many African Americans shed at the swearing-in of the President Obama, signified victory over racism in America. It was the wish of many black Americans that racism would end forever. However, some of the policies of the President Obama have been met with opposition from whites, for instance, when he tried to push for a more comprehensive health system, he was criticized, even called a communist who was favoring the black people (Shah, 2010). From the criticisms, it is clear that some people do not want a more comprehensive healthcare system that covers even the blacks because they feel that black people in the USA are unworthy human beings. In addition, racists have criticized Mr. Obam a because of his middle name Hussein which shows that he is a Muslim and not a Christian which is his true religion. He has been called an anti-Christ, discriminatory sentiments, which have fueled racism (Shah, 2010). This is a clear indication of racism in practice, which shows just how inevitable racism is in our societies, no matter how we try to get rid of it. This paper explores the causes and effects of racism. Causes of Racism Feeling of Unworthinss A majority of racists in the world tend to suffer from low self-esteem and self-love, thereby making them feel unconfident. Consequently, they tend to concentrate their negative feelings towards people who are vulnerable and weak (Shah, 2010). It is important to note that people, who love and appreciate themselves, are in a better position to appreciate the feelings of others and understand them, hence, they are able to accommodate opinions of others more. Racists have a low perception of themselves because they feel they lack the opportunities that others have, and, therefore, they need to feel superior and exercise power over others what makes them treat others indifferently (Shah, 2010). Ignorance Ignorance is another issue that fuels racism. Children, who are taught that other people are less human, or inferior, grow up with the belief that racism is right and normal, especially when their peers demonstrate similar beliefs and conducts. Consequently, such people tend to see nothing wrong with their actions because they are validated by everybody else around them (Shah, 2010). Until they are aware of the consequences of their actions through education, they continue to remain ignorant of other peoples realities. Intolerance The failure to teach children about tolerance to different people has also contributed to racism. This is because many schools are segregated based on gender, abilities, race, religion, culture, economic status, etc. As a result, children grow up only used to interacting with other children whom they share common things with. When they grow up, they find it difficult to tolerate people who are different from them (Shah, 2010). An illustration of racism is found in Toni Morissons book Recitatif where he represents how racism led to unfriendly relationship between two girls, Roberta (white) and Twyla (black). This is a part of their conversation: Oh, Twyla, you know how it was in those days: black-white. You know how everything was (Morisson 56). Later on when the girls met as adults, Roberta explained to Twyla that the cause of the unfriendliness was their different color of skin. Social and Economic Factors The varied social and economic status of people has also contributed to racism, i.e., the amount of money they make, the type of car they drive, their place of residence, etc. According to reports by CNN, 12.5% of Americans were living below the poverty line in 2004 as compared to 24.4% of African Americans (Fredrickson, 2005). It is evident that the number of poor African Americans was twice that of poor whites and this have contributed to people generalizing that all African Americans are poor. A study by the Michigan University revealed that whites view all minority groups as security risks. According to the research, whites are threatened by blacks because they see them as a source of possible danger to their security, and consequently, they tend to distance themselves from them (Fredrickson, 2005). Effects of Racism Segregattion Racism was the reason behind the segregation witnessed in the United States between 1890 and 1940, which saw enacted the laws of Jim Crow. Consequently, all public facilities were separated for whites and blacks. Many African-Americans faced with frightening or even killing for enrolling in schools and voting (Shah, 2010). Lynching of the black population by the whites for insignificant reasons was a common and widespread practice during those days. In healthcare facilities, black people were denied the same quality of health care given to the whites, and black patients often died due to neglect by medical staff. Racism also led to the South African apartheid that resulted in legal segregation of the Africans from the Europeans (Shah, 2010). Racism also led to the mass killing of Jews and Gypsies by Hitler during World War II (Shah, 2010). Hitlers genocide was systematically planned, and sponsored by the Nazi Germany Government, and was aimed to kill all Jews and Gypsies who had occupied the Nazi territory. It is reported that about two-thirds of the twelve million (9 million women and 3 million men) Jews who lived in Europe perished. The most famous concentration camps were Sobibor, Belzec, and Treblinka, where handicapped (physical and mental) Jews and Gypsies were taken and burned alive (Shah, 2010). Anger, Violence and Hatred Racism results in violence, anger and hatred among people. People who are discriminated, for instance, based on appearance, suffer from low self-esteem and self-confidence. However, since there is nothing they can do to change their appearance, they tend to harbor hatred and anger towards others, which when not handled properly can lead to violence (Shah, 2010). Such people are exceedingly hot-tempered and can turn violent at the least of provocations. The indifferent treatment of people who experience racism can make them stressed. This is because they have to put up with unfair treatment from unequal resource distribution, poor educational and medical services to relatively less opportunities for success. In addition, people get stressed especially when the witness a stereotypical portrayal of the race with which they identify with on television or in the news (Harrell 46). Such constant experience of racism-related mental suffering can increase the potential of people developing grave physiological health problems such as cardiovascular reactivity, hypertension, high blood pressure, as well as poor functioning of the immune system (Harrell, 2000). Racism has existed since time immemorial and is still present in the current society. The past years of segregation, colonialism and extermination have all remained in our memories making it difficult to forget everything and treat everybody equally. Though racism may be inevitable in the society, something can still be done to save the future generation from its effects. Education is the way forward. We have to explain to future generations that we share the same earth, so we must accept our differences, and learn to love and tolerate one another. Tolerance is the key word in the fight against racism. Buy custom About Racism essay

Grizzly Bear Facts (Ursus arctos horribilis)

Grizzly Bear Facts (Ursus arctos horribilis) The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is a subspecies of brown bear found in North America. While all grizzlies are brown bears, not all brown bears are grizzlies. According to some specialists, the grizzly bear lives inland, while the North American brown bear lives on the coast due to its reliance on food sources like salmon. Meanwhile, the Kodiac brown bear lives in the Kodiac Archipelago of Alaska. While habitat affects their appearance and behavior, there is no genetic difference between these bears. Thus, most scientists simply refer to any brown bear living in North America as a North American brown bear. Fast Facts: Grizzly Bear Scientific Name: Ursus arctos horribilisOther Names: North American brown bearDistinguishing Features: Large brown bear with a muscular shoulder hump.Average Size: 6.5 ft (1.98 m); 290 to 790 lb (130 to 360 kg)Diet: OmnivorousAverage Life Span: 25 yearsHabitat: Northwestern North AmericaConservation Status: Least ConcernKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: MammaliaOrder: CarnivoraFamily: UrsidaeFun Fact: Adult male grizzly bears weigh about twice as much as females. Description Brown bears are easily distinguished from black bears by their large muscular shoulder hump, short ears, and rump that is lower than the shoulders. Because they eat a lower protein diet, grizzly bears tend to be smaller than coastal brown bears, but they are still very large. The average female weighs between 130 and 180 kg (290 to 400 lb), while males typically weigh between 180 and 360 kg (400 to 790 lb). Grizzly bears range in color from blond to black. Most bears are brown with darker legs and gray or blond tipped hairs on their back and flanks. Their long claws are well-adapted to digging. Lewis and Clark described the bear as grisley, which could have referred to the grizzled appearance of the bears gray-or-gold-tipped fur, or to the gruesome ferocity of the animal. Distribution Originally, grizzly bears ranged across much of North America, from Mexico through northern Canada. Hunting greatly reduced the bears range. Presently, there are about 55,000 grizzly bears, mostly found in Alaska, Canada, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Grizzly bear range over time. Cephas Diet and Predators The grizzly bear, together with the gray wolf, is the apex predator in its range. Grizzlies pursue large prey (i.e. deer, bison, moose, elk, caribou, and black bears), smaller prey (i.e. voles, marmots, ground squirrels, voles, bees, and moths), fish (i.e. trout, bass, and salmon), and shellfish. Grizzly bears are omnivorous, so they also eat grasses, pine nuts, berries, and tubers. Grizzly bears scavenge carcasses, and they will eat human food and garbage when available. The bears have been known to kill and eat humans, but about 70% of human fatalities are caused by females defending their young. While adult grizzlies dont have predators, cubs may be killed by wolves or by other brown bears. Grizzly bears eat grass as well as meat. Keith Bradley / Getty Images Reproduction and Life Cycle Grizzly bears reach sexual maturity around five years of age. They mate in the summer. Embryo implantation is delayed until the female seeks a den for the winter. If she does not gain sufficient weight over the summer, she will have a miscarriage. Grizzly bears do not truly hibernate, but the females energy is diverted toward gestation while she sleeps. She gives birth to one to four cubs in the den and nurses them until summer comes. The mother stays with her cubs and fiercely defends them for about two years, but then she chases them away and avoids them if the bears meet later in life. A female does not mate when caring for her cubs, so the grizzly has a slow reproductive rate. Female bears live somewhat longer than males. The average lifespan is about 22 years for a male and 26 years for a female. This disparity is most likely caused by the injuries male bears incur while fighting for mates. Grizzly bears can breed with other brown bears, black bears, and polar bears. However, these hybrids are rare because the species and subspecies dont usually have overlapping ranges. Conservation Status The IUCN Red List categorizes the brown bear, which includes the grizzly, as least concern. Overall, the species population is stable. However, the grizzly is considered threatened in the United States and endangered in parts of Canada. Threats include habitat loss from human encroachment, human-bear conflict, pollution, and climate change. While the bear is protected in North America, reintroducing it into its previous range is a slow process, partly because the grizzly has such a slow life cycle. Even so, the grizzly was delisted from the Endangered Species Act in June 2017. As an example of the species recovery, the grizzly population in Yellowstone National Park has risen from 136 bears in 1975 to about 700 bears in 2017. Sources Herrero, Stephen (2002). Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance. Guilford, Conn.: Lyons Press. ISBN 978-1-58574-557-9.Mattson, J.; Merrill, Troy (2001). Extirpations of Grizzly Bears in the Contiguous United States, 1850–2000. Conservation Biology. 16 (4): 1123–1136. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.2002.00414.xMcLellan, B.N.; Proctor, M.F.; Huber, D. Michel, S. (2017). Ursus arctos. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2017: e.T41688A121229971. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T41688A121229971.enMiller, Craig R.; Waits, Lisette P.; Joyce, Paul (2006). Phylogeography and mitochondrial diversity of extirpated brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations in the contiguous United States and Mexico. Molecular Ecology, 15 (14): 4477–4485. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.03097.xWhitaker, John O. (1980). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals. Chanticleer Press, New York. ISBN 0-394-50762-2.

Communication in the 21st Century Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Communication in the 21st Century - Term Paper Example Communication is one fundamental process in human’s existence. Due to the fact that the economic and corporate environment is one of the important components of the present society, the interest regarding the process referred to as corporate communication is also an immediate concert and interest. The main objective of the study undertaken is to be able to present the issues that are related to corporate communication specifically in the 21st century. The importance of the said study can be considered based on the role of communication in different aspects of the corporate world. As in human interaction, it is also important for the different processes in the operation of organizations and participants in the corporate world. In addition, it is considered as one of the most significant resource that can be viewed as an input for the success and profitability of a company (Kitchen and Schultz 1). The objectives of the study are achieved through the determination of the differen t ways and methods that corporate communication is defined due to the fact that communication can vary through the transition of history. In addition, the elements and factors that are related to corporate communication are also defined. The different elements include the innovations and the effects that are associated upon the application of the said innovative technologies and methods to the conventional system. The importance of communication in the corporate and business context an be described on the basis of the importance.

The impact of Nike on the international markets in comparison to the Essay

The impact of Nike on the international markets in comparison to the local markets - Essay Example The firm that is analyzed in the paper is Nike, Inc. as a firm that deals with design, improvement and marketing of different shoe types. Nike is regarded as the best seller in athletic shoes as well as athletic attire around the world. The company vends its commodities to retailers via its own retailer stores, internet marketing as well as through autonomous distributors and other licensed individuals and groups. The company vends approximately 18,000 retail records in the US through its retailers and distributors. The shoes that the firm deals in are specifically for athletic purposes. In addition, it makes other athletic shoes and attires for different games such as football and baseball. The company also vends other sporting accessories such as sporting or gaming bags and other protective gear utilized in various games. The principal competitors within this industry are Puma and Adidas, which offer the company numerous challenges in maintaining their high profile and sales. Since the adoption of Nike, in 1978, the company has extensively grown into a global company specialized in footwear and other products related to sports. The financial analysis of the corporation through scrutiny of its financial, income statements, as well as, balance sheets allows reviewing of the company financial health and other achievements over the years. Over the period, since the company establishment, the management of Nike has generated value for the shareholders through the progression of the company’s operations in overseas nations in an extensive manner. The company’s trading and earnings have surpassed the Wall Street approximations with respect to FY 06 (Stilga, 2006). The income for the company hit approximately $15 billion while its income per share hit a high up by 18 percent. In the last 5 years, the compounded rate per split elevated by 20 percent while the average of the gross margins came to 42 percent (Stilga, 2006). In the precedent year, the compa ny’s margins were 44 percent seeing an enormous rise in profits. Currently, the company’s management has optimized the wealth for its shareholders although the company performance in Nike’s footwear has declined. The footwear performance in the sector generated an average of approximately 14.25 percent whereas the progression in stock reached 10.48 percent (Stilga, 2006). In view of performance for the management, the performance can be considered not noteworthy provided the augment in share value serves as the point of reference. The Price to Book relative amount for Nike is 3.97 whereas the segment in which the corporation operates has a relative amount of 3.96. Similarly, the company has a Price to Tangible Book relative amount of about 4.26 whereas the sector that Nike operates presents a relative amount of about 4.44 (Stilga, 2006). The brand name and image of Nike is considered the strength of the company thus the competitive advantage. In addition, to the brand name and image of the company, the company has acquired other strong points in global operations. The company’s processes in international markets have gradually expanded coupled with innovations and creativity in fresh products. The operational expansions in global markets can also be ascribed to the capability in relating with its consumers. As a multinational company, Nike has impacted on almost all nations although it overseas ventures have raised concerns over claims in exploitation of its employees. The company gains a lot of revenues from global markets than its receives from the internal markets. The international operations of the company earned approximately $6.5 billion as compared to $5.1billion from its local or internal markets. Therefore, the international o

Social Consequences Essay Example for Free

Social Consequences Essay One of the most significant social consequences during the Industrial Revolution was child labor. During the late 1700s up until the Factory Act of 1833, children as young as six were working on average 12-14 hours a day in factories for little to no pay. The conditions in factories were deplorable, and the child workers were frequently forced to work with dangerous, heavy equipment. There were many accidents in these factories that resulted in children being seriously injured and even killed at work. Orphans were often taken advantage of and used as slave labor. The young children who were not old enough to work with the machines, often worked as assistants to adult workers in the factory, who would beat them. Punishments like weighting, where a heavy weight was tied to the childs neck while he walked up and down the hallway to serve as an example for the other children, were often used when children showed up to work late or did not reach their quotas (Child Labor). Another consequence of the Industrial Revolution was the result of pollution from all of the new factories. Smog was created by the burning of coal to run the factories, causing many people to develop respiratory issues. The smog caused the people of London to experience a general decline in health, including soldiers in the Crimean War, which caused their performance to suffer (Kasa). Capitalism The rapid growth of manufacturers lead to people investing in factories, new inventions and innovations, and increased production and higher demands for raw materials. Adam Smith, in his book The Wealth of Nations, wrote about the idea that production of wealth would increase if people pursued their self-interest in 1776, just before the Industrial Revolution took off. He went on to describe the division of labor, that is breaking the manufacturing of a product into several easier tasks to be done by separate people, commonly called an assembly line. The Industrial Revolution brought  to life Smiths ideas of division of labor and economic individualism with unrestrained competition, essentially birthing capitalism (Miller). Communist Theory Prior to the First Industrial revolution, manufacturing of goods was done in peoples homes using basic machines and hand tools. Industrialization gave way to powered machinery, factories and mass production. This brought an increased variety of goods and a better standard of living for some, and for many of the poor and working classes it brought dismal living conditions and grim employment options (Industrial Revolution). Capitalism emphasized greed, relied on rankings, and failed to recognize the economic importance of the â€Å"women’s work† of caring and care giving. In these and other ways, capitalism sparked the beginning of Communist theory that society should be publicly owned and each person paid according to their abilities and societys needs rather than a free competitive market (Capitalism Socialism). Differences Under Communism, all property is owned by the community. There is no government or class division, and instead of an exchanging of money, each person contributes to society to their full potential and takes from the society only what they need, ideally creating a balance. The society makes decisions that benefit the people as a whole, not individuals. Capitalism as an economic and political system however, necessitates individuals owning property and industry and encourages competition for resources as a means of increasing wealth and individual success, rather than directly benefiting society as a whole (Anglin, Bronwyn. 2014). References Anglin, M.R., and Bronwyn, Harris. What is the Difference Between Capitalism and Socialism?. WiseGeek. Conjecture, 23 Aug. 2014. Web. 1 Sept. 2014. . Capitalism Socialism: Two Old Economic Visions. Center for Partnership Studies. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Sept. 2014. . Child labor in Factories During the Industrial Revolution. Child labor in Factories During the Industrial Revolution. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2014. . Industrial Revolution. History.com. AE Television Networks, n.d. Web. 1 Sept. 2014. . Kasa, Sjur. Industrial Revolutions and Environment Problems. Cas Oslo. Norweigen Academy for Science and Letters, n.d. Web. 1 Sept. 2014. . Miller, Donald L. . A Bio. of America: The Rise of Capitalism Transcript. Annenberg Learner. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Sept. 2014. .

Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe Essay -- things fall apart, chinua

Post colonialism deals with cultural identity in colonized societies and the ways in which writers articulate that identity. Things Fall Apart is a good novel that serves as a reminder of what Nigeria once was. It shows how a society can deal with change, how change affects the individuals of that society, and how delicate a change can be; so much so that the people themselves are surprised at the change. Things Fall Apart is an English novel by the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe which was published in 1957. Throughout the book the role of customs and traditions is very important and decides the fate of men, women, and children. Some of the customs practiced in this culture would certainly be frowned upon in the West yet are perfectly acceptable. It talks of the Ibo society. The protagonist of the novel is Okonkwo. He is a respected and influential leader within the Igbo community of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria. He first earns personal fame and distinction, and brings honor to his village, when he defeats Amalinze the Cat in a wrestling contest. The first part of the book deals with the proof of tribal life in Africa and the rise in power and authority of Okonkwo. The author highlights his strengths as well as his obsession with success. Okonkwo does not show any love in dealing with his three wives and children. This part reveals that Okonkwo actions are often irrational and imprudent, which will be the cause of his eventual fall. We learn about the traditions, superstitions and religious faiths of the villagers. The second part begins with Okonkwo exile to his mother’s land for seven years. This part also marks the entry of the white man into the lives of the African people. Though inwardly disappointed, Okonkwo begins a ne... ...Apart. London: Heinemann Press, 1958. The Women's Review of Books. 18 (July 2001): p30. From Literature Resource Center "When Things Fall Apart" StudyMode.com. 05 2002. 2002. 05 2002 Chua, John, and Suzanne Pavlos. Cliffs Notes on Things Fall Apart. 18 Jan 2014 Benjamin, Walter. â€Å"Critique of Violence.† Reflections: Essays, Aphorisms, Autobiographical Writings. Trans. Edmund Jephcott. Ed. Peter Demetz. New York: Schocken, 1978. 277–300. Print. George, Olakunle. Relocating Agency: modernity and African letters. Albany: SU of New York p, 2003. Print. Mbembe, Achille. On the Post colony. Berkeley: U of California P, 2001. Print. Ogede, Ode. Achebe’s Things Fall Apart: A reader’s Guide. New York: Continuum, 2007. Print. Chinua Achebe - Chinua Achebe - Things Fall Apart: A Novel - New York - Broadway Books - 1994

The use of relaxation techniques to increase self-confidence and reduce performance anxiety in squash players

AbstractThe effect of transcendental meditation on self-confidence is reported; one-way ANOVA revealed that self-confidence increases over time but only after 2 weeks of the start of the intervention. Qualitative data on the mechanisms of this effect reveal that it could be due to increased time for reflective practice and enhancing executive control. This is consistent with control theory (Jones, 1995) on the nature of performance anxiety in sport.IntroductionIn the domain of Sport Psychology, there is a substantial amount of theory and practice surrounding performance anxiety in practically all sporting contexts. Here two individuals will be presented with an identified deficit in one particular mental faculty which research suggests is pertinent to performance in sport. These two individuals play squash in competitive tournaments at University. Performance anxiety can vary in intensity and direction, and is a feeling of apprehension open to psychological interpretation and marked by biological indicators such as increased heart rate and galvanic skin responsiveness (Jones and Swain, 1993). Relaxation techniques refer here to any intervention aimed at either reducing or reinterpreting the anxiety than an individual is feeling (Hanton and Jones, 1999). Jones (1995) advocated the multidimensional anxiety conceptualisation and subsequently developed a model of control to separate the nature and genesis of beneficial and detrimental anxiety in the literature. The multidimensional nature of anxiety in this model refers to the different qualitative ways in which performance anxiety can vary such as the presence and nature of cognitive intrusions and the temporal patterning of the anxiety response. The cognitive ability of an individual to appraise their anxiety and maintain executive control over their perceptions will ultimately define whether this anxiety helps or hinders them during performance. There is empirical support for the notion that facilitative interpretation of anxiety and greater executive control can elevate performance (Jones, 1995; Jones, Hanton and Swain, 1994; Jones and Swain, 1993) but this theory is developed from an overview of past research, and does not substantially acknowledge the potential weaknesses of this research. Moreover it fails to enter into a thorough debate over the mechanisms which could be responsible for the differing interpretations of anxiety between people. Without this, interpretation is left to completely determine the effect of anxiety and therefore the effect becomes inherently unpredictable. Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump and Smith (1990) conceptualised cognitive and somatic anxiety as separate phenomena. They theorise that cognitive anxiety will be inversely related to performance and somatic anxiety will have an inverted U-shaped relationship with performance. Importantly these authors also found a positive linear relationship between self-confidence and performance. This suggests that some somatic anxiety is needed for optimal performance, and perhaps self-confidence is also needed to curb cognitive anxiety and maintain composure in the presence of somatic anxiety. It should be noted though that Martens et al. (1990) used an obsolete measure of anxiety (Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2) which does not incorporate measures of the athlete’s interpretation of their anxiety, focusing solely on intensity. This is a huge flaw since it is now widely acknowledged that psychologically talented and self-confident athletes can direct their anxiety towards facilitative ends (O’Brien, Hanton and Mellalieu, 2005). Jones, Hanton and Swain (1994) suggest that it is the interpretation of anxiety which is of upmost importance. But the causes of differences in interpretation are not explored in this research. There is some evidence to suggest that self-confidence; the belief in one’s own ability to successfully complete the task at hand has a substantial influence over an individual’s ability to control or direct their anxiety (Carver and Scheier, 1988; Jones et al., 1994; Hanton, Mellalieu and Hall, 2004). This study will therefore focus on the effectiveness of an often used intervention; relaxation strategies in improving self-confidence.HypothesisThere will be significant improvement in participants’ self-confidence after relaxation therapy. This increased self-confidence will significantly improve performance.Literature reviewWith the proposed theoretical frameworks outlined above in mind, there are many potential interventions which could be suggested to act on the propose d source of negative performance. This review will focus on research into the effects of relaxation therapies on the state of mind of athletes in competitive environments. These include stress inoculation training, mental imagery, massage, EMG biofeedback, progressive relaxation and various forms of meditation. Stress inoculation training involves guided relaxation, mental imagery and making self-statements, it has been shown to be effective in improving gymnastic performance (Mace and Carroll, 1986). Mental imagery (Jones and Stuth, 1997) and massage (Jooste and Khumalo, 2012) have also shown to produce positive results. The above research measures success mainly in terms of stress and objective distress reduction, it did not however aim to help athletes to reinterpret their stress. Also individual differences pose a serious risk in terms of confounding variables in such research. A very important study here is Eppley, Abrams and Shear (1989) who examined the effects of various forms of relaxation therapy against each other. The effect sizes of the reduction in trait anxiety were reported, making this piece of research particularly prominent since not every study will report this statistic. The authors found that most therapies had similar effect sizes, but transcendental meditation had a significantly larger effect size. At the least this has implications to inform the type of interventions which are most effective at reducing anxiety, and the authors even made efforts to control for confounding variables to strengthen their conclusions. However the justification for this research is in question (at least in a sporting context) because of other research to show that anxiety can be beneficial depending on how it is interpreted (Jones et al., 1994). This means that anxiety should not necessarily be seen solely as something to be eliminated; perhaps a better res earch question would examine the qualities which cause people to differ in their interpretation of their anxiety, and suggested coping strategies should focus more on appraisal than reduction of anxiety. Transcendental meditation therapy was therefore settled upon for use in this study because unlike other therapies of this kind it offers ample opportunity for reflection and direction of anxiety which is so often cited as important (Hanton, Cropley and Lee, 2009). The control model and the theory or Martens et al. (1990) provide the theoretical rationale for this investigation.MethodParticipantsThe participants in this study were two individuals; one male, one female recruited from the University squash club who frequently competed in highly competitive tournaments. These two individuals were specifically identified using a short questionnaire administered just before the start of the tournament to identify weaknesses in self-confidence regarding squash performance. Participants were both aged 18-20 and considered themselves to be playing at a non-professional club level in highly competitive tournaments. Participants were verbally advised on the nature of the experiment and their fr eedom to withdraw at any time.InstrumentationThe dependent variable to measure is self-confidence. Competitive state anxiety was measured with the Revised Competitive State Anxiety-2 (Cox, Martens and Russell, 2003) but only the self-confidence sub-scale was used. The questionnaire is available in the appendix.Design and ProcedureParticipants were tested pre-intervention, at one week intervals during the intervention to monitor changes, and finally at post-intervention. Participants were not tested around the time of a tournament to avoid confounding effects of anxiety. After the intervention, semi-structured interviews were administered to both participants. A full transcript of these interviews is available in the appendix. The intervention consisted of three weeks of guided meditation, in which participants were encouraged to think deeply about meaningful things in their lives and to let their thoughts wander. They were encouraged also to think of themselves in relation to the wo rld. This style of transcendental meditation involves little guidance and a quiet, supportive environment in which self-expression is encouraged. Sessions lasted one hour and took place 4 times a week.ResultsA one-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed for both participants. Table 1 shows the descriptive statistics for the variables at each measurement period. As can be seen mean self-confidence ratings gradually increase with time during and after the intervention. The standard deviation also appears to increase however, showing more variability in ratings of self-confidence as therapy progresses. Table 1 Descriptive statistics for self-confidence ratings IntervalMeanStandard Deviation Pre-test183.2 Week 1154.1 Week 2245.7 Post-test284.6 Table 2 displays the post hoc tests for the comparisons between the measurements at the four time intervals. The overall ANOVA showed a significant effect of the treatment (F(3, 3)=9.356, p

Possible Solutions to Self-Harm

[Enter title here] A large number of people in western society have found self-mutilation as a means to â€Å"escape† from the problem’s haunting their everyday life. The act of cutting oneself has been proven to release chemical compounds into the body to momentarily clear the mind of such problems. These compounds, known as endorphins, relieve the body of whatever tension and stress that is undergone in the individual’s life.Harming one’s self is a serious problem that must be assessed and treated in an appropriate manner that will not only stop the act within the individual but also remove the source of such trauma in their life. The cause of such actions has been known to come in from a large multitude of personal problems. Problems such as an unsuitable household, difficulties within a person’s social background, or even the image they see within themselves. Professor Keith Hawton oversaw a study taken over the amount of adolescents who admitte d to inflicting harm upon themselves.His survey took place in forty-one schools involving 6,020 subjects aged fifteen to sixteen. The results were that â€Å"398 (6. 8%) participants reported an act of deliberate self harm in the past year† (Hawton 2002). According to the results, more females admitted to this act than males. Of those females who were accountable to deliberate self-harm, they confessed the causes being their â€Å"friends, self harm by family members, drug misuse, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and low self esteem† (Hawton 2002).The factors found within the males were drug use, suicidal behavior found within their friends and family, and low self-esteem. Patricia and Peter Adler discuss the effects that undergone by the individual through the expectations of those around that person. In their writing, â€Å"The Glorified Self† the Adlers present how a society creates an image of those within it and the pressure placed upon those people create an inner conflict â€Å"between their desire for recognition, flattery, and importance and the inclination to keep feeding this self-affirming element† (Adler 195).As society continues to surround the individual, the pressure increases as the person begins to take on a role which they may not feel is best suited for them, yet must be upheld in order to feel better accepted within their society. Such expectations are found in those closest to that person: parents, siblings, friends or anyone who could affect that person’s life. These expectations can create a dilemma within the individual, whether they wish to be who they want or who they are required to be.Through the burden of deciding on they wish to become, the troubled person begins to turn away from the sources of their problems and look for a quick escape. That escape varies among the individual experiencing such complications in their life, anything from substance abuse to physically abusing their own body. The human body finds whatever means necessary in order to cope with the difficulties presented in their life. This coping mechanism is the brain’s way of releasing the stress that builds up over time from dealing with whatever obstacles that are laid out before the person.In order to stop such actions taking place, the source of the problem(s) must then be removed, or tuned down enough to no longer give the desire for the person to find a momentary escape. Removing all sources of responsibilities in a person’s life is nearly impossible. Instead of removing the source of the problem, a more possible solution is to show the people undergoing such problems that they aren’t alone in their responsibilities. Giving out a hand to those in need will show them that they don’t need to hold their problems to themselves.Encourage a troubled individual to express their fears, problems, and concerns in hopes that in doing so, that person may then be able to realize that a s tough as things may be, they are never alone. Another way to relieve stress in a positive manner is meditation. True this seems like it won’t do much, but â€Å"that small amount of peace in your day can help you deal with or even release stress† (Alvarez 2012). There are countless ways to combat the problems in an individual’s life, remedies that expand anywhere from eating healthy to taking a few minutes in their day to meditate or exercise.Sources Cited Adler, Patricia A. , and Peter Adler. â€Å"The Glorified Self. †Ã‚  Social Theory. Ed. Roberta Garner. 2nd ed. [S. l. ]: Univ Of Toronto, 2009. 195-207. Print. Alvarez, Manny. â€Å"10 Ways to Relieve Stress Naturally. † Newsgroup. Fox News. Fox News, 9 Aug. 2012. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. Hawton, Keith. â€Å"Deliberate Self Harm in Adolescents: Self Report Survey in Schools in England. †Ã‚  Ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 23 Nov. 2002. Web. 31 Mar. 2013.

Free Essays on Indian Philosophy

Is there such thing as history repeating itself? In an American society, history is more or less forgotten only to be remembered annually on occasion. Most people remember holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, The Fourth of July and even Mother’s Day. However, does one even know the framework behind the history? Furthermore, how is history applied in today’s America? If there was an answer it would be hap hazardous. The American society cares for its own customs and issues, nothing else matters. It is unfortunate that the ideal exists because for those who settled before America existed, are living the unfortunate life as once their ancestors. Native Americans (Aboriginal) have gone through issues such as equal rights, discrimination, poverty, etc. America does not show any remorse for that the Native Americans are their own people; let them survive like they used to. Fortunately, there is hope for the truth. In my Contemporary Concerns for Indigenous Iss ues class (PHIL 1050); we talk about many of those issues as well as learning to think objectively on how to take action. When I recalled about what I had learned, I think of three aspects of what the class studied. The federal case of Leonard Peltier, the rights of Native Americans and the issue of the University of Illinois’ school mascot, would definitely stand out amongst all the aspects I had learned. The Leonard Peltier Story is a film about the federal case of Leonard Peltier being convicted of killing two FBI agents. The beginning of the whole saga came to life when the FBI agents wrongly accused and tried to arrest Peltier and two others for stealing a pair of boots. Incidentally, arresting someone for a local crime was out of the FBI’s jurisdiction. Eventually, a car chase ensued and shooting followed. When the chase came to a halt, Leonard Peltier and others were on one side of a farm shooting at the federal agents. The agents were killed at po... Free Essays on Indian Philosophy Free Essays on Indian Philosophy Is there such thing as history repeating itself? In an American society, history is more or less forgotten only to be remembered annually on occasion. Most people remember holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, The Fourth of July and even Mother’s Day. However, does one even know the framework behind the history? Furthermore, how is history applied in today’s America? If there was an answer it would be hap hazardous. The American society cares for its own customs and issues, nothing else matters. It is unfortunate that the ideal exists because for those who settled before America existed, are living the unfortunate life as once their ancestors. Native Americans (Aboriginal) have gone through issues such as equal rights, discrimination, poverty, etc. America does not show any remorse for that the Native Americans are their own people; let them survive like they used to. Fortunately, there is hope for the truth. In my Contemporary Concerns for Indigenous Iss ues class (PHIL 1050); we talk about many of those issues as well as learning to think objectively on how to take action. When I recalled about what I had learned, I think of three aspects of what the class studied. The federal case of Leonard Peltier, the rights of Native Americans and the issue of the University of Illinois’ school mascot, would definitely stand out amongst all the aspects I had learned. The Leonard Peltier Story is a film about the federal case of Leonard Peltier being convicted of killing two FBI agents. The beginning of the whole saga came to life when the FBI agents wrongly accused and tried to arrest Peltier and two others for stealing a pair of boots. Incidentally, arresting someone for a local crime was out of the FBI’s jurisdiction. Eventually, a car chase ensued and shooting followed. When the chase came to a halt, Leonard Peltier and others were on one side of a farm shooting at the federal agents. The agents were killed at po...

How To Say ‘Want’ in Spanish

How To Say ‘Want’ in Spanish The English verb to want can be translated to Spanish in at least five ways, the most common of them being querer. Using Querer When querer is used to mean to want, is can be used almost exactly the same way as the English verb. You should be aware, however, that querer is also a common way of expressing romantic affection, and Te quiero is a common way of saying I love you. Some examples of querer for want:  ¿Quà © quieres hacer? (What do you want to do?)Solo quiero verte. (I only want to see you.)Siempre quise un viaje al Perà º. (I always wanted a trip to Peru.)Quiero tres tacos y un refresco, por favor. (I want three tacos and a soft drink, please.)No queremos dinero; shopping argentina queremos justicia. (We dont want money. We want justice.)Los manifestantes quieren que el gobierno reduzca los impuestos federales. (The demonstrators want the government to reduce federal taxes.)Hace una semana quisimos las frutas, pero ahora no las queremos. (A week ago we wanted the fruits, but now we dont want them.) Querer typically is followed by one of three grammatical constructions: An infinitive, often translated to English as an infinitive (the verb form beginning with to). Infinitives in the first two examples above are hacer and ver (in verte).One or more nouns. The nouns serving as objects of querer are viaje in the third sentence, tacos and refresco in the fourth, and dinero and justicia in the fifth. Alternatively, a pronoun can be placed before the verb, as in the second half of the final example.The relative pronoun que followed by a clause that uses a verb in the subjunctive mood. Reduzca is in the subjunctive mood in the fifth example. Using Desear for 'Want' Because querer is conjugated irregularly, beginning Spanish students instead often use desear, which is used in the same way as querer. However, desear is used less often and is more formal; in many situations it can sound overly flowery, which is one reason it seems common on Spanish-language greeting cards. Desear can have romantic or sexual overtones in some contexts (it comes from the same origin as the English verb desire), so you should exercise caution when using it to refer to people. Deseo aprender sobre este curso. (I want to learn about this course.)Desean el regreso de las libertades, la llegada de la democracia. (They want the return of liberty, the arrival of democracy.)Deseo que tengas un buen dà ­a. (I want you to have a great day.) Using Pedir for 'Want' When want refers to asking or requesting, it is often best translated using pedir:  ¿Cunto pide ella por su coche? (How much does she want for her car? Literally, how much is she asking for her car?)Pedimos un empleo de alta calidad. (We want a high-quality employee. Literally, we are asking for a high-quality employee.)Piden 900 pesos por dà ­a por una sombrilla en la playa. (They want 900 pesos per day for an umbrella on the beach. Literally, they are asking for 900 pesos per day for an umbrella on the beach.) Using Buscar for 'Want' If want could be replaced by look for or seek, you can use buscar. Te buscan en la oficina. (Youre wanted at the office. Literally, theyre looking for you at the office.)Muchos estadounidenses buscan casa en Mà ©xico. (Many Americans want a house in Mexico. Literally, many Americans are looking for a house in Mexico.)Todos ellos buscan trabajos que puedan proveerles la oportunidad de aprender. (They all want jobs that offer them the opportunity to learn. Literally, they all are looking for jobs that offer them the opportunity to learn.) Translating an Older Use of 'Want' Although not common in modern English, want is sometimes used to mean need. In such cases, a verb such as necesitar or a negated use of  faltar can be used in translation.  ¿Necesitas dinero? (Are you wanting for money?)El Seà ±or es mi pastor, nada me faltar. (The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.) Key Takeaways The most common Spanish verb for to want are querer and desear, which typically are followed by an infinitive, a noun, or que and a verb in the subjunctive mood.When want refers to asking for or requesting something, pedir can be used.When want refers to seeking or looking for something, buscar can be used.

The Role of Modern Media in Crisis Communication Essay

The Role of Modern Media in Crisis Communication - Essay Example Crisis management is a very crucial aspect. Effective communication crisis management can greatly reduce extensive damage that may take place in an organization, as a result, of communication crisis. The document analyzes the role played by modern media in triggering as well as managing the effects of crisis communication in organizations (Carroll, 2013). It is evident that the communication crisis is typically unpredictable aspect that possesses a great potential of damaging the affected organization as well various stakeholders. The main difference between crafting messages for traditional communication methods and crafting messages for modern communication methods such as social media is the speed at which each mode communicates information as well as misinformation. The application of internet together with social Media  has the potential of accelerating and amplifying the public opinion. The aspect hence plays a vital role in impacting adverse effects in organizations, as a result, of crisis communication (Coombs, 2007). It has become to the consent of most organization’s stakeholders the modern media or simply social media is a double edged sword that create both opportunities and threats for the organizations. Social media as well as other web based Medias, have the potential of creating a crisis in an organization. Among the main factors as to why the social media causes crises in an organization is that it provides various means for stakeholder’s expression. It also lets the stakeholders move from a passive role to an active role. Being unfiltered channel, it provides employees, consumers and activists with an opportunity of voicing their concerns. The aspect easily finds people with similar mind and mobilizes them against the organization hence causing great crises in that organization (Coombs & Holladay, 2010). Currently, social media and other web-based Medias have also