Life in Silence free essay sample

Nothing in the room moved. I looked up, stared at my friends, and looked back down at my knees. In a matter of seconds something in the room had changed. We had gone from laughing and joking to sitting in complete and utter silence. I looked up again. A quick furtive glance and then it was back to my knees. Two of my friends sat talking quietly to each other. They stopped, paused, and with surprising ease, broke the silence with â€Å"Hey, take my iPod. I really want to hear†¦Ã¢â‚¬  but were cut off before the end of the sentence. The response that bounced back was â€Å"Shhh, I want to hear the rest of this song first.† Song? I thought to myself. What song? The silence that draped over us was music, but how could it be? All it was was, well, silence. For a short time no one moved again. We will write a custom essay sample on Life in Silence or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page And then the room’s atmosphere changed and swirled around me once again. Someone mindlessly grabbed the cord hanging from the stereo, plugged in their mp3 player, and pushed play. Secluded in the silence of my thoughts, I made myself comfortable on couch I was sitting on, leaned back, and started to think. I thought back to when I used to play the cello and asked my instructor why there were rest notes in the piece were learning. At the time, only the first half of her response resonated with me. She told me rest notes were there so I could take a break and then jump back into the music. That made sense to me. My fingers were tired and I could have used a break. But she was not finished talking. She went on to tell me that the silence was just as musical as the rest of the piece. She told me that I should play the rest notes with as much energy and vigor as I would any other note. At the time, I shrugged off her words as I pushed my eight-year-old frame as far away from my cello as my seat would allow me. I had forgotten my conversation with my cello instructor until that moment and, once I remembered, was mystified. The song we were listening to, which I later found out was entitled â€Å"Two Minutes of Silence,† had been comprised entirely of notes. John Lennon had made a conscious choice to eliminate all sound from the piece of music. He was making a point. Too often my life has been filled silence with unnecessary sound. Given the commotion and bustle of daily life, there are times in which I forget to slow down and think. We must rest but we must not cease thinking. As I leaned back in my seat on the couch, I learned to sit back and start to rationalize the flurry of notes that came before. It is during these moments that thoughts crystallize and become clear.

Three schools of counselling psychology Essay Example

Three schools of counselling psychology Essay Example Three schools of counselling psychology Essay Three schools of counselling psychology Essay Counselling involves a therapist who offers certain conditions, activities and methods and aims to help clients live more effective lives. Meltzoff and Kornreich (1970) defined counselling as informed and planful application of techniques derived from established psychological principles With regards to one to one talk therapies, there are eight mainstream approaches. Allport (1962) recognised that these counselling approaches fall into three main groups or schools. The first is behaviourism, where the client is a reactive being. The second is the psychodynamic school, where the client is a reactive being in depth. The third is the humanistic school, where the client is in process of becoming.One of these major approaches is psychoanalysis, which belongs to the psychodynamic school. This theory stresses the importance of unconscious factors causing faulty development. Other therapies belonging to the psychodynamic school include analytical therapy and self psychology. Freud suggested a persons behaviour can be understood by the interaction among the three unconscious systems.The Id is the first to develop and looks for immediate gratification in whichever way possible. The Ego develops from the Id and is under the influence from the reality principle. The Superego is the incorporation of parental and social standards (introjection) and acts like a moral restriction. The Ego acts as a mediator between the two systems, and may create defence mechanisms such as repression which puts painful experiences into the unconscious. Therapy aims to use free association to gain insight into unconscious wishes and fixations and to use transference to free the client of them.Personality (or psychosexual) development is marked by five distinct stages. The first is the Oral stage (0-18 months) and is characterised by the infants need to reduce feelings of tension e.g. hunger. If the infants needs are not met, this can cause the adult personality to be pessimistic (Abraham, 1924). The second stage is the Anal stage (18 months-3 years). The main source of pleasure comes from retaining and passing faeces. Freud (1917) suggested that if the child doesnt learn the acceptable behaviour, it may cause loss of self esteem in adulthood. The third stage is the Phallic phase (3 years-adolescence).This is characterised by becoming familiar with the genital organs of both sexes and the Oedipus complex. The child will unconsciously long for the parent of the opposite sex and become hostile towards the parent of the same sex for having that person. The fourth stage is the Latency stage (adolescence) where they resolve their childhood conflicts through masturbation and have romantic relationships, go to school and learn adult responsibility.Most criticisms aimed at psychoanalysis are because it lacks empirical evidence and is not seen as falsifiable (Popper, 1986). It also criticised on the grounds that is phallocentric. It is also argued that the theory is not generalisable because Freuds ideas were based on a demographically restricted sample of individuals The humanistic school offers therapies such as the person centred approach (Rogers, 1902) and reality therapy amongst others.He believed that humans have an actualisi ng tendency to achieve their full potential. It emphasises the role of over socialisation in preventing people to perceive themselves and their environment properly, and consequently not being able to self actualise. Through experience with clients, he found that each persons reality is different, depending on their perceptions and experiences. He called this perception a persons internal frame of reference. When perceptions become maladaptive, therapy aims to focus on each individuals world to help them live more fully, using the core conditions of congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy.Rogers believed that experiences are valued as positive or negative according to whether they maintain their actualising tendency. Through interaction with others, a self concept develops. This self concept/regard needs to be positively regarded from others. This leads to selective perception of experiences so that they fall in accord with the individuals conditions of worth. Experien ces which dont agree are distorted and arent put into the self structure. This causes incongruence and psychological maladjustment. For congruence to occur, all experiences must be assimilated with other concepts of the self. Counselling aims to recognise incongruous experiences, whilst showing empathy and unconditional positive regard.

Balanced Scorecard Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Balanced Scorecard - Essay Example Although the first Balanced Scorecard was designed by Art Schneiderman in 1970, the concept of Balanced Scorecard was extensively developed and widely popularized by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton. According to them, a Balanced Scorecard â€Å"defines the set of near-term objectives and activities, the drivers that will differentiate a company from its competitors and create long-term customer and shareholder value, the outcomes.† (Kaplan & Norton, 2001, p.76). The most fascinating feature of a Balanced Scorecard is that a set of financial and non-financial tools are presented in a single succinct report by comparing each tool to a ‘target’ value. This strategic performance management tool was developed with intent to replace traditional operational reports and to present a concise summary that includes the most relevant information. The first versions of Balanced Scorecard held the view that its relevance was greatly related to corporate strategy and the pr oposed design methods. As noted by Kaplan & Norton (2001), during the initial stages, it was believed that this tool would most fit the needs and requirements of mid-sized firms and hence the model was mainly employed to measure aspects like customer, internal business processes, and learning and growth (pp.76-77). This tool was periodically modified and it became popular across the globe by the end of the 20th century. However, modern management experts argue that this model is not sufficient enough to manage complex strategy implementation processes. This paper will critically analyze the potential limitations of the approach while comparing it with the emerging approaches to organizational strategy. Limitations of the Balanced Scorecard approach It is identified that the Balanced Scorecard model of Kaplan and Norton is not really effective. In the modern complex business environment, setting right objectives and following them properly is extremely essential to ensure the sustain able development of any organization. In order to follow the objectives properly, it is absolutely vital to monitor every action with a more strategy focused measurement system. Today’s scholars opine that the Balanced Scorecard model is not so optimal and strategy focused; and therefore, this system cannot ensure a sustainable business environment. In the view of Rillo (2004), one of the most noticeable limitations of the Balanced Scorecard model is that it could not effectively connect cause and effect relations time-wise. The author continues that an important strength â€Å"that the Balanced Scorecard is claimed to possess is the strong causal interrelations between the different elements that are mapped using the core strategy of an organization as a source as the financial measures have been considered merely a reflection of past activities already taken place† (Rillo, 2004). Critics argue that this model is not supported by the Hume criterion for cause and effec t relationship, which states that one activity leads another in time and there exists a causal connection between these two activities. Furthermore, it seems that this concept does not give necessary emphasis on time factor, which is vital to ensure the success of a strategy execution process. Likewise, Kaplan and Norton (2001) tell that strategic objectives must be categorized into budgetary measures so as to be pursued on predetermined basis (pp.294-296). As per this view, different objectives cannot be monitored until predetermined intervals and the measurement method is capable of providing relevant information for analysis. Many of the modern theorists do not know whether or not there exists a causal interrelation between customer, internal business processes, and learning and growth in

The Issues in Juvenile Justice Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Issues in Juvenile Justice - Research Paper Example Overview In order to understand, the issue of balancing between individualized and formal sanctions, it is necessary to understand three fundamental points. Firstly, it should be noted that the juvenile criminal system is large and complex, internal and external systems are divided into several complex structures and the trends of this system changes. Thus, the question whether it is possible to balance between individualized and formal sanctions? The balancing between individualized and formal sanctions is not possible for several reasons. Firstly, the literature demonstrates that the entire juvenile sanction system is diverse and vast. This indicates that the guidelines for the adoption of sanctions differ from one state to another. The aim of consistent and formal sanctions is to ensure that there is no disparity and discrimination in the juvenile system. Stinchcomb, Bazemore, and Riestenberg (2006) asserts that â€Å"The widespread belief, evident in many sentencing guidelines, is that (a) judicial discretion causes disparity and inconsistency and (b) that offense-based systems can eliminate or reduce these problems.  Both beliefs prevail despite the fact that little empirical evidence exists to support them.† Majority of the guidelines adopted by the states frequently â€Å"use offense-based criteria for determining which types of sanctions to apply†

Major Works Data Sheet Essay Example for Free

Major Works Data Sheet Essay MLA Book Citation: |Biographical information about author: | |Tan, Amy. The Bonesetters Daughter. New York: Putnam, 2001.|(Last Name, First. Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, original |publication date. ) |Genre: Point of View: Plot Summary Outline: (Two sentences each) | |Exposition/Background: Initial Conflict: |Rising Action: Crisis/Climax: |Falling Action: Characteristics of the genre: |Historical information about the original period of publication: | | | Characters |Name | | |Role in story | | |Characteristics (3-5 adj. ) | | |â€Å"Quote† that reveals character, (page | | |number). Then an explanation not a | | |translation. Name | | |Role in story | | |Characteristics (3-5 adj. ) | | |â€Å"Quote† that reveals character, (page | | |number). Then an explanation not a | | |translation | | |Name | | |Role in story | | |Characteristics (3-5 adj. ) | | |â€Å"Quote† that reveals character, (page | | |number). Then an explanation not a | | |translation | Name | | |Role in story | | |Characteristics (3-5 adj. ) | | |â€Å"Quote† that reveals character, (page | | |number). Then an explanation not a | | |translation. Memorable Quotes |â€Å"Quotation† (MLA citation). speaker |Significance of this quote Examples of Literary Techniques | |Choose three different techniques and quotes to discuss | |(Imagery, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, irony, foreshadowing, etc. ) : | |â€Å"Quotation† (MLA citation). speaker |State then discuss each technique listed Describe the setting (time and place) |Mood | | |The atmosphere or emotional condition created in the reader by the piece. | | | | |State, then discuss TWO symbols |State, then discuss TWO themes | |A symbol must be something tangible or visible, |A theme is a universal idea behind a novel, or the life lesson you learned from| |while the idea it symbolizes must be something abstract or universal. |the work; it does NOT include plot details, though details should  be discussed | | |in your analysis. ) Significance of opening scene |Significance of closing scene | | | | |Additional /Personal Comments and Analysis: | | | | | |MLA List of References (List where you found information for this assignment): | |ie. Phillips, Brian and Sekaran, Shanti. SparkNotes on The Outsiders. 23 July 2006 . | |ie. Sauder, Diane. MonkeyNotes on The Outsider. 1 August 2006.

It’s Time to Legalize Embryonic Stem Cell Research Essay -- stem cell

It’s Time to Legalize Embryonic Stem Cell Research In the United States of America, people have many rights and freedoms that are respected by the Federal Government. As stated in Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau: â€Å"There will never be a truly free and enlightened state until the state comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power† (225). In the goal to make America a truly free and enlightened state, laws have been enacted to preserve individual rights. With the furthering of medical science, the issue of individual rights vs. government regulation has been raised many times, and the right of the individual has always been held in the highest regard. This is why our government should both legalize and fund embryonic stem cell research. The free choices granted us by our laws have always had certain limitations. To maintain a balance of freedom without anarchy, our laws governing individual action prevent someone from infringing on the rights of another. John Stuart Mill states in his essay â€Å"On Liberty,† that â€Å"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others† (390). Each individual should be free to voice certain opinions and practice certain activities, as long as they are doing no harm to others. For instance, we have the right to drive, but not to drive recklessly. We have the right to own a gun, but not to use that gun to murder somebody. We have the right to our own property, but not to someone else’s property. All of these laws were made to protect the rights of the individual from malicious actions of another, and it is by the power of the federal government that these laws are enf orced. ... ...Medical Research. Updated 20 May 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014. . Kluger, Jeffrey., and Lemonick, Michael D. â€Å"And What About the Science?† Time Magazine. August 2011: 20-21. Mill, John Stuart. â€Å"On Liberty.† Primis II. United States of America: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001. Prentice, David A. â€Å"Current Clinical Applications of Adult Stem Cells.† Stemcellfunding.org. Updated 25 June 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014. . Robinson, B.A. â€Å"Human Embryo Research: All Sides to the Debate.† Religioustolerance.org. Updated 21 May 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2014. . Thoreau, Henry David. â€Å"Civil Disobedience.† Reading, Writing, and the Humanities. United States of America: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 2003.

Behavioral Genetics Essay

When I’ve learned about Behavioral Genetics in Chapter 8, the first thing that came across my mind was the fantasy of having a twin. It’s crazy but it occupied my mind for quite some time. What if I had a twin? Would she be like me? I’ve always believed that identical twins share the same qualities and traits. So I surfed the net and came across Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS). Conducted at the University of Minnesota by competent researchers, it is by far the largest twin study in the US. One particular case of the MTFS caught my attention: ‘The Jim Twins Study’.  The twins were separated four weeks after birth to different adoptive parents who live 45 miles apart. Reunited 39 years later, the twins (both named Jim) find uncanny similarities. This incident, among many others, supports the theories of Behavioral Genetics. It couldn’t have been mere coincidence that the twins married twice, left love notes to their wives, and even suffered from migraine. Because they were raised in different adoptive families, it couldn’t have been the environment that shaped the Jim twins to have the same preferences and behavior, even ailments! Time magazine cites that in a study of 44 twins reared apart, â€Å"a high of 61% of what they call ‘social potency’ (a tendency toward leadership or dominance) is inherited† (Leo & Taylor, 1987). The biological aspect of the Jim twins’ personality has played a great part in the development of these resemblances. If I had a twin separated from me at birth, I’d like to think that she is compassionate and enjoys music and golf as well as I do. It’s in the genes, as they say. However, as much as I believe on Behavioral Genetics, I must also note that the environment also plays a central role in the development of personality. With regards to my own, it is a blend of nature and nurture. I want to be a nurse since I was a kid because I want to help people. I always thought it’s innate in me†¦that compassion for other people. But later on as I learned things in Psychology, it made me realize that it could have also been the environment I’m living in. I remember my mom taking in three extra homeless people into our household during the economy spiraled down. I am surrounded by loving and compassionate people. Another would be my love for golf and technology. My father does too, and I think he must have influenced me unconsciously to develop these preferences. Now I understand that yes, it might be the genes but likewise, it is the things that I see and observe in my everyday experiences that made the desire to help people a trait in me. Both nature and nurture have been working in me. I believe personality in general is a mix of both genes and environment. Meanwhile, there is this one particular line from Chapter 11 that I need to quote. It goes, â€Å"A joke is not funny when the forbidden impulse it disguises is not shared, or the disguise is insufficient. It is written technically but gives me a learning I will remember. Sometimes, when we joke about things, we have to make sure that the forbidden impulse must be known and shared by the listener because we might end up either sounding a loser or hurting the person concerned. I must also point out one last thing about the controversial Sigmund Freud. Sir Freud, as I’ve known him through researches and from the discussion in class, should be given due credit for his accomplishments in the field of Psychology. His theories may be controversial but there is no denying that these same thoughts helped shape, in one way or another, modern Psychology. We also have to understand that the controversy behind his sexually-oriented theories can be justified because the psychological problems of his time (early 20th century) mostly had association to sexuality. From what I’ve learned, apparently most patients who came to him had marital problems of infidelity and sex life. His encounters with these patients perhaps helped shape his theories. It would be very unfair to refer to him as an ‘ancient history well forgotten’. In fact, I find it surprisingly interesting to read about his theories that contradict some things I believe in because it opens me up to possibilities and good learning. I even think that the idea of using Freud’s theories and techniques in present day will be much useful and less controversial if there is more emphasis on the human personality rather than sexuality. The techniques of psychoanalysis, concepts of ego & id, and life & death drives, among many others are major contributions in the field of Psychology and no matter the controversies and all, we all should be thankful for Sir Freud.