Natural, Herbal, and Vitamin Supplements Research Paper

Natural, Herbal, and Vitamin Supplements - Research Paper Example Each day, online sites are flooded with people looking for every kind of health-related information. Their searches range from information pertaining to remedies for health problems to preventive health care. In order to market their supplements, companies through the media place a wide range of advertisements that are enticing to consumers (Vaskovarzic 1). Each site gives the impression that their product is the ultimate solution to health problems. Given that consumers are desperate for solutions, they are usually easily convinced to purchase these supplements. Sometimes, reviews from people who give testimonies on how some of the supplements are effective to increase people’s urge to purchase. Media has also contributed a lot towards creating an image that is at times deceiving to people (123HelpMe 1). Online photos show pictures of flawless people especially celebrities. In some circumstances, media will highlight specific supplements that these celebrities use to acquire the perfect look. The fact that everyone wants to look good becomes a triggering factor for online shopping for supplements based on judgment from online images. Media has created awareness about the existence of various supplements. If it were not for the media, people would be less knowledgeable. In addition to this, issues such as availability and price have been made possible through the media. From anywhere in the world, people can compare and eventually purchase every kind of supplement they want. The process of placing an order is easy (Teichner and Lesko 1). This convenience encourages online shopping (Teichner and Lesko 1). Moreover, through television talks and interviews, media plays a role in publicizing supplements.  Media is so powerful that it can either help or harm people. In everyday life, people are in connection with media through television, radio and the internet hence accessibility to information. Through the influence of magazine pictorials and television commercials, people are negatively affected. When media is abused, it influences people unconsciously to attempt things that are harmful to their health. Media ofte n presents the picture of a perfect body with the aim of getting attention and in the long run marketing certain products. When people fail to acquire the perfect body after consuming particular supplements, they go for alternative supplements. This process increases dependency on particular products hence creating emotional conflicts in most cases.

Colonial America & American Art Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Colonial America & American Art - Research Paper Example What is most striking is their approach to social, economic and political inequality, a theme that has run deep throughout American history, and continues to do so today. Zinn begins his account of American history, predictably, with the first expeditions of Columbus to the New World. Some pages later, the author gives a clear excursus on his approach to and conception of history, and his view on the role of the historian. Zinn explains that he has rejected history which involves a grand narrative of political events, of war and of conquest; in short, he has rejected the history of the nation. He quotes Kissinger’s assertion that ‘History is the memory of the State’ in order to reject it (19). Kissinger, by contrast, was most interested in a model of history based on the nation-state, and relations between nation-states. He penned several works on theories of power relations, and on the history of European state relations in the 19th century. Zinn suggests a diffe rent approach – an attempt to view history from the perspective of ‘the people’: ‘the story of the discovery of America from the viewpoint from the viewpoint of the Arawaks, of the Constitution from the standpoint of the slaves, of Andrew Jackson as seen by the Cherokees’, and so forth (10). ... This is in contrast to the more conventional view of history taken by Craven. Craven’s book is essentially a catalogue of the styles and trends in art and architecture which have developed and flourished at different stages in American history. The historical summaries given at the beginning of each major section (i.e. Colonial America, Federal America etc.) are essentially a narrative of high political developments. The historical introduction given to the Federal period is a particularly good example. Having mentioned that the newly-independent colonies were troubled by their squabbling Congress, Craven goes on to emphasize that America was ‘also the home of a large number of exceptional men – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton, to mention but a few’ (110). This presentation of the ‘great men’ view of history, explored in some detail by the great 19th century historian and essayist Thomas Carlyle, could not be more different from the presentation of the so-called ‘Founding Fathers’ in Zinn’s account. In a chapter entitled ‘Tyranny is Tyranny’, in which he charts the beginnings of the American Revolution, Zinn interprets events in a framework which could easily be called Marxist (59). He sees the events leading to the War of Independence as a struggle between the working class and a landowning, wealthy class for control of political power in the nascent country. The initial skirmishes may have been the work of commoners, but, as Zinn sees it, ‘certain important people in the English colonies’ the seized control of the convulsions (59). By creating a

Minor injury and Illness Assessment in the Community

Minor injury and Illness Assessment in the Community Rebecca Bastow In the following assignment I am going to analyse and evaluate a case of Acute Otitis Media shown in appendix one, by discussing the pathophysiology behind this condition and how important the role of history-taking is as well as, the clinical presentation and the probable examination findings. To further support my findings of the condition I am going to including the special tests that are needed to confirm my diagnosis. Through the utilisation of appropriate evidence, I am going to justify and formulate my treatment plan and referral pathway, taking into consideration the ethical, medico-legal and professional responsibilities relating to the case. Acute otitis media (AOM) can be referred to as the presence of inflammation in the middle ear with possible effusion, its associated signs and symptoms are rapid in onset (Munir and Clarke, 2013, p. 27). It is evidenced that more than seventy-five percent of cases commonly affects young children under the age of ten, particularly those who are effected by passive smoking, attend nursery and are formula-fed. It is said to have a greater prevalence in males than females (Edwards and Stillman, 2006, p. 129 -137). Consequently, children have a horizontal, less acute angle and shorter Eustachian tube which makes it easier for bacterial enter and more difficult for fluid to move. However, normally it is collapsed but opens with swallowing and positive pressure (Nair and Peate, 2013, p. 565 -566). The recurrence of this infection can cause serious complications such as hearing loss, tympanic membrane perforation, infrequently it can lead to mastoiditis, facial nerve paralysis, sinus thrombo sis, and meningitis (Kivi and Yu, 2016). The presentation in adults and older children is usually reported as earache whereas, young children they may rub and pull on their ear or may present generic symptoms such as fever, continual crying, poor feeding, cough and restlessness at night. Signs and symptoms that are common in AOM consist of red, cloudy or bulging tympanic membrane, pain, pyrexia, headache, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting, reduction in hearing, malaise and otalgia (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2015). Eustachian tube is situated at the anterior wall of the middle ear to the lateral wall of the nasopharynx and therefore, anatomically connects to the throat and palatine tonsil. Thus, allowing the infection to effect anything that is located in the connected pathways. AOM is a common condition that can be triggered by upper respiratory tract infections (twenty-five percent) either via bacteria or viruses (Nair and Peate, 2015, p. 157). Commonly, it is a virus that is responsible for the infection and is usually self-limiting. Although, other inflammatory conditions can have similar outcomes. Inflammation of the nasopharynx can spread up to the medial end of the Eustachian tube, forming stasis which in turn changes the pressure in the middle ear, relative to ambient pressure (Johnson and Hill-Smith, 2012, p. 34 -35). This level of stasis can result in bacteria settling in the space of the middle ear via the straight pathway from the nasopharynx (Nair and Peate, 2013, p. 565 -566). The prominent causes are reflux, blowing something into a body cavity or aspiration. The bodys natural reaction to acute inflammatory responses is recognised as vasodilation, leukocyte invasion, exudation, phagocytosis and local immunological responses in the middle ear (Nair and Peate, 2015, p. 157). It is said that viral based infections that target and harm mucosal linings of the respiratory tract may assistance bacterias ability to become pathogenic in the nasopharynx, Eustachian tube and the middle ear cleft. Viral infections have been understood in regard to its part in the pathogenesis of AOM yet, it is still not understood what actual role they play (Waseem, M, 2016). Immunology activity can play a vital role in the occurrence of AOM and its results. The nasopharynx also has an important role in the development of AOM, its lymphoid tissues provide a form of protection against pathogens by obstructing their attachment to surfaces of the mucosa (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2015). There are numerous medico-legal considerations to bear in mind in Annas case due to her only being sixteen years of age (appendix one). The fundamental issue is whether she has mental capacity, it is an act designed to protect those who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions on their care and treatment. Which applies to individuals aged sixteen and over (NHS Choices, 2015). Individuals have to be given help to make a decision themselves and the information should be in a format that they can understand easily. If someone makes what is believed to be an unwise decision, they should not be treated as lacking capacity. Treatment and care given to those who lack capacity should be the least restrictive of their rights and freedoms (GOV UK, 2005). Mental capacity is determined by if there is an impairment, disturbance in the function of their mind or brain, as a result of a condition, illness or other external influences. And by whether theses consequently make the indiv idual unable to make specific decisions when they have to. Individuals may lack capacity to make specific decisions but have the capacity to make others (Quality Care Commission, 2016). It can also fluctuate with time, they may lack capacity at one point in time, but may be able to make the same decision at a later point. To be deemed to have mental capacity they must, understand the information pertinent to the decision, retain the information and use the information in the process of making that decision (NHS Choices, 2015). The capacity to consent to treatment has a controversial stance in under sixteen year olds. However, Gillick competence expresses that any child under the age of sixteen can consent, if they have sufficient understanding and intelligence to be capable of making a decision when required (Ministry of Ethics, 2014). This refers to the assessment undertaken by doctors to establish if a child under sixteen is deemed to have to capacity to consent for treatment in the absence of parental or guardian consent. The routine assessment of competence should be suitable for the childs age (NHS Choices, 2016). It could be argued, what is deemed to have sufficient for understanding and intelligence. In Annas case this does not directly apply because she is over that age nonetheless, the transferability is feasible. Children sixteen and over are deemed to have capacity by law and can consent or refuse treatment. If a child sixteen or over is believed to lack capacity, an assessment of capacity to consent needs to be carried out and documented (Quality Care Commission, 2016). Once valid consent to treatment has been attained it should be recorded as evidence, valid consent is where the medical professional has given the child, parents or both the applicable information about the purpose of treatment, as well as risks and possible alternatives (Department of Health, 2009). It is still good practice to provide parents with information however, consent needs to be sought from the child and the extent of information shared should be deliberated (Quality Care Commission, 2016). In regard to safeguarding concerns, information can be shared with parents without consent. Decisions made in the best interest for the individual, regarding care and treatment can be made anyone involved in caring for them, re latives, friends, and any attorney appointed (NHS Choices, 2016). As soon as I had consent from Anna or both Anna and her parents I would take a detailed history from her such as, when the pain started, pain score, characteristics of the pain, whether it is radiating anywhere, any allergies, medical conditions, current medication and social factors (appendix one). A thorough history is critical as it helps establish; potential treatment plans, possible safety netting features, rules out red flags or differential diagnosis (appendix two) which are all grounded on the findings from the physical assessment and special tests (Kavanagh, S, 2015). From observation, examination and palpation; it was recognised that her tonsils red and swollen, her head was inclined to right but was walking normally, otoscopy reviled that the tympanic membrane was cloudy and bulging slightly and her palatine and pre-auricle lymph nodes appeared tender (Douglas et al, 2013, p. 297 -314). The baseline observations showed that she had no significant temperature and all others observations were with normal parameters (appendix one). To support my diagnosis and exclude potential red flags indefinitely I would carry out some special auditory tests. The first type of hearing loss is conductive; this is a problem conducting sound waves along the path of the ear. It can occur anywhere from the outer ear, middle ear or, tympanic membrane (Munir and Clarke, 2013, p. 11). Sensorineural is the other type of hearing loss, in which the cause is situated in the inner ear, the cochlea or in the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII), (Munir and Clarke, 2013, p. 11). A simple test to establish the level of hearing loss is the Voice test. By observing and engaging in conversation with the patient it is easy to recognise if you need to raise your voice to be heard clearly. A whisper test would help you gain greater perception of their hearing loss (Munir and Clarke, 2013, p. 13). A more complex and effective test that is greatly used is the Tuning fork test (Burkey et al, 1998). Within this there is two further tests, the first is called the Weber test (appendix three). This is where the tuning fork is hit on a surface to make it vibrate, then the base is placed on the middle of the patients forehead and then ask the patient where they hear this sound. It is normal for the patient to hear it in both ears except those with conductive hearing loss or unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, then it is better heard in one ear (Douglas et al, 2013, p. 303). The Rinnes test (appendix three) should conclude that the sound was louder beside the external aud itory meatus than on the mastoid process this is because air conduction is greater than bone (Rinnes positive), (Munir and Clarke, 2013, p. 13). This test is conducted by placing the vibrating fork on the mastoid process and then the patient reports when they can no longer hear it. The fork is then placed approximately two centimeters away from the external auditory meatus and asked if they can hear it, the patient then reports when they can no longer hear anything (Douglas et al, 2013, p. 303). However, if the patient informs you that the sound is louder on the mastoid process this means bone is the better conductor of sound (Rinnes negative) and applies to conductive deafness (Munir and Clarke, 2013, p. 13). A false negative Rinnes test can occur when hearing is very poor in one side, when the fork is placed on the mastoid process of the poor ear the sound can be conducted through the skull and projected to the good ear (Douglas et al, 2013, p. 303). To manage people with initial presentations of AOM paracetamol or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for instance, ibuprofen is used to treat pain and fever. It is evidenced that both of them are effective in relieving pain in children with AOM, and have few adverse effects when the suggested doses are used (Nair and Peate, 2015, p. 157). For the majority of people with AOM a non-antibiotic method is used, this is where they assure patients that antibiotics are not needed and that they make little difference to symptoms. Antibiotics may also have adverse effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance (Munir and Clarke, 2013, p. 23). A delayed antibiotic prescribing strategy could also be utilised, where they advise patients to commence antibiotics if within four days their symptoms do not improve or if they get substantially worse (Johnson and Hill-Smith, 2012, p. 34 -35). Immediate antibiotics should be given to people that have AOM and are; systemically unwell but admission is not needed, at the risk of complications due to existing diseases, those whose symptoms have continued for four or more days and not getting better, children under the age of two with infection in both ears and children with discharge in the canal or tympanic perforation (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2015). A five-day co urse of amoxicillin is the first-line of treatment if antibiotics are required. Whereas, people that are allergic to penicillin have erythromycin or clarithromycin as alternatives (Munir and Clarke, 2013, p. 23). Amoxicillin is shown to be more effective than erythromycin or clarithromycin against the probable pathogens involved in AOM (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2015). A Cochrane systematic review showed that was no respectable evidence for the routine use of antibiotics in the treatment of AOM in children (Venekamp et al, 2013). Although antibiotics showed to have a statistically significant decrease of children experiencing pain with AOM between day two and seven compared the placebo, eighty-two percent of the childrens symptoms spontaneously improved. It was concluded that the benefits and potential harms of antibiotic treatment must be evaluated, taking into account adverse effects and the possibility of resistance (Venekamp et al, 2013). However, the evidence exposed that they were the most effective against children under two with bilateral AOM, or with both discharge and AOM regardless of age. For the majority of children with mild AOM, an observational method seems acceptable (Venekamp et al, 2013). Another systematic review of the treatment of AOM in children found that compared with short course antibiotics, long courses reduced short-ter m treatment failure, but had no advantages in the longer term in comparison with short courses (Kozyrskyj et al, 2015). Consequently, to manage and treat Annas AOM I would treat her pain with paracetamol or ibuprofen taking into consideration of any allergies and her asthma. I would establish if she has taken ibuprofen before and whether there were any problems. The evidence above shows this condition to be self-limiting and that antibiotics have no significant effect in this condition. It is shown that the public have the most contact with the NHS via general practices, NHS England estimated that approximately one million people access their general practice each day (Comptroller and Auditor General, 2015). The number of direct and telephone contact with patients grew (15.4 percent) throughout all clinical staff in general practices between 2010 and 2015. During that period, the average patient list expanded by ten percent (Baird et al. 2016). It is evident that the non-emergency services like these are being sought by those with conditions that are not serious or life threatening. NHS Direct received roughly 4.4 million calls in 2011 and 2012, 2.7 million calls were made between 2012 and 2013 to NHS 111 and in 2007 and 2008, around 8.6 million calls were received by the GP out-of-hours services (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2014). In Annas case of AOM it is evident that she is asymptomatic, the spread of infection has clearly tracked down from the nasopharynx, Eustachian tube, throat, tonsils to the palatine and pre-auricle lymph nodes. It directly corresponds with the physical assessment and the initial history of the conditions presentation therefore, ruling out a differential diagnosis. The no antibiotic framework above is evidently effective, I have concluded that an analgesic (paracetamol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) approach would be adapted and advised to manage Annas pain. This also demonstrates the importance of history taking as Anna has only had these symptoms for two days, indicating that this treatment is the most appropriate. It is apparent that Anna does not require hospitalisation so I would need to leave her with the appropriate safety netting in place. Thus, if she was at home or at school when the incident occurred and her parents or teacher were present and content with mo nitoring her, I would leave the same advice as shown above. I would also advice Anna to go and see her GP if her symptoms worsen or persist for four or more days. It is documented that general practices are well-versed in the management of these non-urgent conditions if they develop or worsen. Similarly, it is evidence that the public are aware of which service to pursue if they experience any similar acute conditions. These actions would only be taken once the red flags were ruled out through the tests and assessments conducted above. In summary acute otitis media is usually a self-limiting condition that resolves by itself without the input of antibiotics subsequently, it is likely that Anna will not need any further involvement form any other healthcare professional. References (2017). Differential Diagnosis. Available: https://online.epocrates.com/diseases/3935/Otitis-media/Differential-Diagnosis. Last accessed 25-01-17. Baird, B., Charles. A., Honeyman. M., Maguire, D. and Das, P. (2016). Understanding pressures in general practice. Available: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/files/kf/field/field_publication_file/Understanding-GP-pressures-Kings-Fund-May-2016.pdf. Last accessed 25-01-17. Burkey, J, Lippy, W, Schuring, A and Rizer, F. (1998). Clinical Utility of the 512-Hz Rinne Tuning Fork Test. Available: https://www.mm3admin.co.za/documents/docmanager/6e64f7e1-715e-4fd6-8315-424683839664/00023361.pdf. Last accessed 17-01-17. Comptroller and Auditor General. (2015). Department of Health and NHS England: Stocktake of access to general practice in England. Available: https://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20151008%20Brief%20guide%20-%20Capacity%20and%20consent%20in%20under%2018s%20FINAL.pdf. Last accessed 27-01-17. Department of Health. (2009). Reference guide to consent. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/138296/dh_103653__1_.pdf. Last accessed 23-01-17. Douglas, G., Nicol, F and Robertson, C (2013). Macleods Clinical Examination. 13th ed. Edinburgh: Elvsevier. P. 297 -308. Edwards, C and Stillman, P (2006). Minor Illness or Major Disease? The clinical pharmacist in the community. 4th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press. p. 129 -137. GOV UK. (2005). Mental Capacity Act 2005. Available: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/pdfs/ukpga_20050009_en.pdf. Last accessed 28-01-17. Johnson, G and Hill-Smith, I (2012). The Minor Illness Manual. 4th ed. London: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd. p. 25 -41. Kavanagh, S. (2015). History Taking. Available: http://patient.info/doctor/history-taking. Last accessed 28-01-17. Kivi, R and Yu, W. (2016). Acute Otitis Media. Available: http://www.healthline.com/health/ear-infection-acute. Last accessed 19-01-17. Kozyrskyj, A., Klassen, T., Moffatt, M and Harvey, K. (2015). Short-course antibiotics for acute otitis media. Available: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001095.pub2/full. Last accessed 29-01-17. Ministry of Ethics. (2014). Common Law: Gillick V West Norfolk AND Wisbech Area Health Authority 1984-5. Available: http://www.ministryofethics.co.uk/index.php?p=7q=2. Last accessed 20-01-17. Munir, N and Clarke, R (2013). Ear, Nose and Throat at a Glance. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell Publishing Ltd. p. 22 -27. Nair, M and Peate, I (2013). Fundermentals of Applied Pathophysiology: An essential guide for nursing and healthcare students. 2nd ed. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell. p. 565 -566. Nair, M and Peate, I (2015). Pathophysiology for Nurses at a Glance. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell Publishing Ltd. p.155 -157. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2014). NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE EXCELLENCE SCOPE: Service delivery and organisation for acute medical emergencies. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-cgwave0734/resources/acute-medical-emergencies-in-adults-and-young-people-service-guidance-final-scope2. Last accessed 18-01-17. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2015). Otitis media acute: Scenario: Acute otitis media initial presentation. Available: https://cks.nice.org.uk/otitis-media-acute#!scenario. Last accessed 20-01-17. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2015). Otitis media acute Summary. Available: https://cks.nice.org.uk/otitis-media-acute#!topicsummary. Last accessed 20-01-17. NHS Choices. (2015). What is the Mental Capacity Act? . Available: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/mental-capacity.aspx. Last accessed 30-01-17. NHS Choices. (2016). Consent to treatment Children and young people . Available: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Consent-to-treatment/Pages/Children-under-16.aspx. Last accessed 21-01-17. Quality Care Commission. (2016). Brief guide: capacity and competence in under 18s. Available: https://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20151008%20Brief%20guide%20-%20Capacity%20and%20consent%20in%20under%2018s%20FINAL.pdf. Last accessed 20-01-17. Venekamp, RP., Sanders, S., Glasziou, PP., Del Mar, CB and Rovers, MM. (2013). Antibiotics for acute otitis media in children (Review). Available: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000219.pub3/pdf. Last accessed 18-01-17. Waseem, M. (2016). Acute Otitis: Pathophysiology. Available: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/994656-overview. Last accessed 25-01-17. Appendix 1 Patient: 16-year-old woman called Anna PC: Pain in right ear HPC: Anna has had pain in her throat and right ear for the last two days and describes feeling under the weather. SOCRATES- Site Pain in throat and right ear. Onset last 2 days. Character- sharp pain in ear throat feels scratchy. Radiation some radiation down towards neck. Associated symptoms No systemic signs. Ear feels full and patient describes difficulty hearing. Timing constant. Exacerbating/Relieving factors- none. Severity- 4/10 PMH: Mild asthma, brought on by exertion. Anna had a number of ear infections when she was younger but hasnt had any for at least two years. DH: Salbutamol PRN Allergies: Elastoplast- Contact dermatitis Alcohol/Smoking: Anna reports drinking occasionally with her friends but does not smoke. Occ H: Student SH: Lives at home with her parents and younger brother (12). O/E: OBS: T: 37.2C, P: 85 reg, RR: 12, BP: 110/75, SpO2: 98% room air Walking normally, with head inclined to the right. Examination of the external ear is normal; palatine and pre-auricle lymph nodes tender; tonsils red and swollen; tympanic membrane cloudy and bulging slightly. In analyse and evaluate the case by discussing the pathophysiology of the condition and how this relates to the history-taking, clinical presentation and likely examination findings, including any special tests that may be required to diagnose the condition. You should then formulate a treatment plan and referral decision justified by critical analysis, taking the ethical, medico-legal and professional responsibilities of the case into account. Appendix 2 Differential Diagnosis of Otitis media Disease/Condition Differentiating Signs/Symptoms Differentiating Tests Otitis media with effusion Typically, the middle ear effusion is asymptomatic. On otoscopy these patients have an effusion of any color, air fluid levels, or bubbles with normal tympanic membrane landmarks. Myringitis These patients may have no symptoms attributable to the middle ear. On otoscopy there is erythema and injection of the tympanic membrane in the neutral position without other features of otitis media Mastoiditis There is edema, erythema, and tenderness over the mastoid process. Diagnosis is clinical based on history and examination. A CT scan may be warranted if symptoms are severe (to exclude abscess formation) or if the diagnosis is uncertain. Cholesteatoma Patients may present with painless otorrhea and hearing loss. Opacification of the tympanic membrane may lead to a misdiagnosis of AOM. Diagnosis is based on the history and clinical findings. Imaging is rarely necessary. (2017). Differential Diagnosis. Available: https://online.epocrates.com/diseases/3935/Otitis-media/Differential-Diagnosis. Last accessed 25-01-17. Appendix 3 Special Auditory Tests (2015). Rinne-Weber. Available: http://wikige.wikia.com/wiki/Rinne-Weber. Last accessed 25-01-17.

Ford Motor Company :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Ford Company Our Hiring ProcessUnderstanding How We HireIf you’re passionate about a career with Ford Motor Company, you want to understand how and why we choose people to join our team. Our hiring decisions are based on an objective evaluation of your skills, experiences and competencies. What are we looking for? What should you expect? Here is a brief explanation of our process. A Two-Step ProcessHiring at Ford Motor Company is a two-step process designed to be quick, thorough and personal. The first phase is Initial Recruiting, which may involve a face-to-face meeting with a Ford recruiter. Its purpose is to review and assess your credentials, experience and background.The second phase is a more in-depth interaction with Ford Motor Company at a Leadership Conference. Conferences are weekend events at a Ford facility. If you’re invited to one of these weekends, you’ll know you’ve made the first cut. Then, based on your performance during the weekend, Ford managers will make a hiring decision. Read on to learn more about the two phases in the hiring process. Initial RecruitingInitial recruiting begins when you meet us--for example, as you explore this site. You can see if our working environment fits your style, find out about career programs and open positions, and read about who we are and what it’s like to work here.If you decide you’d like to join us, you answer an online questionnaire about your skills, experience and background. If this Web-based personal assessment shows you have what we’re looking for, we can invite you to a leadership conference.Some people meet us when we recruit on campus or at a career fair, and in some cases we conduct an interview instead of using our Web-based assessment.If y ou’re invited to a leadership conference, you’ll get on line to schedule your attendance. If you haven’t received an invitation, we continue to consider you for openings unless we notify you otherwise. Please log in frequently to see any new information on your personal page.Leadership ConferenceThe leadership conference is an expenses-paid weekend at a Ford Motor Company facility. This can be a big event, with dozens of guests like you meeting and interacting with Ford people. Our recruiters, managers and other employees will guide you through a series of activities to help you learn whether a Ford career is for you. The conference is an opportunity for both you and us to evaluate each other in depth.

Core Beliefs of the Puritans Essay

Core Beliefs of the Puritans Have you ever rebelled against the house rules dictated by your parents? In the 1600’s, a group of religious citizens discontent with the Anglican Church of England, did exactly that- rebelled. The Puritans contended that King James had created a religion of political struggles and doctrines. Puritans, such as John Calvin and John Winthrop, wrote about the concept of escaping persecution from the Anglican Church and reforming religion, morals, and society. The Puritans fled to start anew and created colonies in North America, including Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. The driving forces of reform were numerous pieces of literature. The Puritan beliefs consisted mainly of five principles: Total Depravity, the Devil and sins, Predestination, God’s true law, and moral development, resulting in a government and religious-based way of life that has impacted present day America. Inevitably, religion being intertwined with society raises fears. Pertaining to the Puritans, fear led to the ultimate dissipation of the colonies. On of the main fears that the Puritan’s believed in was that the devil was behind every evil deed in the world. The puritans also believed that the devil and Satan surrounded Native Americans and nature. Steering away from the acts of the devil led to extreme measures. Scriptures, read as sermons by Puritan ministers, warned citizens about the dangers of life. The sermons were repeatedly given and fear was strategically woven in. The constant warnings were due to the belief that every person is born sinful, also known as Total Depravity. The notion of Total Depravity led to the belief of creating yourself benevolent. Spurred by the desire to rectify Total Deprivation, the Puritans created their core beliefs of religion. The Puritans believed in the study of God’s True Law, the Bible. According to the Puritans, the Bible and God paved a plan for living. In this God-centered system, church was the place where all problems and issues were raised and resolved. While citizens with property could speak at the meetings, restriction for only church authorities to vote was allowed. Total Depravity produced the ideology of Predestination. Predestination was the notion that God saves those that he wants. Puritans believed that God had control over who would be in heaven or hell and the Puritans had no control of knowing. Thus, Puritans thought that holy behavior led to salvation. The English Literatures of America reiterated, â€Å"Sanctification is evidence of salvation, but does not cause it† (434), meaning that belief in Jesus does not secure you from Gods predestination for you. The Puritans began making rules to follow to go to heaven. In order to ensure salvation, the Puritans believed that every citizen needed to follow strict rules that were religiously motivated. Moral development was a Puritan belief that started in childhood. To repel the devil, children were to be taught of the dangers of the world, and education was vital to purify society. Drama, erotic poetry, and religious music were banned in Puritan culture. Drama and erotic poetry generated mortality and music distracted Puritans from listening to the words of God. Other moral regulations included the requirement of going to church, reading the bible, and adhering to the covenant of unity and order that create a spiritual community. The strict following of God in society and government eventually led to the ultimate downfall of the Puritans. Although there were approximately 100,000 Puritans in 1700, Puritan efforts to create an exclusive religion caused the growth of other colonies created by challengers that banned from Puritanism. These new groups teamed the Puritans beliefs of Total Depravity, the devil and sins, God’s True Laws, and moral development â€Å"crazy† and it changed America’s though about the relationship between religion and government. The First Amendment states, â€Å"Federal government cannot establish an official religion or interfere with a persons right to practice a religion†. Otherwise known as separation of religion and government. However, Puritans did affect the present day beneficially by maintaining a stable economy, education, and moral characteristics, The desire to be considered â€Å"good†, believed by the Puritans, shaped the value of many citizens in the U.S. today.

I Need Help on My Research Paper on the Stroop Effect

Warped Words & The Stroop Effect Table of Content   My science project is on the Stroop Effect. Basically it’s an effect on the human brain; we become confused from the effect. For example if someone was to give you a paper with names of colors and the colors weren’t the same as the word.They told you to read it aloud; you are probably going to have a hard time reading the words because of the effect. John Ridley Stroop is the man who named a color-word task after him, he is a cognitive psychologist. He was showing that you could interfere with attention. Different learners are affected differently; there are visual, auditory, and tactile learners. Usually the visual learners don’t have as much trouble. In 1935 John said that if you test different genders separately, it won’t make a difference.He did four different tests; one was to read the words, tell him the color, read them clock-wise, and read them counter-clockwise. When Ridley tested he only teste d college students, he tested them their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and before they graduated. Introduction John Ridley Stroop was the first to perform the cognitive task, the Stroop effect. The effect is a study on interference, which makes two signals in your brain go off at the same time. These signals are located in a part of the brain called the anterior cingulate.Anterior cingulate is a part of the brain that regulates blood pressure, reward anticipation, decision-making, empathy, and emotions. The task can affect people’s reading abilities, because the effect interferes with the urge to read the word and not the ink color. Behaviorism can be an example such as â€Å"classroom management†. For example a teacher states that she will reward the class for good behavior while there was a substitute, so she requests a party at the end of the week.This can be used for rewards and punishment, such as the teacher gets a bad report from the substitute and she punishes the class for their behavior (ex. States to the class that they have to write a two paragraph apology letter to the substitute). So called behaviorist feel that teachers can give positive and negative reinforcements (rewards or punishments), so that you can learn. The purpose of the Stroop effect is to seek what interferes with our brain and to see how our brain processes the things we do.

Development of the Individual Essay Example

Development of the Individual Essay Example Development of the Individual Essay Development of the Individual Essay For the purpose of privacy my case study child will be known as A throughout this assignment. I have gained permission from A’s parents and my work setting. A is a 7 year old female and is in Year 3, she attends her local mixed sex Primary school. A’s parents separated when A was about 3 years old, it was not an amicable separation although both parents are on better terms now. A lives with her Mother and older sister who is 12 years old. A has regular contact with her Father and goes to stay with him every other weekend and sometimes during school holidays too. According to Bronfenbrenners Ecological System (Doherty amp; Hughes, 2009) these changes were in A’s Microsystem, â€Å"the microsystem is our most immediate context, and for most children, is represented by their family and their home. † (Rank, 2009) Mother says A was not hugely affected by the divorce, however A’s Father has since remarried and has a baby girl who is one year old, this change in A’s Microsystem has affected her. A’s Mum has found her to be quite attention seeking since the arrival of A’s baby half-sister. Both I and the class teacher (CT) have observed A making up stories to her peers and staff in school that appear to be a way of gaining attention. When A was in Reception it was noticed by staff that she struggled to see and used to put her face quite close to the paper when writing, although this was mentioned to A’s Mum at the time, A did not start wearing glasses until she was in Year 1. Apart from this A has no other health problems and her physical development is normal and on track for a child of her age. According to National Curriculum assessment test results she is average in literacy and numeracy. A relies on the few close friends she has within the classroom quite a lot, she often gets upset if they do not sit with her in class, she prefers working with them to working alone. A is not a very confident child and she gains confidence from learning alongside them, this demonstrates Vgotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development theory where â€Å" Vygotsky views interaction with peers as an effective way of developing skills and strategies. † (McLeod, 2007) Despite a lack of confidence A is generally a happy child; she is kind to other children and is always polite and well mannered. From observations A tries hard in class although she does tend to daydream and this can impinge on her then carrying out a task if she has not listened to instructions properly. This viewpoint is supported by A’s Mother who has said A can sometimes be quite ‘dizzy’ at home and ‘in a world of her own’, she forgets things quite easily and has to be reminded quite a lot by her mum, Mother thinks this could be another way of getting her attention. Descriptions and Analysis of Evidence This case study will focus on the areas of social/emotional development and cognitive development. Its aim is to show that A is developing normally in these areas, observations (Appendices A1, A2, A3, A4 amp; A5) of A will be used which, when applied to child development theories, will provide evidence to support this. The method of observation used for this case study was narrative observations made within the classroom. Piaget’s cognitive development theory proposes that there four periods of cognitive development that are common to all children. These are the sensorimotor period, the pre-operational period, the concrete operational period and the formal operational period. According to Piaget A should be in the concrete operational period, which runs from age 7 – 11 years. In this period children ‘begin to think logically about events they experience and can order, evaluate and explain them’ (Doherty amp; Hughes, 2009, p 40). During one observation (A 1) A was completing an activity that involved putting a list of sentences in the correct order to make a set of instructions. A was able to do this accurately and with minimal assistance, this demonstrated that ‘children in the concrete operational period are able logically order objects’ (Doherty amp; Hughes, 2009, p 265). A was also observed (A3) using coordinates to locate places on a fictional map and then making her own map and writing up the coordinates of various places on it. This demonstrates an understanding of spatial reasoning which is another sign that she is in the concrete operational period. Within the concrete operational period Piaget states that a child is able to conserve number and liquid quantity at age 6-7 years and substance and length at age 7-8 years. ‘Conservation is the understanding that any quantity remains the same, despite any physical distortions’ (Walsh, 2011). Appendix 5 shows that when A was asked to perform a liquid conversion test and an object conversion test she was able to do both of these correctly, this again shows that A’s cognitive development is at a level that is expected for her age when compared with Piaget’s cognitive development theory. A flaw in Piaget’s theory is that it does not take into account the role of social interaction, ‘Piaget ignored the role of social interaction. It seems highly likely that children’s learning is strongly influenced by teaching from others. (Walsh, 2011) Piaget believed that development preceded learning; this is unlike Vygotsky who felt social learning preceded development. Vygotsky believed that â€Å"every function in the child’s cultural development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level; first, between people (interpsychological) and then inside the child (intrapsychological). † Vygotsky (cited in Lear ning Theories, 2012). Vygotsky’s theory encompassed three themes, the More Knowledgeable Other (MKO), the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and social interaction. He believed that someone with greater subject knowledge or ability than the learner (MKO) could help the learner develop; the MKO would usually be a teacher or older adult but could also be a peer. The ZPD is, according to Vygotsky, the zone where learning takes place. It is the gap between what the learner can actually do independently and what they can potentially achieve with help from a teacher or with peer collaboration. To Vygotsky social interaction was hugely important and ‘it is through these interactions that children are able to acquire the important values and skills of a society. (Doherty amp; Hughes, 2009, P. 40) Observations of A (A 1 amp; 2) demonstrated that she acquired new knowledge with the help of others. When A was observed during a comprehension session (A 1) she worked together with her partner in order to answer the questions correctly. Peer collaboration, where two students work together to achieve a particular goal, is an important part of Vygotskyâ⠂¬â„¢s theory. When A was stuck on a particular question her partner looked back through the text with her and helped her find the correct answer. This shows that having a MKO helps a child’s development as without her partner A would have been unable to find the answer. In the Literacy lesson (A2) A was given a list of sentences to reorder into a correct set of instructions. From observations it appeared A struggled slightly at first, however the CT took time to go back over with A the work they had completed in previous lessons on instructions. CT then linked the previous work to the new task A was being asked to complete. A completed the task after this with no further assistance. The CT had identified A’s ZPD and had given her enough support to then enable A to complete the work independently. This also incorporated the ‘scaffolding’ approach, where prior knowledge is identified then a new concept is introduced and finally the new learning is connected to the prior knowledge. The observations demonstrate that A’s development within the classroom was aided by her social interactions with her peers as well as her CT. Without these interactions A would have been unable to fully complete the tasks she had been set. According to Erikson’s Social Learning Theory A is in psychosocial stage 4 which is known as Industry vs Inferiority. During this stage (which covers the ages of 5-11 years approximately) ‘through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities. ’ (Cherry, 2012) Erikson believed that in this stage children are more willing to share and be reasonable; they want to work hard and do well at school. Peer groups begin to have greater significance and can have an impact on the child’s self-esteem and confidence. If children are praised and encouraged during this stage they can feel industrious and confident about their abilities. However if they are not encouraged they can feel inferior and doubt their abilities and therefore they may not reach their full potential. (McLeod, 2008) During an observation (A3) A was working with a group of 4 other children. They all worked well together, they shared ideas and cooperated with each other to complete the task. This agrees with Erikson’s theories that during this stage a child wants to do well and can share and be reasonable. At the end of the lesson the CT told A’s group to put their names up on the class reward chart for working so well together and completing the work to such a high standard. From observations it was apparent that this really pleased A, she cheered out loud and could be heard saying to another classmate how happy she was. This indicated that being given praise about her work really made A feel confident about her abilities. During a free play activity A was observed (A4) with 3 other classmates who are part of a friendship group with A, they were drawing pictures of their houses. During this activity one of the classmates said that A’s picture was not very good. A was upset by this and spoke to the CT about it; she told the CT that she was ‘rubbish’ at drawing anyway. After this A didn’t want to draw anymore and instead went and sat on her own and read a book. This observation shows that A’s peer group had an effect on her emotional wellbeing. The classmate had made A feel inferior about her work and this meant that she then doubted and lost confidence in her abilities. Bandura’s social learning theory proposes ‘that children learn by watching and imitating others. (Doherty amp; Hughes, 2009, P. 38) Observations of A demonstrate that A does copy what she observes her peers doing. During observation A4 A was watching two girls dancing, from what the CT has said the two girls are considered popular within the class and from other observations it has been noticed that A does try to make friends with them on a regula r basis. After the two girls had stopped dancing A approached them and started trying to dance exactly as they had. The two girls watched her and then clapped and said she had danced really well. After this A then danced in a similar way again. This shows that A’s social development is following Banduras theory, she has observed a behaviour and then she has reproduced it. Bandura states that there will be ‘a consequence that changes the probability the behaviour will be performed again (reinforcement and punishment). ’ (Doherty amp; Hughes, 2009, p. 39) A’s motivation for performing the dance was to win the approval of the two girls; she achieved this and therefore performed the dance again. This also links back to Erikson’s theory that peer groups play a more important role during this stage of a child’s life. The observations show that A’s social and emotional development is, as both Erikson’s and Bandura’s theories demonstrated, linked to the environment around her and the social interaction she has with people around her. How can the individual’s development and learning be extended? When compared to some child development theories the observations have shown that A’s cognitive and social development is in the normal range for her age. They have also shown however that there is room for A’s development and learning to be extended. For example, A’s confidence could be improved. The observations demonstrate that A becomes upset when she receives negative responses from her peers and teachers. A could be given praise for tasks she completes well to improve this. When A had her name put up on the classroom reward chart the observations show that A’s confidence was enriched. As these observations were all class based it is uncertain whether A has a reward system at home but it could be suggested to A’s Mother that it might benefit A to have one. Observations (A1 amp; A3) also appear to show that A has more confidence when she is working within a group; she seems to need the reinforcement of others. When A is working alone (A2) she is less confident in her abilities; this seems to be because she does not have the reassurance of others working with her. To build A’s confidence A could be praised more for her independent work than for her group work as ‘reinforcements through praise, demonstrations of approval and tangible rewards increase the frequency of desirable behaviour reoccurring. ’ (Doherty amp; Hughes, 2009, P. 06) It is useful to see that peer collaboration provides a good way for children to extend their learning, A worked well within a group especially when the group was of mixed abilities (A3). It is important to remember that sometimes, such as Vygotsky’s MKO theory shows, children can peer tutor those less able than them with great effect. The observations of A were all carried out wit h the classroom, this does mean there are certain limitations to the findings about A’s development. In order to get a more rounded picture of A’s development observations within the home would also be necessary. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory places high significance on the environment with which a child interacts, it recognises that how a child lives and is bought up are important influences on how a child develops. ‘Development should be studied in the home, schools and community where children live. ’ (Bronfenbrenner, 1979 cited in Doherty amp; Hughes, 2009, P. 43) There are many different child development theories and this case study has shown that the development of a child cannot be measured against one theory alone. All of the theorists that have been used as examples within this assignment each take a different stance on how a child develops and learns. The ideas within them overlap and in order to gain a better understanding into a child’s development it is useful to apply more than one theory to the observations. References Doherty, J. and Hughes, M. , 2009, Child Development: Theory and Practise 0-11. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd A Level Psychology. (2008). Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development (online) Available at

Abortion discussion Research Paper Example

Abortion discussion Research Paper Example Abortion discussion Paper Abortion discussion Paper The word abortion means someone leaving something like aborting a boat but in this instance I will be talking about aborting her baby(s). Women give up there children before they are born when they are just a little egg. The law says that after 24 days this process cannot be taken place for the woman, because the baby has started to develop some of the organs so it is more like a person breathing. So it is then more like death, and the doctors find it harder to get the baby out of the womans body when it is 24 days old in the body. Most people think that abortion means different things some think that it is death some think it is an unborn life that is yet to live the life that his or her mother and father set for them. In this essay I will be considering the main points of abortion and look at what the different types opinions of the Christian community at this time in life, and also to think about this topic of losing or the death child that has yet to be born. Or why we as a community might pardon our beliefs for someones reasons to go for abortion and not for someone elses reason to have the abortion. If there ever is a real reason why people give up there babies before they have the chance to see the light of the room, the sun around and breath the oxygen around them what is this reason and is it that important to have the abortion? Is it that important to give up a member of there family yet to be born? Some people need an abortion or think they do for different reasons; here are some of the reasons why someone might consider an abortion for some reason in their life: * If some one happens gets raped they dont want the memory of this time in there head with that baby on his or hers birthday every year of there life. So they go and have an abortion to save them-selves of the pain of that time, also to keep that unborn child of knowing his or her father was a terrible man who went around raping people because of some thing in his past. Especially if it was a young child that was raped at the time you dont want them going through the trauma again as well as that unborn child. o Ten to twenty years ago people believed that when a girl got raped the girl was asking for it and it was there fault because of the way they dressed or flirted. * If the woman has a serious dieses that is life threatening at that age for some reason and cant give birth to the baby then the doctors would advise her not to have this baby at this time of her life or maybe even forever because it would put the womans life in danger as well as that unborn childs life that wants to be born both of them could end up dead. Maybe the woman doesnt want to have the abortion but because medical professionals advise it, so she may change her mind to save the baby till a later time in her life to save her self and the child. But if that woman happens to know that she had this problem at the beginning then she shouldnt have had the pregnancy at the beginning. * If the child happened to be younger sixteen then they might consider an abortion at this time again because of them being at school they wont be able to cope with this type of thing at that time in their life, being a child them selves and a mother to the new born. The child might not have wanted that baby at this time because of her age she why should she have to carry this baby when she is but a still baby herself: again she may have been raped or bribed at the time she should still not have to carry this child. * If someone happen to have four children but they wanted more to bring joy and happiness but then if something happened like they were moving to anther country suddenly for example if the parent got transferred because of there work. They may want to change their mind because of the packing and unpacking at the time of the moving. Because six people is a lot to pack for if you still have the father at the time and if you have one more child it would be to much so they may have the baby later on in life. * If the protection didnt work i.e. the condom broke then the woman would also want to have an abortion. It may not always be this case if the husband has died or left her she would also want a abortion because you cant raise a child up by your self, it will remind her of her ex-husband and that child would ask questions when he or she grew up so its to help the parent and the child with there life at this time. These are just a few of the reasons why some one might consider an abortion before the 24th day at that time in there life. Some of the reasons are so stupid and so unrealistic the doctors will not try to make abortion take place, unless anther doctor says he thinks its okay to let the abortion take place consent. One of the ones that they wont do abortion for is I could not afford to buy protection this one is one of the simplest excuses so they tend not to do the abortion because is it a waist of there time. Now the people that want abortion have to court now so they can see if the abortion is worth to take the doctors time. There are lots different religions in this world that we split ourselves up into. The things that make them all different in there own way are in they all believe in different thing about life and abortion then other religions and people. In this section I will try to compare the Christians religions and say what different regions think about this topic abortion. I will first compare the Christian religion then I will talk about the other one and compare them. * The Roman Catholic Church: These people try to believe the human life must be respected and protected at all times no matter what the age of the baby that waiting to takes its place in our society or an old person that is yet to die and leave this world and go to the next even if the person is good or evil every one has the right to life. Catholics believe As soon as the male sperm travels from the male to the female that is the beginning of the life in this special community calls the roman catholic church of what they base there religion on and hope to keep this religion going through there children. This is where they believe that the life of that pursues child starts to begin in side the woman that is looking after them. Where they beginning there life in the body of there that woman. The Catholics also believe that the child should have the same rights as the woman does in they were out of that body breathing oxygen. They also believe that abortion is a horrible crime that has been taken in to account like death. * The Methodist Church: This religion the Methodist Church believes basically the same as the Roman Catholics that the child is made in the site of god, and that life that about to be made shouldnt be taken away from that child. God died for them so they wouldnt have to die for fright or villains at this early stage of time in there life. So in this particular religion this where they strongly believe in god at moments of crises the Christians think it is a sin to take a unborn child life away when they cant make there mind up for themselves whether if they want to be killed or not when they have done nothing wrong. Christians they say: abortion is always an evil they say this meaning whatever the circumstances for rape love or cost of for the protection abortion is never right and there is no excuse for an abortion no excuse for killing some one that has done no harm to any one else. * The Church of England: This religion believes there are to stories to everything in this topic they believed that abortions are not good or bad. Unlike other religions that think abortions are evil good the church of England do believe it depends on the circumstances at the time but not all abortions are evil if you asked a Christian that goes to the church of England they will say: it depends on the reason why the woman is pregnant from the start. Meaning for example: if it was rape its better to give that woman the abortion at this time in the womans life, because that baby would want to know where he or she what was what was the childs past or even why that child doesnt have a father at the time of its life when he or she need him the most in there life of growing up. To save that child from knowing about the trauma that happened to the woman to stop that child from living a life of sadness making that woman more upset it is better to choose the abortion at this time, in her life so the mother wouldnt have to carry a baby around of the man who raped her to leave her the pain. * The Sikhs: This religion believe almost the same as The Church of England that it depends on the circumstances of the abortion if it was because of the hair or the skin colour or even because of the gender of the child then the abortion is to be called evil at that time, because there is no proper reasons why they should kill that child at that point in time. If it was because of the age of the girl then that is one of the right choices because that is a child that has no past such as yet and she has jut began this life she is jumping right in to the role of a parents and it may not be that easy for the child or the baby that she is carrying especially when it comes to giving birth. The Sikhs think that abortion is never always good at times and is never always bad at any times as long as there is a proper reason why that woman cant give birth to that child. There are some people that believe that it is not there but the choice of that woman its there decision they have to live with the gilt if they made the wrong decision in the end not anyone else. All some one can do for that woman is support them and help them in whatever way what want to go at the time of there life. Some Christians make there decision about having abortions by looking at the problem they have that woman is happened to be faced with most people that consider this option of abortion is normally based on what the community and the doctors think because the doctors know the best. If that baby is going to be really ill the doctors will suggest that the easy option for the woman would be to abortion to get rid of that baby. Because at this point in time the woman or the baby wont be able to cope and it would be easer to have the abortion for both of them at this time. Then the woman looks towards her family and friends to see what they think about this abortion to see if they will help her decide weather to keep this baby if the woman/girl was to young they would strongly advise for her to have the abortion but it is still in that womans/girls hands because its her body and she is the only one that can decide. The next place they would go to is to church to ask the priest about the bible and that is were the main choices would probably come in depending on the type of person it is who is having the baby if they believe strongly in god.

9 customer service jobs to apply for this holiday season

9 customer service jobs to apply for this holiday season The holiday season: hot chocolate, seasonal parties, family togetherness†¦ and lots and lots of expenses that make the season as much of a drain as it is a joy. The good news is there are a host of job opportunities to help you actually pay for all those gifts you need to buy- most are seasonal and require you to accommodate the holiday rush, but all will put extra spending cash in your pocket. Here are 9 customer service jobs to consider taking on as the holidays approach. Personal ShopperThere’s a lot of shopping at the holiday season, and some people need you to do it for them. While personal shopping is often for upscale clientele, where you buy piles of presents for the wealthy and standing on long lines at Saks, it more often entails performing simpler tasks like buying groceries (or even takeout) and delivering them to people’s homes. When people are busier at the holidays and need to prepare extra food for visiting relatives, this type of service is in even more demand.E-commerce Support/Social Media Customer CareWith a lot of customer orders at holiday time come a lot of questions and details that need handling. Demand for online customer support is high. The good news- support is a job that can even be done from home.For those who are social media savvy, some companies hire customer care representatives specifically to monitor social media platforms and handle any complaints or issues a customer may voice through social media. While this can be about dealing with a lot of complaints, it can be a great seasonal job for the problem-solver with tech proficiency.Hotel ConciergeIf you live in a larger city, seeking out a temporary position as a hotel concierge can be a way to employ your customer service skills a bit removed from holiday stress, helping people when they are ready to relax. This position helps hotel guests find fun things to do in a city, and assists with finding transportation or even making reservations. With a greater number of travelers during holiday vacations comes a greater need for hotel support staff.Retail Sales AssociateStores are open longer and need lots of help to meet the extra demand of ordering stock, processing orders, and helping customers find what they’re looking for. With the hustle and the bustle of the shopping season, the workflow at a retail store is likely to keep you on your toes.Gift WrapperThere’s an art to gift wrapping that many people do not possess. That’s why this job exists. Making a few extra dollars by beautifully wrapping someone else’s presents can help you pay for your own. For those who actually enjoy making their gifts look gorgeous, this job can be both an enjoyable and integral part of the holiday season.Food Service Hospitality WorkerThe holidays always mean holiday parties. Whether it’s catering, waiting tables, bartending, or hosting, hospitality needs are highest during the holidays. Because event staff usually wor k a small number of hours (but often work late-night hours), catering companies often pay competitive wages. And if bartending is your specialty, you can expect to be well-tipped at the more upscale galas and corporate events.Uber DriverWith all the events, holiday shopping, and travel to attend, one of the services people need desperately during the holiday season is a driver to get them where they are going. Once you pass the various driver requirements, if you have a license and a car and are over 21 you have a way to make money and help people get where they are going safely.Holiday Tours EventsWhether it’s a meet greet with reindeer or a carol-singing bus tour, there are jobs out there that can get you into the holiday spirit, making the fun happen for families to enjoy. These types of jobs really do require a certain kind of energy and interest in working with kids and adults alike. While it’s not for everyone, it can be one of the more fun seasonal jobs out th ere.Package HandlerThere’s Black Friday, and now there’s Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving). This Thanksgiving weekend, retail stores will be brimming with customers, and then of course many shoppers are increasingly buying their gifts online. Shipping companies like UPS and FedEx need extra workers to get these packages to customers, and also to get holiday gifts to friends and relatives. Increasingly, Amazon itself is hiring, both to handle increased traffic at its fulfillment centers and for last-mile delivery to customers’ homes.

Toward Delivery of effective mobile government Coursework

Toward Delivery of effective mobile government - Coursework Example In Oman people can apply for jobs via SMS and at the same time the government can update its citizens and provide other services through the SMS. However, the success implementation of this program depends not only on the government support but also to the citizen’s willingness to accept and adopt the mobile government services. For that case it is important to note and understand the factors contributing to mobile government rather than traditional service delivery methods. In previous researches, adoption of the mobile government has determinants such as usefulness, ease of use, perceived risk, trustworthiness, compatibility, external influence, relative advantage, image and facilitating conditions (Dillon & Morris, 1996, pp.2-15). On the other hand, citizens are also influenced by certain factors for easy acceptability of the program. These factors include citizen’s trust, culture and gender difference. ... GCC was formed in 1981 to develop, coordinate, integrate, and interconnect the member states in all aspects and at the same time strengthen ties among its people (Dillon & Morris, 1996, pp.2-15). Because of the availability of oil resources in the region, the GCC of that particular region was considered to be the richest worldwide by the GCC Statistical Department in the year 2005 that estimated Gross Domestic Product of US$ 324.36 billion. According to the 2004 census by the Ministry of National Economy, Oman had a population of 2.34 million people with a growth rate of 2 percent and a density of 7.6 persons per square kilometre. In 2003, the illiteracy level of the Omani population was 17.8 percent as compared to the 31.8 percent in 1993 meaning that the country has greatly invested in education in the past few years. This is important in the sense that for smooth implementation of the mobile government, it requires citizens with reasonable level of education and income. The statis tics show that 5.9 percent of the population does hold post-secondary education qualifications hence it is easier to evaluate the population that could easily adapt to the mobile government. The Oman government had a vision 2020 to develop its economy, promote external economic relationship, diversify industries and develop a robust economy that has professional leadership and skilled labour force (Horst & Kuttschreuter, 2007, pp.1838-1852). To achieve these visions, it became apparent that Information Technology was an essential tool and hence the government started investing in the mobile government. Generally the ICT sector is still at an early

Leadership (Time management) Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Leadership (Time management) - Term Paper Example Honesty and integrity are the two pillars with which I bind the work of the people in my concern. Weakness However as a business leader I also possess certain weaknesses which in turn hamper the business productivity. Firstly on account of being very fast with my tasks I generally tend to commit certain mistakes which tarnish the quality of the work performed. Secondly in aspiring to work for and by the team I sometimes become much flexible which in turn reflects weakness in my administration qualities. Thirdly I sometimes tend to reflect over confidence which in turn also makes me run into mistakes. Comparison of Leadership Style with that of Team Members In this section my leadership style will be compared to the professional style of two team members based on the following approaches. Leadership Style 1 As a business leader I render priority to the parameters of business ethics and morality. However the team member in group 1 generally tends to accomplish the work in a faster mann er taking the help of unethical policies. In that these members tend to copy designs from the internet without tending to innovate such to accomplish their tasks. Thus in comparison the team members tend to drift from my leadership acumen of being truthful and sincere in servicing the stakeholders. Leadership Style2 In the second case Group 2 member generally figures me as a business leader who tends to accomplish business tasks through being quite strict in his delegation and monitoring of responsibilities. I generally feel that being tough would help to accomplish the business tasks in an effective and faster manner. However the Group 2 member feels that had I reflected the quality of empathy it would have further them in enhancing on the qualities of being more loyal and productive in their tasks towards the concern. Modes in Becoming an Effective Leader based on the Comparison The above analysis reflects that the Group 1 member needs to be preached and effectively trained to act in a sincere and truthful pattern while tending to accomplish the business tasks. However the analysis also reflected that the business leader apart from prioritizing on the tenets of ethics and morality also needs to be faster in his actions in delivering quality products. The team member in Group 2 reflects that in regards to acting as a business leader one needs to understand and appreciate the problems of the people and thereby to collaborate effectively to achieve business productivity. Leaders like me who desire to pursue the goals through being tough disturb the employer-employee relationships and thereby hinder the parameter of employee loyalty. Thus the act of being faster coupled with morality and sincerity and thereby empathizing with the employees would certainly help in building an effective leader. Pitfalls in the Leadership Team due to Differences The differences of opinion with the team member in Group 1 and Group 2 would lead to causing potential disruption in the workplace through the argument in business leadership parameters. In regards to Group 1 member the increased stress rendered to the factors of ethics and mo

Discussion 3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Discussion 3 - Assignment Example I think one does not have to be a nutritionist to differentiate between starving and dieting. My uncle and I are very close, more like friends. He has done doctorate in comparative religions. Once, I fell ill. He came to see me. He said, â€Å"I am a doctor, doctors can cure illness in patients, so I can cure your illness.† I took it as a joke because it was meant to be one. It was a poor argument as it was not deductively valid. While it was true that he is a doctor, and that doctors can cure illness in patients, the conclusion that he could cure my illness was false as he was a doctor of comparative religions, not a medical doctor. My mother often says that every person has equal mind and intelligence and thus can score the highest in academics, but I find disagree with her saying that different people have different IQ levels. When I say so, she becomes emotional and says, â€Å"None of my children has a lower IQ level than any other. I know my children. They are all very brainy. Period.† I find this argument very poor as my brother is very weak in studies whereas my academic performance is much better than his. By saying that all her children are very brainy, my mother tries to make emotional appeal. Once I was on a weight-loss plan. I was following a particular diet pattern, which was based on balanced meals. I was taking both vegetables and meat with certain limits on both. My brother told me to leave consuming meat altogether and instead drink more of fresh juices. I disagreed because fresh juices contain a lot of natural sugars and drinking too much of them is not recommendable in a weight-loss plan, but my brother said, â€Å"Go ask anybody. He would recommend you to drink fresh juices to lose weight.† I know there is a lot of misconception about the effects of fresh juice consumption on weight. I find this argument poor as it is an example of ad populum. Drinking a lot of water is recommended

Blood pressure Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Blood pressure - Assignment Example 298). Cardiac output refers to the amount of blood the heart can pump with each beat. Cardiac output and blood pressure have direct correlation thus, the more blood the heart can pump, the greater is the cardiac output, leading to increase blood pressure. The same correlation applies to blood volume or the amount of blood in the blood vessels at any given time. Thus, a decrease in blood volume will lead to decrease blood pressure, and vice-versa. Resistance to blood flow is another factor affecting blood pressure and pertains to how hard it is for the blood to flow through the vessels. A narrowed blood pressure will increase the resistance to blood flow leading to increase blood pressure. Likewise, a widened blood vessel will decrease the resistance to blood flow leading to decrease blood pressure. Carterand Lewsen (2005) also identified influencing factors of blood pressure such as age, gender, and race (p. 298). Normal and abnormal blood pressures are determined through systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure readings. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted by blood during heart contraction while diastolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted by blood during heart relaxation (Rosdahland Kowalski, 2008, p. 523). Blood pressure is measured in milimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and the normal blood pressure is

ACCOUNTING Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ACCOUNTING - Article Example This all contributed to the collapse of world’s largest and most powerful economies of the world. The paper, in general, tries to identify the various factors in the field of accounting research that contributed to the fall of financial system in the USA. It also talks about how weak laws and financial reporting requirements as a result of insufficient accounting research have contributed to the crisis apart from irresponsible behavior of the bankers and the banks. This article is written in this time because the entire world is going through a turbulent phase of global financial crisis which has not only paralysed the US economic system, but also the world economic system.The main point that the article discusses is the financial reporting requirements and in particular the valuation regulations. The article uses the secondary research methodology when analyzing the role of accounting research in its attempt to curb or stop the looming crisis. It talks about the fair value ac counting and how it contributed to the fall in the accounting system. It pays particular attention to the manipulation that many companies did in order to window-dress their financial statements and use it as a tool to justify money laundering, over-valued SIVs etc. However, at the same time, it criticizes the role of accounting research by using the observational secondary research. It says that even when the fair-value accounting was at its peak, the researchers were unable to publish any data or any empirical data about the problems that it could cause. Instead, during the years preceding crisis, there was no research done on the issue, and it was after the crisis had been fully operational that accountants starting paying heed to the issue and starting researching the topic. This again is used by the writer, as an evidence to signify the gap between accounting in practice and accounting research through observation and secondary research as a methodology. The article then comes down to the third argument that is used a factor showing the gap between accounting research and accounting

Internaional Business Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Internaional Business - Article Example Normally, it is the last stage of the distribution process. Understanding the customer perceptions will help retailers to know about the nuances of marketing. Every retailer has to primarily identify his target market and the needs and expectations of that market and subsequently try to meet those expectations with efficient service. This is what exactly Costco is doing. Promotional strategies that are adopted by a retailer include different forms of communication to attract customer to the retail outlet. For example, in the case of Costco, the 'buy-in' strategy that the company adopted is a promotional strategy. The company bought as much inventory as possible after Procter and Gamble announced a price hike of 6%. This would help the company to hold stock for the future when other players would buy the same stock at a higher price. The face of the retailing industry has undergone significant global changes over the past two decades. Retailing has always focused on offering the best quality products to customers. Every retailer wants to offer the customers the right products at the right time at the right place and at the right price. Pricing the products and services might be a routine hob for most producers and retailers, but it involves a thorough and a deep understanding of the principles and practices governing the business environment. Adopting the right pricing strategy helps a company achieve its objective. To sustain and achieve its objectives in the competitive market, a company should adopt the most effective pricing mechanism. Thus, pricing is very important to a marketer. Before adopting a pricing strategy, certain factors like the demand for the product or service in the market, customers' perception, the sustainable margin, the image of the company in the market etc. Pricing is a very important aspect of the firms' existence and hence, firms must develop proper pricing strategies and convert them into effective competitive advantages. Pricing is the biggest challenge that marketers face, and quite often, they may feel that they have not set the right price. This may be due to several reasons. One of the most important is that prices are dependent on market factors. The sales of a product have an impact on the pricing mechanism. However, the sales of a product can increase because it has been priced too low and not because it has been priced right. Setting the right price can have a substantial impact on the profits of the firm. Costco is using the market penetration pricing strategy to attract customers. It is only a few products that can be called truly innovative products. Such products come into the market infrequently. Most of the times products introduced are copies of existing products with slight modifications. /firms try new approaches to attract customers who have many similar products to choose from. They employ sales promotions, membership cards, sponsorships, etc. to attract customers. Costco admits that more than half of its revenue is form membership fees. Firms resort to price cuts, and offer products below their competitors' prices to take away a large number of customers form their competitors. This is the strategy that Costco has adopted. The expectation in offering products at low prices is that one customers use the product, they will develop an interest in the product

ACCOUNTING Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ACCOUNTING - Article Example This all contributed to the collapse of world’s largest and most powerful economies of the world. The paper, in general, tries to identify the various factors in the field of accounting research that contributed to the fall of financial system in the USA. It also talks about how weak laws and financial reporting requirements as a result of insufficient accounting research have contributed to the crisis apart from irresponsible behavior of the bankers and the banks. This article is written in this time because the entire world is going through a turbulent phase of global financial crisis which has not only paralysed the US economic system, but also the world economic system.The main point that the article discusses is the financial reporting requirements and in particular the valuation regulations. The article uses the secondary research methodology when analyzing the role of accounting research in its attempt to curb or stop the looming crisis. It talks about the fair value ac counting and how it contributed to the fall in the accounting system. It pays particular attention to the manipulation that many companies did in order to window-dress their financial statements and use it as a tool to justify money laundering, over-valued SIVs etc. However, at the same time, it criticizes the role of accounting research by using the observational secondary research. It says that even when the fair-value accounting was at its peak, the researchers were unable to publish any data or any empirical data about the problems that it could cause. Instead, during the years preceding crisis, there was no research done on the issue, and it was after the crisis had been fully operational that accountants starting paying heed to the issue and starting researching the topic. This again is used by the writer, as an evidence to signify the gap between accounting in practice and accounting research through observation and secondary research as a methodology. The article then comes down to the third argument that is used a factor showing the gap between accounting research and accounting

Modernity and Literature Essay Example for Free

Modernity and Literature Essay Modernity by itself is a very abstract concept which can be associated with all new experiences in history. It is largely temporal because what is modern today is the old or obsolete tomorrow. Modernity is said to be a logic of negation because it tends to give importance to the present over the past, and at the same time also frowns over the present with respect to the future. From a purely historical perspective however, the society which evolved in Europe after the French Revolution of 1789 can be termed as modern in so much so that there is a marked difference or break in the way of thinking, living and enterprise between the societies after and before the French Revolution. The evolution of the modern society was not a process that happened overnight. The roots of the modern society and its gradual evolution can be traced back to the beginning of the eighteenth century. In fact the period from that point in history to the French Revolution is termed as the period of intellectual Enlightenment when there was a radical change in philosophy, science, politics, arts and culture. It was on these new forms of knowledge that the foundation of the modern society or modernity was based. Defining the Traditional Many scholars have tried to analyze the basic or instinctive nature of human beings in attempts to track back how modernity could have affected the core individual. In his book Leviathan, Hobbes deduced that in an environment uninfluenced by artificial systems or in a ‘state of nature’ human beings would be war like and violent, and their lives would consequently be solitary, poor, brutish and short. Rousseau however contradicts Hobbes. He claims that humans are essentially benevolent by nature. He believed in the ‘noble savage’ or the concept that devoid of civilization human beings are essentially peaceful and egalitarian and live in harmony with the environment – an idea associated with Romanticism. Human beings have however lived in communities and formed societies since the very early ages. In what is now known as the ancient world or the world of classical pagan antiquity typical of the societies of Greece and Rome, the concept of the ‘new’ or ‘change’ was absent. Time, like the seasons, was supposed to move in cyclical order, repeating itself with regularity cycle after cycle with nothing new or changed to break away from the established order. The people were steeped in more superstitious and religious beliefs which ruled almost every aspect of their lives. Christianity brought about changes in the belief systems of the ancient world. Christianity postulated that time was linear, that it began from the birth of Jesus Christ and would end with the apocalypse and the second coming of Jesus. This was a linear concept of time that moved in a straight line and not in a cycle that kept coming back to the same point. The Foundations of Modernity It was during the Enlightenment period that the Christian concepts of time and history were secularized to give way to the modern approach to change and progress. There were many other basic changes during the Enlightenment. The key ideas which formed the basis of the enlightenment period were autonomy and emancipation, progress and the improvement of history and universalism. The development of scientific knowledge gave rise to religious skepticism. People were no longer willing to submit blindly to the dictates of ordained religion. In other words they attained emancipation from the shackles of religion that had governed almost all aspects of their lives. This emancipation led to autonomy of the individual. Individuals began to decide for themselves instead submitting to an external authority such as religion. The people now decided by themselves what kind of authority, rules and regulation would be good for them, and such authority must be natural and not supernatural. Enlightenment encouraged criticism. Enlightenment thinkers did not hold anything sacred and freely criticized, questioned, examined and challenged all dogmas and institutions in their search for betterment or progress. Thinkers such as Voltaire defended reason and rationalism against institutionalized superstition and tyranny. The belief that there could and should be a change for the better came to be a prominent characteristic of modernity. The critical attitude of enlightenment thinker to contemporary social and political institutions paved the way for scientific studies of political and social studies and subsequent evolution of better forms of such institutions. The scientific revolution during the period, culminating in the work of Isaac Newton, presented a very practical and objective view of the natural world to people at large, and science came to be regarded very highly. Scientific inquiry was gradually extended to cover new social, political and cultural areas. Such studies were oriented around the cause-and-effect approach of naturalism. Control of prejudice was also deemed to be essential to make them value free. Enlightenment thinking emphasized the importance of reason and rationality in organization and development of knowledge. The gradual development of the scientific temperament with a paradigm change from the qualitative to the quantitative is also very evident in Europe of the time. People came to believe that they could better their own lot through a more scientific and rational approach to everything. The concept of universalism which advocated that reason and science were applicable to all fields of study and that science laws, in particular, were universal, also grew roots during the period. People began to believe in change, development and progress – all basic tenets of modernity as we know it today. Autonomy to decide for their own good, gave the people the right to choose the form of authority that could lead them as a society or community towards a better future and progress. This opened the doors to the emergence of states with separate and legally defined spheres of jurisdiction. Thus we find that modernity represents a transformation – philosophical, scientific, social, political and cultural – at a definite time in history at a definite spatial location. This transformation also represents a continuum up to the present in so much so that its basic principles are inherent in the societies and nations of today. The period of enlightenment can be seen as one of transition from the ‘traditional’ to the ‘modern’ forms of society, from an age of blind beliefs to a new age of reason and rational. Different Perspectives on development of Modernity Different political and philosophical thinkers have however developed different, and sometimes contradicting, theories of the development of modernity. Friedrich Hegel and Karl Marx are two of the leading thinkers whose theories run counter to each other. For Hegel, the development of modernity was a dialectical process which was governed by the increasing self-consciousness of what he termed as the collective human ‘mind’ or ‘spirit’. According to Hegel, the dialectic process of development of the mind comprised three stages, with two initially contradicting positions synthesizing into a third reconciled position. Human beings live what Hegel called an ‘Ethical Life’ or in a social environment shaped by customs and traditions. This ethical life has three stages: the first is the family, which is dissolved in due course, the second is the ‘civil society’ that a person builds up as a result of his social interactions beyond the family and greater relations, and finally the third stage of the ‘state’ which Hegel defines as the highest form of social reason. For Hegel therefore, the formation of the modern state is the mark of modernity when human beings achieve the ultimate stage of social existence. Hegel believed as individuals or families, human beings are too selfish and self-centered co-exist in harmony and work for development. It is the state that is able to integrate the contradictions of different individuals, and not market forces. Since the state by itself is composed of political institutions, Hegel’s theory equates the development of the modern state or modern political institutions with modernity. Marx took a completely opposing view, when he asserted that material forces drive history. For him the state by itself is not an ideal entity for the integration of human beings into a cohesive whole for their development as a nation or a society. According to him it is the material forces comprising social and economic forces that drive history towards modernity. People engage in production for their means of subsistence, they bind together and form states for the sake of production. Different forms of productions create different class relations. It is to maximize production and gain the maximum benefits and advantages that people bond together in different classes in the form of the modern state. The different ways in which production is organized give rise to complex forms of social organization because a particular mode of production is an entire way of life for the people who are involved in it. For Marx social existence is not consciously determined by human beings, rather, it is the other way round: their social existence determines their consciousness. When there are contradictions between productive forces and the social relationships of production, class conflict arises. For Marx, therefore, modernity is defined by the state of social existence. Marx acknowledges that ‘capitalism has been the most productive mode of production, and it contains the most potential for the realization of human freedom’. This very dynamic characteristic of capitalism is born out of its destructiveness for all traditional social constraints such as religion, nation, family, sex, etc. But it is the same destructiveness and creativeness that creates the experience of modernity in Capitalism. This vital association between capitalism and modernity from none less that Marx himself establishes that the capitalism that evolved after the period of enlightenment in Europe has been acknowledged as the modern era of the period of modernity by Marx. Marx however states that capitalism is exploitative, and because it is exploitative, its full potential cannot be harnessed for the benefit of all. He therefore advocates communism which is a system of planned and conscious production by men and women of their won free will. This brings us to the question whether humanity has already passed through a stage of history that has been termed as modernity, and has moved on to the postmodern era (Mitchell, 2009). Another important point is regarding the placing of modernity. Modernity is understood to be a process that began and ended in Europe, and was later exported to other parts of the world. Thinkers like Marx tend to differ. He saw Capitalism emerge as a ‘rosy dawn’ not in England or the Netherlands but in the production trade and finance of the colonial system (Marx, 1967). Therefore, though the concept of modernity can be defined in various ways, it definitely refers to the process of evolution of the human mind and the society to a point where people were able to come together for their own advantage and benefit and work for unceasing development under a collectively formalized authority such as the nation state. It can also be state with a certain degree of assertiveness that the period from the beginning of the Eighteenth Century to the French Revolution in 1789 actually marked the period of active development of modernity in Europe. The concepts that were nurtured during the period bore fruit immediately afterwards in Europe and the West and later spread to the rest of the world. The world has continued since on very much the same basic principles but with far more advanced technologies and superior social, economic and political approaches. Influence of Modernity on Literature Modernity had a profound influence on literature. As people began to think differently, they also began to write differently. The modernist ideas of religious emancipation, autonomy, reliance on reason, rationality and science, and on development and progress began to find expression in the literature that developed even during the period of enlightenment and thereafter. This new form of literature came to be known as the Modernist Literature. Modernist literature tended to vent expression to the tendencies of modernity. Modernist literature, as also modernist art, took up cudgels against the old system of blind beliefs. Centering around the idea of individualism or the individual mind, modernist literature displayed mistrust of established institutions such as conventional forms of autocratic government and religion. It also tended not to believe in any absolute truths. Simmel (1903) gives an overview of the thematic concerns of Modernist Literature when he states that, â€Å"The deepest problems of modern life derive from the claim of the individual to preserve the autonomy and individuality of his existence in the face of overwhelming social forces, of historical heritage, of external culture, and of the technique of life. † Examples from two Greats A few examples of Modernist literature will serve to make its characteristics more clear. Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650) is considered to be one of the early enlightenment thinkers whose literary works opened the avenues to the modern era. Known as the founder of modern philosophy and the father of modern mathematics, Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician and scientist whose influence has served to shape the beginnings of Modernist literature. In his famous work, The Discourse on Method, he presents the equally famous quotation ‘cogito ergo sum’ or ‘I think, therefore I am’, which about sums up the very principle of the basis of the modern era. â€Å"I observed that, whilst I thus wished to think that all was false, it was absolutely necessary that I, who thus thought, should be somewhat; and as I observed that this truth, I think, therefore I am (COGITO ERGO SUM), was so certain and of such evidence that no ground of doubt, however extravagant, could be alleged by the sceptics capable of shaking it, I concluded that I might, without scruple, accept it as the first principle of the philosophy of which I was in search† (Descartes, 1637). In this work, Descartes drew on ancients such as Sextus Emiricus to revive the idea of skepticism, and reached a truth that he found to be undeniable. â€Å"Descartes started his line of reasoning by doubting everything, so as to assess the world from a fresh perspective, clear of any preconceived notions. In other words, he rejected man’s reliance on God’s revealed word, placing his own intellect on a higher plain† (McCarter, 2006). David Hume (1711 – 1776) was a philosopher, economist and historian from Scotland, and was considered a notable personality both in western philosophy and of the Scottish Enlightenment movement. In his works, he had a way of projecting the errors of scepticism and naturalism, thus carving out a way for secular humanism. In his most famous work, ‘An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding’, Hume asserts that all human knowledge is imbibed through our senses. He argues that unless the source from which the impression of a certain entity is conveyed to our senses is identified, that entity cannot exist. The logic would nullify the existence of God, a soul or a self. â€Å"By the term impression, then, I mean all our more lively perceptions, when we hear, or see, or feel, or love, or hate, or desire, or will. And impressions are distinguished from ideas, which are the less lively perceptions, of which we are conscious, when we reflect on any of those sensations or movements above mentioned †¦It seems a proposition, which will not admit of much dispute, that all our ideas are nothing but copies of our impressions, or, in other words, that it is impossible for us to think of anything, which we have not antecedently felt, either by our external or internal senses†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Dover Philosophical Classics, 2004) In the same work Hume also postulates two kinds of human reasoning – Relation of Ideas and Matters of Fact. The former involves abstract concepts such as of mathematics where deductive faculty is required, and the later is about empirical experiences which are inductive in nature. This postulate has come to be known as Hume’s Fork. Hume, along with his contemporaries of the Scottish Enlightenment, also proposed that the basis for principles of morals is to be sought in the utility that they tend to serve. This shows the questioning nature of modernist literature not only of religious but also of moral and social norms and values. A very visible influence of modernity is therefore seen in the works of Hume. Present-day Modernist Literature If modernity influenced literature, it also used literature to shift from a philosophical and theoretical domain into the practical lives of people. Modernity could infiltrate into the lives of people through literary works that defined and reiterated the legitimate new modes of classification. Old literary forms with traditional meanings attached to them were reworked, allowing readers to modify or contravene the older meanings. â€Å"This opening-up process allowed readers to glean new meanings that modified or contravened the older ones. In the course of these changes, words, forms, and institutions altered their meaning in British life: they, and the practices they comprised, referred differently†¦. modifying ‘reference potential’ in literature fed back into how readers responded to changes in life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Rothstein, 2007) In art and literature, many critics view ‘modernism’ as a new trend in the field of art and literature, defined basically by stylistic and structural variations. They would not accept the fact that ‘modernism’, it is basic approach, was the principles of modernity rendered plausible in literature and art. Modernity has always tried to hold up the world in new perspectives. Similarly, modernist literature opens up the world in all its forms – theoretical, philosophical, aesthetical and political – for fresh scrutiny. Even in its present form, modernist literature attempts to break the objective world of the realist. â€Å"Modernist writing †¦ takes the reader into a world of unfamiliarity, a deep introspection, a cognitive thought-provoking experience, skepticism of religion, and openness to culture, technology, and innovation† (Melton, 2010). Modernist literature exhibits a fascination with the workings of the mind, and how reality is reflected by the mind. The questioning of life, with or without the presence of God, is another trademark of the philosophical and theoretical moorings of modernist literature. Charles Darwin’s work challenges God as the Creator and presents the process of natural selection in the survival of life. This led to modernist literature of time travel, of questioning the existence of individuals and the purpose of the universe. Modernism brought about a new openness in the areas of feminism, bisexuality, the family, and the mind. In the world of today, modernist literature still display much of the characteristics of the times in which it first took shape. A very important theme of modernist literature today is a feeling of being alone in the world – a feeling stemming from estrangement or alienation. Characters are often presented as being depressed or angry. A second common trait is that of being in doubt. â€Å"It may be disbelief in religion, in happiness, or simply a lack of purpose and doubt in the value of human life. Finally, a third theme that is prevalent is a search for the truth† (Foster, 2010). Then there is a third theme in which the alienated character is always in the search for truth and seeks answers to a plethora of questions relating to human subjectivity. In all these characteristics are to be found the same questioning nature, the same denouncement of blind beliefs and the same dependence on reason and rationality that the Eighteenth Century enlightenment thinkers had pursued. The character is alienated and estranged because he or she questions all that is deemed not right by his or her own mind; the character questions the beliefs of religion and other institutions which are not based on reasoning; and finally the character seeks answers and the truth. â€Å"Modernist literature encompasses the thematic fingerprints of a rebellious, questioning, disbelieving, meditative, and confident type of form, which was conceived out of a change in the belief of humanity, the mind, a God, and the self brought on by the shift from capitalism to an ever-increasing society of revolutionary changes† (Melton, 2010). References Descartes, R. , 1637, The Discourse on Methods. Dover Philosophical Classics, 2004, David Hume, An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, Dover Publications Inc. Foster, J. , 2010, Modernism in Literature and History, Available: http://www. helium. com/items/743749-modernism-in-literature-and-history Karl Marx, 1967, Capital: A Critique of Political Economy, 3 vols. , New York: International Publishers, 1:703. McCarter, J. , P. , 2006, Literature of the Modern Era, The Puritans’ Home School Curriculum. Melton, L. , 2010, Modernism in Literature and History, Available: http://www. helium. com/items/809291-modernism-in-literature-and-history Mitchell, T. , 2000, The Stage of Modernity, Available: http://www. ram-wan. net/restrepo/modernidad/the%20stage%20of%20modernity-mitchell. pdf Rothstein, E. , 2007, Gleaning Modernity, Earlier Eighteenth Century Literature and the Modernizing Process, Rosemont Publishing and Printing Corp. , Associated University Presses. Simmel, G. , 1093, The Metropolis and Mental Life.