How are the principles that underlie the process of motivational Essay

How are the principles that underlie the process of motivational interviewing relate to social change and community development - Essay Example ient that the interviewer is attentive, empathetic and genuinely desires to be a facilitator of attitudinal and behavioural change to improve the socio-psychological adjustment of the client and improve their general lifestyle. Hence, the interviewer becomes, essentially, a positive change agent for the client (Miller, Yahne and Tonigan 2003). Individuals, within a social context, that have maladaptive or unhealthy behaviours detract from the development of a cohesive and well-functioning community. This is why enacting long-term behaviour change and improving socio-psychological adjustment is so critical, as deviant behaviours, anti-social attitude, or other negative behaviours can pose risk or danger to a broader community population. In an idealistic society, the goal is to ensure that all society members within a community have an attitude that promotes teamwork, alliance and partnership, though this is not a tangible reality in many societies throughout the world. This essay explores the processes of motivational interviewing and its potential benefits or contributions to achieving social change and developing positive communities with an emphasis on how MI is properly facilitated to achieve these desirable and encouraging advantages. The main premise of MI is to maintain a non-adversarial attitude with the client, be completely without confrontational stance and illustrate complete non-judgmental behaviours (Miller and Rollnick 2002). The premise of MI is to break-down the barriers which are driving client uncertainty and ambivalence that allow for continuation of unhealthy or maladapted behaviours. In motivational interviewing, the mentor serves as a resource for assisting the client in resolving the factors that drive ambivalence without being directly persuasive. The interviewer serves only as a director that facilitates discussion about what is revealed within the client’s inner world and provides therapeutic discourse to nurture the client’s

Research Review on Accuracy of Memory

Research Review on Accuracy of Memory Meghan Amber-Rose Turnbull Explain and evaluate what research has taught us about why our memories are not always accurate. Memory[p1] is a mechanism whereby the brain stores and retrieves information to be used in everyday life. Psychologists have come to understand the existence of memory, as we do not continuously re-learn information every time it is of need. This is what lead psychologist’s to develop three key processes in memory. These are encoding, storage and retrieval. Encoding processes take in information from the outside world using the senses. Each piece of information is given a unique code to enable it to be entered into the memory system. Storage processes use this coded information to enable the memory system to retain information. This coded information is stored as internal representations which come in varying forms such as words, faces, sounds etc. Retrieval processes enable access to the stored information and come in two forms, recognition and recall. Recognition matches coded information which is stored to what is being perceived in the outside world whereas recall (brings information that is stored to your attention.) involves searching memory stores. Recall is what helps you to remember where you last placed an object such as your wallet. These three memory processes work together, therefore, how well and how much information is encoded then determines how much is stored and retrieved (Brace, 2007, pp113-114). This essay will now explain and evaluate what research has taught us about why our memories are not always accurate. One possible reason for memory inaccuracy is the presence of neuropsychological impairment or accidental brain damage. Localization of function is a theoretical method that believes particular areas of the brain play a key role in functions such as memory. When studying this, psychologists use brain scanning technology such as positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Patients are asked to complete certain mental tasks during a scan. The scans can then pick up brain activity and pin point which part of the brain is not functioning correctly. This can enable psychologists to understand why or how their memory may not be accurate and help in patient’s recovery. Unfortunately for some, the damage may be too severe and incurable. This can be seen in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. (Brace and Roth, 2007, pp144-145[p2]) Research conducted by (Martin) Conway and colleagues looked at how well students retained information, over a 12 year period, after completing a cognitive psychology course. The experiment tested for general overall knowledge of what was studied and they found that names were forgotten rather than principals and statistics. This is possibly due to less information being coded to a name than that of principals and statistics when information was originally taken in[p3]. This could be seen as a limitation as important information can be forgotten due to a fault in one of the key processes (in this case at encoding). Their study also found a significant strength as after 4 years the participant’s memories stabilized and what they were still able to recite at this point would potentially stay in their memory for life, meaning the participants know the information rather than remember it. (Brace and Roth, 2007, pp118) Other researchers that focused on the accuracy of memory were Loftus and Palmer (1974). They looked at the effect that leading questions can have on memory. They did this by conducting an experiment whereby participants were shown video clips of car accidents. Each participant was then asked a variation of the question â€Å"about how fast were the cars going when they hit each other?† with the verb ‘hit’ being changed each time for a more violent verb such as smashed, collided and bumped. The participant’s estimates of speed were much higher when asked how fast a car was going when it ‘smashed’ into the other car. It seems that the more violent verb convinced the participants that the cars in that clip were going faster when they were all the same speed. In a similar second experiment, one third were asked â€Å"About how fast the cars were going when they smashed into each other?†, one third were asked how fast they were going when the y ‘hit’ and a control group were not asked a question. After seven days all participants were then asked the question â€Å"did you see any broken glass?† Out of the participants that had been asked the more violent leading question using the word ‘smashed’, 32 per cent admitted to seeing broken glass, even though there had been no broken glass shown on the video clip. An advantage of the research conducted by Loftus and Palmer (1974), is that it gained a lot of knowledge into the misinformation effect. This means information that is given to a person after an event takes place can actually override (or merge with) the memory that they originally have due to the memory not being encoded properly[p4]. Yet, this can also be seen as a disadvantage as If memory can be influenced this easily using only leading questions, it could be used to effect witness testimonies and people can be made to remember events that they did not actually witness. (Brace, 200 7, pp133-134) There is also much to be said about the accuracy of autobiographical memories, which are episodes that an individual can remember from their life. This includes past experiences and biographical information. From this, Brown and Kulik (1977) devised the flashbulb memory. Flashbulb memories are formed when certain conditions, such as surprising and emotionally arousing events, are met and create detailed and stable memories. Brown and Kulik (1977) used insider viewpoints in their research and found that memories of events, such as the assassination of John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King, were highly detailed and much more accurate than other memories. A limitation to this area of research is that it depends solely on personal circumstance. What an individual finds, surprising, arousing and important will determine how well they will remember an event. For instance, the assassination of Martin Luther King registered a higher number of flashbulb memories with black North Americans tha n white North Americans. This means the accounts of white North Americans were less accurate (of the event) than the accounts of black North Americans. However, their research also showed a significant strength in memory recall as flashbulb memories store such a detailed and vivid account of what happened. When asked, participants could remember who they were with, where they were and exactly what they were doing when they learned of the surprising event. (Brace, 2007, pp140[p5]) Collective memories also play a part in how accurate recollections of past events can be. Jean Piaget (1960) spoke of his own experience of collective memory. Piaget was able to describe in detail an instance when a man tried to kidnap him as a child. Subsequently, at the age of fifteen Paiget’s nanny wrote to his family to admit that she had made the story up and the attempted kidnapping never took place. Fifty years on, Piaget could still remember the scratches the man had left on the face of his nanny during the supposed event. Paiget’s collective memory of the kidnapping is possibly due to family repeatedly discussing in detail what happened. Over a period of time, Piaget came to believe that he had witnessed this kidnapping and formed memories of what happened based on what others had told him. (An advantage of this is that) Piaget was able to recall this particular memory in so much detail after fifty years, showing that the information had been told was encoded and stored perfectly and thus was able to be retrieved. This instance shows how memory is not always accurate, as Piaget describes his memory of the kidnapping as being witnessed first-hand. Essentially, his memory of the event was fabricated from information he had been told by family members. (Brace, 2007, pp143[p6]) Research has shown that there are many factors that can affect the accuracy of our memory[p7]. However, these factors are dependent on individual and personal circumstance. The research of Conway (1991) stated that memory inaccuracies were due to a fault in one of the key processes. For instance, if there isn’t enough information taken in and coded it makes it highly difficult for the information to be retrieved in any detail. Piaget (1960) and Loftus and Palmer (1974) both focused on the effect that other people can have on influencing the memory of an individual (. Meaning) illustrating that others can make you believe you have witnessed a situation just by talking about it often enough or using leading questions and persuasive language . The research of Brown and Kulik (1977) concentrated more on personal circumstance. They found that how accurate a person’s memory is of a situation depends on how interesting, surprising or emotionally stimulating they, as a person, find the event. What also must be taken into consideration is the possibility of brain damage and neuropsychological impairment; this can affect the accuracy of memory as the part of the brain that is responsible for memory recall may be damaged in some way. To conclude, the research mentioned in this essay has given a vast pool of knowledge into why our memories are not always accurate. References Brace, N. and Roth, I. (2007) ‘Memory: structures, processes and skills’ In D. Miell, A. Phoenix, K. Thomas (Eds.), Mapping Psychology, Chapter 8 (2nd ed, pp. 113–145). Milton Keynes: The Open University. Brown, R. and Kulik, J. (1977) ‘Flashbulb memories’, Cognition, vol.5, pp.73-99[p8]. Conway, M.A., Cohen, G.M. and Stanhope, N. (1991) ‘On the very long-term retention of knowledge acquired through formal education: twelve years of cognitive psychology’, Journal of experimental psychology: General, vol.120, pp.395-409. Loftus, E.F. and Palmer, J.C. (1974) ‘Reconstruction of automobile destruction: an example of the interaction between language and memory’, Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behaviour, vol.13, pp.585-9. Piaget, J. (1960) Play, Dreams and Imitation in Childhood, New York, Norton [p1]A good introduction in terms of explaining what is involved in memory and the issue, but you need to state precisely how you plan to organise the essay. [p2]Note that individuals may also vary in memory function due to brain differences. [p3]This is a good point – names do not have a specific meaning nor do they relate to the person (except in some cultures) so are easily forgotten. [p4]In fact there is debate about the cause of the misinformation effect which could also be due to not attending at encoding, due to fear or misattributing the source of information so it is thought to be real (as with Piaget’s story and Crombag’s study of memories of an air crash.). [p5]You might have commented that some psychologists question how accurate flashbulb memories are. [p6]Like the memory of Loftus and Palmer’s participants – their memory was â€Å"reconstructed†. [p7]This conclusion is well focused on the evaluative part of the question – and summarises your points well. You might also have considered methodological issues. [p8]Don’t simply add references from the end of the chapter unless you have read them first hand. If you have read ABOUT them in the course book – you need only cite them in the main body of the essay.

Complex Relationship between the American and Jig in Hemingway’s Hills

The Complex Relationship between the American and Jig in Ernest Hemingway’s â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† In Hemingway’s â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants†, the American and Jig are like the tracks at the train station, they can never meet. While Jig represents fertility, life and continuity, the American represents sterility, dryness and death. Unfortunately, Jig depends emotionally on the American – as many women depended on their male counterparts in the 1940s – and lacks the autonomy and willpower required to openly affirm herself in their relationship. As they struggle to find common ground, the very discussion that can bring them together only tears them apart. The differences in each character – in their personality, means of communication and desires – truly emphasize the constant opposition that burns between them, this very opposition leads to the couple’s inevitable separation, as Jig discovers herself and her independence through the dilemma at hand. The ubiquitous conflict between the American and Jig is underlined by the tremendous differences in their personality, communication methods and desires. In the beginning, the environment seems relaxed, neither, the American nor Jig, is speaking. Jig is looking out at the scenery that is â€Å"brown and dry† (paragraph 8) – like their relationship – as the American orders drinks. Unlike the American who is disconnected, Jig seems to be imaginative, intuitive and connected with her world, while she gazes out the window, she remarks that the hills â€Å"look like white elephants† (paragraph 9). At this point, she seems to have something on her mind: white elephants are believed to be rare and precious, although they require much upkeep, commitment and sacrifice, e... ...g and the American is what eventually tears them apart, they have different needs and desires and this, in turn, allows Jig to discover her independence, despite the difficult choice she faces. After having weighed everything, Jig would have probably had the abortion. Regardless of whether she leaves the American or remains forever unhappy with him, Jig’s decision is made: she takes a final stance and acknowledges – in an ironic tone – â€Å"I feel fine†¦ there’s nothing wrong with me. I feel fine† (paragraph 110). The question of self-affirmation has been solved here, as she looks to her own self, her own happiness and her own will to look at things as they are. WORKS CITED Hemingway, Ernest. â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants†. Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. Ed. Edgar V. Roberts. 4th Compact Ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2008. 290-293.

Gun Control Persuasive Paper Essay

A gun control law is any law that restricts the use, purchase, or possession of any firearms (Conservapedia). These laws are implemented to reduce the use of firearms to authorized members of a state’s government. Each state in America has its own laws regarding gun control; however, among all, California has the strongest laws, scoring 81 out of a 100 (O’Mara). Gun control laws are necessary in a state because they decrease violence, increase government’s protection in the state, and decrease the lethalness of other crimes. Gun control laws can reduce violence and crime. In the United States, 67% of crimes in 2010 were committed with firearms (Rogers, 2007). This means that majority of crimes committed in America had guns and other firearms involved. If firearms are prohibited in the state, then in theory, crime rates will go down by 67%. Guns have the ability to take someone’s life. Having that said, disallowing the use of guns can not only decrease crime rates, but lower causalities as well. Ozanne-Smith et al (2004) arrived at a similar conclusion in a study conducted in Victoria, Australia after examining the trend in the firearm-related deaths in the context of strong legislative reform. They found the following: â€Å"Significant and dramatic declines in rates of firearm related deaths occurred in Victoria and Australia after periods of strong legislative reform. Statistically significant reductions in firearm related suicides were observed after legislative reforms. In 2000, rates of firearm related deaths were less than two per 100 000 population for Victoria and Australia compared with 10.4 per 100 000 population for the United States. In Victoria, reductions in the numbers of registered firearms of 25% and of licensed shooters of 15% were seen over the four years between 1997–98 and 2000–01† (Ozanne-Smith, 2004). Prohibiting civilians from using guns can increase the effectiveness of the police in one’s state. When a person owns a gun, in theory he can protect himself and therefore does not need protection from the police. Thus, he becomes independent. However, if a person is not allowed to own a gun, he becomes more dependent upon the government for his safety and the police and the government now becomes more aware of the importance of their task in protecting their state. Lastly, the restriction of firearms can decrease the lethalness of crimes other than murder and homicide. Often times, minor criminals like thieves and robbers commit their crimes with a firearm, when in reality; the commission of their crime does not require it. They simply use the guns for self-defense. As a result, they are more likely to kill their victims rather than just stealing from them. Therefore, they not only steal, but they kill as well. The prohibition of firearms can lessen a criminal’s ability from committing another crime by decreasing the probability of murder and homicide. However, firearms have its benefits as well. But if the aforementioned is not used in the right way, it will lead to serious consequences: including death. That’s why gun control laws are implied in a state: to regulate and prevent the misuse of such firearms.

Does Science After All Rule Out A Personal God? Essay

Since time in memorial, science and religion which contains the idea of a personal god and his existence as one of its key pillar aspects, have always depicted an outstanding collide. Many scientific scholars and theologists have been involved in this argument in a bid to defend their different stands. However as long as this heated debate has existed, no answer has evidencial conclusion has been arrived at. For instance, the views contained by Albert eisten and Paul Tillich depict the difference in opinion about this aspect of a personal God. as much as everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion, these opinions and the justification they have do not seem to offer any direction to this long standing debate. Einstein states that there is no personal god. He gives a reason to justify his view stating that he and every other intellect is in a state that he similates to that of a little child getting into a huge study with books written in many different languages. He says this child knows that these books have their authors but he/she does not know and neither does she/he comprehend the books’ arrangement. He concludes that this is the perspective held towards god not only by him but by almost every other human having intelligence. After a comparison he did between the magnanimous relay and arrangement of the cosmos and failure to reconcile these features with the evil and suffering he got in the human’s being, eisteen concluded posing a question , how could an almighty god if at all he is there allow the existence of the suffering that is found on earth? In summing Einstein’s opinion he says that his idea is a childlike. However to him an embrace to the idea would be naive and anthropological . On the other hand theologist Paul Tillich holds a different opinion on the same. he asserts the existence of a personal god describing this being as the stronghold of being and even as the existence itself. Tilich, being a theologian is assertive and upholds the idea that a personal god actually exists despite the occurances that may question the existence of this being in terms of pain ,evil and suffering that exists among the human race. Tillich also states that God’s existence is not an aspect that can be proved or disapproved. In more bids to put more emphasis on his opinion which was commonly upheld by other theologists , Tillich even turned scientific tools into theological instruments. He was utterly committed to attempt put his view in the crystal clearest way that god is beyond essence and existence. Other scholars also involved in this argument like Hartshine say that there is really no sense in trying to find out whether a personal God exists. He however states that if there is existence of a personal God is a possibility then there is a necessity of doing so. In this bid it seems that there is a clear cut between those who agree with Tillich’s argument and those who differ with him. However these efforts are slowly being thwarted as the clock ticks. In a bid to conclude, it should therefore be noted that in spite the numerous argument the fact is, scientists have no evidence to prove that a personal god does not exist. Sources Espanol. Evidence for God from science. Retrieved 23rd October 2008 from : http://www. godandscience. org

Free Essays on The Orgin Of Civil Society

In â€Å"The Origin of Civil Society,† Rousseau makes many debatable points regarding the benefits of a civil state over a state of nature. Rousseau states that humans living in a state of nature are only a short term solution for society and would not survive in the long run. Society living in a civil state of social contracts is a more secure and safe way of life in which the people have security and more importantly happiness. Throughout â€Å"The Origin of Civil Society,† Rousseau goes into great deal of detail regarding slavery and families including the social contracts that go into making a civil state along with the problems of a state of nature. Although the essay is presented well, Rousseau makes assumptions with no evidence to back them up and uses many writing devices to persuade the reader. Rousseau is adamant about the faults in a society that lives in a state of nature. In this state of nature, man is only a â€Å"stupid animal† whose existence is one of instinct and necessity for his own self interest and survival. In this state, man does have natural liberty to take anything he desires assuming he is the strongest. But when living in a civil state, man trades this natural liberty for civil liberty where he can secure property he can claim as his own. Rousseau goes on to explain how man has no security in this state of nature where only the strongest survive. Eventually, even the strongest would die or an outside threat or natural disaster would lead to the end of society. Yet, Rousseau fails to look at other possibilities of human nature and a family bond in a state of nature. In this argument, Rousseau makes the assumption that humans by nature are driven by self interest with no evidence or explanation. This may be argued that humans by nature are loving caring beings and not these â€Å"stupid animals† of which Rousseau refers to. Rousseau fails to mention the role of the family in a state of n... Free Essays on The Orgin Of Civil Society Free Essays on The Orgin Of Civil Society In â€Å"The Origin of Civil Society,† Rousseau makes many debatable points regarding the benefits of a civil state over a state of nature. Rousseau states that humans living in a state of nature are only a short term solution for society and would not survive in the long run. Society living in a civil state of social contracts is a more secure and safe way of life in which the people have security and more importantly happiness. Throughout â€Å"The Origin of Civil Society,† Rousseau goes into great deal of detail regarding slavery and families including the social contracts that go into making a civil state along with the problems of a state of nature. Although the essay is presented well, Rousseau makes assumptions with no evidence to back them up and uses many writing devices to persuade the reader. Rousseau is adamant about the faults in a society that lives in a state of nature. In this state of nature, man is only a â€Å"stupid animal† whose existence is one of instinct and necessity for his own self interest and survival. In this state, man does have natural liberty to take anything he desires assuming he is the strongest. But when living in a civil state, man trades this natural liberty for civil liberty where he can secure property he can claim as his own. Rousseau goes on to explain how man has no security in this state of nature where only the strongest survive. Eventually, even the strongest would die or an outside threat or natural disaster would lead to the end of society. Yet, Rousseau fails to look at other possibilities of human nature and a family bond in a state of nature. In this argument, Rousseau makes the assumption that humans by nature are driven by self interest with no evidence or explanation. This may be argued that humans by nature are loving caring beings and not these â€Å"stupid animals† of which Rousseau refers to. Rousseau fails to mention the role of the family in a state of n...

Copan Notes essays

Copan Notes essays Maya rulers carved elaborate monuments that told stories of their ascent to the throne, their lineage, important battles, or other events. The Maya had a sophisticated and accurate calendar and a system of hieroglyphic writing. They dated many monuments and included the names of kings and when they reigned. There is one unfinished monument at Copan that can provide you with clues. Today, there are many people living in the Copan Valley. They grow corn, like the ancient Maya did before them. These modern farmers can provide clues to how ancient Maya farmers used the land. There are now about 25,000 people living in the Copan Valley, about the same number that lived there before Copan collapsed. There are two bone samples you can examine. They are both skulls of residents of Copan. Both were found buried a few miles from Copans center (or acropolis). What do these clues reveal about Copan? Record your thoughts in your journal. Plant and soil evidence can provide clues to what happened in the past. You may want to examine this pollen slide, which comes from a sample taken from the bottom of a bog in a farming area outside of Copan. ...