Looking At The Behavioral Methods Of Social Work Social Work Essay

Looking At The Behavioral Methods Of Social Work Social Work Essay The aim of this assignment is to show how a Social Worker would apply a Behavioural Method as an understanding and intervention on the case study supplied. I will do this by explaining what Behavioural Social Work is, how it is used in practice, how it meets the needs of the service user and identify personal challenges along the way. I will try to challenge my own views and ideals on the service user, and how these can be challenged for Anti-Oppressive Practice. Most of what makes us truly human, most of what makes us individuals rather than clones, most of what gives us a discernible personality made up of characteristic patterns of behaviour, emotion and cognition is the result of learning (Sheldon and McDonald, 2008). The Behavioural Perspective focuses on the individual and the relationship between stimuli in an environment and how it determines behaviour through learning (Westen, 2001). This is also how Behavioural Social Work is executed, by focusing on behaviour that is observable and changeable. Like other forms of social work methods it has been adopted from other disciplines, and in particular Psychology, but has been adapted to achieve measured outcomes and effective practice for Social Work (Watson and West, 2006). There are four main Theories that are relevant and used in Behavioural Social Work; The first behavioural theory is Respondent Conditioning, first introduced by Ivan Pavlov, who used experiments on dogs to discover how to condition a response after the presence of a certain stimuli has been removed. The second major behavioural theorist is B.F Skinner and his Operant Conditioning, he observed that the behaviour of organisms can be controlled by environmental consequences that either increase (reinforce) or decrease (punish) the likelihood of the behaviour occurring (Westen, 2001). He claimed that the outcome of behaviour was voluntary and goal directed, and always controlled by the consequences the behaviour would lead to. The next behavioural theory identified is Social Learning Theory, which extends behavioural ideas and claims that most learning is gained by copying others around them, rather than them being reinforced as skinner claimed. That behaviour is shaped by observing others and interpreting it (Payne, 1997). The fourth behavioural theory is Cognitive Learning Theory and was introduced by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck in the 1960s, this is a theory that focuses on the way people perceive, process and retrieve information (Westen, 2001). A perception of the environment from previous experience. It was during the 1980s that Social Work adopted behavioural theory as a method of working with service users, part of the reason for this was the ability of the theory to achieve realistic outcomes (Watson and West, 2006). The learning theory used in social work is a combination between all four theories listed above; Respondent Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, The Social Learning Theory and Cognitive Learning. These are used to enable the social worker to observe behaviour and therefore intervene appropriately (Watson and West, 2006). The importance of behavioural social work is that the behaviour is learned and can therefore be unlearned. Cognitive learning theory focuses on this specifically and its engagement with cognitive processes which produce thoughts and feelings (Sheldon, 1995). Behavioural social work allows the service user to modify and change their behaviour through a process of reinforcement, both positive and negative, to produce a likeliness of a wanted behaviou r occurring (Watson and West, 2006). There have been criticisms of this form of social work as it involves deciding what normal behaviour is. This may lead to discriminatory and oppressive practice, as a perception of normal behaviour can come from a range of sources, such as, personal and professional values (Trevithick, 2000). Another criticism is that the social worker may be seen as having significant power in deciding a future for the service user, which may in turn lead to further problems. To overcome these criticisms for an affective and constructive service for users, social workers have to be aware of empowering skills to help the service user help themselves. Informed consent and active participation is also a significant part of behavioural social work (Watson and West, 2006). How is Behavioural Social Work Used in Practice? Some of the reasons a behavioural method was chosen for intervention is because it mainly targets problem solving, and anger management, which are some of the problems faced by the family in the case study. The first stage of Behavioural Social Work is the process of Assessment. This will begin by identifying the service users problem(s) (Howe, 1998). It not only identifies the problem behaviour, but how it manifested to begin with, and what can be done to change it. The first stage of assessment and intervention is to establish the behaviour to work with (Watson and West, 2006). Within the case study, the problem is the behaviour of Jake who is increasingly violent and aggressive towards his parents and siblings. To establish the intensity and occurrence of his aggression it should be recorded and written down. This will provide clarity and understanding of the nature of the violence, which person(s) are present when he does it and what are the consequences of his behaviour (Watson and West, 2006) The problem behaviour has to be described in terms that are observable and measureable (Howe, 1998). To ensure an accurate documentation of behaviour, partnership should be used with the parents and social worker for empowerment (Watson and West, 2006). A contact either written or verbal can be useful in establishing aims and goals for sessions, and an overall aim for behaviour (Howe, 1998). Operant conditioning is one of the main theories used in Behavioural Social Work; this is put into practice by the ABC Assessment, which uses the identification of Antecedents, Behaviour and Consequences to help shape wanted behaviour (Hudson and Macdonald, 1998 cited in Watson and West, 2006). The Antecedent what precedes the behaviour, The Behaviour in this case aggression and violence, and the Consequence What happens immediately after the violence i.e Is the behaviour being reinforced? Once all the assessment has been carried out and all the information gathered, the social worker and the service user (parents) must work together to plan a method of intervention which promotes a wanted behaviour, this will be a baseline for intervention (Watson and West, 2006) The next stage in the process of behavioural intervention is the implementation of the plan to change the unwanted behaviour. For this method to be effective it needs partnership of both parents and the social worker to establish roles, tasks and responsibilities (Howe, 1998). The main task for all involved is to develop appropriate strategies to implement within a certain time frame (Watson and West, 2006), which will enable the social worker to evaluate the process and respond by either changing the strategies or the method implemented. In the case study Jakes behaviour deteriorated after the new baby was born, so the strategies that could be implemented would involve activities and more contact with his mother, and the rest of the family. Consequences of his bad behaviour should be consistent and happen immediately after an event (Watson and West, 2006). The main aim of Behavioural Intervention and Operant Conditioning is to focus on positive reinforcement rather than punishment, this is to positively change behaviour and motivate Jake to complete goals (Watson and West, 2006). How Does Behavioural Intervention Meet the Needs of the Service User? Behavioural Social Work is effective in meeting the needs of the service user as it is specific, simple and structured. It works in partnership with the parents and gives them an understanding into why their son behaves the way he does, and that Jakes behaviour is the problem and not Jake. Behavioural intervention is also cost effective and doesnt rely on financial help, therefore can be used immediately to help and support Jakes parents, as well as Jakes behaviour. One of the reasons why this method is widely used is because it is time limited; this allows the social worker to assess if the method is effective and if it is not it can be easily altered or changed. This method is specifically relevant to the case study as Jakes behaviour is the problem, which has been learned through time. A positive to this is that it can be unlearned with the help of his parents. To avoid oppressive practice this has to be a method that includes Jake, both his parents and the Social Worker. This will ensure empowerment to Jakes parents; a less likelihood of powerlessness over Jakes behaviour and a more effective outcome. Some of the negatives of this method if intervention is that it does not tackle the underlying problems to Jakes violence, but by using skills, values and knowledge the social worker can talk and support Jake to discover other underlying issues. Challenges working with this service user Some of the challenges I would face being a social worker for this case is helping Linda and Michael become more involved in changing Jakes behaviour. There is a new baby in the home and one other sibling besides Jake, and getting time to respond to Jakes behaviour may be difficult. There is also no other social support outside the home and Linda is very stressed and at the end of her tether with Jake, so getting time to spend with Jake alone may also be complicated. Another problem is that Michael is already threatening about having Jake removed from the home as his behaviour is so bad, so Michaels patience to assess and implement a behavioural intervention may be limited. To resolve these challenges I would have to use skills such as empathy and active listening, as well as appropriate questioning to gain a full awareness of the situation. The next step would be to involve both parents in trying to understand that Jakes behaviour is a result of learning and can therefore be unlearn ed in time, to show both parents that I am there to help and support both them and Jake for the sake of the family. Some personal challenges I would face as the social worker is trying to understand what it must be like to have three children under the age of ten, and being at a crisis point with one of them. To be so stressed that your husband is threatening to put one of your children into care because of his behaviour towards the rest of the family. I cant help but feel how could anyone, through choice, want to put their child into care. Can things get that terrible that some parents cannot see any way out rather than this? I couldnt help but think that Michael is saying this because he is Jakes step father and not biological father, but then, I do not have children and therefore have never had a child with behavioural difficulties. But I do understand what stress can do to a person, and how it can seem like there is no way out. I must challenge these stereotypical views on Michael and realise he has raised Jake from six years old, and probably knows a lot more about Jakes behaviour and the fam ily dynamic than I do, as a Social Worker. Conclusion A behavioural method for Social Work was chosen for this case study. It enables the social worker and the service user to work in partnership which is fundamental for a behavioural method to succeed. It includes a step by step process with defined roles and responsibilities to alter behaviour. Operant Conditioning is mainly used as its emphasis is reinforcing positive behaviour, but with punishment which should be consistent and applied immediately. Behavioural Intervention provides the Social Worker with a method which can be implemented swiftly, but can also be evaluated after time for its effectiveness. This provides the social worker with the knowledge to alter a method or implement and new one. Values such as anti-oppressive practice and empowerment are vital to implement this method as they provide the service user with choice, roles and responsibilities. By challenging stereotypical views, a social worker can make informed decisions and support the service user effectively. Ov er all a behavioural intervention is used to alter behaviour, as it is the behaviour that is the problem, not the person.

School of Athens by Raphael Analization

The School Of Athens by Raphael Nii Teiko Tagoe 9/11/12 LBTS 1105 The School of Athens by Raphael is a painting that really relates to classical philosophy and humanism. It is one of the greatest paintings in the high Renaissance, and it was painted in one of the greatest most extraordinarily decorated rooms in the Vatican, the name of the room was the Stanza della Segnatura. † The school of Athens† was painted by Raphael between 1508 and 1511, and it was right around the time Michelangelo was painting the 16th chapel.One of the things that makes this painting so special is that â€Å"The School of Athens† represents all the greatest mathematicians, philosophers and scientists from classical antiquity gathered together sharing their ideas and learning from each other. These figures all lived at different times, but here they are gathered together under one roof. The painting consists of generic and geometric shapes there is a good balance of both in the painting.On e of the first things that stand out to me is all the decoration that is surrounding the fresco in the painting and also the monochromatic sculptures at the base that are supporting the fresco. When you look close to the painting you can see that it was done in a one point perspective, the vanishing point and the horizon line run right through the center of the picture and sort of terminate behind the two central figures heads, and those two are Plato and Aristotle. The vanishing point almost divides the painting into two as its right in the middle of those two figures.The only place that I see a two point perspective being used in this painting is the block of stone on the floor that Michelangelo is leaning on. I also see some illusionism giving a sense of space going on as pertaining to the use of one point perspective, through the floors and the coffers and the celling. The use of simulated and actual texture and repetition in these areas also help create some of these illusions. There are different elements used, such as line, texture and repetition that helps strengthen Raphael’s painting.Overall Raphael’s use of warm colors in most areas of the painting could be looked at symbolically, such as the use of red demonstrating wisdom and power as it is used on the main figures in the painting. The colors in general are light but not too bight to keep a sense of seriousness in the painting. The warm light is focused more on the people in the back, and shadow is slightly casted upon the figures towards the front. Raphael used chiaroscuro to show underlying body structure in each of the figures and to also show and create depth and shape in the painting. he painting overall has a lot of analogous color schemes going on, with the characters, and the same analogous color scheme going on with the walls, the windows the floors and the back ground in general. But the color scheme in the characters pertaining to the background is complimentary when it co mes to certain figures. Overall this is a wonderful piece of art and Raphael did a great job over all of depicting each individual character and brings life into them in the painting.

Essay on The Personality of Othello - 1053 Words

The Personality of Othello Othello’s speech to Brabantio and the Duke in Act 1, Scene 3 is of major importance in describing Othello’s personality. This long speech, found in lines 149 to 196, shows Othello for the first time as a person with depth and less as a soldier. This speech is important to the book as a whole because it is a testimony to the strength of the love between Othello and Desdemona, which will later play a major role in the plot. It is also one of the first times that we see Othello trying to influence his audience with his words. The speech given by Othello is intended to convince Brabantio that Desdemona is with him willfully, and not by â€Å"spells and medicines bought of montebanks† (line 74). Her father†¦show more content†¦My story being done, She gave me for my pains a world of (sighs.) She swore, in faith, twas strange, twas passing strange, Twas pitiful, twas wondrous pitiful. She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me, And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake. She loved me for the dangers I had passed, And I loved her that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have used. Here comes the lady. Let her witness it. Lines 149-196 To influence his audience, Othello uses logic as well as an entrancing tone that surprises and allures his audience of Brabantio and the duke. Othello offers to tell his story, despite his discomfort with words. Othello tells the men that, â€Å"Rude am I in my speech, and little blessed with the soft phrase of peace. . . and therefore little shall I grace my cause in speaking for myself.† (lines 96-104) This preview to his speech gives the men a feeling that he’s going to be rough and unlearned when he talks, and definitely unworthy of Desdemona. This idea is quickly dismissed when he does begin to talk, almost magically, and it completely puts Othello in a good light. His tone, imagery, and diction all add to theShow MoreRelatedParanoid Personality Disorder In Shakespeares Othello1577 Words   |  7 PagesWorld Lit/Comp Honors 1 November, 2017 Othello was a great leader in the battlefield, but that never transpired in his social life as he couldn’t take the lead in his relations. He had frequent suspicions about his spouse and close associates. In the play â€Å"Othello† written by Shakespeare, Othello is the main character who goes through many phases during the play. Othello is mainly influenced by Iago but he causes his own downfall as the tragic hero. Othello plays a role of a commander in the armyRead More Comparison of an Evil mastermind in Shakespeare’s Othello and MacDonald’s Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)1433 Words   |  6 Pagesintroduced in Shakespeare’s Othello. 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One of the most fundamental questions in philosophy is the one of appearance vs. reality. We find ourselves asking the question of what is genuinely â€Å"real,† and what is viewed merely as just an â€Å"appearance,† and not real? It becomes difficultRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Othello - A Diagnosis Of Literary Character, Iago1460 Words   |  6 Pagesfate. Meaning in every situation there must be a character that is fraudulent and misleading. To which this character would tell false lies to hopefully make the plot end in disaster. In the dramatic play Othello, Shakespeare unleashes the tale of an interracial marriage between a Moor (Othello) and a Venetian woman. Which continuously builds on internal dialogue, race, gender, and insinuations the characters placed on one another. Moreover, the characters possessing various kinds of mental disordersRead More Othello Essay1312 Words   |  6 Pagesand a tragic flaw which proves fatal. 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The History of the Green Movement

Though the conservation movement had European roots, many observers maintain that the United States has emerged as the worlds leader in environmentalism. If America does, in fact, deserve credit for leading the green movement, what made the United States such a crucible for environmentalism? Its partly due to the immigrants who came to the North American continent in the colonial era and partly to the natural beauty of the land they found when they crossed the Atlantic. The Early Years of the Green Movement America, of course, didnt invent the green movement any more than it invented trees. The basic principles of sustainable forestry management, for example, were known throughout Europe (especially Germany, France and England) since the medieval era. Farming communities in Asia practiced soil conservation through terrace farming and other sustainable agricultural practices. English writer Thomas Malthus, in his oft-quoted An Essay on the Principle of Population, alarmed much of 18th-century Europe by proposing that an increase in human population beyond sustainable limits would result in a catastrophic plunge in population due to famine and/or disease. Malthus writings would inform much of the alarm over the population explosion roughly 200 years later. But it was after the colonization of the Americas by Europeans that writers and philosophers were among the first to propose that wilderness had an intrinsic value beyond its usefulness to humans. While fisheries, hunting grounds, and timber stands were important to civilization, visionaries like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau proposed that in wildness is the preservation of the world (Thoreau). Their belief that nature possesses a spiritual element that transcends human utility gave these men and their followers the label Transcendentalists. The Green Movement and the Industrial Revolution The transcendentalism of the early 1800s and its celebration of the natural world arrived just in time to be trampled underfoot by the ravages of the Industrial Revolution. As forests disappeared under the ax of reckless timber barons, coal became a popular source of energy. Unfettered use of coal in homes and factories resulted in horrific air pollution in cities like London, Philadelphia, and Paris. In the 1850s, a carnival huckster named George Gale heard about an immense California redwood that was over 600 years old when Jesus was born. Upon seeing the magnificent tree, nicknamed The Mother of the Forest, Gale hired men to cut the tree down so that its bark could be displayed in his sideshow. The reaction to Gales stunt, however, was swift and ugly: To our mind, it seems a cruel idea, a perfect desecration, to cut down such a splendid tree ... what in the world could have possessed any mortal to embark in such a speculation with this mountain of wood?, wrote one editor. The growing realization that human industry was obliterating irreplaceable wilderness -- and endangering human health -- resulted in the earliest efforts at managing natural resources. In 1872, Yellowstone National Park was created, the first of what became one of Americas best ideas: a network of national parks that were strictly off-limits to exploitation. The Conservation Movement Takes Root As the Industrial Revolution continued to wreak havoc on wilderness, a growing chorus of voices sounded the alarm. Among them were John Muir, a visionary poet of the American West and its spectacular beauty, and Theodore Roosevelt, an avid reformer whom Muir convinced to set aside vast tracts of wilderness for conservation. Other men, however, had different ideas about the value of wilderness. Gifford Pinchot, who studied forestry in Europe and became an advocate for managed forestry, was once an ally of Muir and others in the conservation movement. As Pinchot continued to broker the clear-cutting of virgin forests with influential timber barons, however, he fell out of favor with those who believed in the importance of preserving nature, regardless of its commercial uses. Muir was among those who decried Pinchots management of wilderness areas, and it is Muirs interest in preservation as opposed to conservation that gave rise to what may be Muirs greatest legacy. In 1892, Muir and others created the Sierra Club, to do something for wildness and make the mountains glad. The Modern Green Movement Begins In the 20th century, the conservation movement was overshadowed by events like the Great Depression and two world wars. Only after World War II ended -- and the rapid transformation of North America from an agricultural society to an industrial one was well underway -- did the modern environmental movement begin. Americas postwar industrialization proceeded at a breakneck pace. The results, while amazing in their breadth, alarmed many with the havoc they wreaked. Nuclear fallout from atomic tests, air pollution caused by millions of cars and factories spewing chemicals into the atmosphere, the destruction of once-pristine rivers and lakes (like Ohios Cuyahoga River, which famously caught fire due to pollution), and the disappearance of farmland and forests under suburban developments were a concern to many citizens. Into this maelstrom stepped a quiet, studious scientist and author.  Rachel Carson in 1962 published, a devastating argument against the reckless use of the pesticides that were wiping out populations of birds, insects, and other animals. The now-classic book gave voice to millions of Americans who saw their rich natural heritage disappearing right before their eyes. Following the publication of Silent Spring and books like Paul Erlichs The Population Bomb, Democratic Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson joined many other politicians in adding environmental protection to their platforms. Even Republican Richard Nixon made considerable progress toward incorporating environmental awareness into his administration. Not only did Nixon create the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), he also signed the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, which required environmental impact assessments for all large-scale federal projects. And on Christmas Eve of 1968, NASA astronaut William Anders, while orbiting the moon with the Apollo 8 mission, snapped a photograph that many people credit with providing a foundation for the modern green movement. His photo shows a small, blue planet Earth peeking over the horizon of the Moon. (See above.) The image of a small planet, alone in a vast ocean of space, showed billions the fragility of our planet and the importance of preserving and protecting Earth. The Environmental Movement and Earth Day Inspired by the protests and teach-ins that were occurring worldwide throughout the 1960s, Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed in 1969 that there be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment. In Nelsons words, The response was electric. It took off like gangbusters. Thus was born the event now known as Earth Day. On April 22, 1970, the first celebration of Earth Day took place on a glorious spring day, and the event was a tremendous success. Millions of Americans coast to coast took part in parades, concerts, speeches and fairs devoted to preserving the natural heritage of the United States and the entire world. In a speech that day, Nelson stated, Our goal is an environment of decency, quality, and mutual respect for all other human creatures and for all living creatures. Earth Day is now celebrated worldwide and has become an environmental touchstone for two generations of eco-activists. The Environmental Movement Solidifies In the months and years following the first Earth Day and the creation of the EPA, the green movement, and environmental consciousness were solidified into private and public institutions around the world. Landmark environmental legislation, like the Clean Water Act, the Federal Pesticides Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Scenic Trails Acts, were signed into law. These federal acts joined many other state and local programs to protect the environment. But all institutions have their detractors, and the environmental movement is no exception. As environmental legislation began to be implemented nationwide, many in the business community found that environmental legislation was having a negative impact on the profitability of mining, forestry, fisheries, manufacturing and other extractive and polluting industries. In 1980, when Republican Ronald Reagan was elected to the presidency, the dismantling of environmental safeguards began. By appointing anti-environmental crusaders like Interior Secretary James Watt and EPA Administrator Anne Gorsuch to office, Reagan and the entire Republican Party signaled their naked contempt for the green movement. Their success was limited, however, and both Watt and Gorsuch were so universally disliked -- even by members of their own party -- that they were removed from office after serving a matter of months. But the battle lines had been drawn, and the business community and the Republican Party remain vehemently opposed to the environmental protections that define much of the green movement. The Green Movement Today: Science vs Spiritualism Like many social and political movements, the green movement has been strengthened and annealed by the forces that oppose it. After James Watt was appointed to lead the Department of the Interior, for instance, membership in the Sierra Club grew from 183,000 to 245,000 in just 12 months. Today, the green movement is again defined and galvanized by its command of issues like global warming and climate change, wetlands preservation, the Keystone pipeline, nuclear proliferation, hydraulic fracturing or fracking, fisheries depletion, species extinction and other important environmental concerns. What distinguishes the green movement today from the earlier conservation movement is its emphasis on science and research. Speaking in spiritual tones and using religious metaphors, early environmentalists like Muir and Thoreau celebrated nature for its profound impact on mans emotions and our souls. When Hetch Hetchy Valley in California was threatened by a dam, Muir exclaimed, Dam Hetch Hetchy! As well dam for water-tanks the peoples cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man. Now, however, we are far more likely to call upon scientific data and empirical research to buttress arguments in favor of wilderness preservation, or against polluting industries. Politicians cite the work of polar researchers and use computerized climate models to battle global warming, and medical researchers rely on public health statistics to argue against mercury pollution. Whether these arguments succeed or fail, however, still depends on the vision, the passion and the commitment of the people who make up the green movement.

The Impact Of The Movement On The Course Of The Vietnam...

In this essay I am going to discuss the impact of the antiwar movement on the course of the Vietnam War and ultimately the role the movement had in ending the war. My argument is that the antiwar movement did influence some Vietnam policies; however it did not directly end the war. First I will discuss the impact of the antiwar movement during Lyndon Johnson’s time as President, I will then examine the impact of the movement throughout Richard Nixon’s presidency, and then I will discuss the overall impact on both presidents’ policies; I will then consider the general opinion Americans had towards the movement and finally I will evaluate the role that the movement had in ending the war. In 1967 the anti-war movement caused Lyndon Johnson to start a major propaganda campaign with the aim of convincing the American people that the war in Vietnam was being won. Johnson never managed to gain public opinion, but neither did the movement. According to Johnson’s white house aide and confidant Doris Kearns the anti-war movement had a â€Å"deep personal effect on him† and â€Å"drained his self-esteem and energy.† He went on to limit the bombing and not seek re-election with the hope that he would salvage his place in history by making progress in negotiating an end to the war and restoring unity at home. This hope was not fulfilled and Richard Nixon went on to be elected as president. Richard Nixon was not as dependant on public approval as Johnson had been, but still, his growingShow MoreRelatedThe Vietnam War: A Brief Analysis1396 Words   |  6 Pages Still, even though the Cold War is over, there are many reasons why the history of the Vietnam War should remain fresh and the effort to grasp both the war and the antiwar opposition remain essential. The Vietnam War is, of course, an episode in military history. The episode’s setting is during the Cold War in Vietnam and the central theme of the episode was to pit capitalism and or democracy against communism. In light of this, the movement against the Vietnam War could be said as one of the greatestRead MoreImpact of Public Opinion on the Vietnam War1380 Words   |  6 PagesTo what extent did US public opinion have an impact on the Vietnam War? Public opinion did have an impact on the Vietnam War to an extent. The Vietnam War was fought between 1959 and 1975, between the communist government of North Vietnam and the democratic government of South Vietnam and its allies, the most actively involved of these being the USA. At the end of the conflict, neither side were defeated, however, it is considered a military failure and is seen as a very controversial conflict.Read MoreHistory Course Outline787 Words   |  4 PagesHistory Course Outline There are four topics; * Australia in the Vietnam War Era * Changing Rights and Freedoms * People Power and Politics in the Post-war Period * Australia’s Social and Cultural History in the Post-War Period Australia in the Vietnam War Inquiry questions †¢ How did the Australian government respond to the threat of communism after WWII? †¢ Why did Australia become involved in the Vietnam War? †¢ How did various groups respond to AustraliaÂ’s involvement inRead MoreDiplomatic Presidential and Cultural Lessons of the Vietnam War1058 Words   |  5 PagesThe Vietnam War was the longest deployment of U.S. forces in hostile action in the history of the American republic. Although there is no formal declaration of war from which to date U.S. entry, President John F. Kennedys decision to send over 2,000 military advisers to South Vietnam in 1961 marked the beginning of twelve years of American military combat. U.S. unit combat began in 1965 (Anderson, 1999). During this time there were many significant lessons that were learned and still affect theRead MoreHow Public Opinion Changed the Course of the Vietnam War950 Words   |  4 PagesThe Vietnam War certainly left a distaste in the lives of many who have been affected by the war; scholars have become increasingly interested in the interaction between war and public opinion. There have been many scholarly works publi shed on the Vietnam War, but the issue that will be analyzed here is how public opinion changed the course of the war. The first article by Scott Gartner and Gary Segura is titled, â€Å"Race, Casualties, and Opinion in the Vietnam War,† it examined how the diverse racesRead MoreEssay about The Secret War in Laos: Why Was It a Secret?1635 Words   |  7 Pagesor break the politician. The impact of imagery also applies to the Government as a whole. The image created by the government influences the support of the population; because of this correlation, information regarding government affairs goes through filters; information that could negatively impact the image of the government may not be provided to the public depending on how important it may be for the general population to know. In the beginning of the Vietnam War, Laos was declared a neutralRead MoreVietnam War : A Peaceful, Independent, And Unified Vietnam1606 Words   |  7 PagesManifesto, the NLF, at the end of 1960, presented its idealism of a peaceful, independent, and unified Vietnam along with its antagonism towards its rival the United States in the midst of Vietnam War. This manifesto gained substantial support from abroad, whereas most foreign observers did not realize that the NLF was actually a collaborative organization between North Vietnam and rebels in South Vietnam. In general, Ten-Point Manifesto was an notable embodiment of the shared values of the global revolutionaryRead MoreEssay on The Sixties, by Terry H. Anderson1624 Words   |  7 Pageslife. Beginning with the crew-cut conformity of 1950s Cold War culture and ending with the transition into the uneasy 70s, Anderson notes the rise of an idealistic generation of baby boomers, widespread social activism, and revolutionary counterculture. Anderson explores the rapidly shifting mood of the country with the optimism during the Kennedy years, the liberal advances of Johnsons Great Society, and the growing conflict over V ietnam that nearly tore America apart. The book also navigates throughRead MoreThe Vietnam War Openned Opportunities for New Films1816 Words   |  7 PagesWith film introducing itself in the world of media, the war gave way to a new style of reporting that changed the future for upcoming journalists. 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My Papa Free Essays

Reflective Essay by Liam Shortall Visiting Papa It was March 2011, and my Dad and I had just been to pick up my brand new trombone from the Rath factory in Huddersfield and were heading towards Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital to visit my grandfather. He had just had been through quadruple bypass heart surgery at the tender age of 79. My grandfather, or Papa, had been suffering from acute pain in the heart, and severe exhaustion :the daily stroll to the shop had now become an impossible task. We will write a custom essay sample on My Papa or any similar topic only for you Order Now After being examined by his local GP on a regular basis for a few months, he was admitted to Liverpool for this major operation. My grandfather was immensely apprehensive and at one point almost refused treatment. One week into his stay, my Dad went with my Uncle Richard to visit him. He was extremely confused; he didn’t know his location and how long he had been there. My Nana had kept my Dad and Uncle informed in regard to his condition but in visiting him they soon realised that she had not revealed the full extent of his ill health. After this particular visit my Dad didn’t really seem himself, he seemed anxious and constantly on edge, a complete opposite to his usual joking self. My papa must have been in a dreadful state. Previous to my visit to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (LHCH) we had been to pick up my new trombone, I was ecstatic. Finally I was getting the instrument that I had being dreaming of for, what felt like forever. And after so many sleepless nights too, the day was finally here! But my happiness was short-lived, I wasn’t to know of the severity of Papa’s condition and my heart soon sank when we entered the hospital. As soon as I walked though the hospital doors, I seemed to feel even colder than I did outside on this winter day: it was so clinical and unwelcoming. Suddenly I felt very uncomfortable in this new environment; never have I felt so selfish and guilty. After hiking through this never-ending maze of wards, through the different sounds and noises coming from various wards, we entered the room my Papa was ‘recovering’ in. I briefly looked around, noticing my Nana standing in the corner of the room with an exhausted and worried expression on her face, trying to force a smile. We walked over to the bed in which my Papa lay looking still and weak with his eyes closed. He ad all sorts of pipes and tubes entering his frail body, and a never ending metronome of multiple beeping sounds came from various machines that had been plumbed into him. This bruising sight still stays with me today. Gently laying her hand on his arm and shaking him softly, my Nana attempted to wake Papa up. He opened his eyes until they were open just enough to glance over at us. He then muttered something that I couldn’t understand. He seemed to va guely recognise who his son was, but when he looked me it was as though he hadn’t seen my before in his life, as though I was merely a stranger at his bedside. Nana explained to us that as a result of his surgery and strong medication he was becoming exceedingly confused and exhausted. My increasingly distressed Nana seemed at an all time low and she had lost all hope for Papa. My Dad had managed to have a half conversation with his Papa, he told me. He said that Papa would say a few words and then stop for breath. Nana then gingerly pulled back the bed sheets that lay on top of him and revealed his chest. There was a large, very noticeable scar surrounded by a sea of black bruises which covered his chest. I stared at my Papa for a while. The Papa I knew so well was so warm hearted, lively and full of humour, so different to the man lying in the bed in front of me . A lump had developed in my throat and my vision became blurry. I blinked and could feel the sting of a single tear run down my cheek. The feeling of not being recognised by someone you know so well and have so many fond memories with, was unfathomable. Knowing there was nothing I could do to help someone that we loved and cared about so much made us all feel so incredibly helpless. As visiting hours came to a close we said our goodbyes to Papa, hoping for the best for his health, but dreading the worst. He of course was too delusional to reply, which felt so demoralising as he always would make a fuss of us leaving after a visit. Nana then walked us back to the car park. She, understandably wanted to get back to my Papa’s bedside. So we awkwardly said goodbye to her and wished her and Papa the very best. Visiting my Papa in hospital affected me in more ways than I ever imagined it would have. Looking back on this experience I realise how important it was and how much of a turning point it was in my life. It made me realise how much we take our loved ones for granted, and how harsh the reality of life actually is, and how precious it is also. I realised how much of an influence my Papa had had on my upbringing. Many of the features of my personality are related to my Papa and his character, which made the worry of something sinister happening so much more awful. It also made me realise the ignorant and selfish attitude I had before this emotional day. And to think how lucky I, and the majority of us actually are. I believe most of us take our good health for granted. And we don’t realise how good we have it compared to others who are in dreadful states, when their personalities are often unrecognisable. How to cite My Papa, Papers

Police and Informative Speech Outline free essay sample

Asking a rhetorical question is a favourite for speechmakers. The introduction can take as long as you want, but it’s usually best to keep it short. You might want to start with a video or a short slide of images. Fit these things into your informative speech outline template if it’s relevant. Body The body is simple in principle. You delve into your main points, as well as any sub points you have. Assuming you’ve successfully made it through the introduction, length is your biggest threat. It’s tempting to cover every base you have and every possible question. This can actually turn against you, though. Allow the audience to ask questions. It encourages debate and keeps people engaged. It also gives their minds a break from watching and listening to you. Just run through your points. How you do this is entirely up to you. Try to use multiple forms of media to keep interest levels high. But avoid using the same type of media for each point you make. Don’t milk it. Allow each point to have its own unique form of delivery. Conclusion Finish strongly. You can briefly reiterate your points, but keep this short and confined to the main points. Explain, again, the point of the speech and open the floor to questions. It’s best to invite the audience to participate as quickly as possible because the points remain fresh in their minds. Studies have shown how building on these things quickly has far more positive results than droning on and on and on. An informative speech outline template is great for providing some order to the chaos of preparing a speech, but don’t let it trap you. Break the boundaries and make your own slightly different template. Just use this as a starting point, before adapting it to your specific speech. SAMPLES If you’re sitting here at town hall tonight, it means you want answers. You’re here on your own time because you care about this town—and you want to make sure I care about it as much as you do. You want to make sure I’ll bring real solutions with me to office, not just bandages. Well, I’m not going to waste any of your time. My main focus today is your children. â€Å"Children are our future. † It’s a phrase we hear often, but it is often used without a full understanding of the implications. Children are our future† means that children are our priority. Right now, we have some of the lowest test scores in the entire county. Not only that, our math and science scores were around 20 points lower than the state average. That is not making children our priority. That is not securing their future or the future of this town. No one wants to move to a town or stay in a town that has, to be frank, a lousy public education system. When I was a child here, our town was actually renowned for its stellar schools, so what changed over the last thirty years? For one thing, an exorbitantly high percentage of the town’s budget has been allocated to parks, recreation, and beautification. Not to say that money was wasted—we have an extraordinarily gorgeous town—but pristine streets won’t help our students compete at a national level when it comes time to picking a college. On top of that, we have a staff that is rife with teachers who have been offered tenure despite a long track record of under-performing students. During my time as superintendent of schools 10 years ago, I tried to push for a merit-based tenureship. It didn’t go through, and I’ve been pushing ever since. I think the most valuable change we can make as a town is ensuring that our teaching staff is filled with individuals who strive for perfection rather than settling for what’s merely acceptable. And what better way to motivate our schools than to give them a more appropriate budget? More money invested in our schools means a lower student-to-teacher ratio, which means student will be getting the attention they need and will have a better chance of fulfilling their true potential. The Office of the Mayor should be held by an individual who can actually bring solutions that will change the town for the better. This town needs a drastic new approach before it’s too late. If we do things the way that they’ve always been done, then things will remain the way that they’ve always been. And that, at this point, means a continued decline in the quality of public education. Not meeting state standards is gross negligence and completely unacceptable. Don’t let it get any worse. I will not let this town go another year at the bottom of the totem pole. If you will elect me as your public servant, will serve this town and the needs of its people. Those needs will change over time, but right now, as of today, the top priority is education, knowledge—the most precious and valuable resource a person can have. Vote Mahoney this Tuesday, and you’ll be voting a promising new future for this town and its youngest residents. SAMPLE 2 With the wide availability of video taping equipment these days—from cellphone cameras to mounted motorcycle helmet cameras—police officers are finding that their every move is subject to the scrutiny of thousands of people once the footage hits the Internet. More often than not, this footage is posted in order to expose police behavior than some deem â€Å"brutal. † Commenters throw out phrases like â€Å"excessive force† and â€Å"unconstitutional,† while police departments hit back stating that officers acted appropriately and according to police guideline. In some cases, notably the Rodney King case and the Dole family case, evidence makes it clear that the behavior of responding officers was inappropriate and of a brutal nature. It’s not always that clear cut, though, is it? An officer shown on tape throws a woman to the ground, kneels on her back and handcuffs her wrists. This imagery in and of itself is shocking and disturbing enough for viewers to call out â€Å"police brutality† as a knee jerk reaction. However, it’s not the whole story. Before this shot, the woman was belligerent and violent, resisting arrest and spewing threats while officers calmly tried to subdue her. Another case shows a young man being hurled into storage lockers by an officer in a school setting. The action is made all the more extreme when footage before the attack shows the young man calmly walking down the hall. His offense? Ignoring the officer’s demand that he tuck in his shirt. And then there’s the infamous pepper spray officer, shown spraying a thick stream of chemicals in the faces of peaceful Occupy protesters. The protesters are sitting on the ground motionless, heads down, arms linked. From public streets to public schools, all of these cases involved police force—some warranted, some possibly not. However, the true uniting factor is the presence of a video camera. It is in video evidence that we have proof. While some cases require a strong-arm response from the police, the resistance of some officers against the presence of civilian videotaping doesn’t look very good, does it? If police force is not brutal and not excessive, then why have such a hostile response toward the video camera? If anything, it’s there as an ally. The people who should fear recording are those who don’t want their actions used as evidence. Officers should have nothing to fear if they truly are observing proper protocol. Most importantly, it is not illegal in any way to videotape an officer’s activity in the public. A motorcyclist with a video camera attached to his helmet was cleared of all charges levied against him for taping an officer who pulled him over for speeding and other riding violations. The judge concluded, being in a public space, there was no way to find any illegality in the rider’s actions. However, this did not stop the police department from searching his home and seizing his computer and storage drives first. This was a clear violation of this man’s rights and all the more reason to have a video recording device on you at all times. If an officer, or anyone for that matter, is displaying unacceptable behavior, a recording is the best evidence you can have. Not all officer force is excessive; however, the ones who cross the line need to be stopped. That’s where you come in. SAMPLE 3 here to talk to you about changing your life. A lot of people I talk to treat their life like it’s some sort of sentient machine that moves continuously, independently, at its own pace. They feel like cogs in that machine, watching passively as it takes its course. They don’t realize just how much control they actually have over their lives. What I need you to do is look at your life as if it is a movie and you are the director. This is your movie. You choose the actors and the scenes. There can be as many plot twists as you want and, if David Lynch is any proof, your movie doesn’t have to make sense at all. It can be as wild or as calm as you want, and it is never ever too late to turn the film on its head, scream â€Å"CUT,† and start from scratch. So your life’s in a rut. Maybe you do the same thing every day and the repetition is slowly driving you crazy. Maybe you’re at a point where you just want peace and quiet, but all you have is instability and stress. Very often, I hear people tell me they just need a good vacation. The problem with that lies in the fact that you are taking a vacation from your life. You do not want to be in a position where you are trying to get away from your life. If you’ve begun to feel like this, it’s time to think about introducing real change. First of all, you don’t need to turn your life on its head. Often, making little changes will make a big impact. The physical states of our bodies often take a major toll on our minds and emotions. You need to be selfish and make time for yourself, even if you have kids—especially if you have kids. Take just 30 minutes—do it at 5:30 in the morning if you have to—and work out. Kickbox, run, do pilates, dance, do something physically invigorating to wake yourself up. It’s good for your heart and will get your endorphins pumping. Any spare moment you have, do squats, stretch, run in place, do calf lifts or pull ups on your door. You will start feeling more limber and physically stronger, which will then in turn make you feel mentally stronger. Second, start teaching yourself again. A lot of people act like just because they’re out of school they can’t lean anymore. Learning doesn’t stop after college. Don’t watch TV. Don’t sit on the computer looking at pictures of cats. Learn a language. There are free language learning tools online, and they work. Teach yourself to paint. Teach yourself anything. You are more capable than you think. Enroll in free online college classes. You can advance your career and life in so many ways by becoming more knowledgeable. If you hate your job and have to coax yourself into going every morning, chances are you’re in need of a career change. Go back to school. I don’t care how old you are. Apply for those grants. Get those loans. Do it. Will it be hard? Yes. It will be challenging and expensive, but you’ll pay it back over time. And, ultimately, the alternative is just doing the same thing you were doing before you came here to listen to me. Not good. Third, volunteer. I hear it all the time: â€Å"I would love to do something, but I just don’t have time. † And I’m calling you out on that excuse. Of course you have time. How much time do you spend in front of the TV, vegging out to those shows you recorded on the DVR. I can tell you right now that getting off the couch and helping someone less fortunate is going to be much more rewarding than that most recent episode of 30 Rock. Sometimes, the best thing a person can do with his or her life is dedicating a portion of it to helping where help is needed. The best thing you can do is take responsibility. Far too often we blame circumstance and even other people for our current situation. â€Å"This is just my life,† â€Å"It’s too late for me to just change,† â€Å"I can’t† these are all statements used as excuses to justify the continuation of a destructive pattern of behavior and avoid actually doing something about it. You don’t need to wait until next week to evaluate your priorities and decide that you want to do a 180. This is your life and you’ve only got one. You’re responsible for how it goes and no one else. You have one shot. You don’t get a do-over. It doesnt matter how old you are. It’s only too late when you flatline. Make this count.