Schizophrenia Theories Essays - Schizophrenia,

Schizophrenia: Theories John Psychology Schizophrenia: Theories Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by the loss of contact with reality. When a person's thinking, feeling, and behavior is so far from normal as to interfere with his or her ability to function in everyday life. When delusions, hallucinations, irregular thinking or emotions are produced, then he or she has a mental illness called schizophrenia. About one hundred years ago schizophrenia was first recognized as a mental disorder and researchers have been searching for a cure since. The exact cause of schizophrenia is still unknown and scientists are certain that schizophrenia has more than one cause. Scientists have developed dozens of theories to explain what causes this disease, but researchers are focusing on four leading theories. They are the Genetic Theory, the Environmental Theory, the Biochemical Theory, and the Bio-Psycho-Social Theory. The Genetic Theory argues that schizophrenia is caused by traits in a person's genetic makeup. As we all know, a person has twenty-three pairs of chromosomes. Each pair contains one chromosome from each parent. In corresponding locations, called loci, of each chromosome the genes for specific traits are located. Some researchers believe that problems with these genes can cause schizophrenia. We inherit our genes from our parents but this does not mean that the parents of a schizophrenic are mentally ill. Problems in a persons genetic make up could come from mutated chromosomes or recessive genes. In an attempt to prove this theory scientists study identical twins. Due to the fact that identical twins have the exact same genetic make up researchers will be able to determine if heredity is the main cause of schizophrenia. However, evidence seems to disprove this theory. This is because on some occasions both identical twins are schizophrenics and other times only one is inflicted. To defend the theory, it should be noted that this research is difficult and complicated. Identical twins are relatively rare, especially twins who are both diagnosed with schizophrenia. Further defending the theory, studies have shown that children with one parent diagnosed with schizophrenia have a ten percent chance of suffering from schizophrenia. When both parents are schizophrenic their risk raises to about forty percent. Very little is known about the Environmental Theory. It is built mainly on the effects stress has on human behavior, however, most researchers agree that stress alone cannot be the main cause of schizophrenia. Most researchers agree that stress can trigger or worsen the symptoms when the illness is already present. Other researchers focus on drug abuse. Like stress, certain drugs such as amphetamines can make psychotic symptoms worse if a person already has schizophrenia. Furthermore, these drugs can create schizophrenia - like symptoms in normal persons when the dosage is large. Other researchers that support the Environmental Theory believe that slow viruses may be to blame. Slow viruses are viral infections that go undetected for long periods of time therefore signs and symptoms are delayed and may occur many years after the first infection. The Bio-Chemical Theory suggests that schizophrenia is caused by mixed up signals to the brain. When something acts upon one of our senses, electrical impulses are sent to the brain. These impulses allow us to feel pain, smell, and they also manage our thought processes. In our body we have a complex nerve system. For example, there is no one single nerve that travels from our feet to our brain. Therefore, in order for information to be sent to the brain the nerves must interact with each other. Because the system is so complex it is possible for the signal to get mixed up. When this happens our brain may misinterpret the signal or may not receive it at all. If the signal does get mixed up on the way to the brain the make up of the impulse can undergo a chemical change resulting in abnormal thought processes and abnormal behavior. For example, scientists have in-depth studies on a chemical in the brain called dopamine. They believe that schizophrenics have higher levels of this chemi cal than a mentally sound person. To experiment, researchers have injected animals and humans with amphetamines, this increases the amount of dopamine reaching the brain. Following the injection, the

The tiananmen square essays

The tiananmen square essays Fourteen years ago to this day a tragic event took place in China, especially for the people that had invested so much time trying to gain more freedom. The Tiananmen Square Massacre was a smack in the face for the pro democratic nationalists in China. Months of progress through demonstrating came to a halt during the night of June 3rd, 1989 as two hundred eighty thousand troops entered the square and proceeded to kill an estimated two to seven thousand Chinese nationalists and injure over twenty thousand others. It was almost a revolution. [1] The Tiananmen Square protests may have at the time seemed like a huge waste to the defeated young demonstrators but many changes to the rights and freedoms of the Chinese people have occurred and are a direct result of the events that took place in Tiananmen Square. These changes are not enough for those that have suffered from the events. Many of the families and people that were injured or negatively affected seek criminal justificati on for these crimes. Until the Chinese government can look back upon its past and punish those who were responsible it cannot move on toward the future. Through the use of inhumane rights abuse and propaganda the government has made an attempt to silence the intellectuals that are trying to inform Chinas people of what must be done. What was the government like before the late 80s protests? Why did the event take place? What has changed since the incident? Has the government given its people the rights they deserve? What must be done to forget the past and move forward into the future? In the late 1970s and early 80s Deng Xiaoping brought forward ideas of capitalist reform, which were celebrated throughout China. He was distinguished as a great visionary and reformer. In 1985 Deng was named man of the year by both Time magazine and the National Review. Deng oversaw a stream of market reforms that op...

Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan

Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov rules the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan with an iron fist. He has ordered soldiers to fire into unarmed crowds of protestors, routinely uses torture on political prisoners, and fixes elections to remain in power. Who is the man behind the atrocities? Early Life Islam Abduganievich Karimov was born on January 30, 1938 in Samarkand. His mother may have been an ethnic Tajik, while his father was Uzbek. Its not known what happened to Karimovs parents, but the boy was raised in a Soviet orphanage. Almost no details of Karimovs childhood have been revealed to the public. Education Islam Karimov went to public schools, then attended the Central Asian Polytechnic College, where he received an engineering degree. He also graduated from the Tashkent Institute of National Economy with an economics degree. He may have met his wife, economist Tatyana Akbarova Karimova, at the Tashkent Institute. They now have two daughters and three grandchildren. Work Following his university graduation in 1960, Karimov went to work at Tashselmash, an agricultural machinery manufacturer. The following year, he moved to the Chkalov Tashkent aviation production complex, where he worked for five years as a lead engineer. Entry into National Politics In 1966, Karimov moved into the government, starting as a chief specialist at the Uzbek SSR State Planning Office. Soon he was promoted to First Deputy Chairman of the planning office. Karimov was appointed Minister of Finance for the Uzbek SSR in 1983Â  and added the titles of Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the State Planning Office three years later. From this position, he was able to move into the Uzbek Communist Partys upper echelon. Rise to Power Islam Karimov became the First Secretary of the Kashkadarya Province Communist Party Committee in 1986Â  and served for three years at that post. He was then promoted to First Secretary of the Central Committee for all of Uzbekistan. On March 24, 1990, Karimov became President of the Uzbek SSR. Fall of the Soviet Union The Soviet Union crumbled the following year, and Karimov reluctantly declared Uzbekistans independence on August 31, 1991. Four months later, on December 29, 1991, he was elected President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Karimov received 86% of the vote in what outside observers called an unfair election. This would be his only campaign against real opponents; those who ran against him soon fled into exile or disappeared without a trace. Karimovs Control of Independent Uzbekistan In 1995, Karimov held a referendum which approved extending his presidential term through the year 2000. Surprising nobody, he received 91.9% of the vote in the January 9, 2000 presidential race. His opponent, Abdulhasiz Jalalov, openly admitted that he was a sham candidate, only running to provide a facade of fairness. Jalalov also stated that he himself had voted for Karimov. Despite the two-term limit in Uzbekistans Constitution, Karimov won a third presidential term in 2007 with 88.1% of the vote. All three of his opponents began each campaign speech by heaping praise on Karimov. Human Rights Violations Despite huge deposits of natural gas, gold, and uranium, Uzbekistans economy is lagging. A quarter of the citizens live in poverty, and the per capita income is about $1950 per year. Even worse than the economic stress, though, is the governments repression of citizens. Free speech and religious practice are non-existent in Uzbekistan, and torture is systematic and rampant. Political prisoners bodies are returned to their families in sealed coffins; some are said to have been boiled to death in prison. The Andijan Massacre On May 12, 2005, thousands of people gathered for a peaceful and orderly protest in the city of Andijan. They were supporting 23 local businessmen, who were on trial for trumped-up charges of Islamic extremism. Many also had taken to the streets to express their frustration over social and economic conditions in the country. Dozens were rounded up, and taken to the same jail that housed the accused businessmen. Early the next morning, gunmen stormed the jail and released the 23 accused extremists and their supporters. Government troops and tanks secured the airport as the crowd swelled to some 10,000 people. At 6 pm on the 13th, troops in armored vehicles opened fire on the unarmed crowd, which included women and children. Late into the night, the soldiers moved through the city, shooting the injured who lay on the sidewalks. Karimovs government stated that 187 people were killed in the massacre. However, a doctor in the town said that she had seen at least 500 bodies in the morgue, and they were all adult men. The bodies of women and children simply disappeared, dumped into unmarked graves by the troops to cover up their crimes. Opposition members say that about 745 people were either confirmed killed or were missing after the massacre. Protest leaders also were arrested during the weeks following the incident, and many have not been seen again. In reaction to a 1999 bus hijacking, Islam Karimov had stated: Im prepared to rip off the heads of 200 people, to sacrifice their lives, in order to save peace and calm in the republic... If my child chose such a path, I myself would rip off his head. Six years later, in Andijan, Karimov made good his threat, and more.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a staycation to tourists Essay

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a staycation to tourists - Essay Example It is also simple to plan because it does not require complicated logistical process such as packing, travelling, and waiting at the airport. In addition, it does not involve hotel booking (Coles, 2013, pg 35). Staycation allows tourists to be flexible in setting their schedule for the staycation and they can organize and arrange their own touring activities and accomplish them within their time frame (Carr, 2013). According to Munday (2013) staycation promotes a county’s economy by encouraging internal tourism. Botteril & Maitland (2014) argues that staycation tourism is convenient as it involves travelling in short distances and its preparations minimal. He also state that staycationers can run their business and take care of their home as their have much fun elsewhere. A staycation have a positive impact on local businesses (Williams & Fidgeon, 2000). This is so because staycationers buy products from these businesses while on visit to various sites. In other words they becomes customers to these businesses. Staycation may be less thrilling and adventurous (Coles, 2013). Most of them leads to boredom as most of the activities take place in one location (Carr, 2013). It is also a challenge that a tourist would spend more than expected with the impression that they have saved a lot of money by cutting on traveling cost (Botterill & Maitland 2014). As a matter of fact staycationers are close to their home and place of work. They may be tempted to go to work part of the day and go for a staycation for the rest of the day. This unpopular balance between leisure and work may have severe and dire consequences on ones work performance (Dolnicar & Leisch, 2003). As tourism product increases rapidly in the global market, one need to understand clearly the factors that affect tourism destination selection (Godfrey, 1999). One need to comprehend the fact that product choice is imperative. Tourist

Changing Nurse-Patient Ratio Staffing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Changing Nurse-Patient Ratio Staffing - Essay Example Several studies have also shown a correlation between nursing staffing and improved patient outcomes (Aiken et al. 2010). As a result, there has been a growing need to improve the nurse-staffing ration in the country to prevent the deaths that occur due to lack of enough nurse personnel. Currently, California became the first state to introduce a threshold on nurse-patient ratio in all general acute care health care institutions as noted by Aiken et al. (2010). Many states have failed to pass this critical legislation due to the nature of politics involved in any legislative process. Abood (2007) argues that any health care issue such as the legislation of nurse patient ratio has to go through different phases of policy processes, beginning with proposal all through to implementation phase. These stages are impacted largely by elected officials, organizations, individuals, and special interests. The divergent views and competing interest of the different factions normally make it dif ficult to pass any legislation regardless of how beneficial the health issue might be to citizens. As a result, a nurse must use effective strategies to influence the different factions to accept and pass a given legislation. Below are the strategies that will be employed to influence legislators to pass the nurse patient ratio bill. ... Having a direct lobbying with the legislators and committees at the legislative arena offers a good opportunity for persuading all members regardless of their party affiliation to adopt a common stand that will ensure the passenger of the nurse-patient bill whose aim is to improve the quality health care delivery in the country as did Maggie Flanagan. Maggie Flanagan managed to convince legislators at the legislative arena to pass the Safe Patient Handling legislation by using her musculoskeletal injury to educate them on the importance of the legislation. In another case, after Karen Daley suffered a needle injury at her workplace, she courageous went all through to the legislative arena where she advocated for Safe Needle Protection policy, which was overwhelmingly passed by the legislators (Abood, 2007). Therefore, I intend to adopt a similar strategy to influence the passage of the nurse-patient ratio law. To influence the passage of nurse-patient ratio, I will also have to know the key players in the legislative arena, both at the state and local levels, who have strong ability to influence the outcome of my proposed legislation. Voting decisions are impacted by many factors other than the issue itself. These include party politics, preferences of district voters, personal interests, and pressure from organized interest groups. In this regard, influencing the outcome and content of the intended policy change depends on how well the supporters and non-supporters of the bill are identified among the legislators. This is important because it offers the opportunity to have directed contact with them and lobbying for their support in the passage of

Theme and Symbol in Ethan Frome Essay example -- Character Analysis

Divided between the two women, Ethan Frome is a highly confused man. He seeks to find some â€Å"ease and freedom† represented by Mattie, but society would not allow him to do so. Society instead compels him to accept its burden represented for him in the shape of Zeena, although it means the ruin of his life. The social pressure, whether it takes the form of conventional morality or any other forms, offers Ethan blind opposition at every turn, leashing his actions â€Å"like the jerk of a chain† (p.3). Aware that he has not even the money to take Mattie with him to the West, for instance, Ethan starts on foot for Starkfield to ask Andrew Hale, the village carpenter, for an advance on some lumber. In this episode, he is soon intercepted on the way by Mrs. Hale, who, appealing to his sympathy by a few kind words, baffles his attempt at the very moment when his is about to revolt. Throughout the novel, this â€Å"invisible hand† of social pressure is constantly imaged to Ethan as a prison: â€Å"The inexorable facts closed in on him like prison-warders handcuffing a convict. There was no way out-none. He was a prisoner for life.† (p.134). A little bit later in the story, Ethan, watching Mattie's trunk being carried away in a sleigh to the station, has the feeling that â€Å" his heart was bound with cords which an unseen hand was tightening with every ick of the clock.† (p.147). Again he expresses the same emotion later when he says to Mattie as they make the way to the station, â€Å"I'm tied hand and foot, Mattie. There isn't a thing I can do.† (p.158) Because Ethan suffers from inner conflict in his own mind, the group pressure of convention and morality seems to have little, if any, power over him. If, indeed, social force had been involved in h... ...f her mind were as incalculable as the flit of a bird in the branches† (p.46). To Ethan Frome, Mattie is â€Å"his one ray of light† (p.134) which gives meaning to his bleak existence but is to be extinguished by Zeena's cruelty. The image of light is further reinforce by the bright moon. Which is mentioned over and over in the novel. Ethan Frome is the only book Edith Wharton ever wrote that the author's name is readily -and deservedly- associated with, and it has in fact been held in higher esteem than any other of her novels. This book is a brilliant makes a use of imagery and symbolism. The destiny of human existence which Ethan can never solve is more clearly sharpened by Wharton's skillful use of contrasting images and symbols. More significantly, it is by her use of this symbolic imagery that the characterization of the novel can be fully understand.

Importance of accountability Essay

I have been tasked with writing this 1000 word essay on the importance of accountability of sensitive items within the military. The reason I have been assigned to do this task is due to my failure of being attentive and securing my weapon and having it with me at all time. I failed by leaving my M9 Berretta at home in my safe before I left in support of the Boston Marathon. I was told by certain individuals to leave it at home, but I failed as an NCO to ask my section leader on how to properly secure my weapon. I did what I thought was best and left it to at home limit the amount of time I traveled with it. In doing so was wrong, if anything would have happened to that weapon there would have be severe consequences that not only myself would have to face, but individuals in my command that would have been affected due to the negligence of my actions. This whole process is new to the unit and me on how to transport a weapon properly and safely from California to Massachusetts. I secu red my weapon in weapon case with and lock and a slide lock following JetBlue regulation and TSA regulations. Once I landed in Massachusetts I would secure my weapon in the 1st CST safe for safe keeping. A day prior to the Boston marathon I would be issued it again and along with 45 rounds of hollow point ammunition from the 1st. Once the Boston Marathon was over I would have the weapon remain with me until my departure back to home station. In AR 710-2 (Supply Policy below the National Level), AR 735-5 (Policies and Procedures for Property Accountability) and AR 190-13 (The Army Physical Security Program). All these Army Regulation cover the Army policy for property accountability. Some sensitive items are your weapon, military ID card, communication equipment, etcetera. Sensitive items are anything that can be used by opposing forces or the enemies to counter attack, weaken forces, and gain information, and so on. Throughout our lives we come across many things of value. Some things are more valuable than others, either because they cost more money or they hold a sentimental value that we keep close to our hearts. In the military regardless of what branch you are, it is instilled in our heads that our weapon is the most valuable thing you will ever have. You train with it, you eat with it, you sleep with it, you use is to protect yourself and your battle buddies and you take care of it like it was your child. In the end it becomes a part of you and you cannot foresee yourself without it. Your weapon is considered a sensitive item because if it ends up  in the enemies’ possession, it could possibly be used against you and your comrades. Keeping track of where your weapon is or having it on you at all times will help prevent any of that happening. An so I forget the value of my weapon and what it means to me. Always having your sensitive items is very important and I should have treated my weapon as one of those. Instead I chose to leave in my safe thinking it was just another items that I needed to bring. Compared to the active army side the very smallest punishment for misplacing a weapon, if it’s found within a reasonable amount of time, is a â€Å"Company Grade Article 15.† That means you can lose one grade of rank, a week of pay, and two weeks of extra duty. If that’s all you lost, you got off very, very lightly. More often, and especially if you lose your weapon in a combat zone, you’re looking at a â€Å"Field Grade Article 15† if your chain of command is feeling very generous. You would risk losing at least one or as many as three grades of rank (E-4 to E-1), one half of your base pay for two months, 60 days restriction, 45 days extra duty. That’s only for enlisted though. If you do the same as an officer, you won’t get the same slap on the wrists as a punishment. Your career is over. You may as well start looking around for a new job and hope you don’t get a bad discharge. So we check our sensitive items religiously. Normally I check to see if I have my sensitive equipment with me thru out the day or we do a check at the end of each exercise to make sure each one of us on our team is not missing valuable equipment. Most of the times our gear is either on your person, or locked up somewhere secure. Accountability and personal responsibility for your equipment is something the military takes so seriously it’s not even funny. Because if there’s a fight, and you don’t have your weapon, then you’re a huge liability to everyone. You also can’t be trusted to do certain thing due to fact of not being able to hand the responsibility. It is very important to know that my action don’t affect me but everyone around me. I now know that because my failure I will be always sure to get my proper information from senior leaders before making a decision or do my research more extensively. I don’t want to be a liability but an asset that everyone can rely on to get task or mission done, in a time and correct manner. I won’t make the mistakes like leaving my sensitive equipment at home or unsecure. I will also come to my section leaders first  in the event I have a serious question. I am sure they will be able to guide me in the right direction every time. From Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free, â€Å"It is important that we forgive ourselves for making mistakes. We need to learn from our errors and move on.† and moving on is exactly what I am going to do from this experi ence.