Ethical Decisions Essay

Irregardless or our differences, one thing that is general to all men is that we all have to make a decision at one point or the other. We are always faced with situations that call for us making a choice among alternative actions. Oftentimes, there are several alternatives before us and we have to make a choice. What do we do? At this stage, we are at a crossroad. Essentially, when man is at a crossroad, he should ask himself why he should do what he wants to do. We should appreciate the fact that the decision we are about to make determines a lot of things. For instance, the next decision we are about to make might make or mar us. We should also understand that since we do not live in an independent world, our actions have effects on the people around us. In view of this, we should not just make decisions but seek to make a good one. If we are to make a meaningful decision or choice, he should therefore evaluate the choices that lie before him. But the long asked question is; â€Å"How do we evaluate our actions? † Historically, many scholars and philosophers have made several attempts at answering the question. Many have come up with theories for the purpose of guiding man in his quest to make a credible decision. Interestingly, some of these theories are opposing to each other and so the struggle continues. We have to consider which of these theories gives the best answer to our question. On thing is sure, we have to make decisions. For better comprehension and clarity of this essay, I will attempt to make a briefly exposition on some of the ethical theories. I will also evaluate an experience I have had in the past in light of these ethical theories. Question that will be addressed in this essay includes; how can my decision be evaluated in light of the various ethical theories? Does these ethical theories approve of my action at this time? If it does, how does it? And if it does not why does it not? As an overview, in the course, we have learnt about utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, ethical egoism and various forms of relative theories, Aristotle’s virtue ethics and Aquinas natural law ethics. When I was in college, I was the course representative of my class. This position made me responsible for a number of duties, part of which is keeping the attendance details of students in the class. As part of the school’s rule, a student must attend at least 65% of all classes before he/she is allowed to sit for the final exam. As expected, some students did not comply with this rule and when we were busy having classes, they were no where to be found. The exam time came and I was told to submit the attendance register so that they can know who sits or misses the exam. When I went through the attendance, I discovered lots of people in my class fell into the category of those that will miss the exam and my friend was one of them. I asked myself, what would I do? After serious thinking, I decided to submit the register without altering it. Why? Because it is what is expected of me to do! Duty demands me to do so. Another reason why I made the decision was because my mind will not be at rest within me if I had altered the attendance register to please my friend. I also wanted them to learn their lessons and be better people. I believe that we should all have a sense of duty and that we should do be faithful people with what is place in our care. Evaluating my decision with Kantian ethics, I will hold that my decision was the right decision after all. In Kantian ethics, focus morality and rightness of action has its basis on duty, treating a man as an end, and universalism. Considering the issue of duty, it is my duty to properly keep the attendant sheet and not alter it. The attendance sheet was placed in my care and so my decision came out of a sense of duty. I did not also expect to be rewarded by my teacher nor do I seek for recognition from the principal. On this basis, Kant himself will approve of what I did. In addition to this, on the issue of treating a man as an end in himself and not a means to an end, I think my actions are also justifiable. For one, I did not submit the attendance sheet because I wanted the teacher to approve of my actions or to say â€Å"job well-done! † Although, I must admit that the teacher commended me and the principal later approve of my conduct, it was not the motivating factor for what I did. I did what I did because it was what I should do. It was the right thing to do. Also, on the issue of universalizability, will I wish that the same action be performed on me if I were the one in their shoes? My answer to this question is â€Å"Yes! † For one, I can not skip classes and even if I skipped classes and had to face the consequence of my action, I don’t think I will feel bad if someone who was merely doing his job did not help me. If I am guilty of an offence and I know the implication before I did it, then I should be made to suffer for it. Furthermore, when I look back and evaluate the decision I made at that time, I always come to a strong conclusion that that was the right thing to do. This is because I believe that no reason given can alter the consideration of duty. I had to ask myself why I was chosen to be the class representative. I was bound by some rules and some things are expected of me. I have to conduct myself in a manner where I will not go against the rules. I could have altered the sheet but that would have been against the purpose of my office. Apart from this, I will be encouraging laxity and indirectly be destroying their lives. They had to learn their lessons and it will not be to their good if they did not learn it. My friend, though furious with me for several years, is now grateful to me for doing what I did. From my own point of view, when we allow erring individuals to go scot-free, we are undermining the order in the society. Our society thrives because there is an order and so this order ought to and must be upheld. Our actions therefore should not be based on feelings or sentiments. We should all learn to do what we are meant to do. That is what is required of us. Reference: †¢ Popper, Karl. R.. â€Å"Objective Knowledge: An Evolutionary Approach. †(1972) Oxford University Press.

Resposibilities and Relationships in the Lifelong Learning Sector Essay

It is the responsibility of the teacher to make the teaching area a safe and fair environment to learn in and teachers should be aware of, and keep up to date with key legislation relating to this. The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) covers a number of duties relating to teaching and learning. Risk assessments should be carried out and risks properly controlled to ensure a safe working environment. Besides the Health and Safety at Work Act itself there are important pieces of legislation that would apply to a sewing workroom environment. 1. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. 1998: require that equipment provided for use at work, including machinery is safe. 2. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: cover the moving of objects by hand or bodily force. 3. Electricity at Work Regulations 1989: require people in control of electrical systems to ensure they are safe to use and in a safe condition. The Equality Act (2010) aims to eliminate discrimination based on age, disability, race, religion, belief, gender and sexual orientation. It places a duty on teachers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. It also provides protection against discrimination relating to pregnancy and maternity. Teachers must also adhere to the Children Act (2004) that places a statutory duty on them to make arrangements to safeguard the welfare of children. The Act gives responsibility to local authorities to make enquiries when anyone contacts them with concerns about child abuse. The aim is for every child, whatever there background or circumstances, to have the support to: Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic well-being ii) Following the Further Education Workforce Reforms 2007 New Regulatory Requirements state that all new teachers are to hold or acquire within a specified period of time: A ‘Preparing to teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector’ (PTLLS) award or its equivalent as a minimum license to teach for all who have an element of teaching in their role irrespective of job title; and either A diploma in teaching Level 5 status for those in a teaching role; or A Certificate in Teaching in the lifelong learning sector at Level 3 or 4 All new teachers must demonstrate through professional practice that they meet the standards and can use effectively the skills and knowledge acquired in teacher training. iii)The Institute for Learning (IFL) is an independent professional body for teachers, trainers, tutors and trainee teachers across the FE and skills sector. It has a code of conduct which outlines the behavior expected of its members. Briefly it states that members shall: Behave with Professional Integrity Respect the rights of learners and colleagues Take reasonable care to ensure the safety and welfare of learners Provide evidence of CPD according to IFL policy and Professional Practice guidelines Ensure disclosure of any cautioning or conviction of a criminal offence Be responsible for acting in accordance with the conditions of membership and assisting the Institute with any investigation. b) Boundaries The Teaching or Training Cycle consists of five processes namely: Identifying Needs – The purpose is to identify if the students face any barriers which may affect their learning or if they have any additional needs. There are many ways to do this and could involve; looking at their initial application if one is completed before the course starts, an informal discussion, observation during a class activity or by an initial test or assessment. It is also important to ensure that the student is on the correct course and to offer any advice perhaps with funding or travel referring them if necessary. The process will also help with the planning of the course as it will help the Tutor design a course suitable for the skills and experience of individual class members. Plan and Design Learning – This stage involves the planning of the content of the course. A scheme of work will be designed to plan the content of each session and lesson plans devised to organize them in more detail. When possible agreeing individual learning plans can be agreed with students and contingency plans made to take into account different needs of the learners. This would also be the opportunity to prepare learning resources and activities. Risk assessments need to be carried out and all attempts made to create a safe, positive and accessible learning environment. Deliver – A Teacher should be well organized, well prepared and enthusiastic when delivering a lesson. They should be able to communicate appropriately and effectively and act and speak appropriately. It is essential to promote equality, value diversity and teach in an inclusive and engaging way with a good sense of humour. Assess – Work needs to be assessed within a reasonable time to check that the students have gained the necessary skills and knowledge. Use a variety of assessment methods and keep a record of achievements. Feedback should always be constructive and given within a reasonable time. Evaluate – A programme should always be evaluated in order to improve the teaching and learning process. To evaluate how well the programme was planned and delivered feedback should be encouraged, accepted and acted upon. The teacher should encourage student development and progression as well as maintaining their own teacher development and professional currency. (GRAVELLS 2012) There are boundaries within which a teacher must work and it is important not to overstep these by becoming too personal with the students. It is also important to know where the role of teacher stops and to work within the limits of that role. Some examples are: If a teacher identified that a student was struggling to attend classes because they couldn’t afford the bus fare it would be inappropriate to lend them money. In this instance the student should be referred to the student support staff or the financial support staff. If a teacher was planning a class but found the room had insufficient access to equipment or resource’s it would be unacceptable to voice their concerns to the students. This would be unprofessional, they should address it to the organization, or change the lesson plan to accommodate the resource’s available. Students may choose to confide in their teacher about personal issues and, although a teacher should be understanding and sympathetic, it is important that they maintain a professional role. The student could be referred to a councillor, pastoral staff or support staff depending on the issue concerned. They should avoid getting involved in the personal lives of their students. When assessing students it is important that teachers are fair in their judgments. They should not bebiased towards or against any one student. When evaluating the teaching and learning programme the teacher should be able to listen to and react to feedback in order to improve. If in doubt about the boundaries of their role a teacher should seek advice. This could be from another teacher, a colleague, their line manager or their mentor. c. Points of Referral A teacher may encounter learners with varying degrees of needs. They may be able to deal with some of these needs but some may need the support of other professionals. A Support Worker will help a learner with additional needs. They will have had special training in the particular field required by that learner which the teacher won’t have had and will be able to support them in or outside the classroom setting. There may be a student whose first language isn’t English and has trouble understanding the lesson so there may be a need to work with an interpreter A teacher may also need to work alongside external agencies like the Job Centre. The students may be leaving the learning environment and looking for work and the Job Centre will have the advice and information that they need. d)Promoting Appropriate Behavior i) Having a preventative strategy is a good way to promote appropriate behavior in a lesson. Be prepared and waiting for the learners in the classroom so you can take control of the space and organize it as you wish. Getting the student’s attention with an interesting starter activity shows that you are in control of the class. Present the aims and objectives and share the session plan explaining the purpose and reason for studying it. When planning a lesson ensure there is plenty of variety as students are more likely to behave well if they are stimulated and are not bored. You should have realistic expectations of your class for example, don’t expect a room full of teenagers to sit still through an hour-long power point presentation quietly. ii) Decide for yourself what rules and procedures would create a good atmosphere in your class and will maximize learning. Explain that you want an effective, fair and happy classroom and discuss the rules with the class. There will be rules that are non negotiable for example regarding safety or turning up on time but be prepared to negotiate and compromise to get commitment on others. Encourage the learners to contribute to the rules and procedures. Students are more likely to adhere to rules they have been instrumental in creating. Consider asking the class to devise their own rules and if you reject a popular suggestion be prepared to explain why to justify your decision. The aim is to get the students onboard with the rules and procedures and see them as their own; they will then see them as worth keeping and enforcing. iii) It is important to develop a good rapport with the students as this creates a more positive attitude towards the teacher and to learning. It will also turn the classroom into a co-operative team and reduce antagonism. Get to know the students on a personal level, learn their names and use them. Learn something about each student like what they like to do in their spare time, their hobbies, interests or work and refer to it in conversation. These small details will make the students feel noticed, valued and liked by the teacher and therefore more co-operative. (PETTY 2006)

Case Study Of Shakira Suffering from Rheumatic Heart Disease

1.In the present case study, Shakira is suffering from Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) which refers to the condition of damaged heart valves due to episodes of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). ARF leads to inflammation of the heart, as a result of which the normal blood flow is restricted. The complications arising due to this condition include endocarditis and stroke (Rothenbà ¼hler et al., 2014). Social determinants of health influence an individual’s health outcome, and for Shakira the two significant social determinants are unemployment and social isolation. These two factors have led to inadequate access to healthcare. Living in an isolated rural area and the poor economic condition has restricted the sufficient access to healthcare that could have a prevented the occurrence of RHD. Unemployment has a negative impact on the decision making process around care provided to an individual. In the present case, Shakira’s mother’s poor economic condition has led to an improper care approach towards Shakira (Roberts et al., 2015). As per reports, aboriginal individuals suffer more chances of developing RHD than the nonindigenous population, and this chance is 64 times greater (rhdaustralia.org.au, 2017). 2.Cultural awareness refers to the capability of a healthcare professional in being aware and knowledgeable about the cultural beliefs, values and traditions of other individuals that are distinctly different. A nurse needs to carry out research to become aware of the cultural background of Shakira and have a successful interaction (Holland, 2017). 3.Cultural sensitivity refers to the ability of a healthcare professional to perceive the cultural similarities and dissimilarities between two different individuals in a positive approach without disrespecting the other individual. A nurse needs to acknowledge the cultural beliefs and values of Shakira and not underestimate them while communicating with her (Norton & Marks-Maran, 2014). 4.The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 had been established to promote the level of self-sufficiency and independence of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. The Act had been significant for focusing on the development of economic as well as the cultural status of this population through different programs (Willis et al., 2016). 5.The impact of colonisation on the health outcomes of the Aboriginal population is noteworthy. The reduced life expectancy of the population and the high rate of prevalence of a number of health conditions can be linked to the suffering and turmoil experienced by this population as a result of the colonisation. Due to the colonisation, there have been chaos and disturbances that have ultimately led to disputes and poor economic growth. Development and growth in different domains have been restricted to a considerable extent. The Aboriginals have therefore suffered physical and mental health concerns arising from loss, abuse and anguish. Disconnection from the mainland and non-indigenous population have added to the issues (Griffiths et al., 2016). 6.Consultation with community representatives would be a key approach to be taken on the enrolled nurse’s part in establishing an effective communication and building rapport that is culturally safe and appropriate. A community representative would be in a better position to understand the ethnic and cultural beliefs and systems of the aboriginal patient. A consultation with the representative would ensure that his advice is taken while communicating with the aboriginal individual. The representative would be helpful in guiding the manner in which the cultural beliefs are to be respected and acknowledged while communicating. In this way, the preferences of the patient would be included in his care plan (Willis et al., 2016). 7.Since Shakira and her family live in a remote rural area belonging to mostly indigenous population, chances are there that there might be a language barrier between the nurse and them. For avoiding any issues while consulting for Shakira and engaging in effective communication, it is required to have an interpreter who can foster the verbal communication. The second method that would be suitable for effective communication is understanding the level of education of the concerned individuals. Lower education level influences poor knowledge of healthcare. This is to be acknowledged, and communication is to rest upon this factor (Daly et al., 2017). 8.Displaying Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander art and posters that are visible from the entrance to the building would ensure that Shakira and her family feel comfortable since such an approach would indicate a culturally safe and sensitive environment. Shakira and her family would feel that their cultural is being valued and respected by the care givers (Norton & Marks-Maran, 2014). 9.I have the knowledge that indigenous culture and history play an important role in shaping the interaction they have with their counterparts. The culture and the value system that they uphold are responsible for creating a disconnection between the indigenous and non-indigenous population. The nonindigenous population does not perceive the perceptions of the indigenous population in a positive manner and thus isolate them from the mainstream population. As a result of this, the later have been socially excluded and live in remote rural areas, further aggravating the concern of insufficient communication between the two groups (Holland, 2017). 10.Insufficient use of healthcare services is the first indicator of culturally unsafe practice. In such situation, the individual might not be provided with adequate care resources. The second indicator would be situations in which the health care professional would not acknowledge the concerns of the indigenous patient in relation to any health complication (Ray, 2016). Burden of Disease. (2017).  Rheumatic Heart Disease Australia. Retrieved 19 October 2017, from https://www.rhdaustralia.org.au/burden-disease Daly, J., Speedy, S., & Jackson, D. (2017).  Contexts of nursing : An introduction. Elsevier Health Sciences. Griffiths, K., Coleman, C., Lee, V., & Madden, R. (2016). How colonisation determines social justice and Indigenous health—a review of the literature.  Journal of Population Research,  33(1), 9-30. Holland, K. (2017).  Cultural awareness in   nursing and health care: an introductory text. CRC Press. Norton, D., & Marks-Maran, D. (2014). Developing cultural sensitivity and awareness in nursing overseas.  Nursing Standard,  28(44), 39-43. Ray, M. A. (2016).  Transcultural caring dynamics in nursing and health care. FA Davis. Roberts, K. V., Maguire, G. P., Brown, A., Atkinson, D. N., Remenyi, B., Wheaton, G., ... & Carapetis, J. (2015). Rheumatic heart disease in Indigenous children in northern Australia: differences in prevalence and the challenges of screening.  The Medical Journal of Australia,  203(5), 221. Rothenbà ¼hler, M., O'Sullivan, C. J., Stortecky, S., Stefanini, G. G., Spitzer, E., Estill, J., ... & Pilgrim, T. (2014). Active surveillance for rheumatic heart disease in endemic regions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence among children and adolescents.  The Lancet Global Health,  2(12), e717-e726. Willis, E., Reynolds, L., & Keleher, H. (Eds.). (2016).  Understanding the Australian health care system. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Authority Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Authority - Essay Example military, the importance of authority in the military, and also what may happen if authority is either lacking or not respected by the appropriate subordinates. Before exploring how authority is used in the military, it is important to understand what the word means and the ideas that it implies. The Collins English Dictionary offers up a variety of definitions, such as "the power or right to control, judge, or prohibit the actions of others," or "such a power or right delegated, especially from one person to another," or "the ability to influence or control others" (Collins). If we dissect these definitions one-by-one, we can see a recurring pattern across all three: power. Authority can only be gained through power, mostly due to the position that someone holds. A high up position can give someone authority over others because of their job description, which likely allows them to offer guidance to subordinates. Another component of the word authority is that it is delegated or assigned, typically from one person to another. Authority is often found in a chain of command, with those towards to top of the tree afforded more authority than p eople lower down the food chain. Also, authority usually is a two-way street between leaders and followers. There has to be a relationship between each set of individuals and both should know where they stand in the relationship; only in an equal relationship will there be no need for either party to have authority over the other. Informal relationships are often like this, whereas in formal situations authority is necessary in order to preserve some sort of organization within large groups of people. Finally, the definition of authority involves influence or control applied by one person over another. In less formal situations, a leader will look to influence his or her subordinates but not control them. Controlling a group of people allows little room for them to be creative and think outside the box. In formal organizations,

Discuss the impact of the Broken Window Theory and how it directly Essay

Discuss the impact of the Broken Window Theory and how it directly impacts the Criminal Justice System today - Essay Example This theory was proposed by George Kelling and James Wilson. It suggests that a subset of society or society that seems and appears to be lawless may ultimately breed lawlessness (Kelling and Coles 11). It is a criminological theory of the signaling effect and norm setting of urban vandalism and disorder on additional anti-social behavior and criminal activities. The theory holds that maintaining and monitoring urban environments in a condition that is well ordered can further stop escalation of minor and serious crime (Lilly, Cullen, and Richard 9). This paper will discuss the impact of the Broken Window Theory and how it has directly impacted on the Criminal Justice System in modern times. Since the Broken Window Theory was introduced by James Wilson and George Kelling in 1982, it has been a subject of huge public debate within the public sphere and in the social sciences. As a result, it has been used as a methodology and motivation for various reforms in the criminal justice system (Keizer 1681). In explaining the theory, Wilson and Kelling use the example of a building that has a broken window which remains unrepaired. The theory argues that crime is not caused by broken down neighborhoods, necessarily, but they become magnets for delinquent behavior and crime because of their disorganization. Residents may tend to become slacker in their civility and delinquents and criminals may then be drawn to lawlessness areas. The theory explains that the state of the urban environment may affect crime and delinquency due to the following three factors: signal crime and social signaling; the lack or presence of routine monitoring; and conformity and social norms (Sampson 320) . Under this theory, a clean and ordered environment and one which is maintained signals that the area is well-monitored and delinquent and criminal behavior is not tolerated. On the contrary,

Knowledge Management Plan for Dell Inc Case Study

Knowledge Management Plan for Dell Inc - Case Study Example Many businesses are rich in information or are able to create sufficient knowledge, but they fail to effectively share it with others or to utilize it for the overall benefits of the organization. Knowledge Management provides a management framework that helps create knowledge, share it with others and use it for the business to achieve its targeted goals (Christensen, 2003, p. 14). This paper is prepared as a report to be submitted to the CEO and management executives of Dell Inc outlining a Knowledge Management plan and useful KM strategies for the company to achieve greater competency in its business landscape. Dell Inc, a very successful fortune 500 company within few years, has recently implemented its ‘customization’ strategy for computer marketing with an objective of ‘collecting more accurate and reliable information from its customers’. This paper recommends a KM plan to Dell Inc to make use of information and knowledge that it gathers from customers to the overall benefits of the company. Knowledge is power. When it comes to a company, it is a powerful asset and critical factor to the business success. Many organizations have found effective knowledge management as an extremely useful management strategy that helps it adapt to the changes and modern requirements due to technological advances and helps gain competitive advantages. The KM is a recent development and new interdisciplinary approach to the Human Resource Management and it involves people, process and technology in an organization. This piece of research work presents a brief explanation of knowledge management and an overview of Dell Inc and it's business strategies to find an effective knowledge management plan for the company to help it gain better business outcomes.

NUMMI Case Study External Environment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

NUMMI External Environment - Case Study Example Discussion The effects of the government`s laws and regulations to the business. The aspect of a government`s involvement in the operations of a given business is an external factor that can either have a positive or negative impact on the business. In this case, the government of the United States has stipulated various regulations to guide various aspects in the production of motor vehicles; the main role of the set benchmark was to govern the construction of motor vehicle engines in a manner that emits limited quantities of exhaust whose final impact on the business became negative. These regulations forced the company to increase their production cost since the production of the required engines was very expensive thus leading to a negative influence on the General Motors Company which at that time focused on production of large vehicles with bigger engines that emitted large quantities of exhaust since the production cost was favorable. This presented the Company with a major ch allenge that involved seeking for better ways that that could not agree with the financial status of the company since the customers started demanding for high quality vehicles thus leading to a left shift in the demand curve of the vehicles manufactured before the new regulations came were enforced. Despite the fact that the General Motors struggled to produce vehicles that met the government and customer standards, they experienced frequent losses as their products were of low quality since they could not meet the required standards of both the customers and the government. The management of the NUMMI had to modify their strategies used in terms of production so as to face the challenge. As a result, the above challenge created the need to seek external assistance in order to improve their productivity hence profits; a solution was formulated which could see the Company form a partnership with the Toyota Company in Japan. The agreement was that Toyota could assist General Motors C ompany to produce smaller cars with higher operational qualities. The merger led to the formation of the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI). However, General Motors Company did not implement most of the modes of car production systems employed by Toyota Company hence leading to the closure and failure of some of its branches such as the Van Nuys in the year 1992 (Glass 9). Economic Recession The second aspect of external environment that led to the failure of the General Motors Company is the economic recession experienced in the United States of America that resulted to the loss of the Company’s market share from forty seven percent to thirty five percent from the late 1907’s to the early 1980’s (Glass 10). At that time, the recession was characterized by excessive car production that led to deflation in the markets. The reduction of the market share of the General Motors Company enabled many of the customers to develop a negative perception to wards the products produced by the company due to the fact that they were of low quality. The media and the consumer report magazine also played a big role in the failure of the company since they portrayed a negative perception of the company towards the consumers thus enabling them to ignore the NNUMIS`s products (Glass 12). By the year 1992, the Company had made a loss of approximately twenty billion US dollars propagated by the recession and the

Literary analysis of short story Research Paper

Literary analysis of short story - Research Paper Example Readers see through Sammy’s eyes as he describes the scene around him in details – from referring the workplace as a â€Å"pinball machine† to labeling an attractive customer as â€Å"chunky†. From Sammy’s narration, a typical analysis of the story would be that it only â€Å"contains nothing more significant than a checking clerk's interest in three girls in bathing suits† (Peden, 1964). Another more sensible take would be that the story presents â€Å"a sudden moment of insight when a young man rebels against a conservative society† (Hatcher, 1996). However, beyond the usual understanding of A & P being a â€Å"coming of age narrative† is the analysis that John Updike’s masterpiece tells more about an individual’s struggle in a consumerist society. According to Porter (1972), the story A & P can be aptly interpreted as "the character’s rebellion against a consumer-conditioned society." To understand this i dea, it is important to first devote our attention to the context of the story and then understand the symbolism behind the character’s language to reveal the author’s intention in creating an irony about the world around him. Since the story is published in the 1960’s, it gives us a picture of a conservative society where people adhere to traditional values and norms. In those days, conforming to the standard appearance and behavior was necessary, especially to middle class families who aspire for social equality through the American dream of typically owning a house, driving a car, and buying enough goods. Adding to this set-up is the industrial development which allowed grocery store chains like A & P to dominate and offer packaged consumer goods around the country. It is this typical middle-class setting in the 1960s which establishes the internal conflict of a young man against his society. In the story, the ultimate act of Sammy to quit his job represents non-conformity to a social structure that is based on commoditization of goods and perpetuation of conservative values. In Sammy’s words, the setting of the story points to an area â€Å"right in the middle of town† where â€Å"you can see two banks and the Congregational church and the newspaper store and three real-estate offices  ". This description tells us about the narrator’s location in the central part of a consumerist society where a grocery store lies in the middle of the financial, spiritual, informational, and property structures. In the story, A & P is the focal area where packaged goods are made available for the consumption of every Americans. In grocery stores, all products are homogenized in order to meet the material demands of every consumer. As such, Sammy becomes part of this materialistic environment which deals with people purchasing goods and individuals finding meaning on things. Because of this, it is no surprise that the narrator hi mself is inclined to also objectify the things and people around him. At first, he describes the empty store as a â€Å"pinball machine† and searches for the girls show up, as if to find the objects of his attraction. Meanwhile, he labels other customers as â€Å"sheep† and describes a girl’s rear as a â€Å"can† which means that he compares people to things and animals. In Sammy’s eyes, people lose their humanity once they enter the confines of A & P. He sees the girls inside as mere sex objects, viewing them in the same way as customers choose their products. He judges the girls

Friend Game Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Friend Game - Essay Example In the Collin’s article ‘Friend Game’, we identify the abuse of internet services by teenagers who commit suicidal behavior leading to the death of one teenager by the name Megan Meier. The article explains the different roles of each individual in the death of the girl, by sending malicious messages to her which frustrates the girl leading to her sudden death. Despite Tina’s endless trials to find justice for her lovely daughter, she does not get justice, and in return she turns to make the life of Lori Drew miserable. The Drew’s are aware that their daughter is responsible for the death of Megan, but they deny that fact blaming her that she actually took her life. Justice is denied to the Meier’s despite the endless efforts of the reporters who do the investigation to reveal the reality. Meier is a teenager who needs to be protected from malicious actions, and she is protected by the enforced privacy laws and laws governing the use of social media. In my view, she was denied justice is justified by the reasons discussed in the main body of the essay. Megan as an individual lead a natural lifestyle despite the challenges she faced due to her illness, but her parents were in hand to help her cope with the situation. Lori Drew and Megan lived in the same neighborhood, and they were long time friends who played together during their child hood. She was thirteen years and a volley ball player and to crown it all a Chihuahua manic. Despite all this, she led a gloomy lifestyle as she hated herself and could at times need her space something that pissed off her friends who felt neglected when she was not in the mood to play. Like any other girl, she and her age mates lead a social life that they valued so much to their sense of status and acceptance. Through this, she made new friends and exchanged messages about their social life. The sites allow users to rank their ‘top friends’ for the

How and why did the American Revolution happen Essay

How and why did the American Revolution happen - Essay Example During the war, British contributed a lot in the military in the war between French and Indians. As a result, British felt that they possessed the colonies. They wanted to own what they had fought for because they contributed many military. However, British ended up having a large debt. This reduced the practice of the salutary neglect in the colonies. British decided that the colonies should be of great help in defraying defense cost. This attitude helped in loosening the bonds that existed from England across Atlantic to America. In the year 1763, George III issued a settlement limit law in that there was a limited settlement in the Western and beyond Appalachian mountains prohibited. However, this caused many colonists to feel that the order as an offensive one. The king made a proclamation that it was reasonable for the Indian tribes that lived under the protection of British were not to face any disturbance in any way or molestation. At first, this worked effectively and admirab ly, because it helped in ending the rebellion known as Pontiac. This rebellion took a period of seventeen months and led by a chief called Pontiac from Ottawa. During this period, there was a conflict whereby Iroquios Indians, Delaware, and Ottawa fought against the forces of the British in an attempt to have their lost lands back that they lost during the war. Though pacification of Indians was successful, the settlers of the place felt enraged and analyzed the statement of the proclamation as a dare of the royal. The settlers decided to extend their settlement to the prohibited areas beyond the Appalachian Mountains, which was one of the areas forbidden. As a result, the Indians felt provoked and decided to conduct raids to those settlers who lived in the prohibited places. Therefore, the settlers had to seek help from the British royal authorities (Axelrod 18). The parliament made by the British insisted that all the American colonists were to pay tax. The colonists joined and in turn, formation of a congress in the continent occurred. However, the colonists ensured that in each of the thirteen colonies, formation of a shadow government took place effectively (Finkelman 241). After this progress, the colonists remained loyal to the British king for some time. Finally, a boycott towards the taxation of the British tea took place and the Americans who were the colonists under the British power did destruction of the tea from the ships. This led to the formation of a party by the name Boston Tea in the year 1773. As a reaction by London towards that tea destruction, self-governments, this existed in Massachusetts, ended and replaced by the General of the British army by the name Thomas Gage who became the governor (Axelrod 25). During April in 1775, the governor found out that there was a gathering of weapons in Concord. He sent some troops of the British troops to do the destruction of the weapons. The local military did the confrontation of the groups and th is called for exchange of fire. Several pleas to the British rulers to do intervention together with the parliament, the royals declared that the congress was made of traitors (Divine 24). After this, the congress reacted and did a declaration of independence of a super nation by the name United States of America. This happened on 4th July 1776. However, this influenced rejection of the declaration by the loyalists from America. The loyalists decided to side with the King but they ended up in exclusion from power. However, rebellion extension to Quebec and areas

Midas Case Study Essay Example for Free

Midas Case Study Essay Winners: From the customers perspective the winners which ensures they utilise Midas are Speed and Price. In order to assess the anticipated impacts of the introduction of maintenance services on the existing business process it is necessary to analyse the potential fit of the new business with the existing areas. This analysis will indicate whether or not the process can be effectively integrated within the existing production process without jeopardising the companys existing winning qualifiers. Potential negative impacts ?Need to new skills within taskforce ? training is necessary; ? Complicates the operation process; ?Demands on physical space and potential capacity constraints; ? Pressure on storage space of inventory ? may require offsite storage which may complicate the operation process; ? Additional labour demands; ?Planning complexity; ?New machinery will be required creating further pressures on location space; ? More time is required to offer all services; ?Possible bottlenecks in the operation process; ?Customer awareness of new services needs to be addressed. The problem with the proposed introduction of the maintenance services is that Midas is moving from specialised services, namely mufflers and brakes into more general services such as maintenance. The potential negative impacts have been outlined above, and the successful product line extension must be managed to ensure effective allocation of resources so that the existing businesses are not harmed. Suggested implementation We believe that the inherent nature of the maintenance services is different in form from the very specialised areas of replacement mufflers and brake servicing. Therefore we believe that effective product extension should be introduced in an isolated manner to ensure that the existing operation processes are affected as little as possible. Additional space, additional equipment and labour force retraining would be required in order to implement this new service. Certain information should be gathered from the shop owners. Midas should find out the amount of available resources (labour, space, etc? ) to gain a clearer picture of storeowners ideas/feedback, and to engage them in the product line extension. The storeowners are closer to day to day operations and therefore are better suited to assess the viability of the extension. Extension of the services should be restricted to those stores that have sufficient resources (including floor space, under-utilised labour, and inventory storage onsite) to allow product line extension so as to ensure that the Midas brand image in their main business of muffler and brake servicing are not harmed by capacity and service problems. Extension of the services should be monitored by preset criteria by the head offices in the various countries. If the service proves successful the viability of purchasing extra land to expand these services in other stores should be explored.

Yellowstone National Park Essay Example for Free

Yellowstone National Park Essay â€Å"Leisure, in its broadest sense, provides an excellent lens through which we can better understand contemporary Western society’s relationships with nature. † Such a thesis can be best understood through a socio-cultural exploration of the complex relationship of man with nature, and how it has evolved through time. Engaging the literature reveals that there is NO singular ‘nature’ as such, only a diversity of contested natures each â€Å"constituted through a variety of socio-cultural practices from which such natures cannot be plausibly separated† (Macnaghten and Urry, p. 1). For Williams (1972) the idea of ‘nature’ contains an enormous amount of human history, of which the current understanding derive from a complicate array of ideas, linked to may concepts of Western thought (i. e. modernity, democracy, romanticism, etc. ) The ways in which has historically been made singular, abstract and then personified provides key insights on how people thought about themselves, their place in the world, their relationships with each other and the land, their sense of general power and powerlessness in the shaping of their lifeworlds (Macnaghten and Urry, p. 8). In understanding human-nature relationships, a popular theme appears to be religious in tone – the Christian interpretation of the Genesis story. From Merchant (2003), one gets the idea that mankind’s attempt to return to Eden has been a driving force behind Western culture. In the Age of Enlightenment, this manifested in the European zeal to discover new territory, and transforming it into a new paradise through colonization (Adams and Mulligan, 2003; Merchant, 2003) From the patriarchal white European perspective, the New World is depicted as a hapless female in need of rescue. This narrative derived from the story of the Fall of Adam and Eve has been to the detriment of women and people of color (Merchant, 2003; Gibson, 2002). From an environmental frame, we are faced with the message that man ‘screwed up’ paradise, we’re still falling and if we don’t get our act together, things are bound to get worse and we instead get hell on earth (Rees, 2003) – as if we are witnessing endless reruns of Lord of the Rings’ â€Å"The Two Towers† or Star Wars’ â€Å"The Empire Strikes Back. † On the other hand, the mainstream frame on nature maintains that though we did make terrible blunders in managing resources, weve also accomplished a lot for human progress in terms of innovation, technology, and hard work (Porritt, 2005; Boyden, 2004) – a grace-saving â€Å"Return of the King† or â€Å"Return of the Jedi,† of sorts. Images of and references to nature as female, particularly as a â€Å"Mother,† are also found in popular culture. Roach (2003) uses three approaches – gender studies, psychoanalysis, and theology – to unearth the meanings behind the â€Å"Mother Nature† theme, which according to her are generally three: good mother (nurturing and life-giving), bad mother (i. e. gendered references to natural disasters), and hurt mother (repair-based pattern of reconnecting to nature). She illustrates the â€Å"bad mother† motif using an advertisement for the Nissan Pathfinder (a sport utility vehicle), urging the consumer to control your mother, as the SUV helps you control just about anything Mother Nature throws your way. The advertisement’s underlying message is the human conquest of nature and in a gendered manner, the male conquest of females, common throughout Western history and tradition: from Pandora and Eve’s fall from grace, to the Salem witch trials and Sigmund Freuds view of women as ‘morally inferior,’ among others. Movies have also shaped our perception of nature – the untamed, vengeful mother – as evidenced by the popularity of film genres with man-hunting beasts such as â€Å"Jaws† (a great white shark terrorizing a New England town) and â€Å"Anaconda† (a monstrous snake strikes a travelling party deep in the heart of the Amazon). On the other hand, films such as â€Å"Free Willy† tend to highlight Mother Nature’s nurturing side, as the young troubled boy Jesse befriends and develops a bond with fellow orphan Willy, an orca whale in the park aquarium. At the same time these films bring attention to the plight of endangered animals in the wild, and the need for humans to help and protect these creatures. Cartoons and animation targeting the young audience also have a consistent roster of animal characters – think of old Yogi Bear in Yellowstone National Park, Simba the Lion King in the plains of Africa, and more recently Nemo and his underwater exploits. In the end, Roach (2003) argues for the need to draw on other possible images for nature, including the home, as coupling nature too closely to gender affects both feminist and environmental causes negatively, to a certain degree. Cable channels such as Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and National Geographic also provide regular in-depth nature-oriented programs. In a way, these help inform and familiarize today’s largely urban-based generation with nature and ‘the wild,’ and are also powerful means of getting the environmental message across: we need to help save our planet, stop the destruction of ecosystems and protect endangered species. Music is also one influential component in garnering support for the environmental movement. Global concerts in support of environmental causes and projects feature top performers and tend to draw young crowds, such as the 2007 â€Å"Live Earth† concert series initiated by former US Vice-president Al Gore to bring attention to climate change. Overall, the utilization of mass media and technological advances help bring nature closer to people. A recent development is what has been referred to as ‘wildlife tourism,’ based on encounters with non-domesticated animals (Higginbottom, 2004). Tourism is recognized as a very large global business enterprise because people seem to really like travelling. And exotic places, where encounters with wildlife provide people new experiences, stimulate their emotions, and create different impressions, are fast gaining popularity. Wildlife tourism is a fairly recent, specialized aspect of this tourism phenomenon. From a historical perspective, only a generation or two ago, peoples encounter with animals was virtually everyday, with wildlife ubiquitous in the countryside. Today, visions of nature in its gloriously natural state are made available through television. Electronics is now the standard medium for people to experience the wild. Though people may not necessarily be physically in touch with nature, they might be connected mentally to certain aspects of wildlife. Thus in this way, wildlife tourism offers an opportunity to people to get closer to the virtual reality of experiencing nature as our ancestors did. Wildlife tourism provides urbanites the chance to renew their relationship with nature the promise of a different thrill when one faces lions in a safari, or scuba-diving and swimming with whale-sharks in the Pacific. In view of large-scale habitat destruction in the name of progress and development, wildlife tourism provides an essential appeal for governments to help conserve biodiversity. Wildlife tourism now appears to be an important phenomenon, one that has both negative and positive impacts on animals affected by such activities. Negative effects can be in short-term physiological/behavioral changes in individual animals or long-term, i. e. increasing mortality of entire populations which in turn affect the ecosystem. Thus, there is a need for wildlife tourism to be properly managed in a sustainable manner, so as to minimize the impact of animals and their ecosystems. Though people often assume that wildlife tourists tend to empathize with conservation efforts, even they can cause damage, as well as socially and environmentally irresponsible wildlife tour operators. Wildlife tourism is a modern form of leisure, one that augurs well for sustainable development if it could be properly managed and regulated. On a parting note, leisure in its various forms is shaped by our relationship with nature; particularly the way we interact with it, as influenced by our own understanding of nature and how it relates to human existence. Bibliography Adams, W. M. and Mulligan, M. eds. (2003) Decolonizing Nature: Strategies for COnservation in a Postcolonial Era. Sterling, Earthscan Publications. Boyden, S. (2004) The Biology of Civilization: Understanding Human Culture as a Force in Nature. Sydney, University of Sydney Press. Gibson, D. (2002) Environmentalism: Ideology and Power. New York, Nova Science. Higginbottom, K. ed. (2004) Wildlife Tourism: Impacts, Management and Planning. Victoria, Common Ground. Macnaghten, P. and Urry, J. (1998) â€Å"Rethinking nature and society† in Contested Natures. London, Sage. Merchant, C. (2003) Reinventing Eden: The Fate of Nature in Western Culture. London, Routledge. Porritt, J. (2005) Capitalism as if the World Matters. London, Earthscan. Rees, M. (2003) Our Final Century: Will Civilization Survive the Twenty-first Century? London, Arrow. Roach, C. M. (2003) Mother/Nature: Popular Culture and Environmental Ethics. Bloomington, Indian University Press. Williams, J. (1972) as cited by Macnaghten, P. and Urry, J. (1998) â€Å"Rethinking nature and society† in Contested Natures. London, Sage.

Psychosocial Interventions for Psychosis Evaluation

Psychosocial Interventions for Psychosis Evaluation Introduction This report aims to critically appraise psychosocial interventions (PSI) that are utilised when working with complex cases. In order to do this the term complex is explored with reference to people with psychosis. Different types of complexity are discussed with a more detailed examination of a specific complexity; the relationship between substance misuse and psychosis (dual diagnosis). The effects that substance misuse and psychosis have upon the service user and their care givers are outlined. An overview of the use of psychosocial interventions when working with complex cases is given. This discussion is then focused on particular interventions for dual diagnosis that show promise for enhancing service user and carer experience, namely a integrated treatment approach of cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and family therapy. These interventions are critically appraised with reference to evidence base, policy and guidelines. Examples from clinical practice are given to illustrate potential barriers, and outcomes when implementing such interventions with service users with complex needs and their caregivers. Strategies to overcome such barriers are generated and recommendations are made. Aliases are used within the scenarios of this report in order to maintain anonymity of the service users and carers described to illustrate points and examples. Complexity The term complex case is referred to frequently within mental health literature, policies and guidelines but there are very few definitive explanations of what the term actually means. Griffiths Allan (2007) discuss how the term complex case is ill defined within mental health literature summarising how the term is often used to denote circumstances where people appear to have many interrelated needs that require several, coordinated responses from multiple services. The term complex case is often used to denote needs that services do not fully understand or provide for effectively. This report aims to explore the term complexity in relation to individual cases of those with serious mental illness. Complex: ‘Made of many different things or parts that are connected; difficult to understand (Soanes Stevenson 2005) Interpreting the above definition of complex within the Oxford Dictionary of English one could describe a complex case as a service user with more than one problem or need that are connected making the case more difficult to work with. For example having a diagnosis of schizophrenia and being detained within a medium secure unit. A person fitting this example would potentially present the mental health professional with more challenges than a person with moderate depression living with their supportive family. Wilson, Holt and Greenhalgh (2001) discuss the term complexity in relation to human health and illness. They suggest there are a number of factors (outlined in Table 1) that we all posses that makes us all complex. They go on to suggest that human illness and behaviour are not predicable and neither can be thought of as a simple cause and effect system. Again, adding to the complexity of individuals that because one individual responds one way to an event does not mean all will. Although this list of human complexities was written with medical practice in mind it applies to all and provides the baseline of those service users we work with in mental health services. Table 1 (Wilson, Holt, Greenhalgh 2001 p685) Factors that add the human complexity The human body is made up of multiple interacting and self regulating physiological systems including biochemical and neuroendocrine feedback loops. An individuals behaviour is determined partly by an internal set of rules based on past experiences and partly by unique and adaptive reaction to external stimuli. The web of relationships in which individuals exist contained varied and powerful determinants of their beliefs expectations and behaviour. Individuals and their immediate social relationships are embedded within wider social political and cultural systems which can influence outcomes in entirely novel and unpredictable ways. All of these interacting systems are dynamic and fluid. A small change in one part of the web of interacting systems may lead to a much larger changes in another part through amplification of effects. If we bear this in mind, that all humans are complex, then maybe the term complexity needs to be described as a continuum (Figure 1). That the more problems a person has or the more difficulties they face the further they move up a complexity continuum. People with a diagnosis of serious mental illness (as with all people) can face a large number of problems and difficulties through the course of their lives for example, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, anxiety, depression, mania. When adding this to the complexity of an individual this produces more challenges for the health care professional, the individual and their carers/families. However, these experiences also produce problems and difficulties for the service user making their case even more complex. For example the impact of experiencing voices does not end here but effects other areas of a persons life (see Table 2). Table 2. Laura Case study Laura first started to hear voices at the age of 9 and at first these did not bother her. As she got a bit older and discovered that this wasnt ‘normal her voices started to become critical of and derogatory towards her. To cope with this Laura started to experiment with Illicit drugs and alcohol as this blocked out the voices for a short time. However, this also made Laura lose her inhibitions and she would participate in sexual acts with men in her local area. This fuelled the voices and they became much more negative. So to cope Laura would take more drugs. Eventually Laura would run out of money and so would shoplift and resorted to prostitution. Her life became very chaotic and at 16 her mother kicked her out. Laura was now sleeping in neighbours gardens, sheds, anywhere she could. Laura lost touch with all her family and friends, her physical health suffered and she ended up very underweight and her voices became worse. Eventually Laura was found by the police sleeping se mi-clothed in a car park under the influence of drugs and alcohol. It was at this point she was admitted to an acute mental health unit. From the case of Laura it can be seen how not even having a diagnosis of schizophrenia, but experiencing positive symptoms can result in stigma, social exclusion and have a huge impact on a persons life. Lauras case was exacerbated by the use of illicit substances and alcohol demonstrating how substance misuse can add greatly to the complexity of an individual. Within the literature it can be seen that there are many factors that add to the complexity of a person with mental health needs including: medication resistant symptoms (Tarrier et al 1993), receiving care within secure forensic units (DOH 2005), psychological reactance (Moore, Sellwood, Stirling 2000), poor social functioning (Cather 2005, Couture et al 2006), , learning disabilities (DOH 2001a), insight (David 1990 and Buckley et al 2001), physical health (Marder et al 2003) homelessness (Randall et al 2006), and dual diagnosis (DOH 2002). These complexities have been recognised by the government and national drivers have been produced to guide mental health professionals and services to enable delivery and provision of the best services. For example ‘The National Service Framework for Mental Health (1999a) outlines a number of interventions for several complex groups including some of those mentioned above. Rankin Regan (2004) discuss how the term complexity means that there is no generic complex needs case. This therefore suggests each individual has a unique interaction between their own health and social care needs, therefore, requiring personalised responses from mental health services. Adopting an approach that incorporates psychosocial interventions could help to achieve a personalised response and provide individualised, tailored care for the service user and their care givers. Psychosocial Interventions The use of psychosocial interventions (PSI) is advocated in national drivers such as ‘Schizophrenia: Core intervention is the treatment and management of schizophrenia in adults in primary and secondary care (NICE 2009). This guidance recommends that all service users and their families are offered psychosocial interventions as a treatment of schizophrenia. Also, documents such as ‘From values to action: The chief nursing officers review of mental health nursing (DOH 2006) recommends the use of psychological therapies to improve outcomes for service users and ‘The mental health policy implementation guide (DOH 2001b) advocates the use of psychosocial interventions through a variety of service delivery modes. Demonstrating the emphasis that is placed upon such interventions in the treatment of serious mental illness. Mairs and Bradshaw (2005 page 28) suggest PSI is â€Å" a range of evidence-based interventions for people with psychosis and their care givers. The term is generally used to include both models of service delivery such as assertive outreach and specific interventions, for example Family Intervention and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). PSIs aim is to reduce stress experienced by an individual with psychosis or help him or her to cope with stress more effectively.† As a result of adopting a PSI approach an individualised service is offered to the service user to help meet their needs utilising a variety of interventions and services with great emphasis being placed upon collaboration. Psychosocial interventions assume a complex link between biological, environmental, and sociological factors which suggests that ambient stress, together with life events may trigger onset or relapse of, mental health in some people (Gamble Curthoys 2004). A model which displays this link is the Stress Vulnerability Model by Zubin and Spring (1977 cited in Norman, Ryrie 2004). This model helps explain the aetiology, course and outcome of mental illness, demonstrating how stress has different effects on individuals. The Stress Vulnerability Model (See figure 2) suggests that some people are more vulnerable to stress than others and that when an individuals stress threshold is passed they can become unwell i.e. experience positive symptoms. In terms of a complex case it could be proposed that an individuals complexities cause stress in themselves and/or increase a persons vulnerability to stress. An example of how ‘The Stress Vulnerability Model can be illustrated to enable it to be shared with a service user with complex needs, using an easy to understand analogy can be seen in Appendix 1. As previously mentioned the aim of PSI is to reduce stress or to help cope with stress better; therefore, it can be seen how the Stress Vulnerability Model plays a central role in providing psychosocial interventions. Substance Misuse and Psychosis Over 50% of people with a severe mental illness also use illicit drugs and/or alcohol at hazardous levels (Cleary et al 2009) and even low levels of substance misuse can have detrimental effects and cause serious complications (Barrowclough et al 2001). The combination of substance misuse and mental health problems (dual diagnosis) is associated with a range of social, behavioural, physical and psychological problems (see table 3) providing challenges for mental health services and adding to the complexity of an individual (Hussein 2002). In addition to this complexity ‘The national service framework of mental health (DOH 1999a) identifies patients whom misuse substances and have a diagnosis of serious mental illness as a population of greater risk of stigmatisation and exclusion from existing service provision. Demonstrating some of the factors that add to an individuals complexity. Table 3 Complications posed by dual diagnosis (Cleary 2009, Drake Mueser 2000, Clark 1996, Dixon, McNarey Lehman 1995, Griffiths Allen 2007 and Gibbins Kipping 2006) Increased risk of Suicide, Self Neglect, Violence, Poor compliance with treatment, More inpatient stays worsening psychiatric symptoms Relapse, Homelessness, HIV and Hepatitis, Contact with criminal justice system Prejudice and Stigma. Negative impacts on Social relationships Financial resources (of individual and/or family/friends) Family Relationships i.e. increased burden, increased expressed emotion Within literature the most commonly reported reason that people with serious mental illness use illicit drugs is to self medicate, for example, to relieve negative symptoms of schizophrenia (Littlejohn 2005). However, as Conley Benishek (2003) report there is the additional complexity of trauma that has lead to the use of substances for various reasons including dissociation, and modelling from parents. They continue recommending that nurses working within the substance misuse field should be trained in picking up such information. If an approach adopting psychosocial interventions was utilised and therapies such a cognitive behavioural therapy were delivered then this historical information may be identified and dealt with appropriately. Therefore, leading to a different delivery of services compared to someone who uses substances to self medicate. However, the mental health professional must also bear in mind that service users also use substances for the same reasons as others (L ittlejohn 2005). Even though the NICE (2007) Guidelines, ‘Drug Misuse: Psychosocial Interventions recommends that CBT be offered to those with anxiety and depression who are stabilised with their drug use, but does not discuss its use with those with psychosis. There is growing literature examining the use of CBT for those with a dual diagnosis (Cleary et al 2009, Barrowclough et al 2001, Baker et al 2006, Weiss et al 2007 and Haddock et al 2003) although, as mentioned earlier the amount of literature in this area is limited. Also the CBT that is delivered to the participants within the studies has been adapted to suit the needs of those with dual diagnosis. This integrated treatment, namely C-BIT (Cognitive-Behavioural Integrated Treatment), has a number of components; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Family Interventions. C-BIT is not only about adapting psychosocial interventions to suit those with dual diagnosis but it is also about service provision and developm ent (Thylstrup Johansen 2009, Graham et al 2006, Graham et al 2003). Such interventions are used as part of an individualised treatment plan that incorporates the key principles of working with dual diagnosis (see table4). Table 4 (Drake et al 1993 cited in Abou-Saleh 2004) Principles of treatment of substance misuse in people with severe mental illness Assertive outreach to facilitate engagement †¢ Close monitoring to provide structure and social reinforcement †¢ Integrated concurrent service †¢ Comprehensive, wide range of interventions †¢ Stable living situation †¢ Flexibility and specialisation (modified approaches) †¢ Stages of treatment: engagement, persuasion, active treatment and relapse prevention †¢ Longitudinal perspective for relapsing and chronic disorder †¢ Optimism instilling hope in patients and carers Motivational Interviewing (MI) The aim of this intervention is to increase a persons ability to recognise and do something about any problems they have (Gamble Curthoys 2004) and that change would be desirable (Kipping 2004 and Miller Rollnick 2002). This approach conveys hope and is non-confrontational in it style (Kemp et al 1996) and is largely used within substance misuse services (DOH 1999b). This intervention is used alongside Prochaska DiClemente (1986 Cited in Kipping 2004) Model of Change (see Figure 3) to provide a framework of which interventions should be used at which stage of change a service user is at. Motivational Interviewing is mainly used as a persuasion tool to move people from precontemplation/ contemplation to decision and active change. Four General principles are followed as outlined by Miller Rollnick (2002); expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and supporting self efficacy in order to facilitate this change. When a service user demonstrates that they have arrived at the decision or action stage of the cycle of change cognitive behavioural interventions are then commenced. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) The aim of CBT is to lessen distress caused by negative feelings; it attempts to do this by changing the thoughts (cognitive) and beliefs that underpin them. It can also alter actions (behavioural) and circumstances that are affecting these thoughts and feelings (Nelson 2005). This approach has been written about for many years and has arguably evolved from the work of Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist whose work dates back to the 1950s. There is a vast amount of literature examining the use of CBT with psychosis (Jones et al 2004). Generally the research and literature supporting the use of CBT for Those with serious mental illness often excludes people who misuse illicit drugs and/or alcohol for example Garety et al (2008), and Jackson et al (2008). The topics covered within CBT sessions for those with dual diagnosis differs from that of someone who does not use substances. For example Baker et al (2006) outlines components of CBT sessions used within their trial. They include, presenting the model of problematic substance use and psychotic symptoms (Graham et al 2004), specific techniques for managing substance use, and identification of triggers and beliefs that could lead to substance use and increase psychotic symptoms. Finally a large component of CBT for dual diagnosis is around relapse prevention, identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and managing cravings. Family Interventions (FI) A relative of a person with a diagnosis of schizophrenia may experience negative consequences in many areas including: emotionally, socially, psychologically and economically, as they adjust to their new role as a care giver (Reader 2002). How the care giver attempts to cope with these consequences can have an effect on their relative. Research has shown that expressed emotion within families could lead to relapse in schizophrenia (Brown et al 1962, Kavanagh 1992). Often a person with dual diagnosis is only marginally engaged with services but may have regular contact with their families who provide financial and psychological support (Thylstrup Johansen 2009). Putting them under immense strain; but also in prime position to work with mental health services to promote engagement and treatment adherence. There is a vast evidence base to support FI for promoting recovery from psychosis (Pharoah et al 2006, Pilling et al 2002). The family dynamics of a person with a dual diagnosis is often impacted greatly due to the complexities discussed earlier and there is growing evidence to suggest how family involvement can have positive impacts on outcomes for both the service user and their families (Fischer et al 2008; Dixon, McNarey and Lehman 1995). Within integrated treatment Barrowclough et al (2001) use family interventions as a means of encouraging care givers to adopt motivational interviewing styles to improve motivation, and treatment adherence amongst other interventions. See Table 5 to illustrate how minimal family work in the form of psycho-education enhances the experience of service users and their care givers, even when staff have had no formal training. Unfortunately, family relationships of those with dual diagnosis can often be put under vast amounts of strain that cause the family dynamics to breakdown. Leading to people losing contact with their friends and families. This therefore makes family interventions very difficult as often one or both parties (care giver(s) and service user) do not wish to accept family work. In addition to this there are service users who do not wish their care givers be informed of their illicit drug use as they are worried of the consequences this may bring, for example: negative appraisal due to the stigma surrounding substance misuse. From experience this can be overcome in some cases through normalisation and psycho-education. Providing a good rationale of why care givers should be informed and how doing this can help the situation. Although, this often takes a lot of guidance and motivational interviewing techniques. Table 5 Psycho-education with Laura and her Father. Once Laura was admitted to the rehabilitation unit where she is currently residing her father got in touch. Laura was keen to build on the relationship between her and her father and started to visit him once a week. Staff at the unit (whom are not trained in family interventions) thought it would be a good idea to spend some time with Laura and her father to help them both gain an understanding of each others situation, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. After explaining the benefits of this to Laura she consented and her dad was offered to come and have a few informal sessions with Laura and her named nurse. Lauras dad explained how he had never been given any information about schizophrenia or substance misuse and how he knew very little of how these effected his daughter. This information was shared with both Laura and her dad. The stress vulnerability model was explained to Lauras dad with a view to building on his understanding of why his daughter experiences psychotic symptoms and providing a reason why she uses drugs. Leading on to state how this only causes more problems (all of this was discussed with Laura at an earlier date). Lauras Dad was given the opportunity to voice any concerns he had about regaining contact with Laura i.e. financial drain, crime, and ‘picking up the peices. These problems were discussed and brainstormed with both Laura and her dad to identify ways to prevent these happening, and produce a contingency plan if either person felt they needed support. Lauras Dad reported that these sessions made it easier for him to build on lost relationships with his daughter and reduced his fears that he would have to ‘deal with it all if things went wrong. Laura also felt much more positive as now she was starting to rebuild relationships providing more motiviation to change and sustain change. Her mood improved slightly and she had more hope for the future. Arguably the benefits Laura experienced may have inevitably occurred with out staff intervention. Literature Review A small number of studies examining interventions for use with people with dual diagnosis will now be appraised.Two of the Studies are Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) and are considered the gold standard method for evaluating treatment efficiency (Greenhalgh 2006). They are said to produce the least biased results as random samples are used to minimise the possibility of error in design and conduct (Roberts, 1999). Barrowclough et al (2001) and Haddock et al (2003) Barrowclough et al (2001) produced one of the first robust RCTs to examine the impact an integrated intervention programme consisting of CBT,MI and FI had upon service users. The design of the trail was robust in that it was a RCT, ensured as far as possible good treatment fidelity (making certain that the treatment being delivered is the one intended (Leeuw 2009)) and the assessors in the trial were blind to group allocation (reducing the risk of bias). However there were some limitations of this study such as small numbers of participants, short follow up period, and treatment was delivered by cognitive behavioural therapists. In reality it is not possible for all service users with dual diagnosis to receive interventions from a cognitive behavioural therapist. All of these limitations question the generalisibility of the results. Although care givers were in receipt of interventions their outcomes were not reported in this study. It would have been interesting to see these results; even those whom were in the control group received more interventions than the majority of families of substance misusers get (based on experience). One could hypothesise that the results of the two groups were not too dissimilar due to the fact that both sets of care givers were being supported. The Haddock et al (2003) study is a follow on from the Barrowclough et al (2001) study reporting further service user outcomes, cost effectiveness and carer outcomes over an 18month period. The robustness of the study was discussed above. This study found quite significant positive outcomes of those whom received the integrated intervention programme. Results demonstrated improved outcomes for the service users general and social functioning, and reduced number of negative symptoms to a significant degree. When examining this result with experience from practice it could be hypothesised that when a service users level of functioning increases they rely less upon their care givers. Thereupon improved functioning has a positive indirect effect upon carers. There was also a small difference in the percentage of days of abstinence between the two groups with the treatment group proving more favourable. However, the clinical significance of this is questionable. Although carer outcomes we re reported within the Haddock et al (2001) paper they are only briefly examined with more of an emphasis based on cost effectiveness. However, the results do show promise for care givers within the treatment programme, showing some trends towards better personal outcomes. At the 12 month follow up the treatment group demonstrated a reduction in needs and objective and subjective burden. However, these results were not statistically clinically significant. Haddock et al (2003) suggest more intensive work should be done with families due to the high rates of expressed emotion. Baker et al (2006) Baker et al (2006) also produced a RCT to examine the impact a series of sessions of CBT and MI has upon service users with a dual diagnosis. This study was not as robust as the Barrowclough et al (2001) study in relation to randomisation and assessor blindness. Within this study participants were paid for their expenses and time attending assessments. Although the authors suggest this was not enough to influence responses, this procedure was not carried out in similar studies such as the one by Barrowclough and colleagues (Barrowclough et al 2001 and Haddock et al 2003) which should be considered when comparing results. Another negative to this study as with that of Barrowclough et al(2001) was that the interventions were carried out by highly trained psychologists; Echoing the argument of generalisability. On a positive note this study did have a larger number of participants almost double that of Barrowclough et al (2001). Baker et al (2006) suggest both this trial and the one car ried out by Barrowclough and colleagues suggest improvements in substance misuse. However from the results these improvements appear minimal. Baker et al (2006) also report that there was no significant difference in improvement of functioning or positive symptoms; providing opposite and contrast results of the Barrowclough et al (2001) study. Baker et al (2006) conclude that this study demonstrates that this challenging case group (service users with dual diagnosis) is able to engage in CBT and demonstrate positive results. Although this ‘excellent therapy-attendance could be questioned due to the use of payment for time and travel. Graham et al 2006 This study carried out by Graham et al (2006) differs from those discussed above in that it is not a RCT, it is a preliminary evaluation of the impact of C-BIT training on 3 assertive outreach teams and service user outcomes and is not an RCT. Care co-ordinators from 5 assertive outreach teams were allocated to two groups. One of which received immediate C-BIT training and the other groups training was delayed. Results of the training demonstrated increased confidence of care co-ordinators in working with substance misuse and mental illness. Graham et al (2006) suggest these findings illustrate the effectiveness of such training and highlights the extent to which implementation actually occurs. They suggest their findings add evidence to the recommendations made for implementation of interventions for this client group presented in Mental Health Implementation Guide: Dual Diagnosis Good Practice (DOH 2002). Graham et al (2006) also discuss the impact of such training upon service user outcomes. The results highlighted an improvement in engagement, reduction in alcohol use and a reduction in positive alcohol related beliefs. Demonstrating that this team approach to C-BIT shows promise. This report does not measure impact on care giver outcomes. All of the reports mentioned here suggest further research is needed to establish a firm evidence base for integrated treatment programmes that use interventions such as CBT, MI and FI. Nonetheless, they do provide a good grounding for recommending that such interventions show promise for enhancing service user and carer experience. In order to do this there may need to be a change in service provision. For example for a change within treatment philosophy of a team may mean that all staff must be trained preferably at the same time (Graham 2004). This causes barriers on numerous levels such as cost implications of all staff receiving training, back fill of their hours, cost of trainer and venue etc.. Potential barriers may occur when implementing these newly acquired skills and knowledge due to feelings of diminished confidence as part of the learning process (Atherton 2008). Discussion Substance misuse services separated for mental health services some time ago (Conley Benishek 2003) and as a result mental health professionals have limited training and experience in working with people who misuse substances. In addition, many drug and alcohol workers have only had minimal education in mental health issues (Frankel 1996). This could result in mental health professionals and substance misuse workers feeling unequipped in working with people with a dual diagnosis; resulting in them receiving inadequate care. A way to overcome this is for more health professionals to acknowledge their deficits in knowledge and attend training. Perhaps as a result of having minimal education in the field of substance misuse, negative attitudes towards those who misuse substances is still present (Howard Chung 2000 and Richmond Foster 2003). This can take the form of moralistic and stereotypical attitudes leading to mistrust, suspicion and avoidance on both sides. Evidence indicates that when such attitudes are held problems of substance misuse are often overlooked and not dealt with or referred on (Howard Chung 2000). Table 6: Luke Case Study Luke was brought up in a deprived area of a large city and often experimented with illicit substances with his friends. He had a very poor relationship with his mother and siblings (although he did reside with them) and never saw his father. Luke started to hear voices at the age of 18 and was soon admitted to an acute unit where he commenced anti-psychotic medication. Luke was discharged from hospital back to his home. Lukes motivation was draining and he was experiencing little enjoyment in life. it wasnt long before he stopped taking his anti-psychotic medication because it was making him put on weight and causing side effects. L

Endocrine Disruption :: The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is very dynamic and has ties to most, if not all of the other major systems of the body. It is responsible for production of hormones and the regulation of them as well. These hormones act as chemical messengers within the body. Through several differing mechanisms, they are able to trigger very specific responses in target cells or organs. This is what enables the endocrine system to guide growth, development, reproduction, and behavior, among many others as well. The hormones produced from the endocrine system come from a wide range of different places. Among those responsible for hormone production are the glands and a few organs as well. The glands that are involved are the pituitary, thyroid, thymus, parathyroid, and adrenal. The organs, which also play a vital part, are the pancreas, gonads, kidneys, heart, and parts of the digestive tract. All these different glands or organs work together in the production of certain hormones. Those produced in one location will almost always have an effect on many other areas of the body, not just the surrounding tissues. An analogy that fits very well with the study of the endocrine system is that of a message in a bottle. We can think of the body as a river, and a specific hormone may be a bottle containing a message. The organs or glands mentioned above would manufacture the â€Å"bottles'; (hormones) that would be released into the river (blood stream). If there were no receptor sites for the hormones in the body, then they would continue to flow along the river and probably not make their destination. However, there are systems of receptor sites that enable specific hormones to bind in specific places. Structure also plays a major role in determining which hormones are able to bind to which receptors. When these â€Å"messages in bottles'; reach their appointed destination, the binding into the receptor site causes a cascade of reactions to occur. It is these reactions that are vital in maintaining our homeostasis. Many times the binding of the receptor site causes a direct expression of a certain gene. This is where endocrine disrupters can exert major damage. In addition to gene expression, endocrine disrupters cause havoc in many other areas of the body. What exactly are endocrine disrupting chemicals? Endocrine disrupters are chemical agents that produce reversible or irreversible effects in individuals or populations by interfering with hormone function.

Adolf Hitler :: Biography Biographies Hitler Essays

Adolf Hitler The interesting life of Adolf Hitler is not fully known to people. Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, the fourth child of Alois Schickelgruber and Klara Hitler in the Austrian town of Braunau. Two of his siblings died from diphtheria when they were children, and one died shortly after birth. Alois was a customs official, illegitimate by birth, which was described by his housemaid as a "very strict but comfortable" man. His mother showered Young Adolf with love and affection. When Adolf was three years old, the family moved to Passau, along the Inn River on the German side of the border. A brother, Edmond, was born two years later. The family moved once more in 1895 to the farm community of Hafeld, 30 miles southwest of Linz. Another sister, Paula, was born in 1896, the sixth of the union, supplemented by a half brother and half sister from one of his father's two previous marriages. Following another family move, Adolf lived for six months across from a large Benedictine monastery. The monastery's coat of arms' most salient feature was a swastika. As a youngster, Adolf's dream was to enter the priesthood. While there is anecdotal evidence that Adolf's father regularly beat him during his childhood, it was not unusual for discipline to be enforced in that way during that period. By 1900, Hitler's talents as an artist surfaced. He did well enough in school to be eligible for either the university pre paratory "gymnasium" or the technical/scientific Realschule. Because the latter had a course in drawing, Adolf accepted his father's decision to enroll him in the Realschule. He did not do well there. Adolf's father died in 1903 after suffering a pleural hemorrhage. Adolf himself suffered from lung infections, and he quit school at the age of 16, partially the result of ill health and partially the result of poor school work. In 1906, Adolf was permitted to visit Vienna, but he was unable to gain admission to a prestigious art school. His mother developed terminal breast cancer and was treated by Dr. Edward Bloch, a Jewish doctor who served the poor. After an operation and excruciatingly painful and expensive treatments with a dangerous drug, she died on December 21, 1907. Hitler spent six years in Vienna, living on a small legacy from his father and an orphan's pension. Virtually penniless by 1909, he wandered Vienna as a transient, sleeping in bars, flophouses, and shelters for th e homeless, including, ironically, those financed by Jewish philanthropists.

The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children Essay example -- Violence

Depression and post traumatic stress disorder are two of the main illnesses seen in children after being exposed to domestic violence. Among depression and post traumatic stress disorder, there are multiple sub-categories to help place the severity of the disorder. Many influences can change the severity of a disorder in the child including but not limited to: length of exposure, type of exposure, and time-lapse since the exposure. Domestic violence is defined as violence between members of a household such as that of a married couple or a parent to one’s child. Some cases of domestic violence can just be through witnessing while some of the more scarring events occur directly to the child. Domestic violence can be separated into three smaller categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse. The most common type of domestic violence is done through physical abuse. This can include hitting, kicking, punching, choking, etc. Physical abuse can be minor in that it just leaves bruises or a bad memory, but physical abuse can also be as serious as broken bones, time in the hospital, or as serious as death. Sexual abuse is also a very common type of abuse. Pressuring a child to do sexual acts, child pornography, and unwanted penetration to a child’s genitals are all forms of sexual abuse. Psychological abuse is the least common form of abuse performed. Psychological abuse does e xactly what the name states. It’s abuse to someone through their mind such as telling someone they are fat or that they are ugly. Domestic violence can be scary for the young children who witness it. Depending on the situation, domestic violence can have negative outcomes that can stay with the child for the rest of his... ...ional Journal 34 (2010): 448-453. EBSCO. Smith, Barbera E., Laura B. Nickles, Darlanne Hoctor Mulmat, and Heather J. Davies. Helping Children Exposed To Domestic Violence:Law Enforcement And Community Partnerships. Washington D.C: American Bar Association, 2000. Print. "The Facts on Health Care and Domestic Violence." Family Violence Prevention Fund. University California, San Francisco, n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. . "Turning Point Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services." Turning Point Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Sept. 2014. . Volpe, Joseph S. "Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and Adolescents: An Overview." American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. N.p., 1996. Web. 7 Sept. 2014. .

Cisco case Essay

1. What are the challenges faced by Cisco in introducing a major product like Viking? There are four main challenges encountered by Cisco: Time-to-Market pressure: Cisco has only one year to launch Viking. Since the development of technology accelerates information exchange and boost customers’ demand, only companies that can catch the market transitions quickly can survive in the rapidly-changing society. Cost pressure: Price competition in hi-tech market is rather fierce. E.g. bandwidth prices were constantly dropping while customers expected continuous improvement in price-performance on their equipment. Immense technical complexity and concern on outsourcing production: For example, Viking contained some 300,000 components, which is 30 times more than in a small business router. So this requires a high ability for the contract manufacturer and a close cooperation between Cisco and the manufacturer. Uncertainty in NPI’s effectiveness and efficiency: This newly introduced mechanism requires substantial global operation collaboration among far-flung teams, which contains considerable uncertainties. 2. In selecting Foxconn and involving it from the start, what were the potential risks and values to Cisco? Risks: Lack of experience in handling technical complexity: Foxconn has never made complex product like Viking before. Excessive dependence on vertical integration: Overly depending on a single manufacturer will run a great risk of whatever financial and operational constraints it has. Meanwhile, Cisco may lose the opportunity to select the most appropriate suppliers. Values: Low cost: Selecting Foxconn can dramatically decrease the cost due to the cheaper labor force and materials from China and other Asian countries, as well as reduction in transition. Efficient supply chain: A single site and its vertical integration create an agile structure, which promotes the efficiency greatly. Long-term incentive to develop the contract manufacturer: If Foxconn performed well in making a high-end router in a low-cost manufacturing environment, Cisco would have more flexibility for  further products. 3. What should Cisco do to ensure successful development and launch of the Viking router? There are three major ways for Cisco to ensure success: Engaging supply chain partners early on to help simplify product design and manufacturing processes. Getting Foxconn closely involved early in development to lower risk. Utilizing technology to execute global, cross-functional teamwork, and to ensure smooth collaboration with Foxconn. Adopting innovative and intensive marketing strategies.

Compare and contrast mongol rule Essay

During the 12th and 13th centuries the Mongols swept across Eurasia and conquered various peoples, including the Persians and Chinese. There are many slmllarltles and differences In the political and economic effects of Mongol rule on the Abbasid Empire In Persia and on the Yuan Dynasty In china. In both regions, the Mongols were relatively tolerant of all religions. However, they differed in that the Mongol’s allowed Persia to have native administrators but did not allow China to. When the Mongols ruled in Persia and China, they respected all the religions they encountered. In Persia, the Mongols were attracted to Islam and overtime they ssimilated to it. The Mongols were intrigued by Muslim society and by the year 1295, the Persian khanate had converted to Islam. They built mosques throughout the region and returned Islam toa privileged position of Persian society. The Mongols were also tolerant of the other religions in Persia including. Nestorian Christianity, Buddhism and Judaism. In China as well, the Mongols respected all cultural and religious traditions. They began to adopt some of Chinese culture, like ancestor worship. Khubilai Khan even built temples for his predecessors, so he could practice ancestor worship. The Mongols tolerated religions and belief systems such as, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and Christianity. They allowed churches, temples and shrines to be built, because they wanted to maintain a good relationship with the people ot the region. Although the Mongols tolerated Confucianism, they did not allow It to have official support. The Mongols effects on rellglon In Persia and china were quite similar. The Mongol’s ways of governing In Persia differed from how they governed In China. In Persia, the Mongols ruled using ideas from Persian bureaucracy. They set up many district and appointed provincial governors. The highest government positions were held by Mongols, but Persians were allowed to be government offcers at lower levels. Persians served as state officials, ministers and provincial governors. The Mongols allowed the Persians to govern the ilkhanate because they knew the Persians had a successful government and would be able to maintain order. However, the Mongols required the Persians to deliver tax receipts as a way of limiting Persian power. The Mongols set up government in China very differently than they had in Persia. The Mongol’s pushed native Chinese people to the bottom of the hierarchy. The Mongols got rid of Civil Service Exams because they thought there was no need for them. They did not make use of Chinese administrative talent; instead they had foreign administrators govern China. The governing staff included Persians, Arabs and some Europeans. The Mongols didnt want Chinese people to rule because all they wanted from China was to generate revenue and have the people be cultivators. The Mongols governed and treated the Chinese and Persian people very differently. The Mongols political and economic control on Persia and China were alike In some ways and unalike in others. The treatment and tolerance of religions in China ere very similar to that In Persia. Yet, the administrative control in Persia differed than the administrative control In China. The Mongols had multiple methods of ruling conquered regions, none 0T wnlcn were very successTul. However, tnrougnout the Mongols rule, they facilitated trade and encouraged long distance communication throughout Eurasia, which led to cultural diffusion that can still be seen today. Additionally, the Mongols support of Islam helped establish its popularity and encouraged its spread, which has contributed to Islam being the fastest growing and second largest religion.