A successful and controversial artist, Damien Hirs Essays

A successful and controversial artist, Damien Hirs Essays A successful and controversial artist, Damien Hirst was born in Bristol, England, on June 7, 1965. He emerged as a leading figure in the Young British Artists movement in the late 1980s and 1990s. Raised Catholic, Damien Hirst grew up in Leeds. Early religion education later factors into his artwork. HIs mother would later describe him as a morbid child. Hirst studied art at the Goldsmith's College at the University of London. While there, he put together a ground-breaking exhibit entitled "Freeze" in 1988. Hirst and his fellow students became part of an emerging movement known as the Young British Artists. They were known for their unusual materials and for their challenging art concepts. One of Hirst's early works, "With Dead Head," illustrates his interest in death and shaking up the art establishment. Career Breakthrough In 1991, Hirst had his first solo exhibition at the Woodstock Street Gallery in London. He also participated in the Young British Artists show at the Saatchi Gallery the following year. There he displayed "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living," a 14-foot-long glass tank with a shark preserved in formaldehyde. The shark had been bought from an Australian fisherman. Business of Art In addition to being a creative visionary, Hirst has proved to be a savvy businessman. He has parlayed his fame and notoriety into an art empire, becoming one of the wealthiest living artists today. Later Work s In 2007, he unveiled "For the Love of God," a glittering, diamond-encrusted skull made of platinum. Many critics were less than impressed with this "celebration against death " . "I've got an obsession with death But I think it's like a celebration of life rather than something morbid." More than 9,000 butterflies died as part of an art work in his exhibition.

Education Vocabulary for English Learners

Education Vocabulary for English Learners Learn English vocabulary related to education to use when discussing various subjects at university. Words are categorized into different sections. Youll find example sentences for each word to help provide context for learning.   Subjects Archaeology - Archaeology explores humanities past civilizations.Art - Art can refer to painting or to to arts in general such as music, dancing, etc.Business studies - Many students choose business studies in these times of globalization.Dance - Dance is an elegant art form which uses the body as a brush.Drama - Good drama can move you to tears, as well as hold you in suspense.Economics - The study of economics might be useful for a business degree.Geography - If you study geography, youll know which country is located on any continent.Geology - Id love to know more about geology. Ive always wondered about rocks.history - Some believe that history is much older than we are led to believe.home economics - Home economics will teach you how to run an efficient home on a budget.Foreign (modern) languages - Its important to learn at least one foreign language in your life.Math - Ive always found simple math easy.Mathematics - The study of higher mathematics is required for a computer pro gramming degree. Music - Understanding the biography of great composers is an important part of studying music.Physical education - Children up to the age 16 should be encouraged to participate in physical education classes.Psychology - The study of psychology will help you understand how the mind words.Religious education - Religious education will teach you about the wide variety of religious experiences.Science - Science is an important part of a well-rounded education.Biology - Biology will help you learn how human beings are put together.Chemistry - Chemistry will help you understand how earths elements affect each other.Botany - The study of botany leads to an understanding of different types of plants.Physics - Physics explains how the real world functions.Sociology - If you are interested in understanding different cultures, take a sociology class.Technology - Technology is found in almost every classroom of a typical school. Exams Cheat- Dont ever cheat on a test. Its not worth it!Examine - Its important to examine all the evidence when drawing a conclusion.Examiner - The examiner makes sure nobody at the test cheats.Examination - The examination should last three hours.Fail - Im afraid I might fail the test!Get through - Peter got through to the fourth grade.Pass - Dont worry. Im sure youll pass the test.Take / sit an exam - I had to sit a long exam last week.Retake - Some professors allow students to retake tests if theyve done poorly.Revise for - Its a good idea to revise for any test you take by reviewing your notes.Study for - I need to study for a quiz tomorrow morning.Test - What time is your mathematics test today? Qualifications Certificate - He earned a certificate in computer maintenance.Degree - I have a degree from the Eastman School of Music.BA - (Bachelor of Arts)  She earned her BA from Reed College in Portland, Oregon.MA - (Master of Arts) Peter wants to take an MA in business.B.Sc. - (Bachelor of Science) Jennifer is working on a B.Sc. with a major in biology.M.Sc. - (Bachelor of Science) If you earn a M.Sc. from Stanford, you wont need to worry about getting a job.Ph.D. - (Doctorate Degree) Some people take years to finish a Ph.D.Diploma - You can earn a diploma to add to your qualifications.   People Dean - Alan is the dean of faculty at that school.Graduate - Hes a graduate of the local university.Head-teacher - You should speak to the head teacher.Infant - Some parents put their infants in day-care.Lecturer - The lecturer in law was very boring today.Pupil - Good pupils dont cheat on tests.Student - A good student takes notes during a lecture.Teacher - The teacher will answer any questions you have.Instructor - Hes an instructor of computer science at the high school.Undergraduate - The undergraduate had a great time at college.

Research Tools and their Effectiveness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research Tools and their Effectiveness - Essay Example The research took more than 26 weeks to complete. With the sensitivity of the matter, training them for only 8 weeks doesn’t make a lot of sense in that they will not have experienced the necessary knowledge which they can use with ease to determine whether to report as casualty or not. Further, the issue of monitoring the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy is not much encouraged because, if you monitor them, they will tend to be accurate and may not sway away from normality due to your presence. For a research to have the required scientific vigor homogeneity of data is required and this can only be obtained if some certain restrictions are imposed on the participants (Agnes, A 2007). This may include: Age, gender, occupation, health status, earning and many others depending entirely on the objective of the study. For example, for one to take part in this study, the researcher ensured that, he/she had at least some experience in radiography which he himself knew and another which had brought him to that health facility to assist in the provision of the service. However, they were not required to have any formal training in radiography. In any scientific research which involves human participants, freedom to take part in it is a priority as you cannot force one to get involved without his/her consent (Mailu, S. 2004). Participants have to be given the opportunity to say what they want based on the restrictions above. In this study, all the participants are not provided with the necessary information and a verbal consent is not sought from each of them. Mainly a consent form is signed by him/her stating that, all that is involved in the study will be followed to the later voluntarily (Charles, A 2000). The protection of human participant’s information is key for any research to be successful (Bailey, 2005).

Evidence for effective Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Evidence for effective Nursing - Essay Example Evidence to of its effectiveness in nursing will be examined to support the research. In recent times, the number of university students with heightened stress levels and a myriad of mental problems has skyrocketed. Pamela van der Riet, Rachel Rossiter, Dianne Kirby, Teresa Dluzewska, and Charles Harmon conducted the research above that was accepted in May 2014. Their main argument was that a stress management and mindfulness program could be incorporated into learning support besides being a stress reduction method to support nursing and midwifery students build resilience and improve wellbeing. This study was in response to incorporation of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program in Western clinical practice since the 1940s in managing stress and mental illness. This program initially was designed to assist clinicians adapt to the demanding healthcare environment. The idea is to transfer this program and incorporate as a learning support for the students who are pursuing nursing and midwifery. The stress management and mindfulness program is a superb addition to the education and support for nursing and midwifery students and should, therefore, be incorporated. As the nursing and midwifery profession continue to grow, there is increasing need for quality services from these careers (Maclnnes and Lamont, 2014). The research confirms and follows all the stages of the research process. The problem was determined as the increased frequency of stress and mental illness among the university students. The research question (Michigan Library, 2015) was explicitly stated as ascertaining the impact of a stress management and mindfulness program in reducing stress levels among nursing students. The background of the study was also solid (Michigan Library, 2015). The MSBR has been in clinical practice use since the 1945s to combat mental and stress illness. These studies compelled the question of

Racial Stereotypes Essay Example for Free

Racial Stereotypes Essay Theoretically, the present work examined the role of personal endorsement of cultural stereotypes. Devine (1989) proposed that because of the repeated and virtually unavoidable exposure to pervasive cultural stereotypes, both high and low prejudiced individuals will automatically activate these representations when they are presented with representations of those groups regardless of their personal level of endorsement of these stereotypes (i. e. , personal stereotypes). Recently, Lepore and Brown (1997) highlighted an important distinction between stereotype priming and category priming. Stereotype priming involves cueing stereotypic characteristics (e. g. , lazy) directly, with or without the category label (e. g. , Black). Categorization priming occurs when only the category (e. g. , Black) is cued in isolation of any stereotypic characteristics. Lepore and Brown noted that Devines (1989, Study 2) research involved both stereotypic priming and category priming simultaneously, and they observed, Many primes had clear negative connotations that could have directly cued hostility (p. 276). The absence of differences in the responses of high and low prejudiced participants in the Devine study may thus have occurred because of the direct activation of semantic associations involved in stereotype priming rather than because of a close association between the category alone and the stereotype. Lepore and Brown (1997) further argued that high-and low-prejudice peoples representations of the social group may not differ in terms of content (at least for stereotype knowledge) but stronger links may have developed for different characteristics (p. 277). Lepore and Brown reasoned that, as a consequence of this differential strength of associative links with the category, high and low prejudiced people would show divergent automatic stereotype activation as a function of category priming. Consistent with their hypothesis, using Devines (1989, Study 2) priming and subsequent impression formation procedure, Lepore and Brown found that when only the category was primed, high prejudiced participants showed evidence of automatic negative stereotype activation, whereas low prejudiced participants did not (and, in fact, tended to show activation of positive associates). When stereotype priming was involved, however, both high and low prejudiced participants demonstrated comparable levels of stereotype activation. The present research further investigated this theoretical issue by directly examining the relation between personal endorsement of cultural stereotypes (shared beliefs about the characteristics possessed by members of a social group) and the activation of these stereotypes within a category priming paradigm. Because participants were given the time and opportunity to ascribe stereotypic traits deliberately to the particular categories, this process is considered to be controlled. Thus, the degree of the participants endorsement of the cultural stereotypes was expected to vary as a function of prejudice (Devine, 1989; Esses et al. , 1993; Lepore Brown, 1997). Participants activation of cultural stereotypes, alternatively, was assessed with a word pronunciation task. Specifically, participants, who were classified as high or low in prejudice, were presented with a category prime (Black, White, or CCC [a neutral baseline]) followed by a positive or negative Black stereotypic target word or nonstereotypic target word. Their task was simply to pronounce the target word. Response latency was the dependent measure. A number of studies have revealed that this procedure may produce a particularly sensitive measure of automatic processing because the paradigm does not foster task-specific strategies that can obscure the effects of automaticity (Balota Chumbly, 1984; Balota Lorch, 1986; Bargh, Chaiken, Raymond, Hymes, 1996; Joordens Besner, 1992; Ratcliff McKoon, 1988). Conditions for automatic and controlled processing were induced in this paradigm by varying the length of time between the onset of the presentation of the prime and the presentation of the target word. Under short SOAs (stimulus onset asynchronies) (300 ms), responses were assumed to be automatic because the stimuli were presented too briefly for participants to engage, focus, and commit attention intentionally to their responses (Neely, 1977, 1991). Long SOAs (2,000 ms) were assumed to permit more controlled processes because participants had sufficient time to manipulate their responses strategically. In the present study, the repeated presentation of racial category primes and stereotypic traits makes the racial focus of the task salient, which normally produces motivations to respond in socially desirable, unbiased ways (Dovidio Fazio, 1992), even in simple response latency tasks (Messick Mackie, 1989).

Information Controls by Newspapers :: Papers

Information Controls by Newspapers All newspapers have different ways of passing on the news to their readers. This often depends on the audience the newspaper is targeting. The four newspapers that I will be writing about all target various readers. I will be looking at which pieces of information newspapers would use when reporting about the invasion of the Central European state of Bernia by Cara. 'The Planet' is a tabloid newspaper that backs the government. It is happy with the way things are and has a large circulation of readers, most of which are working-class people. 'The Reporter' is also a tabloid newspaper, which supports the Labour Party and also the trade union movement. This newspaper targets similar readers to that of 'The Planet' but has a smaller circulation. 'The Enquirer' is critical towards the two main parties and is known for it's in-depth political and international reporting. This newspaper is a broadsheet whose readers are mainly middle-class. The final newspaper, 'The Daily Recorder' is a strongly patriotic pro-government broadsheet. It believes in family values and in a British Identity. As newspaper A, 'The Planet', supports the government it would be very careful about the information it dispensed. It would not want people to know that there had been 150 civilian deaths because they had been caused in retaliation against the arrival of British troops. The reason it would not want people to know this is 'The Planet' backed the move by the government to send troops to Bernia. Printing this could stop other troops from wanting to go to Bernia. To help emphasis the fact that the troops were really needed they would talk about how Bernian refugees were fleeing to escape rumours of ethnic cleansing. 'The Planet' would also avoid printing the fact that there were 150 UK casualties as this like the civilian deaths would lower the moral troops. This newspaper would probably show the photograph of the man who had been killed in hand-to-hand fighting in Bernia just to show how out of control the civil war was becoming.

Role Of Socialization

Family is the first social agent which individuals are exposed to; they are the primary source of colonization (Bryn & Lie, 2012). This social agent is responsible for teaching individuals about ‘self â€Å"a set of ideas and attitudes about who one is as an independent being† (Bryn & Lie, 2012, p. 58). A functionalist view would argue â€Å"family is the most important agent of primary colonization, the process of mastering the basic skills required to operate in society during childhood† (Bryn & Lie, 2012, p. 60).Language is one concept aught by the family in order to communicate, without a basic form of communication fitting into society would be near impossible. Teaching children how to speak is considered part of being a parent and is not questioned; bad parenting in turn would lead to bad colonization. Families also provide ‘class' and how you as an individual, and family, fit into the order of society. Wealthy families may be able to provide different opportunities versus poor families, and different values may be taught such as wasting food and saving money.The lessons children are taught shape how they will act in society and what they will think of themselves and others. School is another social agent which impacts an individuals understanding of self and society (â€Å"Agents of colonization,† 2013). School teaches individuals how to be a productive member of society and gives them the means in order to succeed in society. One example is learning to listen to and respect authority. This is taught from kindergarten on.If a child breaks the rule and disrespects their teacher, or authority, they will be disciplined and taught to not do that again. Without the understanding of respecting authority an individual will have a hard time fitting into society since there is always rules to follow and authority to respect; bosses, RACE, laws and so on. School also teaches a work ethic which is an important aspect of each individ ual. Bad work ethic can lead to being less successful in life, being an underachiever, and in turn not living up to what one could.Norms are also an aspect of society that are taught in school. An individual's family is responsible for teaching communication and language, and the school builds on that basic knowledge to make it acceptable for societies standards. For example college students are expected to write at a specific level, in proper form, following rules and guidelines in order to convey their thoughts. If a student is unable to write at that level they will fail their courses and be unable to graduate in that program.The ‘norm' for adults to be able to read and write with specific accuracy, without this basic understanding the adult may not be able to hold a stead job, own a house, find a marriage partner, or, have kids. This would in turn impact their understanding of oneself and how they fit into society. Peers are a third social agent, which hugely impacts and s hapes our understanding of self. Interacting with peers teaches individuals what is considered normal and acceptable in society. From a young age children are taught to use words instead of hitting during an argument.This lesson carries forward and is a crucial part of colonization. As an adult one cannot hit somebody because they are upset- that can lead to a criminal charge (Barbour, 2008). Peers also teach sharing from a young age, which follows through to adulthood and an integral part of society. In adolescence peer roofs promote individuality from family, and finding oneself. Among peers adolescents are able to make choices on their own and learn from their own mistakes, and not the guiding of parents and authority. Peers also offer a challenge to individuals.Prior to having friends individuals are influenced by family, however, once peers and friends become more involved in their lives they are opened to new views and opinions that may differ from their own (Barbour, 2008). G ender roles are also another aspect of society, which peer groups heavily influence (â€Å"Agents Of colonization,† 2013). Boys and girls are treated differently, social expectations are placed on the different genders, and masculine and feminine ways are taught. Peer groups can have a negative social influence as well.Cliques, gangs, and peer pressure are all aspects of peer groups, it is up to the individual to chose right from wrong and look at how those peers will negatively effect them. Functionalist theory can also be applied to this agent of colonization, since functionalist look at † how colonization helps to maintain orderly social relations† (Bryn & Lie, 2012, p. 60). A functionalist would also argue â€Å"social structures are based mainly on shared values† (Bryn & Lie, 201 2, p. 12). That would explain gangs, cliques, and groups among peers. Mass media is one of the biggest social influences.All individuals have access to mass media in some form . TV, internet, social networking, advertising, videos, newspapers and books are just a few of the forms of mass media, which we are surrounded by. Media influences how individuals think they should view themselves; fat, skinny, popular, rich, different etc. Media also influences what we view as norms; fashion, technology, hair, engage, posture etc. With both norms and views individuals are faced with expectations of society. For example if you want to look rich and sophisticated you must drive an expensive car and wear expensive clothing.If you want to have an attractive boyfriend you must wear reveling clothing, act provocatively and be very thin. These are expectations that have been placed upon individuals by the mass media, and although they are not always true, they are viewed as the way that society works. When you cannot fit into size O pants your understanding of self will be shaped as well because according to he media you will not be able to be successful and marry an att ractive man, get a great paying job, own a house and start a family.All that is influenced from the media and shaped your understanding of what you can achieve in life and where you stand within society. By looking at all the different type of agents of solicitations it is easy to see how individuals are shaped based on the agents they are exposed to. Each agent has their own job in shaping individuals and teaching them lessons. The agents of colonization; family, school, peers, and media are what influence and shape our understanding of society and ourselves.

Personality & Attitudes on Revenge in the General Population of Scotland Essay

Fantasies vary from person to person and are dependent on psychological condition. In a clinical population fantasies tend to last longer than in non-clinical populations. Although overall each fantasy has been reported to last relatively short periods of time, the frequency of which they occur is usually the factor that determines whether they are of concern or not (Gellerman and Suddath, 2005). There seems to be a limited quantity of research available on the general understanding of this topic however the literature that does exist appears to focus on three particular areas, sustaining fantasies – as a means of coping with painful and stressful situations in the general population but particularly in the clinical population (Zelin, Bernstein, Heijn, Jampel, Myerson, Adler, Buie & Rizzuto, 1983; Harder & Zelin, 1984; Greenwald & Harder, 1994; Greenwald & Harder, 1995 & Greenwald and Harder, 1997); aggressive fantasies – for pleasure or satisfaction in the general popu lation but more often than not habitually involuntary for the clinical population and generally violent, sexual and sadistic in nature (Gellerman & Suddath, 2005; Egan & Campbell, 2009 & Selby, Anestis & Joiner (2007), and finally, revenge fantasies – concerning those who have experienced trauma (Mardi & Harowitz, 2007). In search of material for this review surprise has it that homicidal fantasies on the whole is the one of which focuses on a more simple view of its apparent natural occurrence in natural surroundings of everyday life, and highlights the evolving acceptance that many normal law abiding citizens can and do have fantasies. Sustaining Fantasy From a study conducted by Zelin et al (1983) the Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ) was developed to measure sustaining functions in psychiatric inpatients in comparison with non-patients. This questionnaire was constructed specifically to measure fantasies of death, withdrawal, restitution, suffering, God, closeness, power and revenge, admiration of self, competition and aesthetics. The questionnaire was then utilised to determine that psychiatric inpatients scored higher than non-patients on fantasies of death, withdrawal, restitution, suffering, God and closeness but fantasies of power and revenge, admiration of self, competition and aesthetics did not differentiate between groups. Thus, suggesting that the questionnaire was able to differentiate the groups by fantasy factors such as death, withdrawal, restitution, suffering, God and closeness and highlighted associations of power and revenge, admiration of self, competition and aesthetics with an independent measure of psycho logy. It is said that experiencing Sustaining Fantasies is a familiar, consistent and repetitive conscious fantasy adopted to help cope with feelings of a painful and stressful situation. According to Zelin et al (1983) the sustaining fantasy is a concept based on the observation that at times of extreme negative emotional states, caused by anger or narcissistic grievance, people often resort to this as a means of re-creating a more ideal situation than that of which stimulated the painful experience, fabricating a sense of satisfaction, restoring self-esteem and emotional equilibrium, and decreasing frustration. Ultimately, the sustaining fantasy is based on the assumption that such fantasies signify and demonstration the basic construction and processes that have evolved in the course of efforts to adapt to painful situations. We are reminded by Zelin et al (1983) that this fantasy is of a specific type called only into play when suffering increasing levels of stress, and should not be c onfused by those fantasies used as a disguised endeavour of pleasure or solutions to relatively un-stressful problems, such studies will be discussed later in the review. One year on, Harder & Zelin (1984) furthered the study of Zelin et al (1983) accepting that the sustaining fantasy questionnaire was developed primarily with psychiatric inpatients, but recognising also, the potential for its use in testing correlates among a more general sample. Assuming that everyone uses sustaining fantasies to aid or support themselves through highly stressful periods in life and presuming the importance of this factor in the capability to manage adaptively rather than maladaptively, Harder & Zelin (1984) extended interests and investigations into the personality functioning in the general population as well as with pathological persons. They did this by examining the relationship between the 10 types of sustaining fantasies reported by Zelin et al (1983) and two dimensions of self-concept – self-derogation and stability of self-concept, suspecting that the type of sustaining fantasy that the person characteristically brings into play will be consistent with and in support of their self-concept, an important relation with psychological-social adjustment and even a potential determinant of psychological-social adjustment. Successfully, the results demonstrated that the Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire was reliable not only to differentiate between groups of psychiatric inpatients from normal controls, as Zelin et al (1983) demonstrated, but also to distinguish the group of college students used in this study. Just over a decade later Greenwald & Harder (1994) followed on from Zelin et al (1983), attempting to examine the expected associations between psychopathology, almost replicating exactly, apart from their use of a student population primarily from a middle-class backgrounds. In addition, Greenwald & Harder (1994) questioned if the sustaining fantasy scales associated with weaker functioning, reflects a more general pathology factor as proposed in the data of Zelin et al (1983) or, whether each reflects a particular maladaptive style that is signified by an exceptional construction of associations with the MMPI clinical scales. Further support and reliability of Zelin et al (1983) is strengthened in Greenwald & Harder’s (1994) findings that power/revenge, death/illness, withdrawal/protection and suffering are all related significantly to two of the MMPI measures of overall psychopathology, therefore four of the six fantasy types that imply psychopathology in the inpatients (Ze lin et al, 1983) were too the indicators of pathology in the study using the middle-class students. Considering all of the previously mentioned studies (Zelin et al, 1983; Harder & Zelin, 1984; Greenwald & Harder, 1994) it seems fair to say that ample evidence has been gathered to show that definite types of sustaining fantasy ideas, characteristically used to comfort the self when experiencing feelings of hurt and stress, are associated with indications of psychopathological adjustment. The aim for Greenwald & Harder (1995) was then to examine to what extent there are parallels between them and the degree to which such content ideas may well point out psychopathology. With reference to past research on daydreaming, where Singer & Antrobus (1972) have suggested that particular collections of imagery content appear to propose less favourable styles, there seems to be similarities with the findings of Zelin et al (1983), although they did emphasise the difference between other fantasies such as daydreams and remind us not to confuse them. Contrary to this emphasis and that of Zelin et al (1983), clinical impressions have proposed that in more ways than one, the overall content of these two types of fantasies is rather parallel. As a result of this proposal, Greenwald & Harder (1995) investigated whether sustaining fantasies generally show a strong similarity to the typical daydreams preferred by an individual, or whether there really is a movement from the content of ordinary daydreams to the familiar self-comforting ones that provide support during feelings of pain and stress. To do this they compared the Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire and the numerous Imaginal Process Inventory (IPI) (Singer & Antrobus, 1972) scales for correspondence in content and in their relationships to measures of psychopathology, and a great deal of consistency was discovered even when partialling for social desirability. It was concluded that there was in fact considerable overlap in the content and of correspondence between both, sustaini ng fantasy and daydreams, and furthermore, it was highlighted that three particular IPI scales were observed to give significant indications of psychopathology – fear reaction, bizarre and hostile. Despite the delight in these findings Greenwald & Harder (1995) speculated the possibility that rather than the findings being a result of specific content they may be the result of a broad level of association between the two scales. In pursuit of this speculation further analysis detected the average degree of correlation between SFQ and IPI characteristics in comparison to the level of association displayed by those relationships they predicted, finding that although there was no significance, there was a trend toward significance. Thus, suggesting that a general commonality between the SFQ and the IPI may have been a factor in contributing to the extent of their success in predictions for the study. On this note one should be reminded that for the purpose of reliability and validity, considering an underlying weakness alongside the success is vital for future study in terms of recognising the possibility for individuals to very well fantasize and daydream simultaneously in ordinary and/or stressful situations. It is now becoming apparent that sustaining fantasies are perhaps not quite as specific from other fantasies in particular situations such as coping with stressful matters, as was first thought, or, that if they are, they do not always emerge completely alone. Based on the results of this study Greenwald & Harder (1995) propose the question of whether it would be beneficial to use the findings of their study, subsequent past research, to investigate clinical manipulation of the content and/or frequency of fantasy having therapeutic effects, bearing in mind the given definition of sustaining fantasy in Zelin et al (1983) at the beginnings of this extensive research. To address the proposed questions that emerged from Greenwald & Harder (1995) they conducted another study in 1997 replicating the previously discussed studies and replicating reported relationships between coping behaviours and psychopathology however, this time they utilised measurement instruments that were developed by different investigators, presented different response formats, and were not developed to measure the same content areas as before. They assessed whether consistent relationships exist between the content of self-reported coping behaviours, sustaining fantasies, and ordinary daydreams and in addition attempted to identify coping behaviours associated with psychopathology, exploring any connections between coping behaviours, fantasies, and daydreams correlated with pathology. Pearson correlations indicated similar content between coping behaviours and the two types of fantasy and significant inter-correlations were found between sustaining fantasies, daydreams, and coping behaviours that, separately, were found to be significantly associated with psychopathology. In the process of this investigation, and with influencing thoughts created by the previous workings, Greenwald and Harder (1997) took into consideration the likelihood to expect there would be a consistency between the region of fantasy and behaviour, and that individuals would report thoughts and action in parallel ways but then again, consider also that it is also probable to anticipate that fantasies could serve as a substitute for action, and that a report of specific fantasy content might be inversely associated with behaviour that contains similar content. Growing in strength, again the results of Greenwald & Harder (1997) were successful in that there is a significant association with regard to the content among self-reported daydreams, sustaining fantasies, and coping behaviours, even after controlling for social desirability. These results are found to be more influential due to the fact that they were obtained with assessment instruments that were developed by different investigators, used different response formats, and were not developed to measure the same content areas. Therefore, this information suggest that, while there may be some instances of fantasies and behaviours that relate inversely to each other, fantasies usually are consistent with behavioural coping styles. These findings then highlight that there is a complex of daydreams, fantasies, and behavioural responses that could be used to characterize individuals. Furthermore, to generalize the findings of this study it was recommended that future studies should be conducted with other subject populations that take into account age, culture, socioeconomic status and residence environment (Greenwald & Harder, 1997), however, it seems appropriate to mention that perhaps at this point it is a good time to look at how the sustaining fantasy ideology has branched out to embrace other influencing factors. Aggressive Fantasies Egan & Campbell (2009) expanded research on sustaining fantasies almost taking it to a new level by selecting a diverse population, as recommended by Greenwald & Harder (1997), but more importantly taking into account other domains that showed potential to reveal relationships from another angle. Such were, sensational topics, general personality traits, and self-reported physical aggression. They found relationships between sensational interests and physical aggression, regardless of gender. Personality and the application of negative sustaining fantasies significantly forecast physical aggression. When the SFQ was reduced to three higher order factors; positive, negative, and narcissistic sustaining fantasies, correlations were found between neuroticism (N) and both positive and negative sustaining fantasies, although the association was stronger for negative fantasies. There were small associations between positive sustaining fantasies and indirect non-physical hostility although these relations were humble, and openness (O) was a stronger predictor. Narcissistic sustaining fantasies related to low levels of agreeableness (A), replicating associations between low A and narcissism generally. Ultimately proposing that aggressive and hostile persons are more stimulated by violent stimuli and that isolation is a further risk-increasing factor for aggressive interests. Following on from this conclusion of risk-increasing factors, attention was directed back a few years in literature to a study conducted by Gellerman & Suddath (2005). They discussed risk-increasing factors in relation to questioning at what point would a health professional perhaps become concerned with a person’s fantasy enough for it to become their duty to forewarn or protect others from potential dangerousness, or even attempt to protect the person from them self. In the health profession an evaluation of dangerousness includes not only asking about violent fantasies but also asking about physical and sexual content (Gellerman & Suddath, 2005). Gellerman and Suddath (2005) looked at the conditions in which the disclosure of violent fantasies to a mental health professional may generate cause for concern and a duty to warn or protect other citizens. Reviewing legal cases in which violent fantasies were considered in the context of measuring potential dangerousness and the literature available on homicidal and sexually violent fantasies in both non-incarcerated and criminal populations was also examined. It was concluded that no dependable predictive relationship between violent fantasies and wickedly hazardous behaviour was reported in the available literature and suggestions of issues that mental health professionals may think about when gauging whether a particular violent fantasy is a sign for concern requiring rise to a duty in protecting others. At last, this paper is very interesting in that it is greatly unbiased and clearly discusses both the harmful aspects of fantasy as well as the innocent or un-harmful aspects, thus showing the importance of distinguishing between the two possibilities, which must be said, is something that is lacking in the papers previously reviewed. Gellerman and Suddath (2005) explained in detail the definition of violent fantasy for the purpose of their paper which must be credited as again, not many papers in this field have done so. They expressed their perception of violent fantasy as a thought in which an individual imagines physically harming a fellow human being in some way. They explain that the content of individual fantasies may vary from anything such as murder, sexual assault, or inappropriate sexual activity. It is emphasised that fantasy must be distinguished from an intention, in that the imaginary violence is not instantaneously designed to guide or prepare for action. On the other hand, it is said that any expression of intention to harm another person is when we should have cause for concern as this is without doubt communicating a â€Å"threat† rather than a fantasy. Gellerman and Suddath (2005) noted two important points in terms of distinguishing between fantasy being harmless or harmful, firstly, while not instantaneously aimed at guiding action, fantasy has been illustrated as serving a number of clinical functions, including control and relief of anxiety and substitution for action therefore harmless to others and at the same time very useful to the fantasizer, secondly, from a harmful perspective fantasy may also be preparation for action and it is from this perspective that concern should be heightened in the evaluation of dangerousness and the duty to protect. Gellerman and Suddath (2005) go on to give balanced examples of both harmless and harmful fantasies. In their comparisons of both sides and in both populations, un-incarcerated and criminal, together with their overall review of the literature they used, they suggest that as fantasies of murder were fairly common in general Western European and American populations, and a range of fantasies of aggression and sexual violence were less common, but were by no means rare, people should bear in mind that this high prevalence of homicidal and sexually aggressive fantasy can only make us question then, to what extent can such fantasies be considered deviant. In addition it should be highlighted that Gellerman and Suddath (2005) found that existing studies have evidently established that many more individuals have homicidal and sexually violent fantasies than act on them. The relationship between violent fantasy and behaviour in these studies was correlative at best, and no suggestions were given in attempt to identifying the minority of individuals with violent fantasies who may be at risk of acting them out. Altogether, it was concluded that predictors better than fantasies alone are the eminence of the fantasies, the concern with them, and the level of preparation and detail, and the history of any past violent behaviours all need to be looked at collectively (Gellerman & Suddath, 2005). Another study of interest where aggressive fantasies seek personal pleasure but in a paradoxical way is that of Selby, Anestis & Joiner (2007). They reported that suicidal individuals regularly report the reoccurrence of fantasy where they can visualise their death by suicide very clearly in their imagination, almost like watching it on TV. Selby et al (2007) found that many unremittingly suicidal individuals are thought to have a romantic affection for death and as a result, connect themselves in vivid fantasies or daydreams about the process and the after-effects. This somewhat idealistic thought process even appears to be a pleasant motion for them. In desperation of escape from torment and pain (Baumeister, 1990), it seems that the act of suicide is the answer and therefore thinking about the liberation that death would present, perhaps enables suicidal individuals to experience positive affects similar to that of non-suicidal individuals daydreaming or fantasizing about future life events such as holidays (Selby et al, 2007). This daydreaming may actually be a form of emotion dysregulation, in suicidal individuals, one that would appear, perhaps paradoxically, to increase positive affect yet may increase later risk for serious suicidal behaviour. This psychological state was also considered by Zelin et al (1983). Revenge Fantasies Suicidal behaviour, just like the fantasies they provoke, vary in content and from person to person however for the purpose of this review it should be mentioned that revenge fantasies among many other things, can often be the cause for suicidal behaviour (Mardi & Harowitz, 2007). In one way the reason behind the fantasies are similar per se; feelings of rage shame guilt etc., but in another way very different; often unwanted and uncontrollable. Revenge fantasies are described as being beyond normal bitter thoughts and sometimes dangerous. The study conducted by Mardi & Harowitz (2007) was an attempt to seek solutions to a hypothetical case demonstrating a problem existing in clinical practice. The method behind this is for the authors to review current data on prevalence, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment and ultimately conclude treatment recommendations. Again it is brought to attention that the quantity of literature addressing fantasy is limited, Mardi & Harowitz (2007) pointed out at the beginning of their paper that revenge fantasies have been discussed in literature, however not adequately addressed, a problem common for most papers in this review. Like all other fantasies per se, revenge fantasies can provide a sense of reinstated purpose and regain of control in an otherwise traumatized life and purely for this purpose it is imperative to assist traumatized individuals in recognizing this. Mardi & Harowitz (2007) split the scenario up into sections in sequence to how step by step the scenario would be assessed and addressed in a clinical setting. All important techniques and procedures were discussed such as, the importance of techniques in psychotherapy being put in place with the much needed interpretations and reappraisals and with careful differentiation of rational and irrational beliefs. It was explained that it is then, that the function of revenge fantasies as giving an illusion of strength can be interpreted. Mardi & Harowitz (2007) suggest the fact that the results of therapy may be attenuation of symptoms, and revenge fantasies are deep-rooted, there is an important need for informing the patients that revenge fantasies are likely to return, and are frequently generated by things as simple as seeing a movie, being hurt, or entering an irritated mood as a result of fatigue. Mardi & Harowitz (2007) go on to explain that the professional should help the patient plan a comeback, which can engage in reviewing a pre-established set of ideas, overall they express that their goal is to help the patient gain a sense of restored control, self-esteem, and self-coherence without resorting to the ‘strong-me’ property of a revenge fantasy. Taking into account the apparent lack of topic specific resources that provide general information on the influences of fantasy in the general public, and the gaps that seem wide open between studies in fantasy, it seems fair to say that the beginning would be a good place to start. As a result the current study will seek to investigate attitudes of the general public toward fantasies, looking to find out what they think fantasies might be and to what extent they think it is normal for people to have them. It will be hypothesised that most people will believe that a fantasy is a mere thought of imagination detached from reality to satisfy emotional desires without logical or moral constraints and likewise most people will agree that it is normal to have fantasies. It is expected that more people will agree, than disagree, that it is ok and can be accepted as normal for people to have homicidal fantasies. Method Design A between-participants point biserial correlation will be used to analyse the data. The independent variables will be the self report personality inventory (IPIP-NEO) and the attitude measuring questions and the dependent variable will be participants score on the IPIP-NEO and the attitude score. Variables such as gender, age, marital status, housing tenure, regions, employment status, income bracket and criminal convictions will also be considered in relation to participant response to both independent variables. Participants According to G Power participant number should be 191, however, for an equal balance, it will be at least 100 males and 100 females. The male and female participants will be ages of or between 21 and 65, and split between four regions (Glasgow, Paisley, Edinburgh & Dundee). Apparatus Participant information sheets (PIS) and consent forms will be given along with questionnaires that will be used to measure psychopathic personality traits (IPIP-NEO) and attitudes on aggressive revenge fantasies. Each participant will be given the same questionnaire to complete. The statistical analysis programme SPSS will be used to analyse and correlate the data. Procedure Each participant will be given a brief introduction of the study and asked if they are willing to take part, if they are willing then they will be asked to carefully read the PIS, sign the consent form, which will be detached from the questionnaire as they will be anonymous, and complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of a self-report personality inventory, the International Personality Item Pool – NEO (IPIP-NEO) developed by Witt, Donnellan & Blonigen (2009), of which permission for use was granted by Edward A. Witt. This 40 item inventory will measure the psychopathic personality traits of fearless dominance (20 items) and Impulsive Antisociality (20 items) to assess how high or low participants score in comparison with each other. A four-option multiple response (False, Mostly False, Mostly True, True) format and a Likert-type scale will be used (False = 1, Mostly False = 2, Mostly True = 3, True = 4) to measure the data. In exception, the 1st, 4th, 9th, 14th, 15th,16th and 17th questions of Fearless Dominance will be measured in reverse scale. The second part of the questionnaire consists of 10 questions regarding attitudes toward people having revenge fantasies. Again, a four-option multiple response (strongly disagree, disagree, agree, strongly agree) format and a Likert-type scale will be used (strongly disagree = 1, disagree = 2, agree = 3, strongly agree = 4) to measure the data. Reference Baumeister, R. F. (1990). Suicide as Escape from Self. Psychological Review, 97, 90-113. Egan, V. & Campbell, V. (2009) Sensational Interests, Sustaining Fantasies and Personality Predict Physical Aggression. Personality and Individual Differences, 47, 464-469 Gellerman, D. M. & Suddath, R. (2005). Violent Fantasy, Dangerousness, and the Duty to Warn and Protect. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatric Law, 33, 484-495. Greenwald, D. F. & Harder, D. W. (1994). Sustaining Fantasies and Psychopathology in a Normal Sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 50, 705-708. Greenwald, D. F. & Harder, D. W. (1995). Sustaining Fantasies, Daydreams, and Psychopathology. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51, 719-726. Greenwald, D. F. & Harder, D. W. (1997). Fantasies, Coping Behaviour, and Psychopathology. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53, 91-97. Harder, D. W. & Zelin, M. L. (1984). Sustaining Fantasies and Self-Concept Among College Students. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 40, 743-748 Mardi, J. & Harowitz, M. D. (2007). Understanding and Ameliorating Revenge Fantasies in Psychotherapy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164, 24-27. Selby, E. A., Anestis, M. D. & Joiner Jr, T. E. (2007). Daydreaming About Death: Violent Daydreaming as a Form of Emotion Dysregulation in Suicidality. Behavior Modification, 31, 867-879. Singer, J. L. & Antrobus, J. S. (1972). Daydreaming, Imaginal Processes and Personality: A Normative Study. In P. W. Sheehan (Ed.). The function and nature of imagery. (pp. 175-202). New York: Academic Press. Witt, E. A., Donnellan, M. B. & Blonigen, D. M. (2009). Using Existing Self-Report Inventories to Measure the Psychopathic Personality Trait of Fearless Dominance and Impulsive Antisociality. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 1006-1016. Zelin, M. L., Bernstein, S. B., Heijn, C., Jampel, R. M., Myerson, P. G., Adler, G., Buie, D. H. & Rizzuto, A. M. (1983). The Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire: Measurement of Sustaining Functions in Psychiatric Inpatients. Journal of Personality Assessment, 47, 427- 439.   

The Future of NATO

The Future of NATO Introduction The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) when signing the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 declared that the organization would diligently work towards the unification of their combined defense in the preservation of peace and security.1Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Future of NATO specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The utmost danger to these goals was an armed attack by an unfriendly power. The insight resulted in the treaty’s most renowned provision as entrenched in Article V. It states that the parties to the treaty had concurred that a military attack against any of the members in Europe or North America would be regarded as an invasion against them all. However, the purpose for creating NATO has been objectively investigated by several interested parties of researchers and academicians including Lord Ismay to examine if NATO has a future given the contemporary security environment. In f act, Ismay formulated that the main objective of founding the alliance in 1949 was â€Å"to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down†.2 Six decades later, the mission has been achieved. However, the modern democratic Germany does not present any security threat. The effective collapse of the Soviet Union has resulted in a Russia that is incapable of presenting substantial military or conceptual threat to Europe effectively making NATO unnecessary from this perspective. The United States has played a vital role in ensuring that its national interests are permanently protected. Some quarters have suggested that the US has played its part in the alliance and should now leave. At the same time, NATO has achieved its mission in accordance with the treaty that created it. The accomplishment of these important missions somehow leaves NATO close to obsolete. NATO consequently requires restructuring and revamping to reflect on the realities of the 21st century.Adv ertising Looking for essay on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Evidently, the role of NATO remains important in view of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and increasing terrorism activities that threaten its members and non-members in equal measures. The security concerns of the 21st century and interconnected aspects offer NATO a new lease of life and a future. Main Body Initial paradox During the final decades of the 20th century, NATO was faced with a paradox. â€Å"The battle that the alliance had created to confront and conquer known as the conformist conflict in Europe terminated without bloodshed†.3 This almost made NATO irrelevant. Strangely, when the alliance relaxed, armed chaos exploded in the Balkans. As a result, Europe was caught in the violence. NATO’s response appeared to be sluggish given that the enormous task of merging the expanse increased with t he flop of Yugoslavia. In a timely manner, the alliance made the right resolution by intervening to terminate a violent war and remaining to maintain peace. The alliance assumed the responsibility of reconciling the former rivals into the transatlantic fold. This was a feat and the realization of one of the objectives of the European unity as stipulated in the Treaty. Reaching an agreement on both counts was taxing. However, the leaders of the alliance fixed the course of European history in a style that would offer enhanced safety, refuge and opportunity for all.4 Modern paradox The alliance is inherently faced by another paradox in its operation. The key member of the alliance in terms of finance and military capability enabled the United States to accomplish its mission as envisaged in the formation of the alliance. It has secured its interests globally by using the provisions of the treaty. Besides, it has managed to neutralize major threats to its national and regional security through ISAF and direct military actions. The paradox that faces the alliance emerges from these facts and demands gallant and extensive resolutions.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Future of NATO specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The transatlantic region is less susceptible to conformist conflict now and in the foreseeable future. Since the alliance was designed to protect the community and the region from threat, it is still busy pursuing this mission despite lack of any potential threat. However, renewed threats to the region took a twist though not directly after the 9/11 attack on the American landmarks. Citizens of ninety countries died during the attacks on the Pentagon and New York. The consequences were economically felt globally. Through ISAF, NATO’s responsibility expanded to the global arena through the deployment of troops to Afghanistan to combat terrorists responsible for the attacks. For a number of countries, the shift to democracy has progressed in fits and starts. These include NATO’s neighbors. Economically weaker states face the hitches of controlling their areas and affording urgent needs for their populations. Under the umbrella of ISAF, NATO has a future as its assistance is required in these countries and regions. Terrorism mushrooms in these weaker countries. If first world countries are to effectively defend themselves against terrorism, they must support NATO in its endeavor to eliminate terrorist shells in these emerging economies. This globalizes the increasingly multifaceted threats. The 2004 Madrid and 2005 London and multiple deterred attacks illustrated what transnational radical groups pursue to spread across the multiple verges of shared transatlantic region. The unwelcomed visitor of international terrorism accompanied by social, racial and spiritual strife is augmented by other threats. There are other threats that are creating their cour se towards the transatlantic zone from unanticipated quarters.Advertising Looking for essay on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The dangers touch all countries similarly and no country is immune.5 This realization requires the partnership with NATO giving it a new role in future. The origins of these threats cling to globalization and shrouded within the economic networks that fuel the engines of global economy. For example, the essentials to construct biological weapons and the resources for their delivery possess a trend of masking behind millions of ordinary vessels meant for genuine trade. Computer-generated networks transmit novel ideas and chances at immeasurable speeds yet prowling in the data streams are fresh susceptibilities to trade and national security. When the Alliance was formed, cyber-crime and related threats did not present the region with substantial threats. These dangers advanced by technology require the alliance to review the mandate of NATO. In so doing, NATO will have extra responsibilities in future. Technological threats are currently the most probable source of global insecurity. Additionally, piracy, which for hundreds of years has been consigned to irritating levels, is on the increase. Illicit networks traffic artilleries, drugs and human are forming long vague shadows traversing international boundaries. The doubt of consistent energy provisions has the prospect in the disruption of livelihoods and trade at an extraordinary measure. Above this milieu of threats is a financial crisis of momentous degree. These emerging challenges to safety and security offer NATO a lifeline. Piracy activities have seemingly subdued contemporary measures by security agencies. This offers NATO a chance to help the world deal with piracy in collaboration with the agencies and nation-states. Expanding Jurisdiction The NATO leadership is alive to the emerging realities and challenges of the 21st century. NATO is re-inventing itself to deal with the threats to its interests in economic and security frontier. In the last five years, NATO forces have been deployed in its largest operation in history. The alliance has trained over 150,000 police and army forces to combat ferocious insurgence in Afghanistan, which is more than five thousand kilometers from its headquarters in Brussels.6 This is a departure from the initial objective of the Treaty and evidence of embracing global responsibility. In Balkan, there are various martial personnel devoted towards advancing firmness and amity.7 NATO ships prowl the high seas off the East African coast to combat the increasing piracy menace associated mostly with the Somali instability. Although the United States has played a vital role and close to accomplishing its mission with NATO, it remains an important partner in the role played by NATO in securing its interests globally. Its interest particularly in East Africa has been a target by terrorists who find it difficult to execute their mission in the American soil. As a result, withdrawal from the alliance in pursuit of other commitments would have dire consequenc es for the US.8 The intensive investment in training and deploying of troops to different locations further indicates the alliance members’ intention to ensure that NATO continues to have a position in the global security sphere. Renewed responsibilities The rate of operation by NATO demonstrates that even though the world security setting has altered, the alliance’s raison d’etre has not. It is the continuing responsibility of transatlantic community to assist nations, the alliance and entire world in addressing the grave and frequently detached threats that endanger the world. In this view, NATO will remain a beacon of unwavering peace and liberty in Europe as was the case in the 20th century. In an address to the NATO members, the Secretary of State named Hillary Clinton informed that the alliance was being challenged by circumstances to deal with greater challenges in the history of mankind. The secretary stated that to meet the challenges the alliance neede d to renovate and fortify their partnerships.9 The challenge by the secretary was positively received by the 28 leaders of the alliance. In November 2010, the leaders undertook the bold and enormous role of setting forward the vision on how the alliance through NATO would confront the security tasks of the present and the future effectively offering a future to NATO. In order to modernize and strengthen NATO, the leaders began with the development of a new Strategic Concept. The concept was launched on the platform of the initial premise offered by the earlier transatlantic visions, which included that the Transatlantic Alliance is a society of associates organized by a set of shared beliefs.10 Strategic Concept The NATO leadership realizes the need to develop a concept that will reflect on the changing security environment and reinvent the alliance to face the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. The strategy is composed of two fundamental and sturdy pillars. The first pillar is combined defense called the pledge (preserved in Article V of the Washington Treaty) meant to react to the aggression touching one as aggression touching all. With the Balkans and neighboring countries joining the alliance, the responsibility of NATO has been increasing despite the fact that the region does not face immediate threat.11 The collective defense precept means that NATO will remain an essential alternative in case of imminent threats. The second pillar of the alliance is co-operative security. The leaders appreciate that security issues need to be addressed proactively as opposed to being ready and reacting to threats that may ensue. Such cooperation is particularly important for the security agencies. The agencies need to work in tandem and synergically to forecast probable security scenarios.12 In implementing the strategic plan of the alliance leadership, NATO has in the last two decades been extending the ideology of partnership. Observably, the scope and value o f the alliance’s partnership has remarkably improved. This has enabled NATO to increase its presence in the global security arena. In an array of ways, NATO is regaining its relevance in the international security community through renewed commitment to partnering with compatible countries and security agencies on shared security concerns. This approach is important in differentiating the NATO of the Cold War era and subsequent years from the NATO of today. This is an affirmative leap forward for the future of NATO. The partnerships have enabled NATO to correctly construct the right competences, logistical and structural capacity in addressing security concerns of the present and the future.13 With the strategic concept in place, nations inside and outside the transatlantic zone are regaining their confidence in NATO. In recent years, NATO in collaboration with likeminded countries effectively created a no-go-zone in Libya that culminated in the ouster and consequent killing of one of the Africa’s most intimidating autocratic President called Muammar Gaddafi. This demonstrated that NATO still has a role to play in enhancing global security. Without the intervention of NATO, the war propagated against civilians would have spilled to the neighboring countries and probably to the entire African continent. The dismantling of piracy cartels along the coast of East Africa signifies that NATO still has a future. It has a role in stabilizing diverse world locations. Unique capability for security organization The parties that are members of the transatlantic alliance possess huge economic, political and military potential. With the largest percentage of its military and structural organization being funded by the world’s most influential economy, NATO has a unique capability for organizing security and operating in any environment through the marshaling of influential forces. This means that like-minded countries are keen to ensure that NATO remai ns as a partner in global security issues. While the security setting has altered significantly, the core ideals, the roles of collective defense and cooperative security, as well as the shared capabilities continue to be the essential basis of the alliance.14 With more countries around the world sensing the increasing threats from different corners including terrorism, the role of NATO will become relevant and necessary in future. These countries will be willing to assist and cooperate with NATO to improve security. They will offer financial and military support to the alliance. The departure of the US from the alliance will have an impact on NATO, but countries which feel that being affiliated with NATO is beneficial to their security will join efforts to fit in the US position in the alliance.15 Organizational structures Strategic Concept adopted by NATO leadership with a global aspect with the transatlantic zone acting as a security hub indicates that shareholders in the securit y region are keen to actualize the role of NATO in future. The future of sponsored organizations heavily depends on the well-wish of the partners. The suggestion by the stakeholders to realign NATO structures is a clear indication that it has a future. They are ready to investing in capabilities, training and mutual command structure that interlink the partners into a cohesive whole.16 NATO requires the assistance of security agencies and military support from outside the transatlantic region to avert security threats emanating from continents such as Asia and Africa propagated by terrorism networks like AL Qaeda. Such cooperation will ensure that the endeavors as envisaged in Article V are attained.17 The restructuring to involve international players is an indication that it has a future full of responsibilities that require distribution of responsibilities.18 New capabilities The United States has for decades played a dominant role in NATO. It has committed its economic and milit ary power to the preservation of peace, stability and security in Europe after the destructions of the Second World War.19 The termination of cold war, the downfall of the Berlin Wall and the breakdown of Warsaw Pact obligated NATO to discover a new responsibility to remain relevant in the eyes of the sponsors. By the end of the 20th century, the welfares of the US in the European continent had been entrenched firmly on irreversibility. Economically, Europe provides a rich market for the United States. The US economy will not succeed without an affluent Europe and vice versa. Although majority of the alliance members are cutting on defense spending, withdrawal of funding by the US as having accomplished its mission within NATO poses a major threat to the security and economies of the two continents and the world in general.20 NATO is a major conduit for the US in Europe hence America’s withdrawal and ‘returning home’ is ill-advised with dire consequences. For all intents and purposes, the US is virtually a member of the European Union without formally stating so in the treaty.21 There are strong indications from President Barrack Obama administration that the US is committed to fight emerging security threats through NATO. The fight against terrorism is complex.22 It requires expert approach. NATO offers sufficient expertise to execute the responsibility consequently earning a future in global security responsibilities. Given the history of NATO, it is easy to build new capabilities through it as opposed to establishing an entirely new organization. In this view, having accomplished the mission in Europe, it is the interest of the US for NATO to advance geographically as threats become spread outside Europe but with the same impact as if the threats were directly emanating from Europe. The EU has made significant steps in ensuring that the presence of the United States is not far-reaching. The countries have grown militarily and politically in leaps and bounds. They now have the capacity to stand on their own without essentially having the US partake in main or trivial roles.23 The European countries now admit that peacekeeping in the continent is their key responsibility. However, the economic interests of the US in Europe do not allow it to withdraw from the continent in totality. To safeguard its interests in Europe, the US will have to engage the services of NATO. This is yet another reason why NATO has a role to play in future. The US will employ the tactic of retrenching from Europe in a setting that it remains a partner and can send its military as well as offer support but cease running the show and bearing the risks. As has been the case in the recent years, the US will continue to expand the NATO mandate to other global locations to safeguard its interests. The US engagement with NATO will increase irrespective of the security environment and the funding will most likely increase. However, the engagement wit h Europe will be based on the needs of military backing. Irrespective of the need for backing, the US will ensure that NATO is well funded to effectively handle any unpredicted security threat. The US appears to continuously underline the criticality of subsidizing NATO activities and tackling 10-vital competencies. Key among these capabilities is warhead defense, computer-generated and civil-military cooperation. This approach in altering and increasing the responsibility of NATO while the leading sponsor gives it a future full of global responsibilities in countering threats as opposed to being restricted to transatlantic roles. â€Å"The 21st century dangers of extremism, the spread of weapons of mass destruction and cybercrime further justify the continuity of NATO into the future.†24 The non-member countries require to be assured by NATO that despite their non-membership to the alliance, NATO will reciprocate assistance when needed in order to maintain global peace and s ecurity. In this respect, NATO needs to review its objectives with a clear consideration of the changing security environment since the contemporary threats extend beyond ‘armed aggression’ as described in Article V. This way, the countries will give NATO logistic, military and financial support, and an operational future. America would readily approve such a move. Inevitability, the US is focusing its attention from the transatlantic region to combat contemporary threats of terrorism and cybercrime that mainly originate from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. NATO’s failure to embrace increasing global security responsibility will likely see the US losing interest in investing in the alliance’s future with NATO.25 NATO should partner with likeminded countries to effectively execute its global security mandate such as Australia and Japan. When such non-member countries provide significant military support, they should form part of the operative planning pro cedures even though they have no vote in the considerations.26 This way, NATO will have a busy future with mandate beyond that stipulated in the Treaty and particularly Article V. Conclusions and recommendations The future of NATO is increasingly challenged by social, economic and political factors. The future of the alliance is gradually being influenced by the diminishing security threats in the European continent. The stability and diffusion of threats has been facilitated by NATO which has played a central role for decades. The end of cold war, the collapse of the Berlin Wall and stability in the region has placed NATO in a paradox as to what role it should play having accomplished its initial mission of collective defense and security cooperation. Additionally, European countries are increasingly becoming militarily independent. Most countries in the regions have attained military capacity to defend their homeland from external aggression. The threats that had brought the count ries together in an alliance have significantly decreased. The threats are spread to other global locations. This waters-down the role of NATO in the transatlantic region. However, the future of NATO is still promising given the changing security environment. In order to maintain its relevance, NATO, its members and leaderships require adapting to the current and emerging security threats of the 21st century. The leadership and members of the alliance should seek ways to restructure NATO command to accommodate membership with a global representation. The dangers that are likely to threaten the transatlantic alliance will emerge from outside the region. The move by NATO to increase its security surveillance in Africa, Middle East and the coasts off East Africa is commendable but it requires increasing its presence to the global arena. It is also imperative for NATO to combine its identity of ‘defensive alliance’ with ‘instrument of intervention’ in Europe an d afar. In view of the ongoing crisis in Syria, it is evident that the US is a key player in NATO. The Barrack Obama administration has neglected the humanitarian crisis in Syria by refusing to offer extra funding to NATO. Evidently, the departure of the US from NATO will create a global crisis in security. It should hence be the responsibility of NATO leadership to ensure that the relationship between the US and the transatlantic alliance remains intact. The members should, therefore, commit to funding NATO’s operations to avert security threats that may spill to the region. Currently, the US population feels that the alliance members have neglected their responsibility by cutting on military funding thus effectively leaving the US taxpayer to bear the burden. Despite these circumstances, NATO still has a future in combating emerging global security threats. BROOK, Tom. NATO Still has a Vital Role, Secretary General says. March 2013 [cited 29 January 2014]. Available from W orld Wide Web usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/25/nato-anders-fogh-rasmussen/2870679/. CURTIN, Mary. The Role of NATO in Today’s World. August 2013. [cited 29 January 2014]. Available from World Wide Web startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/211628261.html. Daadler, I. A New Alliance for a New Century. The RUSI Journal, 2010, vol. 155 no. 5, p. 6-10. ERLANGER, Steven. Shrinking Europe Military Spending Stirs Concern. January 2013. [cited 29 January 2014]. Available from World Wide Web nytimes.com/2013/04/23/world/europe/europes-shrinking-military-spending-under-scrutiny.html?pagewanted=all. Goldgeier, J. The Future of NATO. Council on Foreign Relations, 2010, vol. 51,no. 1, p. 1-33. Hallams, E. Benjamin, S. Towards a ‘Post-American’ Alliance? NATO Burden-Sharing after Libya. International Affairs, 2012, vol. 88, no. 2, p. 313–327. KARL, Kaiser. Does NATO Have a Future? For Better or for Worse. March 2008. [cited 29 January 2014]. Available from World Wide Web spiegel.de/international/europe/does-nato-have-a-future-for-better-or-for-worse-a-557914.html. Kashmeri, Sarwar. NATO: Reboot or Delete? Washington, D.C: Potomac Books, Inc., 2011. Print. MANEA, Octavian. Lord Ismay, Restated. February 2010. [cited 29 January 2014]. Available from World Wide Web http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/lord-ismay-restated. Michaels, J. NATO after Libya. The RUSI Journal, 2011, vol. 156, no. 6, p. 56-61. NATO Public Diplomacy Division. A Short History of NATO. PDF file [online]. 2012-[cited 2014-01-29]. nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_publications/20120412_ShortHistory_en.pdf. NATO Public Diplomacy Division. In NATO Handbook [online]. Brussels (Belgium): NATO Public Diplomacy Division, 2006-[cited 2014-01-29]. NATO Public Diplomacy Division. In NATO in Focus. PDF file [online]. 2012-[cited 2014-01-29]. nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_publications/1303-nato_in_focus-en.pdf. NATO Public Diplomacy Division. In Strategic Concept for the Defence and Security of the Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [online]. 2010-[cited 2014-01-29]. nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_publications/20120214_strategic-concept-2010-eng.pdf. STRATCON10EN / 1959-10. NESNERA, Andre. NATO/US Role. June 2013. [cited 29 January 2014]. Available from World Wide Web fas.org/man/nato/news/1999/990426-nato.htm Pachoud, Jeff. Has NATO Outlived its Usefulness? France: Agence France Press, 2013, Print. Racius, E. Lithuania in the NATO Mission in Afghanistan: Between Idealism and Pragmatism. Luthuanian Annual Strategic Review, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 187-207. Rostoks, T. Baltic States and NATO: Looking Beyond the Article V. Strategic and Defence Studies, vol. 4, no. 44, p. 1-12. Simon, Jeffrey. The Future of the Alliance: Is Demography Destiny? Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2010. Print. Yost, D. NATO’s Evolving Purposes and the Next Strategic Concept. International Affairs, vol. 86, no. 2, p. 489-522. Footnotes 1 NATO Public Diplomacy Division, NATO Handbook. 2 Manea, O., Lord Ismay, Restated, p. 1. 3 Daadler, I., A New Alliance for a New Century, p. 6. 4 Daadler, I., A New Alliance for a New Century, p. 6. 5 Daadler, I., A New Alliance for a New Century, p. 6. 6 Racius, E., Lithuania in the NATO Mission in Afghanistan: Between Idealism and Pragmatism, P. 188. 7 Rostoks, T., Baltic States and NATO: Looking Beyond the Article V, p. 2. 8 Kashmeri, S., NATO: Reboot or Delete? p. 48. 9 Daadler, I., A New Alliance for a New Century, p. 7. 10 Kashmeri, S., NATO: Reboot or Delete? p.56. 11 Yost, D., NATO’s Evolving Purposes and the Next Strategic Concept, p. 491. 12 Pachoud, J., Has NATO Outlived its Usefulness? p. 3. 13 Simon, J., The Future of the Alliance: Is Demography Destiny? p. 201. 14 Curtin, M., The Role of NATO in Today’s World, p. 1. 15 Pachoud, J., Has NATO Outlived its Usefulness? p. 4. 16 Curtin, M., The Role of NATO in Today’s World, p. 1. 17 Michaels, J., NATO after Libya , p. 58. 18 Karl, K., Does NATO Have a Future? For Better or for Worse, p. 1. 19 Nesnera, A., NATO/US Role, p. 1. 20 Erlanger, S., Shrinking Europe Military Spending Stirs Concern, p. 1. 21 Brook, T., NATO Still has a Vital Role, Secretary General says, p. 1. 22 Michaels, J., NATO after Libya, p. 59. 23 Nesnera, A., NATO/US Role, p. 1. 24 Goldgeier, J., The Future of NATO, p. 4. 25 Hallams E. Benjamin, S., Towards a ‘Post-American’ Alliance? NATO Burden-Sharing after Libya, p. 320. 26 Hallams E. Benjamin, S., Towards a ‘Post-American’ Alliance? NATO Burden-Sharing after Libya, p. 320.

How Itching Works and Why Scratching an Itch Feels Good

How Itching Works and Why Scratching an Itch Feels Good Humans and other animals itch for a variety of reasons. Scientists believe the underlying purpose of the annoying sensation (called pruritus) is so we can remove parasites and irritants and protect our skin. However, other things can lead to itching, including drugs, diseases, and even a psychosomatic response. How Itching Works While drugs and disease typically stimulate itching because of a chemical response, most of the time the sensation is a result of skin irritation. Whether the irritation starts from dry skin, a parasite, an insect bite, or chemical exposure, the itch-sensing nerve fibers (called pruriceptors) become activated. Chemicals that activate the fibers may be histamine from inflammation, opioids, endorphins, or the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and serotonin. These nerve cells are a special type of C-fiber, structurally like the C-fibers that transmit pain, except they send a different signal. Only about 5% of C-fibers are pruriceptors. When stimulated, pruriceptor neurons fire a signal to the spinal cord and the brain, which stimulates a rubbing or scratching reflex. In contrast, the response to the signal from pain receptors is an avoidance reflex. Scratching or rubbing an itch stops the signal by stimulating pain receptors and touch receptors in the same region. Drugs and Diseases That Make You Itch Since the nerve fibers for itching are in the skin, it makes sense most itching starts there. Psoriasis, shingles, ringworm, and chicken pox are conditions or infections that affect the skin. However, some drugs and illnesses can cause itching without underlying skin irritation. The antimalarial drug chloroquine is known to cause severe itching as a common side effect. Morphine is another drug known to cause itching. Chronic itching can result from multiple sclerosis, certain cancers, and liver disease. The ingredient that makes peppers hot, capsaicin, can cause itching as well as pain. Why Scratching an Itch Feels Good (But Isnt) The most satisfying relief for an itch is to scratch it. When you scratch, neurons fire pain signals to your brain, which temporarily overrides the itching sensation. The feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin is released to provide relief from the pain. Essentially, your brain rewards you for scratching. However, a study conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates scratching ultimately intensifies the itch because serotonin binds 5HT1A receptors in the spinal cord that activate GRPR neurons that stimulate more itchiness. Blocking serotonin isnt a good solution for people suffering chronic itching because the molecule is also responsible for growth, bone metabolism, and other key processes. How to Stop Itching So, scratching an itch, while pleasurable, is not a good way to stop itching. Getting relief depends on the cause of the pruritis. If the issue is skin irritation, it may help to cleanse the area with a gentle soap and apply an unscented lotion. If inflammation is present, an antihistamine (e.g., Benadryl), calamine, or hydrocortisone may help. Most pain relievers dont diminish itchiness, but opioid antagonists  offer relief to some people. Another option is to expose skin to sunlight or ultraviolet light (UV) therapy, apply a cold pack, or apply a few electrical zaps. If itching persists, its a good idea to see a doctor to check for underlying medical conditions or itching in response to a drug. If you absolutely cant resist the urge to scratch, try rubbing the area rather than scratching it. If all else fails, a German study indicates you can lessen itching by looking into a mirror and scratching the corresponding non-itching body part. Itching Is Contagious Are you getting itchy reading this article? If so, its a completely normal reaction. Itching, like yawning, is contagious. Doctors who treat itchy patients often find themselves scratching as well. Writing about itching leads to itchiness (trust me on this). Researchers have found people attending lectures on itching scratch themselves a lot more often than if they were learning about a different topic. There may be an evolutionary advantage to scratching when you see another person or animal do it. Its likely a good indicator you might want to check for biting insects, parasites, or irritating plants.

Almarai food company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Almarai food company - Essay Example The entrepreneurs imported plants, cows and knowledge from other countries (The Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce 3). The dairy industry has attracted a number of players but they are limited by widespread water shortage across the country. The major players in the industry include the Almarai Food Company which was established in 1976; Al safi Denone established in 1979; Nada dairy; Nadec and other smaller companies. The four organizations hold approximate market share of about 41.7%, 20.7%, 8% and 14% respectively (Pendleton 2). The companies started by producing plain lifelong milk but due to demand they have also included flavored lifelong milk. The government has over the years capped the growth of the dairy industry (Al-Otaibi and Robinson 2). This has made people to resort to the use of powdered milk made by Irish companies. There are very few players in the dairy industry in the Saudi Arabian market which makes structure of the industry to be oligopolistic (Al-Asfoor 1). This means that a slight change of the price by one player will have a big impact on competitors. Unlike it is elsewhere in the world where the outlets buy daily products from manufactures, outlet operators in Saudi Arabia do not buy but sell products for the manufacturers. The risk of excess stock is borne by the manufacturers. ... The government helps the producers to reach an agreement on shelf space in the outlets and prices both at wholesale and retail levels whenever there is a problem. The competition among the players in the Saudi Arabia dairy industry is mainly price. This is because there is less differentiation of their products (Al-Asfoor 2). Whenever one of the companies lowers the price for its products, customers are likely to abandon other products in its favor. This makes others also to lower their so as to compete favorably. This has made economic advisors to advice the companies in this industry to differentiate their products as a way of avoiding cutthroat price competition. The Saudi Arabian dairy industry has grown to be very competitive in the gulf region (Pendleton 1). Almarai Food Copany, the biggest food manufacturing company in the industry entered into collaboration with Pepsi Company. This has enabled it to conquer markets in the Gulf region, Africa, and the Far East. This has been p ossible due to its high quality goods which compete effectively with those produced by international industries (Pendleton 1). Currently, the dairy industry of Saudi Arabia is the leading in the gulf region. It supplies its products to five countries including Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Table 1 shows the market shares of different milk brands in Saudi Arabia between 2007 and 2011. Table 1: Historic Market Shares Government intervention in this industry has been minimal. The government came in when the prices wars threatened to lead the industry to a state of collapse. It helped the competitors in the industry reach agreements to stabilize prices (Uthman 7). In some cases the

STL-2 knowledge based questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

STL-2 knowledge based questions - Essay Example Moreover the type of research in terms of the object of study in also very important. If the object of study is an individual child, than only a single child is observed. However if the object of study is a group of children, than samples size should consist of a number of different groups. The aim of study children in groups is to analyze the behavior of child in a group. This could include the response of child to social phenomenon or just sleeping patterns of children living in groups etc. Therefore an individual child could be observed or the group could be observed as a whole. These observations can enable a researcher or parent to analyze the different needs of the child for example food, sleep etc. From an educational perspective these observations can help establish an understanding into the interests a child is showing. Both parents and doctors can then use this information and compare it with benchmarks to understand the progress in a child’s habits. Thus they can su pport the positive aspects and stop the negative ones. There are different procedures and methods to observing a child. The observations however should not interfere with the normal settings of a child’s daily schedule. This is because the aim of every research is to analyze how the child would perform and work in a normal environment. However if the researcher is not careful in ensuring that the original environment of the child is in intact the entire purpose of the research could be at risk. This is because if the original environment is tampered with the child would lose his routine. The observation in the new routine or state of mind would not be applicable in normal environment of other children. Therefore the validity of research would be severely harmed. The results acquired would have no significance. The best method is that observer should allocate timing according to the subject of observation. This would mean that