Investigation on Rates of a Reaction Essay Example for Free

Investigation on Rates of a Reaction Essay We are changing the concentration of the acid solution to see which has a quicker reaction with the metal. To keep it a fair test I will be keeping the following constant:    The length of the magnesium   The volume of the acid The temperature of the solution and the laboratory in which we carry out the experiment I will not be using a catalyst Prediction Based on my scientific knowledge I predict that as the number moles in a solution (unit at which we measure concentration) increases the speed at which the reaction occurs will also therefore the higher the concentration the faster the reaction takes place. In this view by doubling the concentration theoretically the time taken should half. Apparatus Here is a list of equipment that I will be using during this experiment:    25 x test tubes 5 x test tube racks   500 ml x hydrochloric acid (HCl)   160 ml x distilled water   25 cm x magnesium ribbon (mg) 1 x medium beaker   1 x bung   1 x measuring cylinder   1 x scissors   1 x stop watch   1 x pencil, pen (to label the test tubes) and table for results Method Here is an account of how I will be doing the actual experiment (based on the pilot experiment). Collect the test tubes and place them in the racks, cut magnesium ribbon and collect the acid and distilled water, measure out the following:    20 ml of acid (2 moles of acid)   17. 5 ml of acid and 2. 5 ml of D. water (1. 75 moles )   15 ml of acid and 5 ml of D. water (1. 5 moles )   10 ml of acid and 10 ml of D. water (1. 0 moles ) 5 ml of acid and 15 ml of D. water (0. 5 moles ) Prepare each 5 times and pour into test tubes Use one rack per concentration.   Once each is measured place a bung in the starting test tube and shake vigorously to thoroughly mix the solution. Place one piece of magnesium ribbon into the solution and start the stop clock. Stop the clock once the solution has completely finished reacting (no bubbles are being produced) with the magnesium and record.   Repeat this for all 25 test tubes Calculate the average for each set of results Plot this on a graph NB. D. stands for distilled. In order to ensure that this experiment is safe I will be doing the following: Any bags must be placed securely under the desk.   The experiment must be performed in the centre of the table.   I will only add acid to water. We will be wearing safety goggles at all times. Towels and running water will be nearby in case of any acid spills. Ms Pinion will be supervising all of the experiments. Below shows a diagram whilst the experiment is being performed: Results Concentration (moles) Time for try 1 (secs) Time for try 2 (secs) Time for try 3 (secs) Time for try 4 (secs) Time for try 5 (secs) Average time (secs) 0 Analysis. Looking at the graph I can see that as the concentration increases the time taken for the reaction to occur decreases therefore the rate of reaction increases. As I said in my scientific knowledge this occurs because as the concentration increases obviously the number of particles within the solution also increases. With more particles the chances that the HCl molecules will collide with the magnesium molecules and have enough activation energy increases and so the rate of reaction will increase. You could also read the graph another way, as the time taken for the reaction to occur increases the concentration decreases. The reason behind this is that with fewer molecules of HCl in a weaker acid the fewer the chances that the particles will collide with the magnesium molecules and so the rate of reaction decreases. Between the concentrations 0. 5 moles and 1. 0 mole the line was quite steep; there was a rapid decrease in the time taken for the reaction to complete. A possible reason for this could be that 1. 0 moles is double 0. 5 moles and so because there is double the amount of molecules theoretically the time taken at 1 mole should be half of that taken at 0. 5 moles. My prediction was correct because as the concentration increased the time taken for the reaction to occur decreased therefore resulting in a higher rate of reaction. Evaluation Looking at my results I think that they are quite accurate, the graph is a smooth curve joining 4 out of the 5 points, I received one anomalous result. This was for 1. 5 moles, the result I got was 48 seconds when it should have been 32 seconds. A possible reason for the anomaly could be from the following:-   Too little acid was placed in the solution and so the concentration could have been less than originally expected. Human reaction time is always delayed and so the reaction may have stopped seconds earlier.   The equipment I used may not have been accurate enough, for example I used a measuring cylinder when I could have used a burette to measure the acid and the water.   I judged whether the reaction had finished by looking when it had stopped bubbling; obviously this can be difficult to keep accurate as it is not always easy to tell, in a slow reaction for example bubbles can be produced very slowly, if there is a large gap in time when no bubbles are produced I could assume that the reaction had stopped when it hadnt making the reaction unfair. To over come this, instead I could measure the amount of hydrogen produced in a certain amount of time; to do this I would need a gas syringe. I believe that I repeated my results a suitable amount of times to get a reliable average and I think that my range of results was enough to complete the investigation with suitable proof. Yet based on the information above I could say that the data may not be sufficiently accurate to support a conclusion, despite the fact that my results were as I had expected the question arises that if my results had have been more precise would my results have been different. My result didnt follow a specific pattern but they did decrease as I increased the concentration. If I were to develop this investigation further I would almost certainly repeat the experiment taking into account the information above (possible reasons for the anomalie), by doing this I will be able to establish the whether or not the investigation that I performed this time was inaccurate. If I were to explore other areas of this topic I would look at different metals and how they affect the rat of a reaction, different acids and see what effect they have and I would possibly look into one of the aspects of my scientific knowledge.

Environmental Factors of Human Growth Essay Example for Free

Environmental Factors of Human Growth Essay You often hear the word environment, but do you stop to think what it really means, what it contains, and how it affects you? The actual definition of environment is the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded (Merriam-Webster dictionary). Your environment greatly impacts the way you are as a human being. Each and every one of your life experiences are influenced by your environment. Your environment determines if or how your potential to develop is reached. Family, friends, home, school, etc. re all components of your environment. By reading further, you will witness these factors that affect your personal growth and development being explored and discussed. FAMILY When children are very young, and spend most of their time with their parents and/or other family members family is usually the major human influence in their life. This is also true about most children when they get older and grow into adulthood. Families provide a nurturing environment in which security, protection, satisfaction, and love are given. Physical needs for food and clothing are met. In this environment family members grow to maturity. In a proper family environment a child has positive surroundings, including positive people. when a child is cared for and loved he/she gets ample nutrition, clothing, shelter, rest, interaction/attention, etc. these things help the child grow physically and mentally. the child is surrounded by positivity, therefore the chances of the child maturing into a positive individual are very high. however if a child is raised in an improper family environment, most likely, the opposite will result. e/she will be deprived of the opportunity to fully develop, and has a higher risk of harboring negativity as they age. In the early years families need to meet a babys physical, emotional, and social needs because they are helpless on their own. Eventually, babies discover they are independent and can do things on their own. Family members can provide an environment that promotes the growth of independence and set tasks for children to do by th emselves. Families can also help children learn how to fit into their surroundings. An environment with well defined limits helps young children learn to control their own behavior. A household with reasonable rules and regulations set by parents/guardians gives children a sense of how to be well behaved. The teen years are years of self discovery for teens as they start to depend less on their families. One way your family can encourage your growth as a teen is to allow opportunities to make personal decisions. Taking more responsibilities helps you develop the capability to make your own choices. An encouraging and supportive family environment can help you develop healthy relationships with others. This is because you get knowledge about the way relationships work from your family. It is very hard to develop relationships with any other person if a strong family relationship isnt established. Family Structure: The way a family is structured affects the way a child is raised. For example, a child may only live with one parent, a step parent, their grandparents; there are many combinations of a family structure. Changes in family structure can often affect the familys ability to provide a stimulating environment and can either be negative or positive. There may be more or less money, time/family members to listen, share, encourage, and guide each child. Siblings: Brothers and sisters can be a source of fun, conflict, or competition. They can also learn from each other. Siblings usually continue to interact with each other into adulthood, which can be beneficial to the both of them. Siblings learn to share and cooperate when they interact which, when learned young, instills these habits so that children can share and cooperate with others throughout life. CULTURAL HERITAGE Your familys guidelines and beliefs are part of your heritage. The holidays, food, and religion your are accustomed to are part of your culture. Families pass on their customs and traditions to their children. Your culture and heritage usually help determine many decisions you make in your future. For example, most of the friends you make and keep will probably be of the same heritage and culture you come from. The places you go, like church, celebrations, festivities, etc. are determined by your cultural background. Multicultural influences can altar your relationships with family members as well as impact your values and expectations for your future family. Odds are, if or when you have children you will transfer those same beliefs and traditions that you are used to to them. SCHOOL A quality school environment provides a setting that encourages students to learn and grow. After school activities can provide chances for students to interact with others in clubs or sports. Class curriculum offers courses that stimulate students intellectual growth. Teachers in a quality school environment encourage students by helping them find areas in which they succeed. Teachers also help students find areas in which they need to improve. By doing so, they help students know what decisions to make regarding how to get the most efficient education for them and how they learn best, especially when they get to college. PEERS By interacting with your peers you can make judgements about how you look because you begin to compare your appearance to theirs; how important you are because you compare how much attention they get with how much you get, and how successful you are. The friends you choose now are likely the kind of friends you will make later in life. Your peers can also influence the plans you make for your future. Good friends usually like to stick together so youll often make similar choices about things like school, clothing, activities, mutual friends, etc. Sometimes your peers make choices that you feel are not right for you. This gives you a sense of things youre comfortable with and things youre uncomfortable with. COMMUNITY There are many different types of communities. Each one has its own influence on the people that live there. The community environment is influenced by resources available. Industries or business provide job opportunities for community members. A low crime rate and pleasant surroundings make residents feel secure and protected. And shopping facilities offer convenience. Also, factors like air quality and cleanliness in general affect the health of community members. Growing up in a community with many resources tends to make a good impression on those that reside there. When that is done, people stay in that community. This prevents constant moving and drifting, so the chance to remain established and comfortable is given. TECHNOLOGY Technology is used in our lives everyday. New technologies influence the items you buy, clothes you wear, and things like that. The biggest way new technology has impacted our society is the fact that it has resulted in a higher standard of living. For example, more goods are cheaper, labor-intense jobs are less popular, and health care has improved. Technology can be a negative thing too. Dependence on technology can cause people to judge their quality of life by material things and money, which can lead to the neglect of the growth of personal relationships. Technology can also cause people to take their intelligence for granted. Technological thinking patterns can cause people to think of quick fixes to real life issues that take thorough thinking. This doesnt usually work out well. MEDIA Television, radio, movies, videos, newspapers, magazines, etc. are sources of entertainment and information that affect peoples lives. Media can influence peoples thoughts, viewpoints and decisions without them even being completely aware of the affect it has on them. For some members of society, the people on television are models for them to imitate. They also provide an image for developing friendships and relationships. These images are often false and unrealistic, which causes people to have superficial personalities and appearances. The effects of advertising include how yous spend your money, and choices you make about the items you purchase. Ads stimulate sales and goods of services from different companies so that they can make a profit and establish a good company name. Advertisers are well aware of what appeals to certain people because they do extensive research on these things. Being aware of how advertisements influence you in your daily life can help you make wiser choices.

Different Approaches In Child Psychotherapy Children And Young People Essay

Different Approaches In Child Psychotherapy Children And Young People Essay In this paper, after a summary of explanations of why child psychotherapy is important in 0 to 3 years of age group, some different psychotherapy approaches will be introduced. The paper will be focus on psychoanalytic / psychodynamic models; however, other approaches will be described. Every approach will be examined in theoretical and practical aspects. Introduction The very beginning years of human life attracts the attention of researchers in recent years. Especially in the period of 0-3 years of age, brain development is very fast and also the basis of the characteristic features is discarded. Through the psychotherapy practices with adult patients, the importance of early childhood times on mental health began to understand more. Today we know that early childhood experiences have power to affect rest of ones life in physical, emotional, cognitive or social areas (Movder, Rubinson Yasik, 2009). Therefore, in the early years of childhood, therapeutic interventions are quite valuable to minimize the risk factors of future problems. The main goal of this paper is to make a summary about different approaches in early childhood psychotherapies. Although there are hundreds of different therapy techniques in the literature, this paper will only focus on some of the technique which use in 0- to 3-year-old-children. Psychotherapy in 0- to 3-year-old-children: from past to present The therapeutic work with children had begun with the case of Little Hans who had been analyzed by Freud (1909). Hans was five years old when Freud started to treat him. On the other hand, a two and three-quarters-year-old patient Rita, was treated by Klein (1960). This was the first case study in 0 to 3 years of age group. At the beginning of the therapeutic work with children, it was known the effect of the psychoanalytic ideas. Later, child psychologists, who work with different schools, developed different approaches and different techniques. Some of them were non-directive and took the child to the center. Others were directive and focused on parent-child relationship. In this paper, I will focus to psychoanalytic / psychodynamic theory based approaches. And then, I will shortly mention some other approaches. Psychoanalytic Play Therapy This therapy approach is based on Freuds classic psychoanalytic thoughts. Anna Freud (1946 as cited in Astramovich, 1999) and Melanie Klein (1960) established the framework of this therapy technique. They stayed loyal to the some of the basic concepts of psychoanalysis such as unconscious materials and defense mechanisms. But still there were some differences between them. According to Klein (1960), children play purely symbolic games. In this regard, childs play is similar to free association in adults and must be analyzed and interpreted by the therapist. Klein stated that even little children have insight capacity; therefore she found it important to interpreting the child. In her view, interpreting the unconscious symbols and metaphors will help the child to understand his or her real feelings. So that the anxiety level of the child will decrease. She also mentioned about the transference process in children. When she began to treat her two and three-quarters-year-old patient Rita, she was going her home and playing with her toys in her room. But then, she thought that this process may not let the transference occur, and consequently she proposed to analyze child in consulting room, not in the childs house. (Klein, 1960) Anna Freud (1946) thought different from Klein in some matters. She brings two main objections to Kleins methodology. Firstly she mentioned about the issue of free association. According to Freud, childs play cannot think as a version of free association in adults. She believed that a childs play is not always symbolic; it could be a replaying of real events. She also thought different in transference process. In terms of her point of view, the childs interest to the therapist can be seen as an affectionate attachment rather than transference (Freud, 1946). According to Astramovich (1999) toys and childs play are tools to get unconscious material. The therapist tries to make the unconscious processes conscious, and to gains insight into the child. Therefore, the therapist should be empathic and encourage the child to develop a transference relationship. The main goal of this technique is to foster the awareness of wishes and conflicts; and help to children to improve tolerance to their own feelings. Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) CCPT was developed by Virginia Axline (1947) who was student of Carl Rogers. This approach based on Rogerian view. Axline gave place to some of the basic concepts of humanistic theory such as unconditional positive regard, genuineness and empathic understanding. Although Axline herself did not work with the 0 to 3 years of age group, CCPT is used for this period. In a study (Frick-Helms, 1997) 2.8 year old child was treated with this approach. According to Axline (1947) this is a child-led, nondirective approach. It has two main purposes: to help for change and to increase the self-determination of the child. There are no diagnostic interviews before the treatment. Past is past and the child will tell his or her story when the time comes. Therefore, CCPT therapist does not focus to interpreting the child. In play room, the child is free to do what he or she want. The therapist follows the child; accommodates childs steps and not try to lead to the child or not hurry up to solve the problems. The therapist must be vigilant and tender to the childs requirements. Acceptance and understanding of the child is crucial. When the child realizes that he or she accepted by the therapist, it increases the self confidence of the child. (Axline, 1947) CCPT also focuses the recognition of the childs real self. Moustakas (1959 as cited in Astramovich, 1999) mentioned that the lack of recognition of the real self shows negative effect on children and thus, children can not reveal their potentials. The therapists task is to help the child for realization his or her own real self. This process will bring emotional insight to the child. Jungian Analytic Play Therapy This approach is based on Carl Gustav Jungs theoretical view about human psychology. Jung (1954 as cited in Robson, 2010) believed that we all have two types of unconscious: personal and collective. And both of them have archetypes which contain ideas, images, voices and etc. In his point of view, the therapist should provide a reliable environment to the child for playing and revealing the unconscious material. Then the therapist interprets the play and that gives a chance to therapist to promote the child through a healing process (Robson, 2010). There is not enough information about the practice of this approach with 0 to 3 years of age group. However, I can mention about a kind of Jungian sandtray therapy technique called as sandplay therapy which is suitable for every age period. I will touch on this subject later in sandtray therapy chapter. Psychoanalytic Parent Infant Psychotherapy The foundations of this approach come from psychoanalytic theory. It is a version of psychoanalytic play therapy for 0 to 2 years of age period. Therefore, some changes are made. According to Baradon (2005) one of the changes is the position of parents in the therapy process. Unlike classical psychoanalytic view, parents have crucial position in this approach. The therapist tries to support parents to enable better relation with the infant, to enable emotional regulation of both themselves and their infants. Also this approach more focused on the infants to support their development. Positive attachment behaviors, babys coherent sense of self, potential developmental risks, separation and individuation process are worked with parents and infants together. (Baradon, 2005) Baradon also mentioned that, in this approach, the relationship between parents and their infants is seen as patient. The therapist tries to establish a laborsaving environment for the therapy and leans on the relationship. Transference and counter-transference processes; defense mechanisms and resistance are taken into consideration by the therapist. The therapist also procures guidance to parents about the care of the baby. Other important features of this method are assessment and observation of the infant. Psychoanalytic Parent Infant Psychotherapy may use in group settings. It also should be noted that each session is videotaping in this approach. (Baradon, 2005) Filial Therapy (FT) This approach was developed by Drs. Bernard and Louise Guerney in the late 1950s. According to Drewes (2009) FT is a kind of multi theoretical psychoeducational approach which exploits other approaches such as family therapy, play therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. In this technique, the therapist teaches and guides parents as they learn how to play their children. FT is suitable for children 2-12 years of age. It is also useful in group settings. Individual parent sessions generally continue between 15 to 20 one-hour sessions. And group sessions meet for two hours between 10 to 20 weeks. Drewes also mentioned that FT practice begins with an intake session. Then the therapist observes the family while they are playing together. This observation process takes about 20 minutes. Right after the observation, the therapist talks with parents about the play and tell them the FT method. Then the therapist plays with the child in a non-directive way in order to teach to parents how to play. Meanwhile, parents watch the therapist. Towards the end of the session the therapist and parents discuss about the childs play. The therapist listens to parents empathically and answers their questions (Drewes, 2009). When the training period starts, the therapist trains to parents about playing skills. Parents learn four basic skills: structuring the play, empathic listening, child-centered imaginary play and limit-setting skill. Later, the therapist acts like a child and parents play with the therapist. Parents are encouraged to show what they learn about the play. The therapist gives them feedbacks. After that, parents play with their own children with the supervision of the therapist. Finally, towards the end of the treatment, parents practice the play in the home settings. (Drewes, 2009). Theraplay (Attachment-Enhancing Play Therapy) Theraplay is a short-term therapy approach which is based on attachment theory (Booth Jernberg, 2010). It is appropriate to children from eighteen months to twelve years. The core aim of this approach is to improve a safe, compatible, playful relationship between a child and his or her parents. According to Booth Jernberg (2010) the treatment plan of theraplay practice is generally for eighteen to twenty-four sessions. Every treatment plan includes; assessment, treatment and checkup phases. In assessment phase, the childs behaviors and the parents attitudes are assessed by the therapist. In the first treatment phase there can be one or two therapists. If there are two therapists, while one of the therapists is playing with the child; the other one, the interpreting therapist, works with parents. In the beginning of the treatment parents do not join to play sessions. They watch their child from two-way viewing mirror with the interpreting therapist or they watch from videotape after the session (if there are not two therapists). The interpreting therapist talks about the rationale of the theraplay, the problem areas of the child, wishes, concerns and expectations with parents. In the second treatment phase, after observing process, parents play with the child in theraplay r oom. In this phase, four basic skills are taught to parents: structuring, challenging, intruding and/or nurturing. After a termination session, the checkups phase comes. Checkup sessions are made quarterly in first year and annual thereafter. (Booth Jernberg, 2010) Watch, Wait and Wonder (WWW) / Infant-Parent Psychotherapy (IPP) I will introduce these two approaches as together because both of them were developed by same team at the Hincks-Dellcrest Childrens Mental Health Centre (Toronto, Canada). WWW and IPP are effective on infants and based on psychodynamic principles such as unconscious, transference, countertransference and potential space ( Tuters, Doulis Yabsley, 2011). Also these concepts are considered in conjunction with the attachment theory. One of these two approaches is WWW. First W tells to parents watch the play of the infant! What is the infant doing? Second W tells to parents wait the infants play. Dont hurry! Let the infant take to lead in the play! And third W tells to parents wonder about the infants play. What is the infant trying to tell you? The infants play is seen as potential space between the infant and the parent ( Tuters et al., 2011). There are two basic principles of WWW. To accept the leadership of the infant in the play and to accept that the play has a symbolic meaning. Every WWW session has two parts. In first part, the infant plays and the parents are asked to play with the infant on the floor. In play, leadership must be in the infant and the parents should follow the child. In second part the play and the thoughts and feelings of parents are discussed with the therapist. Infant-Parent Psychotherapy (IPP) approach is similar to WWW. Their basic principles are same, but there are some little differences between them. In IPP, in order to show the effect of parents unresolved past issues, the therapist is more active in play. And also countertransference process is more considered in IPP (Tuters et al., 2011). The Developmental, Individual-Differences, Relationship-Based (DIR) Approach This approach was developed by Stanley Greenspan and it provides a multi-dimensional system in order to assess and support of infants and children with different developmental characteristics (Greenspan Wider, 2006). It is especially effective for children who have autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, learning disorders and developmental disorders. However, DIR approach is suitable to define the childs and familys features. According to Greenspan (2006) the D expresses developmental levels. It gives an idea about that question: Where is the child in developmental continuum? The I expresses individual differences. It emphasizes biologically based capacities such as auditory processing, motor planning and etc. And the I expresses relationship. It calls attention to the relationship between the child and the parents. DIR approach benefits from floortime, which is a kind of play technique, so as to practice the model. Floortime is performed with little children on the floor. Taking into account the childrens individual differences, floortime supports their developmental levels relationship skills. (Greenspan Wider, 2006) Interactional Guidance This approach was developed by Dr. Susan McDonough so as to understand mother-infant relationship through the interactive play experience. It aims to consolidate the relationship between infant and the mother and to increase the mothers enjoyment from interactions with the infant (Balbernie, 1998). Core concepts of this approach are therapeutic alliance and strengths of the family. According to Balbernie (1998) the model focuses on strength features of the family system and tries to consolidate them. The mothers past is not analyzed. Transference dynamics are considered but there is no fully interpretation. Treatment phase contains 5-12 sessions. Videotape is used in this approach. Ecosystemic Play Therapy (EPT) This approach was developed by OConnor who emphasizes the importance of the childrens whole ecosystem. According to OConnor (1997) EPT is a multi theoretical approach. It is not based on only one perspective. The main aim of the EPT is to promote the childs abilities in order to cope with their needs. The basic role of an EPT therapist is to replace the core beliefs of the child with a functioning way. And also, the therapist tries to make the system to be more responsive to the requirements of the child. (OConnor, 1997) Caregiver-Toddler Play Therapy This approach deals with disturbed relationship between the caregiver and the toddler. According to Schaefer Kelly-Zion (2008), the main goal is to improve this disturbed relationship with the play. There are three constituent in this approach. First, the therapist establishes a simultaneous relationship with the toddler and the caregiver. Second, the therapist is able to speak for the child and that supports the communication between the toddler and the caregiver. And third, the therapist guides to caregiver for teaching relational skills. In the beginning treatment, the therapist is very active, but then the caregiver is expected to be more active. (Schaefer Kelly-Zion, 2008) Sandplay Therapy It is a Jungian version of Sandtray Therapy which is developed Dr. Margaret Lowenfield. A Jungian therapist, Dora Kaff, adapted Sandtray Therapy to a Jungian perspective and she called this new version as Sandplay Therapy. According to Zhou (2009) this is an expressive therapy which is appropriate for all ages. This approach helps to emerge nonverbalized emotions. In this technique, children play with sand, water and little miniatures. The symbols in the play reflect personal and collective unconscious and with the help of the therapist the ego of the child is restructured (Zhou, 2009). Conclusion If we consider human life such as a building; 0 to 3 years period correspond to foundation of it. And if this foundation is not strong enough; this building encounters with the risk of falling down. Today, although preventive approaches has already started to gain importance, in some cases, more serious interventions are needed. Child psychotherapies in 0 to 3 years of age group meet this need. The main goal of this paper was to mention different psychotherapeutic approaches which use in 0 to 3 years of age group. It is impossible to mention all approaches therefore I have tried to describe most known and most effective approaches. However, psychotherapy world is not static, in time, different new approaches will emerge.

Good Intentions Ruined by Boring Topics :: Personal Narrative Writing

Good Intentions Ruined by Boring Topics â€Å"I cannot believe that I got stuck with Rene Descartes for my Senior Project!† I said to Megan as we walked through the hallway to our ninth period class. Megan and I had been friends ever since the second grade, and often vented to each other when we were upset. â€Å"Oh trust me, I feel really sorry for you,† she replied with a sympathetic grin. She however, had one of the best topics, Elvis. That couldn’t possibly be very difficult. I must admit, I was beginning to feel a little jealous. A few weeks before our topics were assigned; we were instructed that our Senior Projects would be a lengthy research paper dealing with one of the top one hundred people of the twentieth century. I sat daydreaming of the people I believed would probably be on the list, beautiful movie stars and rock stars. My ideas of the one hundred most influential people of the century and The History Channel’s list of the most influential people defiantly shared different opinions. I am sure that the other students in the classroom at that time shared the same ideas that I had. This would be our very last high school project, the very project that we’ve anticipated all year long. For this last assignment, I wanted to write to impress. I wanted to show not only my classmates, but also my corky English teacher just what I was made of. I wanted to write a paper so great, that for years to come, people could examine my writing as a â€Å"perfect example†. Those aspirations were completely lost when we were finally assigned our topics. I remember the day well. It was a bright sunny day in late April. It was getting to the time of year when seniors began having meetings every week to discuss the upcoming class trip to New York City, class advisors were running through the blue-gray hallways to measure all of the upcoming graduates for their gowns, and the attitudes of all the students and even teachers were upbeat. The seniors especially were excited for the end of the school year. The bell to eighth period rang. We all scurried out of the lunch room like a herd of cattle.

Reasons Teen Disrespect Is On The Rise Essay -- essays research papers

Though cultures have many differences there have been a few traits that have united them across the spans of time and geographical area. Many of these traits have even been included in religious doctrine or social and moral laws. In western philosophy and religions the concept of respect has help a high place, allowing a clear distinction between those who have experience and answers to those who are young and naà ¯ve. Religions such as Christianity and Mormonism stress greatly that the young should respect the elderly, while the Judaic religion provides a strict consequence, should this command be broken. By Old Testament law, the disrespectful child was to be taken to the town council, and then promptly stoned to avoid the spread of the sin and to keep ?God?s Chosen? pure. In recent times the respect that teenagers have shown for the elderly has decreased significantly, this trend has become extremely apparent in the 1980?s and 90?s. Though modern social guidelines do not dictate the killing of a disrespectful youth, it is still considered something that must be stopped. High school students have always been notorious for their lack of respect for authority. Many have wondered how these changes occur, most children are respectful at a young age but seem to ?change over night? into a youthful teenager who is often disrespectful to those around them. Studies done in recent years have shown that society, media, and the physical changes that a teenager undergoes may all be res...

A Canticle for Leibowitz and Starship Troopers: The Movie Essay

A Canticle for Leibowitz and Starship Troopers: The Movie In this paper I intend to explore the attitudes toward the value of individual life vs. the value of a community as a whole expressed in A Canticle for Leibowitz and Starship Troopers: the Movie by analyzing their treatment of information control, euthanasia, and the idea of obtaining happiness through a sense of purpose. Starship Troopers may be a satire of a fascist state or an apology for fascist ideology or neither (I don’t pretend to know which). In any case, it is a depiction of a possible state of affairs that could theoretically arise out of a futuristic fascist regime. The ideology advocated by this state, and for the most part by its subjects, is one that treats the state as something greater than the sum of its parts, as a benevolent machine that will take care of the people as long as the people are willing to sacrifice as much of themselves as necessary to keep it oiled. A Canticle for Leibowitz, at least from the perspective of the monks (again, this is not necessarily that of the author), takes a much more individual approach to pursuing the common good. In other words, it treats the community, or species, as exactly the sum of its parts; people are encouraged to further the common good by furthering their own good. Progress is a result of individual motivation rather than of a m andate of the state. One way the difference between these two ideologies manifests itself is in the treatment of the control of information. In Starship Troopers, since everything is controlled by the government, so are all channels of information. In the movie, we see an unidentified hand (presumably that of the common citizen) happily clicking on the government-controlled... ...ach relies on a different method of human motivation. Starship Troopers relies on an individual’s submission to the rule of the state and willingness to forget about himself in terms of his own psyche in favor of a collective identity. A Canticle for Leibowitz supposes that people are best motivated as individuals; that is, allowing people to act and exist as individuals increases their investment and interest in their own survival, which in turn increases that of the survival of the species. It also supposes that individuals can be trusted as such, without a controlling system. Maybe this difference is why we are so upset when the first main character in A Canticle for Leibowitz dies (after we spend about a hundred and seven pages becoming attached to him), but the characters in Starship Troopers are so flat and predictable that we really don’t care when they die. A Canticle for Leibowitz and Starship Troopers: The Movie Essay A Canticle for Leibowitz and Starship Troopers: The Movie In this paper I intend to explore the attitudes toward the value of individual life vs. the value of a community as a whole expressed in A Canticle for Leibowitz and Starship Troopers: the Movie by analyzing their treatment of information control, euthanasia, and the idea of obtaining happiness through a sense of purpose. Starship Troopers may be a satire of a fascist state or an apology for fascist ideology or neither (I don’t pretend to know which). In any case, it is a depiction of a possible state of affairs that could theoretically arise out of a futuristic fascist regime. The ideology advocated by this state, and for the most part by its subjects, is one that treats the state as something greater than the sum of its parts, as a benevolent machine that will take care of the people as long as the people are willing to sacrifice as much of themselves as necessary to keep it oiled. A Canticle for Leibowitz, at least from the perspective of the monks (again, this is not necessarily that of the author), takes a much more individual approach to pursuing the common good. In other words, it treats the community, or species, as exactly the sum of its parts; people are encouraged to further the common good by furthering their own good. Progress is a result of individual motivation rather than of a m andate of the state. One way the difference between these two ideologies manifests itself is in the treatment of the control of information. In Starship Troopers, since everything is controlled by the government, so are all channels of information. In the movie, we see an unidentified hand (presumably that of the common citizen) happily clicking on the government-controlled... ...ach relies on a different method of human motivation. Starship Troopers relies on an individual’s submission to the rule of the state and willingness to forget about himself in terms of his own psyche in favor of a collective identity. A Canticle for Leibowitz supposes that people are best motivated as individuals; that is, allowing people to act and exist as individuals increases their investment and interest in their own survival, which in turn increases that of the survival of the species. It also supposes that individuals can be trusted as such, without a controlling system. Maybe this difference is why we are so upset when the first main character in A Canticle for Leibowitz dies (after we spend about a hundred and seven pages becoming attached to him), but the characters in Starship Troopers are so flat and predictable that we really don’t care when they die.

Caribbean Slavery Essay

Slaves were people captured in war, used to settle a debt, or made slaves as a means of punishment. The Spaniards in the Caribbean had little need for African slaves in the early 1500s for various reasons. The Treaty of Tordesillas, which was a line of demarcation drawn north to south, west of the Azores and Cape Verde’s, stipulated that the areas west of the line belonged to the Spaniards and the east to the Portuguese. As a result of the treaty Africa was on Portugal’s side of the line, so in order for Spaniards to obtain African slaves they had to go through the Portuguese. During the period of the early 1500s the Treaty of Tordesillas resulted in the Portuguese being the first nation that the Spaniards granted an asiento. This was granted in 1515. These special licenses, asientos, only allowed a specific number of slaves into a diverse number of countries and limited the need for African slaves. The cost to ship slaves from West Africa to Portugal and Spain and then to the Americas proved prohibitive. There was easier access to Taino labour and it was unnecessary to spend extra money on importing slaves. Tainos were used to find and mine the gold because they were familiar with the surroundings and there were enough Tainos to mine the little gold the Spaniards had found. Indentured servants or white servants also contributed to the need for only a small number of African slaves in the 1500s. Indentured servants (contracted workers; poor people from Europe) started to migrate to the Caribbean from Europe, as the Caribbean were advertised as having prospects of a new life and jobs. Their contracts usually lasted four to five years. The islands that were found in the Caribbean needed to be developed in order to make them suitable for living. The Spaniards offered property as an incentive to attract people who would develop the islands and settle there. This was how indentured servants were coaxed into migrating. Eventually however, the Amerindians and white servants were no longer a sufficient labour force. B. The Amerindians were not used to the working conditions and thus died. Also, Old World diseases such as measles, diphtheria, typhus, cholera, scarlet fever, chicken pox, yellow fever, whooping cough, smallpox, influenza and gonorrhea affected them while some died from depression. Indentured servants were unskilled in cultivation and unwilling to work. They were unaccustomed to the conditions of the Caribbean and succumbed to various New World diseases such as syphilis and yellow fever. Africans worked harder, survived the conditions of the Caribbean better (similar conditions existed in Africa), knew how to plant tropical plants, and were more resistant to Old World diseases. They were also less costly than indentured servants and there was a more constant supply of African slaves than indentured servants. The trade winds which blew from east to west made coming to the Caribbean from Africa very easy. That is in comparison to traveling from Europe to the Caribbean which was difficult as the trade winds worked against sailing ships. Also ships had a longer distance to cover when they sailed to the Caribbean from Europe. African slaves were their master’s property. Masters could do whatever they pleased with the African slaves as they paid for them and they were their property. Offspring produced by said slaves was also their master’s property. This added to the reliability of African slaves as there would always be another generation to enslave. Indentured servants could easily escape as they had the same appearances, knew the culture and language and therefore could easily blend into the crowd and disappear with the influx of people coming and leaving the Caribbean islands. Africans could not do this because of their colour and it would be difficult for them to escape. This added to the appeal of using African slaves. Plantation owners became greedy and no longer wanted to give or offer their sugar lands so as to attract indentured servants to come to the Caribbean. The plantation owners saw the Africans as a commodity therefore did not have to give any incentive to attract them because they were their property and enslaved to them. For these reasons the Africans were seen as a perfect source of labour. Increased work resulted in increased productivity, which increased the wealth of the Spaniards. C. By the 1600s and 1700s African slaves became more popular in the Caribbean. Amerindians had died out by the 1500’s due to diseases, overwork and ill-treatment. Indentured servants had lost fervour in coming to the Caribbean as it was costly to travel and the chances of surviving the tropical conditions were slim. Some ran away, breaking their contract, to become Buccaneers. The decline in the number of available indentured servants and Tainos, and the growth of the colonies increased the need for labour. Sugar had become very popular and was in demand on the European market. The wealth that sugar brought was recognized and more land as cultivated for sugar production. The sugar revolution had begun and the Dutch saw an opportunity to sell slaves in the Caribbean as there was a rise in labour needs. The Dutch were granted an asiento in 1667, by this time Dutch trading in African slaves became very popular. Additionally, slaves were severely abused and thus many died. The rapid demise of slaves from the harsh conditions resulted in a constant need and t his also added to the â€Å"great extension of African slavery in the rest of the Caribbean in the 1600s and 1700s†.