Thursday, December 26, 2019

I Have Learned A Lot At Conditioning - 863 Words

Over the course of my Semester here, I have learned a lot at RCC. I learned how things operate here opposed to the how things operated at my high school. I overall think I did an â€Å"ok† job this semester according to participation and performance, and experience here has transitioned me into being more of a college student. Now that I have completed a semester, I can give myself an evaluation to see how I did and learn from the mistakes I made to prepare myself for next semester. As for my participation in college, I handled my attendance well. I always came to class on time and I haven’t missed that many days. I would rate myself pretty good when it comes to attendance and coming to class prepared. However, I did not perform well when it†¦show more content†¦Learning how to do it has been beneficial, however, I have always had a difficult time writing the Analysis. I was always unaware of how it needed to be constructed, but other than that, I felt I did pretty well according to the rest of the Meal Plan and writing conventions. During this Semester I have been made aware of a lot of changes that occurred and I needed to make transitions into college. One change that I realized is that my high school did not prepare me for college at all. In high school, I was not required to write as many papers as I do now, nor had they demonstrated how they needed to be written. I also noticed that the learning style differs between college and high school. In high school, the teachers were more academically involved than the ones in college. In one of my classes here at the college, my teacher rarely even gets involved. The expectations of her are that we learn the majority of our lessons through the textbook. This change made it very difficult for me to learn, and caused me to perform poorly in that class. Because of the different learning style, it made me want to change the way I did things. Therefore a change that I need to make in the future is to put forth a lot more effort that I normally do. Experiencing how thi ngs are in college versus what they were in high school, allows me to have an idea of how things operate and that is what is going to transition me into a college

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer Essay - 947 Words

In the book Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer, the author talks about, not only vegetarianism, but reveals to us what actually occurs in the factory farming system. The issue circulating in this book is whether to eat meat or not to eat meat. Foer, however, never tries to convert his reader to become vegetarians but rather to inform them with information so they can respond with better judgment. Eating meat has been a thing that majority of us engage in without question. Which is why among other reasons Foer feels compelled to share his findings about where our meat come from. Throughout the book, he gives vivid accounts of the dreadful conditions factory farmed animals endure on a daily basis. For this reason Foer urges us to take a†¦show more content†¦Factory farms having locked doors only reinforces what some of us already suspect. That they are engaging in activities appalling to the public. Their secrecy is seemingly sustaining their business. Consumers’ ig norance of the meat production business only encourages inhumane animal husbandry. Foer says, â€Å"the power brokers of factory farming know that their business model depends on consumers not being able to see (or hear about) what they do.† (pg. 87) This is why we need to educate ourselves on this matter extensively and start actively demanding where our meat is coming from. Advocating for animal welfare is one way we can begin the process of changing or ultimately ending factory farming. It’s problematic that we don’t question the food we eat whether it be from McDonalds or a fancy upscale restaurant. We need to be more aware of what is going on around us especially when the food we eat is causing an array of health issues for us. The unsanitary conditions found within the factory farm industry contributes to the pathogens found in the meat we eat. As the saying goes you get what you pay for. Factory farming is based upon producing large quantities of meat at a very low cost. This driving force behind the system is not worth getting food poising or something detrimental. In the chapter â€Å"Influence / Speechlessness† the habitats of the chickens are displayed â€Å"jamming deformed, drugged,Show MoreRelatedEating Animals By Jonathan Safran Foer Essay1608 Words   |  7 Pagesgrow. Jonathan Safran Foer in his book Eating Animals, illustrates the effects factory farming has had on animals meant for human consumption. Furthermore, Foer asks man y questions to the reader on what will it take for us to change our ways before we say enough is enough. The questions individuals need to be asking themselves are: how do we deal with the problem of factory farming, and what can people do to help solve these issues? Eric Schlosser in Fast Food Nation, also illustrates the animal abuseRead MoreThe Ethics Of Eating Meat : Eating Animals By Jonathan Safran Foer1056 Words   |  5 Pagesbook over the ethics of eating meat: Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer, published on November 2, 2009. Coming from a rural, agrarian background, my curiosity about why anyone in his right mind would want to become a vegetarian grew immensely when I discovered the book. Foer’s main audience appears to be those on the fence about whether to eat meat or those uninformed about factory farming. This book was not meant for individuals with an agricultural background, as Foer attempts – and fails –Read MoreLet them eat dog Essay833 W ords   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Let Them Eat Dog Written by: JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER The analysis is based on the essay by JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER titled â€Å"Let Them Eat Dog†. This essay debates a topic that at first glance would seem to have a logical answer of no but the author provides many reasons that may make you wonder why is no the answer. What would your response be to the question should we eat dogs? First from a rational appeal, the author challenges you to remove the emotion or stigma from the act of using a dog for meatRead MoreOverconsumption of Meat in Our Society594 Words   |  2 PagesWhy we eat what we eat is an issue that is very controversial. In 2007, Mark Bittman persuasively uttered, â€Å"theres no way to treat animals well, when youre killing 10 billion of them a year. Thats our number. 10 billion. If you strung all of them -- chickens, cows, pigs and lambs -- to the moon, theyd go there and back five times, there and back. He even emphasized these statements: â€Å"The USDA is not our ally here. We have to take matters into our own hands, not only by advocating for a betterRead MoreEssay on Local Food vs Globalization1326 Words   |  6 PagesFood products of giant multinational corporations such as McDonald’s have huge impacts on people’s food preference since fast food became so popular and is familiar all over the world that people’s food preference are often set by their eating experience of the fast food in their childhood. For some people, the fast-food tastes become the standards. On the other hand, more high-graded restaurants that serve local specialties with the local ingredients receive stars on the Michelin and other restaurantRead MoreThe Effects Of A Nation s Industrialized Food System Essay1628 Words   |  7 Pagesof Our Fork†. Jonathan Safran Foer in his book Eating Animals, illustrates the effects factory farming has had on animals meant for human consumption. Furthermore, Foer asks many questions to the reader on what will it take for us to change our ways before we say enough is enough. The questions individuals need to be asking themselves are: how do we deal with the problem of factory farming, and what can people do to help solve these issues? Namit Arora in the article On Eating Animals, as well as MichaelRead MoreVegetarianism and Meat Eating in Food Culture Essay1923 Words   |   8 Pagesâ€Å"Holy Food† (Krakauer 168). Exploring relationships between human beings and other animals arouses many difficult questions: Which animals are humans allowed to eat and which ones are not? To which extent can humans govern other animals? For what purposes and on which principles can we kill other animals? Above all, what does it mean for humans to eat other animals? The answer may lie in its context. Since meat-eating has been included and remained in almost every food culture in the world throughoutRead MoreThe Ethics Of Eating Meat Essay1504 Words   |  7 PagesThe Ethics of Eating Meat We are a nation of meat eaters. We are socialized from a young age to consume high levels of animal products. This deeply ingrained meat-eating tradition is a big part of the American standard diet. A visit to the local grocery store shows that there is no shortage of animal products. Isle by isle you see a plethora of meats, neatly packed and ready to be cooked, dairy products neatly shelved, and even candies that contain animal by-products. This is an omnivore’s utopiaRead MoreTo Meat Or Not To Meat?. If You Picture The Stereotypical1408 Words   |  6 Pagesviewpoints that this essay will cover, these range from why people are choosing to go vegetarian to why people are continuing the omnivore diet. A vegetarian is â€Å"a person who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, fowl, or, in some cases, any food derived from animals, as eggs or cheese, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, etc. (vegetarian). Each vegetarian has their own reasons why they have thrown meat out of their diet; It could be a political, social, or medicalRead MoreAnimals Like Us By Jonathan Safran Foer1744 Words   |  7 Pagesrelationship with non-human animals. This relationship has always benefitted the needs of humans, with little consideration for animals’ needs. Some animals are tortured for entertainment, some are butchered for food and others are taken from their habitat and family, and forced to be pets for humans. These are all examples of the ways humans have exploited animals for their own satisfaction. Hal Herzog’s essay â€Å"Animals Like Us† describes the complicated relationship that humans and animals have, and how difficult

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Psychological Theories And Therapeutic Interventions In The Narcissist Essay Example For Students

Psychological Theories And Therapeutic Interventions In The Narcissist Essay ic DisorderPsychological Theories and Therapeutic Interventions in the Narcissistic DisorderThe ‘narcissistic personality disorder’ is a complex and often misunderstood disorder. The prominent feature of the narcissistic personality is the grandiose sense of self-importance, but actually underneath this grandiosity the narcissist suffers from a chronically fragile low self-esteem. The grandiosity of the narcissist, however, is often so pervasive that we tend to dehumanize him or her. The narcissist conjures in us images of the mythological character Narcissus who could only love himself, rebuffing anyone who attempted to touch him. Nevertheless, it is the underlying sense of inferiority, which is the real problem of the narcissist, the grandiosity is just a disguise used to cover the deep feelings of inadequacy. The narcissist’s grandiose behavior is designed to reaffirm his or her sense of adequacy. Since the narcissist is incapable of asserting his or her own se nse of adequacy, the narcissist seeks to be admired by others. However, the narcissist’s extremely fragile sense of self worth does not allow him or her to risk any criticism. Therefore, meaningful emotional interactions with others are avoided. By simultaneously seeking the admiration of others and keeping them at a distance the narcissist is usually able to maintain the illusion of grandiosity no matter how people respond. Thus, when people praise the narcissist his or her grandiosity will increase, but when criticized the grandiosity will usually remain unaffected because the narcissist will devalue the criticizing person. discusses six areas of pathological functioning, which characterize the narcissist. In particular, four of these narcissistic character traits best illustrate the pattern discussed above. (1) a narcissistic individual has a basic sense of inferiority, which underlies a preoccupation with fantasies of outstanding achievement; (2) a narcissistic individual is unable to trust and rely on others and thus develops numerous, shallow relationships to extract tributes from others;(3) a narcissistic individual has a shifting morality-always ready to shift values to gain favor; and (4) a narcissistic person is unable to remain in love, showing an impaired capacity for a committed relationship. The narcissist who enters therapy does not think that there is something wrong with him or her. Typically, the narcissist seeks therapy because he or she is unable to maintain the grandiosity, which protects him or her from the feelings of despair. The narcissist views his or her situation arising not as a result of a personal maladjustment; rather it is some factor in the environment which is beyond the narcissist’s control which has caused his or her present situation. Therefore, the narcissist expects the therapist not to ‘cure’ him or her from a problem which he or she does not perceive to exist, rather the narcissist expects th e therapist to restore the protective feeling of grandiosity. It is therefore essential for the therapist to be alert to the narcissist’s attempts to steer therapy towards healing the injured grandiose part, rather than exploring the underlying feelings of inferiority and despair. The most extreme form of narcissism involves the perception that no separation exists between the self and the object. The object is viewed as an extension of the self, in the sense that the narcissist considers others to be a merged part of him or her. Usually, the objects, which the narcissist chooses to merge with, represent that aspect of the narcissist’s personality about which feelings of inferiority are perceived. For instance if a narcissist feels unattractive he or she will seek to merge with someone who is perceived by the narcissist to be attractive. At a slightly higher level exists the narcissist who acknowledges the separateness of the object, however, the narcissist views the o bject as similar to himself or herself in the sense that they share a similar psychological makeup. In effect the narcissist perceives the object as ‘just like me’. The most evolved narcissistic personality perceives the object to be both separate and psychologically different, but is unable to appreciate the object as a unique and separate person. The object is thus perceived as useful only to the extent of its ability to aggrandize the false self (Manfield, 1992). Pending the perceived needs of the environment a narcissist can develop in one of two directions. The individual whose environment supports his or her grandiosity, and demands that he or she be more than possible will develop to be an exhibitionistic narcissist. Such an individual is told ‘you are superior to others’, but at the same time his or her personal feelings are ignored. Thus, to restore his or her feelings of adequacy the growing individual will attempt to coerce the environment into s upporting his or her grandiose claims of superiority and perfection. On the other hand, if the environment feels threatened by the individual’s grandiosity it will attempt to suppress the individual from expressing this grandiosity. Such an individual learns to keep the grandiosity hidden from others, and will develop to be a closet narcissist. The closet narcissist will thus only reveal his or her feelings of grandiosity when he or she is convinced that such revelations will be safe (Manfield, 1992) Narcissistic defenses are present to some degree in all people, but are especially pervasive in narcissists. These defenses are used to protect the narcissist from experiencing the feelings of the narcissistic injury. The most pervasive defense mechanism is the grandiose defense. Its function is to restore the narcissist’s inflated perception of himself or herself. Typically the defense is utilized when someone punctures the narcissist’s grandiosity by saying someth ing which interferes with the narcissist’s inflated view of himself or herself. The narcissist will then experience a narcissistic injury similar to that experienced in childhood and will respond by expanding his or her grandiosity, thus restoring his or her wounded self-concept. Devaluation is another common defense which is used in similar situations. When injured or disappointed the narcissist can respond by devaluing the ‘offending’ person. Devaluation thus restores the wounded ego by providing the narcissist with a feeling of superiority over the offender. There are two other defense mechanisms which the narcissist uses. The self-sufficiency defense is used to keep the narcissist emotionally isolated from others. By keeping himself or herself emotionally isolated the narcissist’s grandiosity can continue to exist unchallenged. Finally, the manic defense is utilized when feelings of worthlessness begin to surface. To avoid experiencing these feelings t he narcissist will attempt to occupy himself or herself with various activities, so that he or she has no time left to feel the feelings (Manfield, 1992). The central theme in the Psychodynamic treatment of the narcissist revolves around the transference relationship which emerges during treatment. In order for the transference relationship to develop the therapist must be emphatic in understanding the patient’s narcissistic needs. By echoing the narcissist the therapist remains ‘silent’ and ‘invisible’ to the narcissist. In essence the therapist becomes a mirror to the narcissist to the extent that the narcissist derives narcissistic pleasure from confronting his or her ‘alter ego’. Once the therapeutic relationship is established, two transference like phenomena. The mirror transference and the idealizing transference, collectively known as self-object transference emerge. The mirror transference will occur when the therapist provides a strong sense of validation to the narcissist. Recall that the narcissistically injured child failed to receive validation for what he or she was. The chil d thus concluded that there is something wrong with his or her feelings, resulting in a severe damage to the child’s self-esteem. By reflecting back to the narcissist his or her accomplishments and grandeur the narcissist’s self esteem and internal cohesion are maintained (Manfield, 1992). There are three types of the mirror transference phenomenon, each corresponding to a different level of narcissism (as discussed previously). The merger transference will occur in those narcissists who are unable to distinguish between the object and the self. Such narcissists will perceive the therapist to be a virtual extension of themselves. The narcissist will expect the therapist to be perfectly resonant to him or her, as if the therapist is an actual part of him or her. If the therapist should even slightly vary from the narcissist’s needs or opinions, the narcissist will experience a painful breach in the cohesive self object function provided by the therapist. Such pat ients will then likely feel betrayed by the therapist and will respond by withdrawing themselves from the therapist (Manfield, 1992). In the second type of mirror transference, the twin ship or alter ego transference, the narcissist perceives the therapist to be psychologically similar to him or herself. Conceptually the narcissist perceives the therapist and himself or herself to be twins, separate but alike. In the twin ship transference for the self-object cohesion to be maintained, it is necessary for the narcissist to view the therapist as ‘just like me’ (Manfield, 1992). The third type of mirror transference is again termed the mirror transference. In this instance the narcissist is only interested in the therapist to the extent that the therapist can reflect his or her grandiosity. In this transference relationship the function of the therapist is to bolster the narcissist’s insecure self (Manfield, 1992). The second self object transference, the idealizin g transference, involves the borrowing of strength from the object (the therapist) to maintain an internal sense of cohesion. By idealizing the therapist to whom the narcissist feels connected, the narcissist by association also uplifts himself or herself. It is helpful to conceptualize the ‘idealizing’ narcissist as an infant who draws strength from the omnipotence of the caregiver. Thus, in the idealizing transference the therapist symbolizes omnipotence and this in turn makes the narcissist feel secure. The idealization of the object can become so important to the narcissist that in many cases he or she will choose to fault himself or herself, rather than blame the therapist (Manfield, 1992). The idealizing transference is a more mature form of transference than the mirror transference because idealization requires a certain amount of internal structure (i.e., separateness from the therapist). Oftentimes, the narcissist will first develop mirror transference, and onl y when his or her internal structure is sufficiently strong will the idealizing transference develop (Manfield, 1992). Decision Making EssayIt is difficult for the individual to truly be himself or herself because society offers many rewards for the individual who conforms to its rules. Such an individual becomes alienated because he or she feels that society’s rituals and demands grant him or her little significance and options in the control of his or her own destiny. To compensate such an individual takes pleasure in his or her own uniqueness (grandiosity), he or she enjoys what others cannot see and control. Thus, the alienated person sees himself as a puppet cued by social circumstances which exact ritualized performances from him. His irritation about the inevitability of this is counterbalanced by one major consolation. This consists of his narcissistic affection for his own machinery-that is, his own processes and parts (Johnson, 1977; P. 141). The existential treatment of the narcissist is based on the existential tenant that all existing persons have the need and possibility of going out from their centeredness to participate in other beings (Monte, 1991; P. 492). The severely alienated narcissistic individual, however, does not believe in the validity of experience outside of the self. Unlike others, the narcissist does not believe that a constructive relationship with others is possible. Existentialists therefore believe that the therapist, through emphatic understanding, must create a strong bond with the narcissist, so that he or she can see that others have feelings too (Johnson, 1977). The humanistic treatment of the narcissist is in general no different from the humanistic treatment of any other client. The humanistic therapist wants the narcissist to rediscover his or her individuality, which was suppressed by the conditions of worth imposed by significant others. In order to accomplish this, the proper environment must be set in therapy, free of any conditions of worth. The narcissist must feel that whatever he or she does is all right with the therapist. The therapist therefore gives the narcissist unconditional positive regard. There is no judgment of the narcissist, instead the therapist honestly and caringly tries to see things through the eyes of the narcissist. When the narcissist comes to accept his or her true needs he or she will be congruent with the personal self and the narcissistic front will no longer be needed. Each of the psychological approaches discussed above contains both strengths and weaknesses, in attempting to solve the narcissistic puzzle. Nevertheless, the psychodynamic model possesses a big advantage over the other approaches in its ability to offer both a comprehensive theory of etiology and a detailed description of treatment. With respect to etiology the other approaches suffer from: a lack of concrete observational validity (the analytical approach), lack of clarity in capturing the essence of narcissism (the existential approach), and lack of continuity in predicting narcissism (the humanistic approach). The analytical model of narcissism depends on too many hypothetical concepts, such as the collective unconscious, which are not supported by any concrete evidence. By emphasizing the narcissist’s tendency to withdraw into the pleasures of the self, existentialists overlook the immense suffering which so characterizes the narcissist. With respect to treatment the majo r advantage of the psychodynamic approach is that it goes beyond the exclusive use of emphatic means to treat the narcissist. By limiting treatment to emphatic understanding the other approaches fail to address the underlying issues inherent in narcissism. Therefore, the other approaches might shore up the narcissist’s damaged self-esteem in the short run, but it is doubtful if they will be able to transform the narcissist. Possibly the only weakness of the psychodynamic approach lies in the length that it takes to treat narcissism. Recall that a successful psychodynamic treatment requires the therapist to be very careful about maintaining the narcissist’s delicate self-perception. Only gradually can the psychodynamic therapist direct the narcissist’s attention towards the real underlying emotional feelings. No matter which approach is utilized in the explanation and treatment of narcissism it is important to recognize that the narcissistic individual is a compl ex and multifaceted human being. Deep inside narcissistic individuals experience tremendous pain and suffering, for which they attempt to compensate for by the projection of the grandiose front. These people are not character disordered. They are people tortured by narcissistic injury and crippled by developmental arrests in functioning which rob them of the richness of life they deserve. They are good people, who are hurting. They are living and suffering the narcissistic style. History

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Romeo And Juliet Essays (820 words) - English-language Films

Romeo And Juliet Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet, is a story of two young lovers, whose love was destined for destruction. They did not imagine that their love would lead to the tragedies that it did. These two young people did nothing wrong except fall in love. Three aspects of their destruction included the feud between the two families, the nurse and her betrayal of Juliet and the most important aspect of all is fate. The feud between the two families was one factor that contributed to the love of Romeo and Juliet being destined for destruction. ?From ancient grudge break to new mutiny?. (Romeo & Juliet, Prologue, pg.2 l.3) The two families, Montagues and Capulets, had many problems. There was hate between the two families so much so that even the servants hated each other. This feud would have caused many problems for Romeo and Juliet: These two young lovers knew this and this is why they kept their marriage a secret. If their parents discovered their secret, they would have made their children's lives miserable. Romeo and Juliet would not have been able to see each other. Both of these families were very stubborn and there was hardly any thing that would have made them become friends. In the prologue we learn that the only way the ?strife? could be ended was by the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. ?Doth with their death bury their parent's strife?. (Romeo & Juliet, Prologue, l.8) Neither the Montague s or the Capulets would have accepted the marriage. Keeping the marriage a secret caused Romeo and Juliet to turn to other people for help. Sometimes these people gave them the wrong advice or just betrayed them. The Nurse was one of these characters who betrayed the young couple. The Nurse who was also Juliet's friend turned against her at a very crucial time. The Nurse told Juliet that it would be best if she married Paris. ?I think it best you married with the county?. (Romeo & Juliet, pg.101, III, v, l.219) This betrayal by the Nurse left Juliet alone. She was a wise young woman but it still would have been beneficial for her to have the help of the Nurse. Juliet was left on her own to make some very important decisions. I believe that if the Nurse had been around to help Juliet things may have turned out differently. Juliet had no one to turn to and ask for help. She could not have gone to her parents because they would not have understood. The Nurse was supposed to be one of Juliet's best friends. Now when it was important for Juliet to have someone there, for her she was betrayed. When considering the destruction of Romeo and Juliet the most sifnificant fact you must think about is fate. Fate, above all, destroyed Romeo and Juliet. Many instances in the play reveals that the love of Romeo and Juliet would end in death. ?A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life?. (Romeo & Juliet,pg.2, Prologue, l.6) From the very beginning it is evident that they were destined by the stars to bad fortune. Some people may think that there is no way to control fate or change what is in the stars. It could be that the love of Romeo and Juliet was destined for death so that their parent's feud would be over. Also, in the prologue it states that the dreadful course of their love was destined for death. ?The fearful passage of their death marked love?. (Romeo & Juliet, pg.2, Prologue, l.9) Both of these quotes show us that the love of these two was destined to end tragically. The masquerade party was above all the most important aspect of fate. The fact that Romeo was wearing a mask and his face was hidden allowed juliet to fall in love with him before she saw who it was. If Juliet had known who Romeo was she would probably have not fallen in love with him. Fate could not have been changed whatever was meant to be would happen and no one could change that. In conclusion, from the very beginning, the love of Romeo and Juliet was destined to be