Social Phenomena Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Social Phenomena - Essay Example Each of these views relies upon more or less legitimate arguments and evidence, but neither of them is flawless. Functionalist perspective still remains arguably the most influential tool for understanding the phenomenon of deviant behavior. Since the term 'deviant behavior' is rather broad, only two types of social deviance will be closely analyzed within this project: crime and suicide. Functionalist explanation of the causes and social outcomes of these types can lead us to understanding of functionalist perspective on deviant behavior in general. Emile Durkheim, the famous French sociologist of the 19th - 20th century, was probably the first scholar to adopt the logic of the functional approach studying the phenomenon of deviant behavior. Thus, Durkheim claimed, "When . . . the explanation of a social phenomenon is undertaken, we must seek separately the efficient cause which produces it and the function it fulfills. We must determine whether there is a correspondence between the fact under consideration and the general needs of the social organism, and in what this correspondence consists" (Durkheim, 1930 in Coser, 1977: 143). Ut Utilizing these principles Durkheim focused on the way a society stimulates individuals demonstrate deviant behavior than on individual characteristics of those whom demonstrate such behavior, though majority of sociologists of those days viewed crime, suicide, and other forms of social deviance as an outcome of inborn psychological characteristics of the individual. Durkheim considered such approach flawed. Instead, the scholar argued that deviance in general and crime in particular was by no means abnormal or dangerous for the society: "Crime is normal, an inevitable and necessary part of every society [although] it may take abnormal forms, such as when the crime rate is unusually high (Durkheim, 1961: 872). Durkheim's views on another form of deviance - suicide - were absolutely the same. "La Suicide" was the third major work of Emile Durkheim. This book was the first sociological research that established the traceable empiric connection between the phenomenon of individual suicide and social environment, and defined certain social functions of suicide. In the end of the 19th century suicide or self-destruction was considered a form of deviant behaviour that occurred in insane individuals. Durkheim challenged this traditional standpoint that suicide was an unpreventable pathology. Instead, he provided " a sociological explanation for a phenomenon traditionally regarded as exclusively psychological and individualistic" (Thompson, 1982: 109). In fact, Durkheim formulated the founding principles of functionalist perspective on deviance precisely in his study of suicide. Even today, despite abundance of recent studies, Durkheim's work remains the most significant sociological analysis of s uicide in modern societies. Suicide is a complex phenomenon that can be caused by numerous factors. Many reasons both individual and social have been demonstrated to have certain correlation with self-destructive

Epidemiologic Investigation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

Epidemiologic Investigation - Essay Example In the context of this project, the disease agent is a particular strain of E. coli that is well regarded as a food borne pathogen responsible for an infectious diarrheal disease. By definition, the characterization of the disease is intimately related to characterization of the agent that initiates or perpetuates the disease process. The E. coli talked about here is an enterotoxigenic strain of E. coli, which is a biological agent which exhibits certain host-related biological properties such as infectivity, pathogenicity, and virulence. Since an individual almost always contract a disease from his environment, when an epidemic of infectious disease occurs, the cause usually lies in the environment. Therefore, in any specific population, in order to be able to prevent outbreak of any disease state and to be able to intervene, the conditions prevailing any health-related event or state can be investigated, and appropriate measures can be taken to apply the findings of such studies for controlling the health problems preemptively. FoodNet or the Food Borne Diseases Active Surveillance Network was developed by CDC in the Emerging Infections Program. In this program, data are collected 10 US states in relation to the disease burden caused by Escherichia coli 0157:H7 strains that are known to be transmitted through food. This program quantifies and monitors the incidence of these infections by conducting active surveillance for laboratory-diagnosed illness. This epidemiologic event has great implications in public health. From the epidemiologic point of view, this is important since FoodNet quantifies and monitors these infections by conducting active population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed illness. The epidemiologic methods are used as surveillance tools, and these essentially scrutinize continuously the factors that would have determined the occurrence and distribution of this disease to be able to effectively control and prevent the disease. These essentially include collection, analysis, inter pretation, and distribution of relevant data for action. Escherichia coli is an emerging cause of food borne illness in the United States. Although most of these illnesses are mild, severe infections and serious life-threatening infections do occur. This has posed challenges to public health and public health administrations since there is change in the newly identified strains of the pathogens. With that, novel vehicles of transmission, changes in food production, and an apparent decline in food safety awareness might have aggravated the problems leading to these illnesses. There are several types of national surveillance systems for diseases that are food borne. These epidemiologic tools include outbreak surveillance, passive laboratory based surveillance, and active surveillance. Communicable diseases may be transmitted from the reservoir or the source of infection to the susceptible individuals in many different ways depending on the infectious agent, portal of entry, and the local ecological conditions. It is important to note that mu ch of the data about the vehicles and modes of transmission of these food borne diseases come from epidemiologic investigations of the outbreaks. From the public health point of view, the

State Budget Nationally and in Massachusetts Essay

State Budget Nationally and in Massachusetts - Essay Example The budget cuts ratified in no less than 46 states in addition to the District of Columbia ever since 2008, have been executed in all main sections of state services. The state services where the budget cut have been incurred include the health care segment in around 31 states, primary education segment in 34 states as well as the District of Columbia, higher education segment in 43 states, and services to the old as well as disabled in 29 states in addition to the District of Columbia among other areas. The States have made these budget cuts for the reason that revenues earned by the States from income taxes as well as sales taxes, in addition to other revenue resources used to compensate for the above discussed state services decreased owing to the recession. Simultaneously, the requirement for these state services did not reduce and, in reality, the requirement got elevated as the number of people encountering economic complexities amplified (Johnson & Et. Al., â€Å"An Update on State Budget Cuts   At Least 46 States Have Imposed Cuts That Hurt Vulnerable Residents and the Economy†). ... Throughout the period of dot-com bubble, Massachusetts considerably decreased the income tax rates, elevated the individual exemption level, cut the rate of tax on dividends as well as interest revenue into half in addition to endorsing a number of tax cuts for businesses. The state fell short of recognizing that the economic upturn due to the dot-com success would not last for long (Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, â€Å"Fiscal Fallout: The Great Recession, Policy Choices, & State Budget Cuts, Fiscal Years 2009-2012†). Consequent to these cuts in the tax rates and other alterations, the revenue collections from tax decreased to around 5 percent of the total state earnings by the end of the year 2009. Thus, there was a diminution of about $3 billion in revenue generated from tax. This diminution in the tax revenue produced fiscal instability over the years. Massachusetts had not reinstated funding for necessary state services or made sufficient deposits into the state f und, in order to be equipped to face potential economic depressions. During the recent financial calamity, Massachusetts had depended principally on around $3 billion funds generated in the form of budget cuts and reserves to deal with the continuing budget shortfall. Massachusetts also collected about $1 billion in the form of taxes, and utilized more than $1.5 billion per annum in the form of Recovery Act as well as associated financial support from the federal government in the last couple of years. The federal government funds performed an imperative function in assisting all the states in the US to protect the vital state services and prevent further tax increments

Portfolio assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Portfolio assignment - Essay Example An economic analysis will also be carried out to determine the factors that have influenced greatly the share performance and as a result the value of the portfolio. The companies in the portfolio include Apple, MasterCard, Target Group, Eli Lilly & Company and Tesla Motors Inc. the share performance from 20th September 2012 to 19th November 2012 is on a weekly basis for all five companies. Appendix 1 shows a table showing the weekly share prices for the companies. Appendix 2 shows the value of the portfolio as at 19th November 2012. The initial value of the portfolio as at 20th September 2012 was at $25,000 and as at 19th November 2012, the value is $25,485.6 as shows in appendix 2. This is increase of approximately 2 percent. Apple, Eli Lilly and Target have their closing share prices at a price lower than the initial prices. Master card and Tesla have shown a higher closing price than their initial prices. Share prices performances are influenced by the internal activities of the company. Tesla anticipated increasing its revenue in the fourth quarter by 25 % since it was to introduce the S model in the market. This might be the reason why its share prices went up. Apple is facing competition from other companies such as Nokia. Nokia has partnered with Chinese company and it has grabbed most markets in china. MasterCard’s 3rd quarter report shows that it had 7.8% increase in operating earnings compared to the previous quarter. It also had introduced a share repurchase program in June and proved to be ef fective in the 3rd quarter. This might have triggered the increase in prices. GDP experiences periods of boom, recession or depression and so does share prices undergo through the same cyclical period. The correlation between GDP and share prices is very low (Reilly and Brown 2011). Investors are influenced by the returns they get from each dollar they invest in the company. If the GDP increases in the 4th quarter by

Analysis of Paediatric Gastroenteritis Case Study

Analysis of Paediatric Gastroenteritis - Case Study Example   It shall consider the case of Kane, who is a young boy presenting to the emergency department with his parents. Upon admission, the records establish that Kane is a four-year-old male child who has been suffering for 24 hours (prior to consultation) from diarrhea and vomiting. He is also: pale with peripheral warmth; with RR of 30/min (without wheezing on auscultation); HR of 140/min at rest; temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius; with the dry tongue; tearfulness; lethargy; and with weight at 15.4 kg. He has mild intermittent asthma managed with salbutamol. Parents express that the child has been vomiting sporadically, is not able to keep fluids down, and refuses to drink. He also has had four episodes of watery offensive stool in the last 12 hours PTC. The physician diagnosed the child with possible gastroenteritis, and the plan of care was to try fluids orally if tolerated and if not, to consider IV cannula. The child was admitted to the children’s ward and scheduled for r eassessment after 12 hours. This study shall now consider two clinical guidelines related to pediatric gastroenteritis. ... Australian sources were excluded in the search. Literature which matched the current case was reviewed and the specific journal was chosen based on relevance, reliability, and validity. Immediate Priorities for Kane’s care: To assess and manage the patient’s level of dehydration To reduce or totally end his diarrhoea and vomiting Plan and intervention for patient’s care Assessment and management of patient’s level of dehydration Based on the NSW Clinical Guidelines, the assessment of patient’s level of dehydration is based on three levels: mild, moderate, and severe. The care of the dehydrated patient subsequently follows based on the level of dehydration. Based on the patient’s symptoms, Kane is moderately dehydrated based on his following symptoms: elevated heart rate, elevated breath rate, pallor, dry mucous membrane, and lethargy (NSW Health, 2010, p. 7). These are all symptoms which signal moderate dehydration. The replacement fluid rate shall, therefore, be nasogastric therapy: one Oral Rehydration Solution (Gastrolyte); or it may be intravenous through (rapid or standard speed). The IV shall be 0.9% NaCl + 2.5% Glucose or 0.9% NaCl + 2.5% Glucose or 0.45% NaCl + 2.5% Glucose (NSW Health, 2010, p. 7). The Canadian Clinical Guidelines presented with slightly different details. Firstly, the child is also moderately dehydrated under these guidelines as assessed from the child’s exhibited symptoms, including dry mucous membrane, elevated heart rate, and lethargy (Gysler, 2011, p. 3).  Ã‚  

Value of Project Management Essay Example for Free

Value of Project Management Essay In the pursuit for effectively managing complex IT projects in a competitive wireless industry, the value of project management to Verizon enhances the brand identity through strategic management. The Verizon Wireless Corporation is the nation’s most dependable and reliable wireless network with the largest retail customers in the industry. The Verizon Wireless internal and external demographic is their customer base at 67. 2 million, fulltime employees at 69,000, and the annual revenue at $43. 9 billion. The success of Verizon Wireless offered the opportunity to have a joint-venture with Vodafone to expand the network and available services. Therefore, the need for a project management protocol for successful strategic measures empowered the Verizon stakeholder planned initiatives. The role of strategic planning to the Verizon organization is the proactive activity for RD strategies emphasizing the importance of technology and product-market decisions. The value of project management enhances the objectives of the strategic planning initiatives set forth to accomplishing the corporation goals. The strategy implementation from stakeholders offers the benefit to instill a direct assessment of strengths and weaknesses in the corporation (Hunger and Wheelen, 2007). Therefore, the utilization of strategic planning reinforces the primary outliers identified in the initial strategy assessment. The strategic planning provided the RD initiatives for new IT technology to make consumers wireless experience more efficient. The project management technical aspects offer the means to identify what tasks are needed to be delivered within the set timeframe and budget. The value of project management benefits Verizon Wireless to performing the necessary application, in which, to significantly improve the consistency of outcomes resembled what the organization anticipated. Furthermore, the emphasis on project management for Verizon is the security for adapting to the complex needs of an IT special project. The value of project management provided the integral parts necessary in the desired deliverable for a new updated LG Voyager phone. The project management satisfied the many and variety of tasks that meet specific and unique characteristics for manufacturing, sales, and marketing initiatives for a new phone with advanced technical capabilities. The project management value is managing each specific task and uniqueness with a specific deliverable that is aimed at meeting a specific need or purpose. The value of project management created the success of a temporary endeavor undertaken for the strategic planning of an updated product. Verizon Wireless success is the creativity and technology advancement to staying competitive in the market, in which, the strategic planning for utilizing project management methodology successfully organizes the project activities. These activities are in-depth and several departments in the organization assist the project management team by providing resources for a successful delivery of deliverables. Therefore, the true value comes into play when the market demand for newer technology drives the need for an updated product roll-out that the project management activities are required within the organization’s normal operational limits (PMBOK, 2004). The role of strategic planning structured the tasks centrally on improving the current state in the demanding market, customer brand identity and brand equity for Verizon Wireless. The strategic planning implementation empowers the principles of project management to provide value in each required tasks. Therefore, the strategic planning for manufacturing the advanced technology phone answers the market demand identified in RD at Verizon Wireless – that presents the project management framework in accomplishing the management approach. The Verizon Wireless strategic planning is an ongoing measure that continues the identification on certain initiatives needed in enhancing projects objectives. The overall concern for a successful strategic planning is the support from stakeholders at Verizon Wireless that coordinate with the project management team. The cooperative strategies are the means for gaining competitive advantages within the industry by all teams working together. The primary type of cooperative strategy is the strategic alliance, in which, the core objectives are mutually achieved and beneficial. Moreover, the project management value to the company Verizon created a synergy of resources within the organization that incorporated all skills and talents for a productive product deliverable. The alliance of the RD divisions with other departments intensified the strength of Verizon Wireless as well as limits the identified weaknesses to manufacture a new advanced cell phone. The Verizon Wireless RD intensity is a principal means of gaining the market share in a domestic and global competitive market share. Respectively, the RD business unit at Verizon exposed the technological competence and technology transfer to assure a successful capability to the strategic planning of innovation (Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, and Sutton, 2008). The underlying value of project management continuity of deliverables within a complex IT environment reinforces the Verizon Wireless strategic planning. The constant changing of consumers needs and desires for a productive, easy-friendly, and with many options product strengthen the notion for Verizon Wireless to apply a direct approach to the project. The strategic planning fundamental role is in securing the core aspects for infusing the company’s advantages into the market through project management for securing brand identity and brand equity.

Study on Minority Status Stress and Psychological Distress

Study on Minority Status Stress and Psychological Distress PAGE SUMMARY Recent findings show that some high-achieving individuals are unable to accept their success. These individuals have feelings of inadequacies that are pervasive and persist regardless of how successful they become. Impostor syndrome/feelings is the feeling of internalized chronic self-doubt and intellectual fraudulence that causes individuals to feel as though they are not successful or competent. Impostor syndrome/feelings were originally researched in White, middle and upper middle class high-achieving women. Though evidence shows otherwise, these women tend to attribute their success to coincidence or error, not their hard work. Impostor phenomenon has been tied to clinically significant mental health symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety, and low self-esteem. Several board members of Fortune 500 companies have stated that, in the past, they thought that they would be escorted out of their building and fired from their jobs. This is mainly because they feel that they would b e found out as frauds even though they might be qualified for the job. Minority status stress, simply put, is the stress associated with being a minority in spaces with a low minority population. This particular study distinguishes between minority status stress, impostor syndrome, and their involvement with mental health. Research finds that minority status stress negatively affects mental health outcomes, such as general psychological distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms. Per the study, African Americans face the greatest risk of stress related to ethnic minorities. Further research involving other minorities are currently under way. The link between minority status stress and psychological distress seems to stem from the fact that ethnic minority groups are evaluated more negatively than European Americans. African Americans and Latino Americans are ranked last in intelligence rankings and high for laziness. Because of this perception, these minorities are vulnerable to stereotype threat and heightened anxiety in testing situations. Stereotype threat is the perception that a person is conforming to the stereotypes of their social or ethnic group. These minorities experience anxiety in testing situations because they believe they must be exceptional and score well to offset the negative stereotypes of their ethnic group. While the African American and Latino groups have stressors related to overcoming laziness and seeming unintelligent, Asian Americans have stereotypes of overachieving. Asian Americans are stereotypically thought of as the model minority. These individuals are believed to be intelligent, hardworking, and high achieving, with no emotional or adaptive problems. This is problematic because it perpetuates the stereotypical shy, soft-spoken, unassuming Asian person. It is also problematic because Asian Americans are expected to perform well on tests. This causes anxiety becaus e if an Asian person does not perform well, this potentially brings dishonor to their community. Disappointing the community is a stressor and produces anxiety for some Asian people. The study was done at a large southwestern university. Ethnic minorities made up approximately 36.6% of the student body. Individuals age ranged from 17 to 39 years old. Those minorities tested were Latino (76 people) , Asian (111 people), African American (50 people), and American Indians. Three individuals identified as biracial. Of the 240 individuals tested, 90 identified as men and 148 identified as women; 2 individuals did not specify their gender. Of those tested, 13 were freshmen, 54 sophomores, 63 juniors, and 108 seniors. 2 individuals did not identify their year in school. The mean GPA of everyone tested was 3.07. 51 individuals identified as working class, 127 middle class, 57 upper middle class, and 5 upper class. These individuals came from a pool of subjects in the educational psychology department. Those selected was sent a SurveyMonkey.com link where they could take the assessment. Specific measures tested for various signs of minority stress, imposter feelings, and mental well-being. The Minority Student Stress Scale (MSSS) tests for minority status stress. This assessment measures for specific stressors related to minorities and what stressors exacerbates ethnic minority status. The Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) is a 20 item scale that measures feelings of being an imposter. The Mental Health Inventory (MHI) measures mental health. For mental health, higher scores on psychological distress indicates poorer mental health. Higher scores on the psychological well-being index indicate better mental health. According to the data collected by sociologists and demographers, African Americans had more stressful experiences when it comes to adjusting to being a minority in a predominantly White university. Other ethnicities report their stress at a much lower rate. The higher stress reported by African Americans often led to lower feelings of well-being. Data also shows that Asian American students experienced higher imposter feelings than any other ethnicity studied. Per the research, researchers found the results counterintuitive because they believed that highly stigmatized and stereotyped students would struggle with imposter feelings. This is mostly because Asian American students must deal with the stressors of the model-minority stereotype and high parental expectations. Furthermore, the model-minority stereotype may, in fact, produce increased anxiety and distress, particularly for those students who do not possess the intellectual  capacity or whose interests differ from those pr esented by the stereotype. According to the data, minority status stress and impostor feelings were both significantly correlated  with psychological distress and psychological well-being for all of the  ethnic minority groups. The correlation results support research by Jones et  al. (2007), which found that stress related to race or minority status was an  important correlate of mental health outcomes. Minority status stress was a  significant negative predictor, but it did not significantly predict psychological  well-being. Impostor feelings significantly predicted both psychological distress  and psychological well-being; in fact, it was a much stronger predictor than  minority status stress. These findings provide potential insights into ethnic  minority students mental health. PAGE CRITIQUE This piece of research studied mental wellbeing in the realm of minority status stress and imposter syndrome/feelings. The scope of this study may have been too large because only a small selection of minorities were selected. The sample only consisted of African Americans, Latino Americans, and Asian Americans. Ethnic minorities such as Arab Americans, American Indians, and Alaskan native populations were not included. Biracial students were recognized but their data was not included in the mean. It would be interesting to see how researchers would handle biracial students. Placing them in their own group might not be ideal but asking them which ethnicity they mostly identify as would defeat the purpose of them stating that they were biracial. It would also be interesting to see how mental well-being and minority status stress affect those who benefit from the privilege that comes from assimilating into the majority. This research had an adequate sample size, with 240 minorities surveyed. However there was a large population of Asian Americans with 111 individuals surveyed, followed by 76 LATINOs, 50 AFRICAN AMERICANS, and 3 BIRACIAL INDIVIDUALS. I understand that the study was focused on minorities and their feelings within PWIs, but I believe a more robust sample and statistic would form if the survey was sent to every institution in the area. This way, we can see levels of well-being and imposter feelings and how they compare to minorities who go to PWIs versus minorities who go to HBCUs and members of the majority who go to HBCUs. To provide anecdotal evidence of the need for this expansion, I graduated from an HBCU prior to going to a PWI. I was afforded the opportunity to be a part of an advanced curriculum. In certain classes there were more White students than there were African American students. Though I did not recognize it at the time, the White students had imposter feelings. They wo uld often say how, because of who they are or who they know, they advanced through school with little resistance. They also states that they only reason they enrolled into the HBCU was because they were offered scholarships to play a particular sport. By the time we all graduated, I believe the imposter feelings subsided. I even believe that the mental well-being was good because they joined the fraternities and sororities and embraced the culture and climate of the HBCU. Having a larger number and a wider pool of applicants would allow for stories like that to be told and for their data to be counted. The study states that there is only a correlational connection between minority status stress and imposter feelings and psychological distress and lower psychological well-being. However, I believe that it is intellectually dishonest to try to pinpoint only one cause of psychological distress and lower psychological well-being. The summation of all stressors can lead to these issues. Having a larger sample and a more indepth survey could push the data more toward causal instead of correlational. As the individuals in the anecdotal example, school counselors often suggest engaging different ethnicities and joining groups of similar interest. Joining these groups may help to alleviate the stress associated with being a minority. Counselors even suggest opening a form of dialoge so that every ethnicity voices their opinions and has a voice that is positive and progressive.