Cause and Effect of School Bullying Essay

In today’s society bullying is playing a big roll in schools. A ratio of 1:3 student have committed suicide or committed some kind of crime due to the act of being bullied. The kids who are being bullied are not only victims but the kids who are doing the bullying are victims also. If they are bullying they are having some type of problems at home. Not only that they have insecurities issues of some kind. This sometimes causes them to pick on people that have lower self-esteem issues than they have. Maybe this kids is overweight or maybe they wear glasses or even sometime they pick on people now a days from having slight mental illnesses. Bullying don’t always affect the kid it also affects the family. But it doesn’t always end in bad things in cases such as mines. On a personal note being a victim of bullying’ it did give me self-esteem issues. But those self-esteem issues became much bigger then my problems and I overcame them. I was bullied all throughout elementary, middle, and high school but only in the 9th grade. They talked about my legs, they talked about my chest, they talked about my teeth, pretty much anything they can talk about on me it was done. Was even just picked on and told that I was an ugly little girl. It had me down but when maturity hit for me those same guys and girls started to like me more. The biggest tease of them all was having short hair. It only encouraged me more to bring out my true beauty. So like said before bullying has cause me to be more open about everything even my sexuality which back then I was teased about but now I embrace being a lesbian. I think that only strong minded people can actually do some of the things I have done after being bullied. Now today I have grown beautifully and very successful if I must say. My past may hinder me a slight bit but there are still methods of me overcoming them. Based on my research if a student is lacking any types of family support, the effects can be more devastating. In some cases some kids that are affects by any type of traumatic events may disassociate themselves from the traumatic situation and absorb themselves in bad behavior. Sometimes they think that this negative attention is a good thing to help secure themselves. Something like when most kids mis-behave when their parents get divorces (Zigler, 2002). The only way they can cope is by doing wrong. Many kids who are affected by bullying can have their develop mental processes and some part of their brain affected by the events. In a recent survey of 1. 965 students between 7th and 12 grade 48% have reported being harassed in some kind of way by other students. (Anderson, 2011)

Cognitive Therapy Case Conceptualization

The client: Elena Elena is an adolescent female, coming to the therapy process demonstrating through actions and words a great deal of anxiety and overall apathy for her situation. Elena is a smart, socially engaged Mexican American attending public high school. She opens the session with presenting problems regarding conflict over what she might do after high school. Preliminary conceptualization from a cognitive perspective Overall, there is an obvious feeling of disempowered regarding her right and or ability to make life decisions.She comes from a close-knit family, though some of her siblings have moved away to seek out goals beyond those that they may feel their parents are putting upon them. She has recently begun to disengage academically and socially as she feels the urgency of choosing to adhere to family tradition or to go out on her own, like her peers. Though she says she has not yet made a decision, know that cognition mediates affect and behavior (Friedburg 101).From t his perspective a therapist might conclude that her recent apathy toward academics and isolating herself from her peers show that she indeed is letting the thoughts of â€Å"I must listen to my parents† drive her life perspective. It is promising from a cognitive standpoint, that she shows some jealousy toward her boyfriend and others: Perhaps the anger when discussing her family dynamics and recent history is most telling that Elena could benefit from Beck’s Socratic dialogue.The pluralistic views that come from her own identity within her biculturalism are strongly embedded, and the therapist demonstrated this by demonstrating lots of open questions. Letting Elena focus on herself as an individual rather than a Mexican-American could lead to meaningful exploration and collaborative cognitive change to help Elena feel more empowered.When counseling adolescents from a cognitive perspective the counselor must remember that under any circumstances this may be the first t ime that these clients might see their actions and behaviors, and question the beliefs that may have become embedded during childhood. Elena obviously needs a relatively short-term look into these feelings due to her grades slipping and applying for colleges, if she so chooses. Asking a client â€Å"what is going through your mind right now† (Murdock 337) is one of the base approaches to beginning to help the client recognize their individual thought patterns.This is a question that is difficult for many adults, and though adolescents in general can be more open to change, Elena’s worldview as a bicultural young woman is overpowering any other automatic thoughts that she might have; it is culturally appropriate for a young Mexican American to disregard her own thoughts and needs for the good of the family—which Elena does in fact voice (Rochlen 2009). As an observer to this case scenario, the challenge, due to age and culture, seems very difficult. The video dem onstrates this strong schema Elena has developed that exudes this overwhelming disempowerment.I believe this schema of overall disempowerment is deeply embedded and will be difficult to challenge through cognitive therapy. Additionally, Mexican culture tends to see the counselor as â€Å"expert† and the collaborative aspect of cognitive therapy may prove to be at the least uncomfortable for Elena, if not ineffective. Elena may continue to rely on others’ to make decisions for her, to give her an unconditional guarantee (Corey 107), if this base belief cannot be penetrated due to adherence to cultural tradition, fear of change, or if Elena is unable to begin to identify these automatic thoughts. Possible cognitive strategiesIn general, Latino Americans traditionally have strong family bonds and honor generational wisdom (Sue 377) Through the current political venue of the United States and popular culture, Mexican-Americans may fall prey to stereotypes and inherently fe el a disconnect or poor self-image: American beliefs certainly account for this inner struggle Elena is feeling. Because this is pervasive and overarching in American culture where to begin with Elena in imperative. There is a lot behind these feelings, and as an adolescent who is struggling the counselor should take these omnipresent cultural truths into consideration.It is promising to me that Elena is already speaking about her siblings: I see this as an open door for initiating questions that challenge Elena’s view of herself as a young Mexican American. I would certainly recognize Elena’s frustration and give lots of positive regard as she speaks about her presenting problem. Cognitively, I would go back to Elena’s conversation regarding the varying paths her siblings have chosen. I would respectfully move through this aspect of cognitive therapy so as to not threaten Elena’s loyalty to her family.Since Beck’s model is based on a leading rathe r than a more confrontational approach, I would use this to my advantage to allow her to explore her emotions about her siblings and their life choices. I see this as an aspect of Elena’s life experience that may allow Elena to begin to explore self-identity outside of the effects of biculturalism. Keeping the central focus of thought exploration on how she might challenge her beliefs about her life choices through reflecting on her siblings’ life choices may be a safe way to allow Elena to begin connecting the deeper thoughts behind her ability to make life choices.From a cognitive perspective and the lens of cultural identity, my goal for Elena would be for her to begin understanding that many are facing overwhelming decisions within their own cultural context. At some point everyone must decide to respect family wishes or go out on her own. Elena would be challenged to explore the beliefs she holds regarding herself as a Mexican American; she could begin to see how the complex construct is not a means to an end. Helping Elena expose automatic thoughts and change subsequent behaviors could serve to identify the struggle she will face as a bicultural woman in America today.Obviously, this grander focus this approach toward the â€Å"big picture† provides empowerment, but is daunting. Collaboratively, it would be ideal to praise Elena for exploring her identity on a grander scale. At this point, I would encourage Elena to do some homework: Her recent social isolation undermines her support system and exploration of self-identity. Many of her friends to do not sound as if they are struggling as bicultural adolescents: Meeting with a Latino cultural group on her local college campus would be an ideal way to allow her to feel empowered as well as supported.I am sure that many others have faced this kind of multicultural dilemma in their formative years, and have come up with myriad life choices. Though I can help Elena begin to understand and possibly question her core beliefs that drive her behaviors, she will need safe and pertinent ways to explore them. Elena is a very intelligent young lady, and I do think from our observation that she inherently knows that as well.Finding places and people with whom she can identify will empower her—not pressuring her into making a decision about her next step in life; with a goal toward hearing other stories of biculturalism in America and give her a comfortable place to explore her wishes for her own future and how she might find congruency between her choices and her heritage. I am certain that once her belief of what it means to be Mexican-American is challenged in some authentic way, she will begin to explore her automatic thoughts about cultural identity.My hope in working with Elena from a cognitive perspective is that she will begin to see her own identity and realize how her own thoughts had created a situation that most certainly is not the only possible scenario f or her path in life. Relevant multicultural considerations From the perspective of a bilingual educator and a culturally aware individual, I was ultimately unable to separate Elena’s biculturalism from the cognitive approaches and questioning that I would practice with Elena.Though this aspect of Elena’s life situation appears hopeless to her now, I believe through finding authentic ways to identify with successful, independent Mexican-Americans she might begin to expose the prevailing automatic thoughts leading her to these isolating, dichotomous conclusions. The last relevant multicultural aspect that I have not addressed is it would be imperative that I find an opportunity to speak with Elena’s family, and connect them with other families who are raising children in a bicultural environment.This is ideal because Latino families need opportunities to be involved in the community and support one another in myriad ways. non-productive cognitive approaches Note h ow at the beginning of this integrated discourse regarding Elena’s pull toward family tradition and sense of loss for her dreams of going to college I was careful to note which door felt safe and respectful to collaboratively open with Elena.Siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles may â€Å"stay out of family business† such as the pressure from her mother, but it would be culturally insensitive for me to have Elena challenge her thoughts and risking her attaching them to family ties. That is already were Elena is, and traditionally Mexican-Americans see the counselor as â€Å"expert,† which could disengage long-standing family traditions and dynamics. I am convinced that approaching Elena through questions about herself, her riends, her academic life, and family would have made her feel that cognition is knowable and accessible, which is an underlying foundation of Beck’s theory. If a counselor were to solely base their approach, without multicultural conside rations, on cognitive therapy with Elena as an individual it could serve to not allow herself to fully feel her human emotions, nor to bring awareness that change is central to the human process.I do not think asking Elena to explain how her beliefs construct her reality without first finding meaningful ways for her to relate to others outside of herself could she effect any change at all. Cognitive therapy, through the lens of multiculturalism, must always consider the bigger picture of what their life perspective really is: If challenged directly about her mother Elena may have only further solidified her commitment to fail at school to have a concrete reason to obey her parents.

Massive Software: A Film Innovation

It has been noted that crowds are an important feature in everyday living. Collectively, people assemble together in order to observe, protest, or celebrate various happening.Since the 19th century, crowds have become one of the most important objects of scientific inquiry, as realistically speaking, they share a collective behavior within the environment where a certain event is taking place (Magnenat-Thalmann, 2001).Nonetheless, crowd formation has been an imperative factor in the film industry. It plays a significant role in providing realistic approach for building large scenes that require numerous people in order to carry out the objective of stimulating the emotions of the audiences to make them feel as if such events are actually taking place.Back then, in order to carry out large-scale production scenes such as battle sequences and stadium spectators, myriads of extras are commissioned. One of the many disadvantages of such commissioning is apparent in the amount of time and finances it consumes.Realistically, two or three days of the scheduled production are wasted just to move the extras around the locations. At times, given directions are not followed by the extras most especially in terms of behaviors and reactions required in the set.These are just some of the key issues faced by most of production teams. However, with the advent of a technology called â€Å"Multiple Agent Simulation System in Virtual Environment† or â€Å"Massive Software,† as it is popularly referred to, enhanced creativity as well as faster and efficient production can now be achieved.Massive software is the fruition of the five years work of software developer and crowd specialist Stephen Regelous. The said technology is identified as a high-end computer simulation and visualization system that serves as the solution for generating massive yet realistic crowds, capable of performing reactions and behaviors. Instead of developing animated characters that are neede d to be manipulated all throughout, Massive creates autonomous agents, which can be people, animals, or even non-human characters.The use of fuzzy logic by Massive enables the agents to respond to their environment, and their reactions can simulate emotive qualities ranging from bravery to fear. As each agent is designed in accordance to arranged set up, massive agents are more unique and less robotic compared to other animated characters. In addition to this, Massive’s dynamic features also include smart stunts and cloth simulation which add up to the realistic environment created by Massive itself (Massive Software, 2009).First used in the feature film â€Å"Lord of the Rings† trilogy, Massive is considered as an invaluable technology that helped in shaping the epic battle in the said movie. Compared to traditional movie casting, the Lord of the Rings trilogy managed to deviate away from the customary commissioning of hundreds of actors in order to give life to some of the most intense sequences in the story through the use of Massive (Bares, 2005).Additionally, Massive is not only a crowd tool but also a tool for choreography, allowing directors to have a qualitative edge on their films. On an actual shoot, directors continuously give instructions to actors together with the extras. With the vast number of people, the scene would not eventually work as is.However, such is not the case with Massive. Through the said software, directors can move the camera as needed and at the same time put the agents with sophisticated behavior without necessarily repeating the scenes all over again (Bares, 2005).Currently, Massive is being used in many productions, may it be feature films or commercials, due to its capability to produce photo-real crowd and intense cinematic quality scenes that were never possible before (Bares, 2005).Massive is also being introduced to non-entertainment markets, specifically in fields that require strong visual effects such a s engineering and architecture, as it is perceived as a transformative technology that could impact buildings and public space design, pedestrian planning, disaster prevention and recovery, consumer behavior research, environmental impacts, and other life sciences (Thomson Reuters, 2009).In general, the introduction of Massive Software in the film industry is a premiere solution to the issue of crowd-related visual effects in both film and television. The said innovative technology marks a great change in the entertainment history as a whole because it deviates from the traditional commissioning of extras which are usually unmanageable and costly. Similarly, not only is Massive a solution to crowd effects, but it is also perceived as a useful tool in various fields, as it helps to produce a much more efficient and flexible outputs.   

Biology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Biology - Essay Example A large meteorite could weigh several tons and hit the ground at a speed of some 40,000 kilometers per hour. The impact of this could be much higher and worse than the power of 1000 Hiroshima bombs. A crater could be formed where it falls and the material in the crater can get heated and become slung in the atmosphere. The impact could be so heavy that this could in turn fall with a great force several miles away and explode as if a volcanic eruption has taken place. The shock waves can flatten trees and buildings if it falls on land and it could result in tsunami or floods if it falls on the sea. The dust created due to this impact could block the sun light for several years and this would lead to mass destruction. Plants could die due to lack of sunlight and animals due to lack of food. The diversity of life would be adversely affected with this impact. Agriculture would be badly hit as all major food crops, including corn, wheat, and soybeans, depend on the introduction of new strains. Medicines are made from substances derived from plants, animals, or microorganisms for instance penicillin for antibiotics comes from the pencillium fungi. The planet earth has a wealth of natural resources and the economy itself is dependent on these resources. Sunlight is vitally important because its absence could have a direct affect on food, clothing, and medicines. Trees and plants return oxygen to the air through photosynthesis; bacteria break down organic material, building, and fertilizing the soil. Thousands of natural products are used by the industry to give us everyday goods. The seaweed is used in plastics, polishes, paints, deodorants, detergents, dyes, fire-extinguishing foams, lubricants, meat preservatives, and chicken feed, to name a few. Certain species support the entire ecosystem. If these species were to disappear under the impact of the meteor, it could affect human life, the heredity, and its

Europe as an Optimal Currency Area Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Europe as an Optimal Currency Area - Essay Example The debate about Europe as optimum currency area as an important and heated point of discussion for the economic experts and analysts and there have been different standpoints presented by the experts to regard and disregard Europe as optimum currency area. The main elements identified within the definition of optimum currency area could effectively work to decide if any region could be regarded as optimum currency area or not. Likewise, Europe could also be evaluated as an optimum currency area by looking at some specific criteria like asymmetric shocks, degree of openness, international factor mobility, labour mobility, fiscal transfer, product diversification and trade and business cycles similarities etc. (Krugman and Obsrfeld, p98) The economy and labour market of Europe has been analysed by the experts from these perspective very frequently and most of the analysis and observations have concluded with the results that Europe could not be regarded as an optimum currency area bec ause it does not completely complies with the criteria set for the OCA. However, it is also a fact that most of the economic experts and analysts believe that Europe has great potential to become an OCA and in coming few years the situation would be evolved where Europe will head to appear as an OCA (McKinnon, p173). The experts arguing against the status of Europe as OCA put forward the evidences in support of their stance. It is found that free mobility of labour within the regions of Europe is not high. The labour mobility in Europe has been recorded one third of the mobility found in United States. It implies that Europe lag behind in proving itself as area of free labour mobility. Similarly it is also found that Europe is yet to establish system for extensive and automotive intra-European fiscal transfers and currently there are not enough fiscal transfers between the European countries that it could be regarded as OCA. The existence of common currency is also an important char acteristic of optimum currency area. It is imperative that the OCA should have one central bank to manage all the monitory policies in the region and the member countries use to follow the same policy as formulated and implemented by the central bank of the region. There should be single currency with fixed exchange rate system. The launch of Euro is often cited as an evidence to prove Europe as OCA however, it is also a fact that despite the use of common currency the European countries yet to have common monitory policies and they need more time to create common fiscal and monitory policies like that of an OCA (Tavlas, p211). The degree of commodities' market integration within the union members also determines the optimum currency area. In Europe, there are some countries like Britain where there is higher level of reliance upon the export of high technology commodities whereas there is also large proportion of owner occupiers in the country links with the variable interest rates (Tavlas, p211). It implies that the market integration does not take place in similar production strategies among the members of the union but there are differences in the exports and import patterns of the countries. This trend also evident that Europe is

Managerial Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Managerial Economics - Essay Example Rationality is considered as an important aspect of the behavioural theory (Simon, 2001). There is a distance between the behaviour and rationality and they are connected by the concept of decision making. A decision making process is common in an organization where the managers have to take various decisions in order to achieve the mission of the organization (Ethiraj and Levinthal, 2004). The aim for this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of bounded rationality and the critical analysis of how the heuristics creates biasness towards decision making. The research would offer a scope to have a detailed analysis of bounded rationality as explained by Herbert Simon. According Herbert Simon (1961), rationality in behavioural characteristics of a person considers a relation of efficacy between the presumed end and the means to reach them (Kahneman, 2003). According to the researcher, the human beings lack in their rational behaviour due to the different aspects that is the rationality requires knowledge as well as understanding of the situation. However, the decision makers cannot be always called as rational because since they are likely to take decisions based on the available data and are unable to incorporate new information within their decision making process. According to the researcher, the organization must have a clear organizational goal so that the employees can work hard in order to achieve the goal (Simon, 2001). The organizations would have benefits for developing the organizational goals that helps in the organizational decision making process. It is said when the organizational members experience bounded rationality, managing the situations becomes much more difficult and the organizations are supposed to use both formal and informal control mechanisms in order to make the employees perform rationally (Simon, 2001). A theory of rational behaviour involves both the rationality of the individual as well

Plastic Surgery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Plastic Surgery - Essay Example Many may say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder or that plastic surgery is there to enhance the appearance, but I feel as though it is beyond that and many have made it a mocker. Cosmetic surgery should only be for medical purposes or if seriously injured. The aim of the essay is to use different articles on the effects and reasons of the increasing practices of plastic and cosmetic surgery. The essay focusses mainly on, â€Å"The pitfalls of plastic surgery by Camille Paglia.† Paglia states, â€Å"plastic surgery is living sculpture: a triumph of modern medicine. As a revision of nature, cosmetic surgery symbolizes the conquest of biology by human free will. With new faces and bodies, people become their own works of art† (Paglia, 791). The statement illustrates that plastic surgery has changed the perception of beauty where the western woman has high regards when it comes to beauty since she was the first to hit entertainment industry hence women undergo plast ic surgery to gain perfection. Later in her article, she argues on this perception since the process of plastic surgery is risk and one may end up turning from bad to worse if the surgery fails.In the case of cosmetic surgery, â€Å"what neurological risks be there in the long term use of Botox a nonsurgical toxin injected subcutaneously to paralyze facial muscles and smooth out fallows and wrinkles,† (Paglia, 792) most of the people undergoing cosmetic surgery do not have a clue of the risks of overusing Botox. Before undergoing cosmetic surgery, it is important to identify the risks involved in the overuse of the drug since the drug has severe consequences and irreversible making people from failed cosmetic and plastic surgery lose their true beauty.

Choose a topic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Choose a topic - Research Paper Example To achieve that, it is enough, and yet necessary to have a database and a geographic base, for example a map, and the GIS is capable of presenting a colored map that allows the visualization of the spatial pattern of the phenomenon . In the modern industrialized world, people of all ages are very mobile. Children commute between home and school or day care, and the working population commutes between home and work almost every day. A considerable proportion of the population move from one region to another within the municipality or country, or from one country to another, every occasionally (Waters, 2004) . Therefore, people expose themselves to different risk factors in different locations, and the relationship between catching a disease and the potential environmental risk factor is difficult to prove reliably. Thus, all the exposures and risks experienced earlier in life may become associated on maps with an inaccurate geographical location and may easily lead to erroneous conclu sions and etiological hypotheses without individual-level information of the exposure history (Lees, 2006). Individual-level follow-up studies lie needed to gain information of the measurement of real exposure, but are, in many cases, laborious and costly. However, it would be fascinating to carry out analyses with a spatio-epidemiological model, which would stand more based on individual-level data than coarse spatial data. These individual-level data can lie gathered, for example, by questionnaires or by using modern GPS and GIS technologies. Such a database can function as an individual-level spatial exposure history and undoubtedly strengthen the spatial analyses aimed at search for the causality of the disease (Morra, 2006). While basic spatial analysis involves some spatial queries and attribute queries complicated analysis typically, require a series of GIS operations including multiple attribute and alteration of original data, spatial queries, and generation of new data set s. The methods for organizing and structuring such operations are a major concern in spatial analysis. An efficient and effective spatial analysis is one in which the best available methods are appropriately employed for different types of spatial queries, attribute queries, and data alteration. The design of the analysis however, depends on the purpose of study (Boots, 2000). Many food activists consider access to healthy food a basic human right, and insist that policies that affect our food system should stand enacted accordingly to ensure that everyone has access to healthy food. This is a complex issue, which involves many different players but it is generally more of a concern for lower income groups because they have limited resources and mobility. There have been numerous methods used to identify and analyze food access (Waters, 2004). Mapping patterns of access to food stores using GIS technology is becoming more prevalent and increasingly effective. This technology allows users to identify areas of low food access depending on specific criteria and enables the possibility for detailed spatial analysis. Conversely, GIS technology and spatial data are not readily accessible to everyone. Community organizations are often the most concerned about food access for local residents but they lie especially limited by their capacity to utilize GIS technology. This paper explores

Dream Vacation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dream Vacation - Essay Example Hawaii is a place that millions of people around the world dream of visiting but we’re actually going to do it. For the first time in a long time, we have the means and the willpower (I hope!) to take a much needed vacation abroad. It’s winter at home and the sunny shores of Waikiki are within our reach. Why Hawaii, you ask? As the eastern-most portion of the United States, Hawaii has also had a mythical hold over my imagination since I was young. Hawaii is a series of islands which have a distinct history, culture and language from the rest of the United States. Hawaiians are also very proud of their way of life and have taken many steps to preserve their unique and fascinating culture. Think of it, we can go spend time on Waikiki beach or go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, just on the other side of the Diamond Head volcano. We’ll also go hiking up Diamond Head and take in a luau or two while we are there. Did you know that Barack Obama was born in Honolulu? Yes, the first African-American President in the history of the United States was born just off the coast of Waikiki beach and spent his formative early years growing up on the tropical island of Hawaii. We can also visit the Pearl Harbor memorial to the east of the island or visit the Palace of King Kahemahema back when Hawa ii was a kingdom and it was governed by monarchs for centuries. Hawaii has so much history, so much to see, read and learn about. We really all deserve a vacation and now is the time to get away from the winter, kick back and have a pina colda on the beach. Who needs snow when we could be on the beach? (Tabrah, 1984). The sunny tropical conditions of Waikiki are calling us. Let’s go away for the winter. Instead of permanent snow and walking through slush every morning to get to work, lets go spend a few weeks on the beach. The time has come to take our long overdue holiday before the kids leave

The purpose of Johns Gospel Essay Example for Free

The purpose of Johns Gospel Essay To tell the truths about Jesus rather than recount the facts of his life. Critically examine and evaluate this claim concerning the purpose of the author of the Fourth Gospel. There are several alternative views about the purpose of Johns Gospel. I plan to examine the view that it was written to tell truths about Jesus, and discuss its likelihood within the context of some of the other theories. In order to assess this view of the gospels purpose, it is necessary to discuss for whom John was writing, as his purpose will hinge upon his audience. If he was writing so his audience could see and have faith in Jesus then he may well have been writing for unbelievers. Karl Bornhauer has proposed that the gospel was written as a straightforward missionary tract for unbelieving Jews. Only Jews, he claims, would have understood the document, because it is preoccupied with Jewish matters and omits any reference to the institution of the Christian rites of Baptism and the Lords Supper. In its final edition, the gospel was written in Greek, possibly because this is what Hellenistic Jews spoke. On these grounds, the gospel was written to convince Jews of the Christian claim that Jesus is the Messiah. Robinson agrees with this view but Smalley thinks that by the time this gospel was written, the Christian mission to Israel was largely over. The Jews featured in the gospel are Jesus enemies, not potential Christians while some believe in him (12:11) the majority are responsible for his death. Johns attitude to them would therefore have been polemical not missionary. This seems like a relevant view, also, because it is doubtful that John would have succeeding in converting these Jews by casting them into the role of Jesus enemies; he would merely have alienated them. Therefore I do not believe Johns Gospel was written to convert unbelieving Jews. Another theory, from Raymond Brown, is that John was addressing Diaspora Jewish-Christians; Greek speaking Jews already converted to Christianity, or those torn between their faith in Jesus and their loyalty to Judaism. They were mistrusted and seen as subversive to the law, and attempts were made to exclude them from the synagogue. The polemic against Jews would not apply to them, and the authors emphasis on Jesus as the Messiah and as the fulfilment of all the Jewish feasts and institutions would be a strength to their faith if they were allowed to remain in the synagogue, and an encouragement to them if they were forced to withdraw. There are three references to being put out of the synagogue in Johns Gospel, and two instances of those who overcame their fear of the Jews, and even at risk of expulsion from the synagogue, publicly acknowledged Jesus (the blind man, and Joseph of Arimathea). Jesus is also portrayed positively, attending festivals. Brown concludes that John is inviting Jewish-Christians in the synagogues of the Diaspora to follow the example of such people. However, despite the fact there is internal evidence to support this, it is unlikely these were the sole intended recipients. Smalley suggests that the gospel could also have been written for Christians, to challenge their faith, to encourage their belief and to help them grow into the Christian way of life. There is nothing exclusive about the gospel; its perspective is infinitely wide, and it may well have been intended for all Christians everywhere. It is, however, also possible that John was writing for a particular group around him, because his gospel was originally anchored in a real life situation which helped to shape its tradition, and caused its publication. Smalley thinks the Johannine church was made up of many disparate groups of people suffering under the Romans persecution. These groups included Judaisers, ex-heretics, ex Gnostics, those from Gentile and Jewish backgrounds and ex-pagans, but all were followers of the beloved disciple, and the purpose of writing a gospel for all of these people would be to reconcile them, and thus show the universality of Christianity. C H Dodd and C K Barrett are the two scholars most associated with the belief that John is a work of evangelism. The gospel itself states that it contains an evangelical purpose: so that you may believe Jesus is the Christ (20:31). Thus its main purpose would be to persuade people to grow in faith, (which is a different thing from belief). A discussion between Jesus and Thomas (20:26-28) seems to emphasise this Thomas sees because he believes. Jesus is saying that without actually seeing him on earth, faith is a spiritual perception. Thomas needs to see reality. This theme is running through the gospel, the light and dark imagery symbolising seeing faith, and demonstrating that Jesus is the light of the world and the source of eternal life. So, Smalley concludes that the gospel was written so that its readers could find out truths about Jesus and believe he is the life-giving Messiah (v 31). Dodd thinks the gospel is written in two parts, chapters 2 11 being the signs, and 12 20 b eing the passion. Thus Jesus is shown being glorified. It has been suggested that the gospel is a polemic or an apology, and according to Bultmann, one against the Baptist sect. Its main purpose would be to demonstrate the inferiority of John the Baptist to Jesus. John the Baptist is described only as a man sent from God (1:6) and his role is heavily played down in comparison with the synoptics Jesus, not John, is the light (1:8), the Baptist is neither the Christ nor the Elijah, but merely a crying voice (1:19-23), Jesus existed before John, and is greater (1:30), Jesus performed many signs, but John never worked a miracle (10:41). Only in this gospel does Jesus not get baptised. Therefore, the suggestion has been raised that Johns gospel was written to refute the claim of a Baptist group. Bultmann argues that the author of the gospel was a former Gnostic who had been part of a Baptist sect before becoming a Christian Gnosticism flourished in the 2nd Century and his disciples were given to Jesus. Smalley is very critical of this view, saying the only other evidence we have of a Baptist sect is in Acts 19, and this is debatable. Although it is possible there was a Baptist sect in the 3rd Century, this wasnt unusual judging by the other sects in existence e.g. Manichaeism and there is little evidence to suggest such a group created any real problem for the early Christian church. Furthermore, I do not think the author could have been meaning to downgrade John the Baptist, because he isnt mentioned very much the gospel is about Jesus. Another possibility is that the gospel is a polemic against heresy, in particular, against Gnosticism. Gnostic influences, or pre-Gnostic ideas, were brought to bear on the Christian gospel once it was carried from a Palestinian to a Graeco-Roman environment. We also know from Gnostic redeemer myths, in which deliverance from the lower world of matter is effected by a non-earthly, ideal, saviour figure and appropriated by knowledge, that such ideas when taken over by Christians involve a denial of the physical reality of Jesus in his life and death. Edwin Hoskyns argued the gospel was anti-Gnostic, as did E Scott, who thought John was basically a reinstatement of the Christian good news in Hellenistic terms. But he also found evidence that the author of John wrote to counteract heretical, Gnostic teachings he insists on the reality of Christs life, denies the Gnostic hierarchy of intermediate spiritual agencies, opposes the Gnostic idea that divine sonship is possible apart from t he Christ, avoids Gnostic watchwords, and so on. Barrett thinks John was writing whilst Gnosticism was developing; and essentially was trying to nip it in the bud before it really became successful (although Bultmann disagrees and thinks it was already established by c.100 AD). Gnostics, in general, think Jesus message is for an elite, and only some will get to Heaven. The author of John was clearly conscious of Gnosticism, and apparently not completely or directly critical of it he uses Gnostic imagery such as light and dark, heaven and earth, is sensitive to the importance of knowledge, and accepts a dualist framework for his theology of salvation. Bultmann believes that the author of John is actually a former Gnostic who is editing the sign source (which is the heart of the ministry), and that John uses a separate source from the synoptics, in which the signs do not feature. Bultmann thinks Gnosticism used the sign source too, but attached the redeemer myth to it. John is therefore editing out Gnostic influences, reclaiming the text this means that Gnosticism and John are similar, but the conclusion is different. So through using Gnostic ideas, John is actually showing that Christianity is universal. However, this to me does not hold much weight as an argument because the author has been so ambiguous he swings between supporting the Gnostic way of thought and opposing it. Had the author been writing a polemic, he would surely have left no doubt about his point. It has also been questioned whether John might have been trying to interpret or complement the synoptics, or perhaps going beyond them completely to write an ultimate gospel. Evidence for this is that it was part of Jewish tradition to write a commentary on something previous: Windisch and Lightfoot think it is an assumption to say that the author of Johns gospel used the synoptics as a source, (although John was written late, C 100 AD) and he might have used a non-synoptic sign source. Windisch thinks John was written, to supersede the synoptics, by a single author who must have known the gospel of Mark and other synoptic material. Windisch claimed John was autonomous and sufficient so might have been replacing them completely. Lightfoot developed this idea, but said that the synoptic gospels would have had too strong a position in church for Johns gospel to achieve this, and was only interpreting them, to draw out the significance of the original events. This was suggested long before by Clement of Alexandria, when he wrote of a spiritual gospel. I think the idea of interpretation is probably more likely than that of replacement, as John does not seem to be meant to be independent, but probably complements the synoptics. The title asks whether the purpose of Johns gospel was historicity or not. For a large part of history, it was not thought to be accurate in the modern historians sense, especially as St Clement of Alexandria referred to it as a spiritual gospel. Some events in John appear to occur in a different order to the synoptics, e.g. the last supper, which occurs at Passover in the synoptics but is first thing in John. But according to Lightfoot, the author was well aware of the historical truth lying at the heart of the Christian tradition, and even if he can sit lightly to subordinate aspects of his main historical subject, he may give us better guidance than the synoptics. Smalley has tried to answer the question by examining Acts: Martin Dibelius believes Acts is not historical at all, F F Bruce says it is a summary of history but a sanitised version. But why would an author write one factual gospel and one inaccurate gospel? Paul is the main character in Acts, and Pauls inaccurate writings seem to contradict. Galatians also mentions a missing journey to Arabia which Acts leaves out though according to Catchpole, this could have been because it wasnt successful. But Smalley points out that in Acts, the council of Jerusalem is mentioned, which isnt in Paul. This means Acts and Luke are probably not historical, so John could still be. Despite this, Schmeitzer has said that the only thing the gospel shows is that Jesus existed, not anything about him. I do not think this can be true judging by the apparent structure of the gospel. Smalley divided it up into four parts (the prologue, the ministry, the passion, and the epilogue). Guilding identified a two-year cycle within the narrative, although he thought it was a liturgy. However this does suggest history was important, or why would the author put the gospel into a historical context? The gospel has a clear time period, and mentions historical figures. Smalley identified that the author must have thought about structure as well, and said that the main purpose was to show who Jesus is (thus agreeing with the titles claim). Jesus performed miracles which C H Dodd called sign sources, and Smalley thinks that these, along with the discourses and the I am sayings, are meant to show the reader who Jesus actually is, and what his purpose is. None of these three things have a historical purpose, although John might be historically accurate, containing historical and geographical tracts. I could accept this view, as it allows for the miracles to be only literary devices, designed to show the role of Jesus. The gospel is certainly centred about Jesus, who seems to be acting as a pastor he cares about his people (as in Pauls letters). Smalley questions whether or not Johns Gospel contains the same kind of Kerygma as the rest of the New Testament writings. C H Dodd identified the Kerygma in early speeches of Peter in six different parts throughout Acts: 2:16-21, in which the Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled, 2:22-32 and 3:15, where it is stated that Jesus is from the Davidic line, 2:33-36 and 4:11, stating that Jesus is the lord, 2:33 and 2:38, in which the Holy Spirit is given, 3:20 and 10:42, where it proclaims that Jesus will return, and 2:38-40 and 3:19 which says man should repent their sins. In John, the Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in John 1:1 and 1:14. 1:14 and 7:14 state that Jesus is from the Davidic line, 17:20-22 and 15:1-6 that Jesus is the lord, 20:21 that the Holy Spirit has been given, 6:39, 6:44, 14:3 that Jesus will return, and 20:31 that man should repent. C H Dodd thinks this Kerygma is in John, Peter and Paul. Smalley accepts it is there in John and Paul but thinks it is less developed. He also believes there is a significant difference between its presence in John and in Paul, because Jesus is supposed to be the second Adam in Paul, but John has a greater emphasis on surpassing Moses. He argues that the fourth gospel is much closer to the synoptics than to Paul, that Paul never saw the historical Jesus, only the risen Jesus, and is therefore incomplete. I would agree with Smalleys reasoning because in the Kerygma and in Paul there is little reference to Jesus historical life, so the purpose of the gospels might have been to put teachings of Jesus into a historical setting. In conclusion, it is impossible to be sure of the purpose of Johns Gospel, but it seems likely that the author wanted to communicate truths about Jesus, his role on earth, his divinity, etc. Smalleys views seem well supported by evidence, and I would agree that the gospel couldnt have been a purely historical account although it may well have a true frame of events. Surely spreading the good news about Jesus would be more important than relating everything he said and exactly as it happened. Robinson, who thought the gospel was written before the synoptics, said that historicity might have been a purpose, but not the main one. Most of those who think the synoptics came first will disagree and think Johns history is inaccurate, but as Brown as said, the accuracy is irrelevant, as the narrative frame is probably only there to strengthen teachings about Jesus.

Reflection on growth of competency in Clinical Skill

Reflection on growth of competency in Clinical Skill For this essay I am going to reflect upon a clinical skill I have become competent in during my training. I will use a reflective model to discuss how I undertook the skill. I will also discuss the rational and research behind the skill. The model of reflection I have chosen is Gibbs (Siviter, 2004). The Gibbs model of reflection allows the skill to be critically analysed. This is achieved by using the following sub headings; description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and an action plan (Siviter, 2004). The skill that I will reflect on in this essay is the administration of an intramuscular Injection (IM). An IM is an injection deep into a muscle (Dougherty Lister, 2008). This route is often chosen for its quick absorption rate and often medication cannot be given via other routes. The reason I have chosen to reflect on this skill is because I have had many opportunities to perform this skill, and at my current practice placement this is the most commonly used method of drug administration. I have undertook many IMs at this placement but I am going to reflect on the first one I undertook which was the administration of Hydroxocobalamin commonly known as vitamin B12 (BNF, 2007) Description During a morning clinic with the practice nurse, I was asked if I would like to administer an IM on the next patient, which was a 26 year old lady who has been suffering from crohns disease which can cause B12 deficiency due to lack of vitamin and mineral absorption (NACC, 2007). I agreed and she briefly went through with me how to do an IM as it had been a while since I had last done one. I called the patient in and asked her to sit down. The patient had come in for her first injection of B12. I chatted to the patient asking her how she was and if she had any concerns. I then gained consent asking her if it was ok for me as a student to administer it under the supervision of the practice nurse. The patient responded with you have got to learn I then prepared the equipment which included two needles, a sharps box, a piece of gauze and the medication. I checked the prescription with the practice nurse, and then checked the ampoule against the prescription. I then drew up the medicatio n with one needle disposing of it in the sharps box and attached the other needle. I then proceeded to administer the medication, after completing the procedure I disposed of the needle in the sharps box and documented it in the patients notes. After the patient had left the nurse explained to me I had done it all correct except I had gone in too far so if the needle broke it would be hard to get it out and that I didnt aspirate to check if I had gone into a vein. Thoughts and feelings After I was asked if I wanted to do the IM I felt very anxious as it had been more than 6 months since the last time I had administered one. But she explained the procedure to me which relieved some of my anxiety. When I first met the patient I was feeling allot more nervous as the patient was roughly my age and I havent had much experience of caring for the younger person. After the procedure when I was told I was wrong for not aspirating I felt annoyed as I was sure I had read that aspirating was no longer necessary. Evaluation Overall I feel that the clinical skill went well as a whole. I followed the instructions from my mentor and what the research has suggested other than feeling a little anxious I performed the skill confidently and correctly. What I feel was bad about the experience is with my communication, which reflecting on I believe was lacking. I communicated with the patient prior to the skill and after the skill, but during I felt I almost forgot there was a patient on the end of the needle. I was so focused on getting the skill right and not causing any pain I didnt talk to the patient throughout the whole thing. Another point that I feel was bad is, I forgot to wear an apron. My mentor never mentioned anything about this although I do feel I should have worn one as its an aseptic technique and its part of the (DOH, 2006) guidelines. Analysis The reason why an IM injection was chosen is because B12 can only be administered via IM (BNF, 2007). I gained informed consent off the patient as this is part the NMC guidelines. (NMC, 2008) As patients have the right to decline treatment. After gaining consent, I then checked the medication against the patients chart to ascertain the following: Drug, Dose, date, route, the validity of the prescription and the doctors signature. This is done to make sure the patient receives the correct drug and dose (NMC, 2008) I then washed my hands using Ayliffes six step technique to reduce the risk of infection and put gloves on as part of DOH 2007 Guidelines . The site that I chose was the mid deltoid site. Hunt (2008) Suggests that this is the best site to use as its easy to access whether the patient is sitting, standing or lying down, it also has the advantage of being away from major nerves and blood vessels. Although Roger (2000) states that only 2ml at most can be injected into the delto id. I was able to proceed with this site as B12 comes in a 1ml dose (BNF, 2007). I asked her if she would prefer to sit or lie down, she said she rather sit, this was ok with me as I am not very tall and found this a comfortable position for me. As the patient was wearing a short sleeve top I asked her to move it up slightly instead of removing it thus allowing her to maintain her privacy and dignity. I then assessed the injection site for suitability checking for any signs of infection, oedema or lesions. This is done to promote the effectiveness of administration and reduce the risk of cross infection (Woorkman, 1999). Holding the needle at a 90 degree angle it is quickly pushed into the muscle. Workman 1999 says this ensures good muscle penetration. I inserted the needle leaving approximately 1/2cm exposed as Workman, (1999) says this makes removing it easier should it break off. At this point I decided not to aspirate as per research (DOH, 2006). After inserting the needle I all owed it to remain there for 10 seconds. As Woorkman (1999) suggest that leaving in situ for 10 seconds allows the medication to diffuse into the tissues. After 10 seconds had past I swiftly removed the needle and applied pressure according to Dougherty Lister (2008) this helps prevent the formation of a haematoma. Immediately after carrying out the skill I disposed of the needle into a rigid sharps container. To ensure health and safety is maintained and the used sharps dont present a danger to me or other staff members as stated by MRHA (2004). After the procedure I documented it within the patients notes as per NMC guidelines and to provide a point of reference if there ever was a query regarding the treatment and to prevent duplicate administration (NMC, Guide lines for records and record keeping, 2005). After the skill I discussed with my mentor that recent evidence suggest that aspirating is unnecessary. According to Workman (1999) the reason for aspirating is to confirm that the needle is in the correct position and to make sure that it has not gone into a vein. The most recent and up to date evidence, says that aspiration is only necessary if using the dorsogluteal  site to check for gluteal artery entry (Hunter, 2008). But official guidance from the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health (DOH, 2006) (WHO, 2004) suggest that this site should no longer be used, thus making aspiration unnecessary. By not aspirating it makes the procedure simpler and less chance of adverse events. Furthermore pharmaceutical companies are making less caustic preparations and in smaller volumes. I discussed this with my mentor and she agreed but stated that it is PCT policy to aspirate, and she would have to continue to follow this practice until the policy was amended. Conclusion Using the Gibbs model of reflection has allowed me to thoroughly analyse the event and allowed me to explore my feelings. I have found out despite the evidence being constantly up to date that not all practitioners knowledge is as up to date, and that trusts are equally as slow to adopt new ideas within their policies and that nurses are governed by policy more than current research. I have also learned that there is a great deal of evidence behind such what on the outside seems to be a simple technique and what I thought I was doing correctly may not always be the case. Action plan I do not doubt I will be carrying out IMs for a long time in my career. I will not be doing much differently in the future as the evidence is underpinning my practice. I will not put the needle in as far as I did on this occasion. In the future I will continue not to aspirate, unless local policy indicates otherwise. In addition I will communicate with the patient throughout the entire skill and not just at the start and end of. Whats more from this event I have realised that learning never stops and what I know now may not be relevant tomorrow.