Category: Socialization

In main religions, the concept of self occupies an important place as determines the relations between God and the person. The main differences between Western and Eastern conceptions of self reflect their understanding of the world and divine power. Buddhism is one of the oldest religions in the world which is based on old traditions and cultural norms of the Eastern hemisphere. The main peculiarity and distinction of this religion are that it emphasizes meditation practices. Zen Buddhism shows the universal character based on the ritual doctrines and unique practices which awake human spirit and consciousness. Western and Eastern conceptions of self offer different ways of thinking about the good life, and one need not be a person of religious faith in order to be ethically en­gaged. In both worlds, religion is one way of thinking about morality but is not the measure of it. Zen philosophy and traditions represent a unique combination of religious faith and practical advice for those who want to improve their lives and achieve happiness.

Zen Buddhism and Daoism see the concept of self as part of spiritual practices. Zen is a philosophy that can be applied by everyone who wants a good life free from worries and anxiety. As long as knowledge remains a subject-object relationship it adheres to the sphere of the unknown and its predominantly collective values. Zen scholars propose the fateful plunge into the unknown. The best principle of Zen is that knowledge assumes the aura of individuality and subjectivity. The individual has reached a clear mind realizes that his very own knowledge bears the mark of universality (Eberhard 4).

In contrast to Eastern understanding of the self, Western tradition defines and explains it as a part of social formation and individual qualities rather than a divine nature of humans. The people acquire quite extensive knowledge of religious doctrines and history. The information is limited by traditional prejudices and misinterpretations and by social concerns. On the historical level, Western studies provide arguments that reduced the role of self in personal development to an inauthentic deviation from original teaching. On this level, the self is demonstrated to be inferior to Christianity. And on the practical level, the critical state is used as proof of the inadequacy of doctrines (Moeller 36).

Even those who gradually arrived at an understanding attitude to the self concluded that it would certainly have to yield to Christianity. Following Suzuki, the straightforward frankness of the self as it comes to life each instant, even without effort, even without training, you are beautifully born each instant. If a person of the Eastern religion is faced with a complicated problem or has to accept a decision, he just steps back and views the problem in contemplative objectivity. Though the everyday reality is reaffirmed, subject-object duality is now overcome with the realization of everything being really just as it is, the realization that takes place in the absolute present. Within this absolute present, the Eastern person tries to realize things as they are, in their individuality, but without opposing and impeding one another (Suzuki 73).

The western men dismiss propaganda as stereotyped and reactionary slander and interpreted the methods of the religion as expressions of an outdated faith, hopelessly condemned to Self-destruction. At the same time, it is apparent that the meetings exerted a strong influence and, especially in the provinces, stirred up further resistance and often resulted in violent obstruction of religious work As rejection is closely related to obvious signs of social expansion, it is almost predictable that all sorts of social interactions are disturbed. In the western world, while social relations and communication practices coexist in an established harmony, religious traditions come as an intruder, overturning the rules and disrupting the harmony. The natural response of the society is to defend itself by excluding the intruder through social sanctions (Moeller 39). As one of the fundamental units in Western society, the household would usually find it intolerable to accept faith among its individual members. The Eastern tradition is established as the religion of the household, it was very difficult for people to withstand the pressure. Even though the records have little data about such pressure, it is probably one of the main factors that kept people away from contact with work (Eberhard 6).

Following basic Daoism principles such as bravery tinged with heroism and honor and glory, people have been convinced that between personal traits, personal ethics, everyday life, there are universal relations and that they could not change any­thing without ruining the small personal world. This moral disquiet gets represented in the division between calm and chaos, which substitutes for the opposition “good versus bad.” Regu­lating personal views and feelings, emotions, and reactions towards events help to affirm for ourselves and for others that we have not abandoned all our principles (Watts 22). The principle of self-control in the face of any event is crucial in my life. In Eastern religion, meditation helps people to concentrate on building a self-contained alternative world, somehow parallel to and prefer­ably insulated from, the world of patience. Moreover, the attempt to impose collectivism creates a universe where individual personalities become all-important and in which you can’t criticize anyone’s performance of a particular task without it being seen as a total attack on the person. It thus becomes impossible to distinguish “doing a bad job” from being a bad person (Moeller 40).

The Western traditions influence the formation of the Self through socialization practices and social communication. The background of this consternation is a desperate recognition of the weakness of religion and a terror of the power of Christianity. The interrogations were characterized by a strong nationalistic feeling and an overwhelming sense of inferiority. In the West, educational institutions influenced the formation of the Self, while in the East religion is the main source of Self-development. The Taoist protest is not only directed against the loss of traditional privileges; it also criticized clauses that deprived the main abbots of their authority to decide internal supremacy and religious matters and instead allowed the government to interfere in religious matters without granting Buddhism any privileged status (Moeller 65).

In sum, the search for “the self” is a very interesting and captivating process that attracts many people. Principles of Daoism can help me to change my life and, probably, find the truth. Principles and concepts of Daoism can be used as a moral and emotional guide for everyone who needs support and understanding. Locating Buddhism on which different authors seem to agree on offers a way assert the moral co­herence of a particular view; it invests a particular argument with an air of objec­tivity and fairness. The Eastern tradition has been “coined” by ancient philosophers and their followers. In contrast to the Western world, the Eastern understanding of the Self makes nature close to common people helping them to become a part of universal spirit and wisdom. Eastern understanding teaches that the way of thinking and interpretation of the world is crucial for human happiness and consciousness. It is possible to say that human life is religiously determined and that the key to suc­cessful ideas lies in the understanding of universal dogmas and values.

References

Eberhard, W. A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought. London: Routledge, Chapman and Hall 1988.

Moeller, Hans-Georg. Daoism Explained: From the Dream of the Butterfly to the Fishnet Allegory. Chicago: Open Court 2004.

Suzuki, D.T. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. Weatherhill, 1973.

Watts, A. The Spirit of Zen: A Way of Life, Work, and Art in the Far East Grove Press, 2000.

Over the years, American churches have experienced a lot of challenges. Cultural clash is among these challenges where it became hard to attract the immigrants into the churches. This was mostly due to the language barrier because the American churches preachers could only communicate in English and so the immigrants from other countries such as Spain and Mexico could not understand the language.

It was hard to find church leaders who had leadership skills to lead the masses. Also, there was not enough space to accommodate all the worshippers who attended church services. The American religious life started experiencing some changes starting from the year 1960. The American people also began experiencing some changes brought about by religious beliefs. This essay will try to explain factors that are influential in shaping the future of religion in America.

Research has shown that many Americans have no religious preference; they are confused as to which religion to follow and practice. The percentage of those with no religion is shown to increase sharply. For instance, in the year 1992, those without religion stood at 8 percent while last year (2013) the figure increased to 20 percent. Additionally, the black Americans are also believed to be more religious than the whites (Hout, Michael and Claude 4).

Many researchers have found out that religion is one of the main factors that contribute towards good behaviors among American teenagers. The process of shaping the behavior of youths in America should start from their early childhood. It should, therefore, be introduced in primary schools and kindergartens.

Parents are advised to make sure that their children comprehend the importance of religion and its impact on their life. This is because research has shown that religious teenagers are unlikely to engage in behaviors that are health-compromising such as smoking, drugs and committing suicide in a bid to avoid stress and hopelessness. Religion helps in guiding them on how to avoid all these during their adolescence stage where there are a lot of temptations (Smith 17).

Religion and health are believed to be related. The relationship between the two is accelerated by research programs conducted by researchers. It has been found out that religion can influence the outcomes of physical or mental health of individuals.

Religion offers education to people on how to regulate their lifestyle and health associated behaviors. It also helps in developing health beliefs and generating positive emotions. The American population should be informed about this relationship that will change their view towards religion (Ellison and Levin 700).

Media should be used to inform people about religion. More print journals should be published on the recent impacts of religion and its importance to the social status of Americans. This will help a big deal in the spread of religious activities. Media is one of the fastest modes of sending information and it has an effect on the wider population.

The sociology of religion should be printed on top-rated journals to generate interest among readers. They should publish their journals in various languages so as to help those who do not understand English get the information. These activities by the media will help in the distribution of religion because it is no doubt that in America religious beliefs are salient (Sherkat and Ellison 368).

Another factor that influences religious socialization is geographic mobility. Research has shown that the regional concentration of religious groups in one area has resulted in some behavioral characteristic patterns. People migrating to areas where there is less commitment to religion are believed to change their attitude towards religion.

African Americans from the rural south have strong faith in religion and are not easy to influence to change to nonreligious persons. In addition, it alters the religious affiliation such as joining other religious movements by changing the social ties of individuals. Emphasis should be on spreading the religious beliefs to all regions in America (Sherkat and Ellison 368).

Gender is another factor that is believed to have an effect on religion. Research shows that gender is historically viable; women as per the research are more religious than men. This is as a result of women being disadvantaged and lacking power in the community. Women are now looking for opportunities in religion believing that this will help them reduce their problems. This explains the increased number of women with religious conviction (Woodhead 58).

In conclusion, there are many factors that are influential in shaping the future of religion in America. These factors will either influence people to view religion negatively or positively. Some of these factors are family issues, health and well-being, politics, social life, media, and geographic mobility.

Religion is important because it helps us reduce family problems through avoiding bad politics, choosing good areas to establish a home and also socializing with good elements in society. Religious groups are advised to pass on the importance of religion to all people living in America in order to attract them into having a religious belief. This will help in shaping the future of religion in America.

Works Cited

Ellison, Christopher and Levin Jeffry. “The religion-health connection: Evidence, theory, and future directions.” Health Education and Behavior, 25.1 (1998):700-720. Print.

Hout, Michael and Claude Fischer. “Why more Americans have no religious preference: Politics and generations”, American Sociological Review, 67.1 (2002): 165-190. Print.

Sherkat, Darren and Ellison Christopher. “Recent Developments and current Controversies in the Sociology of Religion.” Annual Review of Sociology, 25.1 (1999):363-394. Print.

Smith, Christian. “Theorizing Religious Effects among American Adolescents.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 42.1 (2003): 17–30. Print.

Woodhead, Linda. Religion and Personal Life: Debating Ethics and Faith with Leading Thinkers and Public Figures. London: Darton Longman & Todd Ltd, 2003. Print.

Child’s development and socialization depend on many things. The surrounding environment and communication with others play a significant role in the evolvement of values and understanding. Children are gatherers of information and will absorb most of the stimuli they contact.

The interactions that a child experiences are much more influential at a younger age, approximately 4 to 7 years old. Children are more observant and are mostly watching and making conclusions. When they observe others, they are able to see the attitude and behavior in perspective. The fact that all human beings are connected through social and family or individual ties is apparent. Thus, the repetition of behaviors and mimicking are observed in many instances. As a result, children observe and repeat the behavior of others (Hughes, 2011). The amount of knowledge is greater in a person who is 2 or even one year older and so, a younger child will watch others and strive towards such behavior.

The support provided by teachers and peers is an important aspect in the acquisition of new experiences. Participation in teams and extracurricular activities allows learning social behavior and norms of behavior. A question to consider in relation to this would be, what specifically a child looks for in their peers more—the interaction itself or the later personal understanding of what they have gained from the interaction? An important role in the learing process plays the social category of inductive inference. This is the process of generalizing specific rules and schemes from the observed behavior. In order to learn, a person must acquire knowledge about a certain concept and thus, develop a response to adequately deal with a situation.

Recognition and cognitive processing of information is learned through participation in various activities, and the more social interaction there is, the better a child will adjust to the environment. Children will often have more connection with children of their own age, as they are able to relate to common themes. The games that they participate in are better established because children do not have to pretend as much as adults. Adults are busy with the daily routine and provision of food and shelter and so, the attention they can pay to their children or the quality of the pretend-play may be less than that of a peer or sibling (Bukatko, 2011).

Philosophy and psychology have long tried to pinpoint the definitive and singular reasons for human behaviors and attitudes. There are very many common variables, but each individual is unique in the end. It is clear that people are very much connected to the social settings and so, they gain great knowledge and illustration of what people want in their life. This gives a person a closer look and comparison in regards to own personality and wants. Of course, sometimes, there is a negative nature of closeness and relation between people. But, an important point is that humans are social beings, and cooperation, together with mutual dependence and help are inevitable (Berk, 2009).

There are many examples of people being more successful through positive competition and unity of interests where one person does not let greed and egoism to overtake their existence. In child’s play, there is often competition and illustration of own skills. It is very much possible that elimination of positive competition and rivalry will halt the progress of evolution and there will be nothing new developing for humanity. Children will not want to take an extra step and effort to better themselves and the world around. It becomes clear that people will always compare themselves to their environment and others, which will lead to new efforts and imagination of each individual and the collective humanity.

Another confirmation that socialization is an important and needed part of the world is that it is present throughout animal kingdom. Often, animals compete for resources and power, which goes to show that all living organisms strive to evolve and develop new characteristics. The similarities between human behavior and the results that originate through observation show that children depend on each other for evolution. The force that finds advantageous uses through similar behavior is key to survival. Mimicking and repeating give rise to imagination and originality which are an inseparable part of any society. All the advances and incomparable characteristics of features between individuals and societies make the world as unique as it is.

But there are other factors except socialization that play a role. Individuality and genetics are the other side of any individual. Children are already born with a specific set of predispositions. There are some theories that try to prove the fact that the environment is the only influence a person needs, thus anyone can be made into whatever is desired. This still needs much testing, as there are other factors at play. Primarily, there are personal and biological factors. Genetic information is the first characteristic that comes in contact with the external world through inner impulses and memory. The outside environment is what causes a response and change in the person’s brain. It has been established that the surrounding conditions greatly shape the way a person behaves and thinks. Developmental psychology has explained that when children are being raised, every detail matters.

If they receive a specific amount of love, the type of people they spend time with and the sort of situations they find themselves in, are all factors that shape individuality (Rogers, 2013). Even before there is any social influence, all children who are born in the family receive unique and personal genetic information. The genes play a role in the way a person is, but the environment adds a much greater amount of information and external stimuli that shape and form individuality. Childs family can be thought of as separate from society, as the values and experiences are much different. People, who are close, create a unique environment where a child grows. There are positive and negative sides to the upbringing because children are affected by individuals who have a genetic relation to the child. Socialization in a public environment, by peers is much different, as there are a number of qualities that come together (Grotewell, 2008).

Life is an interconnected network where each individual is influenced by someone else. Sometimes, these influences are characteristic of a whole society and people are forced and pressured to do things they do not want to. In some instances, the pressure is indirect and by mere observation people feel that they have no choice but to conform to the majority, so that they do not stand out from the population. The people most affected by peer pressure are the younger generation, as they are very impressible and will learn from the actions of others.

References

Berk, L. (2009). Child Development. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.

Bukatko, D. (2011). Child development: A thematic approach. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.

Grotewell, P. (2008). Early childhood education: issues and developments. New York, NY: Nova Publishers.

Hughes, M. (2011). Emotional Intelligence in Action. San Fransisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.

Rogers, A. (2013). Human behavior in the social environment. New York, NY: Routledge.

Some many children and adolescents have certain problems at school and home, and there are a few key theories that can be applied to analyze their behavior and develop a preliminary plan of psychological care. In this paper, I consider the case of Aaron, a boy demonstrating quite a strange behavior and having significant issues with socialization.

Many researchers in the field of psychology attempted at developing their theories explaining the process of human personality development. For instance, Erikson (1994) put a lot of time into defining and studying the primary laws that are common for all the people and control the process of personality development in children and adult people. According to his opinion, the development of personality never stops, and there are a few important stages of this process. In general, he defined eight stages of development; each of them was connected to a specific inner conflict. To continue, each stage is inextricably bound up with one of the basic values (such as care for adult people and wisdom for elderly ones). Developing the theory, the author defines the approximate age which corresponds to the description of the stages.

Despite the obvious link between the age and the priorities, in some cases, the stage of development of a particular person and his or her actual age may be different. I suppose that Aaron is in the stage of early childhood typical for the children who are 2-4 years old. To some extent, he demonstrates his ability to make decisions but he is unable to meet the requirements of society. Therefore, it can be said that there is a developmental delay. If the conflict peculiar for this stage is not resolved, the child will be likely to become weak-willed (Aaron cannot control his behavior and refrain from stealing).

According to the theory proposed by Maslow (1970), there are certain stages of development that are closely interconnected with specific needs. One who is in the first stage is primarily concerned about basic physiological needs. Having fulfilled the most important tasks connected to the stage, people stop prioritizing these needs and start striving for more important goals. With time, the needs of a person tend to become more complicated; the need for safety replaces basic bodily needs and becomes the most important. Then, a person starts to pay more attention to interpersonal relationships and the importance of mutual love. During the next stage, a person is sensitive to various problems connected to self-esteem and mutual respect. Finally, people start paying attention to more difficult problems such as morality and the ways to develop creative abilities.

As for this particular case, I believe that Aaron is likely to be in the second stage of his personal development. As far as I know, the feeling of safety is the primary goal that can be achieved at this stage; if we try to analyze Aaron’s behavior, it becomes clear that he suffers because he does not feel safe. Aaron tries to protect himself but at the same time, he is unable to think about more complicated needs such as gaining knowledge. He has witnessed one boy get shot in the face, he seems to like violence and it can be regarded as his protective response to the dangerous life that he sees. Furthermore, he is likely to be from a difficult family and this is why his need for safety is so urgent.

To continue, his behavior can be regarded from one more point of view. According to trauma-informed theory, people who have survived severe psychological traumas should be treated about a few key principles. At first, they should feel the support from other people including the healthcare specialist working with them (Berliner & Kolko, 2016). To continue, it is necessary to help them to stop hiding their feelings, be honest to themselves, and analyze their experience to make a necessary conclusion. What is more, the use of this theory includes helping the patient to realize the problem because it often happens that people deny their traumatic experience. Apart from that, it may be necessary to search the signs of traumatic experience in a person’s behavior (it may manifest in eating disorders, mood swings, and anxiety).

The discussed theory may help to understand the case because Aaron’s traumatic experience seems to be the most reasonable explanation of his strange behavior. Due to his being a child, he is unable to analyze the previous experience (being a witness of a tragedy that happened to another boy) without someone’s help. Because of that, he tries to conquer fear and look aggressive and spiteful. The theory may be helpful when it comes to the assessment of the case; it can define the strategy that would allow Aaron to establish normal relationships with other people.

All the discussed theories seem to help to understand Aaron’s problem deeper. Erikson’s theory allows defining the boy’s primary problem and developmental level. Maslow’s theory helps to assess his needs, and trauma-informed theory helps to define further treatment. It is very important to apply several theories because different approaches to studying human personality allow making a more intelligent decision concerning further psychological aid.

References

Berliner, L., & Kolko, D. J. (2016). Trauma informed care: A commentary and critique. Child maltreatment, 21(2), 168-172.

Erikson, E. H. (1994). Identity and the life cycle. New York, NY: WW Norton & Company.

Maslow, A. H. (1970). Motivation and personality. New York, NY: Harper & Brothers.

The research work, which has been carried out by Jessica Asscher et al, aims to evaluate the effectiveness of home-start programs. In particular, the scholars try to answer the following questions: 1) whether the treatment which is given to families by public organizations brings improvement. 2) Furthermore, the authors attempt to determine whether such families can adapt themselves to the community after the intervention. They also discuss the criteria, according to which betterment can be assessed. In this study, special attention has been given to such parameters as maternal wellbeing, parenting behavior and the conduct of the child; these characteristics are regarded by the scholars as to the most crucial ones (Asscher et al 2008). During the course of the study, the authors have employed mostly quantitative research methods, in particular, statistical surveys with forced-choice and scaling questions (2008, p. 354). Jessica Asscher et al have endeavored to compare the results of home-start mothers with those ones of a norm group. The findings of this investigation indicate that mothers, who have received home-visiting courses, show considerable progress, and they are quite able to efficiently interact with other members of the society. In this case, we should focus on the behavior of the children, namely, the researchers have identified that after such courses there has been decreasing of externalization, yet the problems of negativity have remained acute. According to Jessica Asscher, it might be due to untimely end of intervention. Certainly, this investigation has several limitations, because such research techniques as surveys or questionnaires may often be biased, still the ideas, expressed in this article may be helpful.

This article does not directly focus on the socialization and the acquisition of life skills, but scholars explore the factors, which affect this process, for example, they discuss the aspects of parenting behavior such as responsiveness, warmth, negative control and harshness (2008, p. 357). Social psychologists try to develop courses for parents and children in order to help them to learn those basic skills that are essential for any civilized society. The results of this study should be utilized or at least taken into consideration by the social workers and educators to avoid possible pitfalls. This work might be useful to the extent that it provides clear guidelines for the assessment of the relations in the family. In addition to that, Jessica Asscher emphasizes the importance of accurate assessment, and she advances a hypothesis that the failures of home-visiting programs occur because some social workers are content only with short-term signs of improvement. In part, this is the reason why some children cannot effectively achieve the necessary level of socialization.

The article is also closely related to the case that has been presented in this assignment. It involves close collaboration of teachers, psychologists (or social workers), parents, and children. We are dealing with infants of kindergarten age, and the educators have to implant certain behavioral norms and principles in children. However, they cannot possibly do it without parental support. Thus, all the participants have to work hand in hand in order to achieve success. The research by Jessica Asscher may prove to be very applicable for psychologists as it shows how to grade the effectiveness of intervention. It seems that the questionnaire, developed by the authors, may be used by public organizations. Apart from that, the study clearly identifies the criteria (maternal well-being, parental and children behavior) that should be taken into account by social workers.

Bibliography

1. Asscher J. Dekovic M. Prinzie. P. Hermanns J (2008). Assessing Change in Families Following Home-Start Patenting Programs: Clinical Significance and Predictors of Change. Family Relations, (57), pp. 351-364.
2. Bornstein M (2002). Handbook of Parenting: Social conditions and applied parenting. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Introduction

With age, people’s types of activities, behavior, and socialization change under the influence of developmental shifts. Reaching the point when an older adult retires and disintegrates from a professional environment, he or she might experience significant challenges in managing social and psychological issues. These aspects influence the way senior individuals perform in their everyday life activities, how they are perceived by communities and their members, and how social they remain with age. Frequently, older people experience limitations in physical activity, are burdened with medication consumption, and encounter prejudiced attitudes from other members of society (Lange & Grossman, 2017). The current observation log presents a description of the activities in a day of an elderly woman providing insight into her behavior. The log also presents the analysis of the social characteristics, attitudes of other people to the observed individual, and the general conclusions about the developmental stage and its relevance to the theories of aging.

Observation Log

Narrative Description of Subject’s Behavior

Initial Impression of the Person

My first impression of the subject was that she was approximately 75 or more years old; however, she appeared to be a little younger. The observed individual is a middle-class senior woman of 72. At first glance, she seemed to be reserved and very serious, but in her conversations with others, especially in the church community and with her friends, she was very friendly, cheerful, and openhearted. She finished her accounting career and is now retired, lives alone, and is visited by her daughter’s family once or twice a fortnight.

The Level of Social Integration of the Person

The individual subjected to observation is not very active socially; her main activities are concentrated around the house. She spends most of the time at home reading, watching TV, communicating with her family over the phone, cooking, and doing housework. However, she is an active member of a church community where she has many friends and acquaintances. She is rather sociable in the circle of friends and family, as well as in the church setting. The woman is interested in the affairs of the community and participates in important events. Overall, the subject’s level of social integration is insufficient and could be characterized as rather low due to the fact she spends more time alone than in the company of others.

The Interaction of Others with the Person

The participant is a decent member of a group when she communicates with her friends and family. She is a respected member of a church community and an interesting interlocutor in a conversation on multiple everyday topics. Her friends (mostly peers) are supportive and compassionate, as well as willing to receive advice from her. However, when outside of a group of peers or a company of acquaintances, the subject experiences disrespectful and sometimes biased attitudes, especially from the side of younger people.

Prejudicial Behavior Toward the Person

During a day when the subject was being observed in different settings, several occurrences of prejudiced behavior toward the subject were detected. When driving with the preservation of speed limits, the drivers display impatience, irritation, and even disrespect when outdriving the elder woman. Such an attitude is demonstrated by rude honking and blameful looks. At the church, young people gave the subject the way and suggested helping on the stairs. Finally, due to the slow movements of the senior woman at the supermarket, some buyers showed rudeness and impatience. All these events demonstrate the examples of ageism as a stereotypical attitude toward a person based on her age. Such occurrences seem to disappoint the subject and cause stress and a bad mood upon interaction with others. Moreover, it is one of the issues that concern many seniors since they vividly discussed the biased attitudes of others.

Description of Specific Developmental Psychological Theories Observed

Being at a specific stage of life, the elderly experience challenges socializing, being an active member of a community, and have trouble maintaining their lives physically, mentally, and even emotionally. The burden of chronic diseases, medication consumption, and overall difficulties in psychological maintenance of the understanding of the inevitable changes in life become a cause for some significant shifts in older people’s behavior (Lange & Grossman, 2017). According to the observation of the elderly woman’s daily activities, one might apply a theory of disengagement of the aging person when she becomes more isolated from society and the roles played before. The fact of retirement is one of the main contributors within this framework. Therefore, an individual becomes less integrated into the community.

However, the fact that the subject is an active member of the church community allows for applying the activity theory, which justifies the importance of “retirees to remain active in their communities” (Lange & Grossman, 2017, p. 44). Regarding the stages of personality development theory, the observed person typically develops, showing the signs of dealing with health issues, children living their own lives, withdrawal from the professional environment, and end-of-life psychological aspects.

Conclusion

In summary, the observation log depicts a day in the life of an elderly middle-class woman of 72 who is retired and lives alone. During her usual day, she maintains rather a low level of social integration participating in church events and seldom socializing with friends and family but primarily spending time alone at home. According to the activity theory, disengagement theory, and the stages of personality development theory, the individual develops typically and faces common challenges of a senior citizen. The participant is easygoing and sociable in the company of peers but faces stereotypical attitudes from the side of other people, especially younger individuals. The observed examples include rude drivers showing irritation with the woman’s speed limit caution, supermarket clients impatient with her slow movements, and young men suggesting help entering a building. These examples of ageism show the ubiquity of the problem and emphasize the importance of promoting respect for the elderly in society.

Reference

Lange, J., & Grossman, S. (2017). Theories of aging. In K. L. Mauk (Ed.), Gerontological nursing competencies for care (4th ed.), (pp. 41-67). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

At the moment, we could observe the rapid evolution of technologies and spheres of human activity affected by them. It could be considered a logical result of the revolution in science aimed at the improvement of peoples quality of life. The most important aspects of a coherent society also evolve and obtain new peculiarities. As for the healthcare sector, its development remains the main priority as it maintains the state of the nations health and tries to improve the quality of peoples life. However, in terms of the increased demand for efficiency and outcomes of different processes, the need for the most relevant information and new approaches becomes crucial. In this regard, the introduction of EBP becomes one of the possible ways to attain success.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is one of the most important sources of information today. It encompasses several disciplines within the clinical practice to improve the efficiency of different processes and attain a reconsideration of outdated methods (Thyer, 2004). At the same time, EBP remains a powerful investigation tool that allows a researcher to perform a comprehensive investigation of a certain problem and create an appropriate solution.

However, numerous aspects precondition the increased accuracy and feasibility of data obtained when EBP is applied to a case (Rice, 2013). Formulation of questions is one of these as they determine the direction of the research, methods that will be used, and outcomes. At the same time, it is a complex process as it demands an enhanced understanding of the current state of a certain issue, its perspectives, and factors that could alter it (Rubin & Bellamy, 2012). For this reason, it is crucial to formulate appropriate research questions.

As for the analyzed Emilia Sanchez case, the comprehensive investigation of the issue is needed to assist her in the recovery and socialization. For this reason, it is crucial to formulate research questions and outline ways to carry out the practice. Considering the peculiarities of the case, the following PICO question could be suggested:

In Emilias case, will socialization aimed at the acquisition of working skills and drug treatment programs demonstrate better results and help her to reunite with family if to compare with forced through cheap medical treatment?

The given question creates the background for the following research. First, it introduces the target population – Emilia or other drug-addicted people who have similar problems that should be solved to improve the quality of their lives. Second, the PICO question demonstrates the planned intervention which is Emilias socialization using special services and treatment. The given intervention is compared to another possible method that could also be used to attain successful results. The given comparison is extremely important for the research as it helps to find the advantages and disadvantages of both methods and make a conclusion about their feasibility (Marsiglia & Booth, 2014).

Moreover, comparing two interventions, a researcher also analyzes their potential impact on the final result. For this reason, the introduction of at least one alternative method to solve a problem is crucial for any research in terms of EBP. Finally, Emilias recovery and reunion with family are suggested as the expected outcomes of the selected intervention. In such a way, having formulated the suggested PICO question, we also outlined the main stages of the research.

The fact is that to compare the effect suggested interventions might have on Emilia, it is vital to analyze academic sources related to the issue. This systematic review will help to obtain relevant information about the issue and use statistical data to support a certain statement with credible evidence (Gray, Joy, Plath, & Webb, 2012).

Moreover, using research articles related to the issue as the main source of information, an investigator guarantees the high level of evidence and relevance of his/her findings (Becker, Spirito, & Vanmali, 2015). Case reports similar to the given issue could also be found and analyzed to make certain conclusions. Finally, two randomized controlled medical trials should be investigated to find the most appropriate method that could help to satisfy Emilias needs and promote her recovery.

Speaking about the potential intervention, there are several ways how it could be accomplished. At the moment, Emilia has specific needs that should be satisfied to guarantee her recovery. In such a way, it is crucial to pose a question about the effect different interventions might have on Emilia and their potential outcomes. Additionally, it is necessary to understand the way a certain intervention could be applied to the case. Only under these conditions, the research could answer the formulated question in terms of the EBPs approach.

As stated above, socialization and treatment are potential practice interventions. To prove their efficiency and applicability to the case, a review of sources that describe these methods potential impact is needed. Additionally, it is also crucial to create a pattern that will help to implement the suggested approach in practice and assist Emilia in her recovery.

As for the planned outcomes of the given treatment, the main question remains whether the chosen interventions have a positive impact on Emilias state of health or they fail to do it. The investigation of outcomes is complex as it determines the comprehensive groundwork and investigation of different scenarios related to cases similar to Emilia’s one. The desired outcome is her reunion with the family, socialization, acquisition of working skills, and withdrawal from drugs (Barlow, Smailagic, Huband, Roloff, & Bennet, 2012).

For this reason, one should keep in mind the final purpose to be ready to create the intervention and to find the most appropriate method that could help to do it. Additionally, it is also necessary to support the suggested intervention with previous findings related to the sphere. These are needed to guarantee the relevance of conclusions and to demonstrate the importance of the research in terms of the chosen sphere.

Altogether, the evidence-based practice provides a researcher with a powerful investigation tool that could help him/her to analyze a certain issue and provide relevant data related to its main peculiarities. At the same time, there are specific demands to an investigator that should be observed to assure that he/she remains within the EBPs framework. In this regard, the formulation of the appropriate research question becomes the most important element in the process. It is essential to suggest the most topical and relevant points.

The process should be preceded by the analysis of literature and sources devoted to the sphere. A researcher should realize the fact that well-formulated research question preconditions the choice of research methods and impact the credibility of findings. In this regard, it is crucial to assure that PICO covers all important issues and provides an opportunity to investigate a certain phenomenon and find the most appropriate solution to the existing problem.

References

Barlow, J., Smailagic, N., Huband, N., Roloff, V., & Bennet, C. (2012). Group-based parent training programmes for improving parental psychosocial health. Cochrane Database Systemic Review, 13(6). Web.

Becker, S., Spirito, A., & Vanmali, R. (2015). Perceptions of ‘Evidence-Based Practice’ among the consumers of adolescent substance use treatment. Health Education Journal, 74(3), 358-369. Web.

Gray, M., Joy, E., Plath, D., & Webb, S. (2012). Implementing evidence-based practice. A review of the empirical research literature. Research on Social Work Practice, 23(2), 157-166. Web.

Marsiglia, F., & Booth, J. (2014). Cultural adaptation of interventions in real practice settings. Research on Social Work Practice, 25(4), 423-432. Web.

Rice, M. (2013). Evidence-based practice. A model for clinical application. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 19(4), 217-221. Web.

Rubin, A., & Bellamy, J. (2012). Using research for evidence-based practice. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Thyer, B. (2004). What is evidence-based practice? Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 4(2), 167-176.

Help for diffuse family members’ anger when they think no one is listening to them or responding to their concerns

In the case of a family member’s anger, it is crucial for healthcare personnel to maintain behaviors that will aid in diffusing anger. For instance, it will be my pleasure to portray calmness and a caring attitude to the angry clients by listening to them and taking part in solving their problems. Although challenging, I will appreciate taking responsibility for the problems that led to their anger and apologize on the behalf of other healthcare officials. Additionally, I will acknowledge their feelings by not only leveling myself to them but also communicating with them freely. I will also try to show my sincere concern by restating their problems when communicating to understand their main problem. I will also employ the tactic of restating their problems in capturing their attention and interest. In case they need to talk to specific individuals in the health center, it will be a pleasure to get him or her in time in order to enhance the diffusion of their anger. In case their problem is associated with the death of a loved one, I will take it into the heart and try as much as possible to console them. Having employed all these, I am convinced in not only meeting their demands but also diffusing their anger amicably.

Responding to an assigned preceptor who verbally stated that he did not really want the job and had no time to help a brand new nurse on a busy floor?

Nursing as a profession is so involved, it requires a clinical experience. The majority of the people experience had times when working as nurses for the first time. To avoid making mistakes, new nurses require additional guidance from an identified preceptor in a health center. Usually, preceptors are more knowledgeable than nurses. Most of them undergo extensive training in educational institutions before being employed in health centers. Thus, it will be my pleasure to remind a preceptor who does not love his job and ready to call off his responsibilities, that preceptor-ship is a calling and not just an ordinary job as he may think. Additionally, I will advise him on the importance of being humane. It will also be my pleasure to remind him about the importance of generosity in the field of nursing. I will also try to explain to him about the essence of sharing ideas by giving him examples of successful persons who never quitted their respective jobs. Additionally, I will remind him about the innocence of patients, and how they need his service.

Response to the physician when a physician asks a new graduate on a busy medical/surgical unit to assist with a complicated procedure with which he/she have no experience.

Some activities carried out in a health field are so complicated, and they may lead to frustration if mishandled. For instance, surgical unit requires observance of complicated procedures that may lead to death if not followed to the later. Additionally, it is evident that most physicians tend to think that all people know what they know. Some of the physicians also diminish nurses by speaking to them rudely. Despite all these, it is crucial for a nurse to respond carefully to a physician who may involve him in carrying out procedures that are beyond his knowledge. To overcome challenges associated with observance of a complicated procedure, I will express my sincerity. I will demonstrate my moral courage to the physician by requesting him or her to excuse me from taking part in carrying out a challenging operation. In case I am the only nurse that can provide such assistance, I will express my value for life by requesting him to help me avoid making mistakes that may lead to deterioration of a patient’s health. I will also request the physician to give me some guidelines before performing the operation in order to avoid making mistakes.

How did the RN interact with patients and their families?

Registered nurses (RNs) are the busiest professionals in healthcare environment. In addition to administering medication, they spend most of their time consulting doctors. RNs also spend most of their time in recording patient’s symptoms, performing diagnostic tests, and ensuring patients are well served. Occasionally, RNs are also the ones who respond to the patients’ requests. All these were evidenced by the characters portrayed by a RN I observed in a nearby healthcare. Despite working with a variety of professionals and patients, the RN I saw portrayed a caring habit. For instance, he was very open with his clients; he allowed patients and families to take part in formulating productive strategies that could aid in modifying health practices. Although he spent much of his time listening to the patients’ families, he avoided making judgments concerning the patients’ health. Additionally, he took part in culminating an environment that allowed patients and nurses exchange information directly without crossing boundaries. The act of keeping client’s information confidential also played a significant role in restoring and advancing the relationship he had with his clients.

Observation that demonstrated verbal and nonverbal communication between the RN and his or her colleagues

From what I experienced in one of the healthcares, it is evident that nurses share some common aspects. Most of them address each other in specific ways when handling patients. For instance, I observed nurses behaving in a unique way when attending to patients; majority of them used specific terms in addressing each other. In addition to communicating in a language that showed their concern for the patient, they avoided making friendly jokes. Most of the nurses also proved to be effective in communicating non-verbally. For instance, I saw two nurses handling one patient making eye brow movements. Surprisingly, their eye brow movements were accompanied by movement of materials from one point to another. Just as ordinary people, the nurses I saw also used head movements in conveying information. However, from what I saw, it is evident that most nurses use forelimbs in non-verbal communication. Most of the RNs used hands in requesting for assistance. Some RNs also used hands in expressing their joy to their fellow colleagues.

What behaviors did you observe that match your own perception of a professional RN?

I do believe that professional RN is the busiest healthcare worker in the world. Most of the RNs associate themselves with different involving roles. In most occasions, RNs also get themselves interacting with colleagues from different countries. To avoid confusion, RNs are obliged to knowing almost all healthcare sign languages. Additionally, it is essential for them to acquaint themselves with some common healthcare terminologies. Fortunately, I observed most of these characters in RNs I came across when I visited a nearby healthcare. The RNs in the healthcare I visited not only used common terms in addressing each other, but also used specific terms in conveying information. Additionally, some of the RNs I saw proved effective in the use of sign language. Their hands’, heads’, and eye lids’ movements were accompanied by movement of a material from one position to another. I also saw RNs moving from office to office swiftly, an act that concurred with my understanding that RNs are the most industrious personnel in a healthcare environment.

Introduction

Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory attempts to explain how the interaction between the intrinsic characteristics of children and their environment affects how they develop and grow up. It emphasizes the importance of assessing children while in different surroundings to understand their growth and development (Elliott and Davis 3). The purpose of this paper is to allow me to reflect on my childhood through the perspective of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and assess the impact of various interactions and environments on my adult life and interactions.

Microsystems

I lived with my parents. My father was my mentor and mainly taught me what is wrong and what is right. My mother was a housewife, and she raised me as she carried out other chores. I was an only child and I learned to appreciate my own company. I began school at the age of 5, although this experience was initially scary I learned to make friends. I usually played in the yard at home. Living with my parents made my childhood comfortable and I learned to perform simple chores.

Being an only child meant that I did most things alone. My family taught me the importance of being responsible and the division of duties in adulthood. Early schooling enabled me to create relationships with people that were not my immediate relatives. I have grown to become a hardworking and responsible adult that enjoys making friends.

Mesosystems

I was born in China. We moved to the United States when I was aged 3. We lived in a rural neighborhood with other families while in the US. In both countries, we had friendly neighbors. Elementary school exposed me to American culture, and I made many friends, also taking part in basketball. These interactions taught me to appreciate both friends and neighbors. I learned and adopted a new culture and also teamwork in sports or any other joint activities. In my adult life, I can understand people from different backgrounds, create lasting friendships, and be a team player at work.

Exosystems

My extended family lives in China where my grandmother helped to raise me. I played with my neighbors in both China and the US. We would also walk to school together and help each other with homework. My father works as an accountant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. All of my needs were met as I was the sole child and the center of attention. We are a conservative family, but we interacted well with our neighbors. I attended a state-funded public school; thus, I appreciate the role of government institutions in providing essential amenities. These exosystems taught me the importance of extended family and social relations. My parents have also instilled in me the benefits of hard work.

Macrosystem

Chinese culture promotes hard work whereas American culture encourages exploration and free expression. Both of them may lead to a desire for success. During my childhood in America, the social and political climate was stable. Socially, most minorities were advocating for recognition and equality. Both cultures have shaped me to identify and acknowledge diversity. I desire to work hard like my parents and be successful, just as most Americans. I appreciate social equality and dislike racism. I adhere to the norms in my macrosystem because they are sensible and make me a better citizen.

Conclusion

I have realized that as children grow, they are exposed to varying environmental factors that shape their adult lives. My interactions with other people will change because I understand that each person has different experiences growing up. I must, therefore, become competent enough to interact appropriately with people from various cultures. I have also learned the importance of norms such as hard work, respect, and understanding of individual roles. I am more willing to pay taxes because they played a role in my education and I am also ready to align with national values.

Work Cited

Elliott, Sue, and Julie M. Davis. “Challenging Taken-For-Granted Ideas in Early Childhood Education: A Critique of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory in The Age of Post-Humanism.” Research Handbook on Childhood Nature: Assemblages of Childhood and Nature Research, edited by Amy Cutter-Mackenzie, Karen Malone and Elizabeth Barrett Hacking, Springer International Publishing AG, 2018, pp. 1-36.

Each person is unique in their eating habits, and it goes beyond food preferences. Lunch has become a ritual in which the individual gets emotional pleasure, shows creativity, and experience socialization. Food covers the level of interaction between subjects, namely the desire to be alone or share a table with friends or family. Cooking at home and visiting a restaurant seem to be similar processes because, in the end, people satisfy their hunger. However, social rationale and self-realization, which are part of obtaining food, are fundamentally opposite in two cases. Many secondary factors influence the decision to eat at home or out, but it is cooking on my own that unlocks creativity and likewise allows me to gather friends and socialize in my kitchen.

Cooking is an art because the individual makes a personal effort to prepare the food. Besides, any recipe can be tailored to suit specific tastes by changing ingredients, adding spices, and cooking principles. Eating at home allows me to be flexible in my thinking and be minimally dependent on secondary factors. First of all, the process of preparing for dinner is an emotional pleasure since I have the opportunity to realize my creative potential. Usually, I lie in bed or on the couch and dream about what will be on my table in a couple of hours. It has romantic properties as it involves a combination of desire and imagination that will eventually be interpreted in practice. Searching for recipes on the internet or cookbooks is research that is based on excitement about the outcome. Besides, I can adjust my feelings to my tastes, such as adding garlic or replacing meat with fish. On the other hand, a restaurant visit seems more comfortable and does not involve mental activity since the service provider is responsible for preparing the food. Minor factors such as weather and health can affect eating out. For example, a cold winter evening forces me to put on many layers of clothing, tidy up my hair, and spend time walking or driving to a restaurant. The eatery also offers a limited selection of dishes indicated on the menu, which may not satisfy someone’s taste needs. Thus, even after spending more time cooking, eating at home is more creative and exciting than going to a restaurant.

Socialization is an integral part of cooking as it covers meeting friends and family. Cooking at home allows me to be sure that guests’ unexpected arrival does not come as an unpleasant surprise. I can set the table and have a pleasant evening, even with mismatched background factors. Moreover, home settings determine the choice of music, lighting, and contingent concerning the people’s preferences present in the apartment. In other words, a visit to a restaurant can be overshadowed by too loud songs or an unsatisfying menu (Garcia et al. 22). Therefore, gathering friends or family at home allows me to create an atmosphere relevant to specific occasions and holidays. Often there are situations when rain, snow, or cold disrupt the plans of friends. Consequently, one or more friends may cancel the restaurant visit because it is impossible to get to the appointed place. Thus, cooking at home is more flexible because any plans can be adjusted due to the lack of an exact time frame and the ability to adapt the space to guests’ needs.

The organization of culinary habits extends to the physical and financial well-being of individuals. It is no secret that daily restaurant visits are expensive and do not always follow healthy eating principles. Cooking at home allows one to anticipate the value of food and adapt recipes to the body’s individual needs. In other words, we always know what a dish consists of and what effect it will have on health, which cannot be said about restaurant offers. Moreover, eating out often means fast food, which is unambiguously harmful. Cooking at home also develops a systematic approach to eating financial literacy and smart budget sharing (“Get Cooking at Home”). Besides, it is less time-consuming in total since a few hours in the kitchen will provide meals for several days. On the other hand, frequent restaurant visits mean waiting and choosing food and getting to the place. Thus, cooking at home is a more streamlined pastime and will be more beneficial for the wallet.

Cooking is a field of activity that includes socialization, creativity, and resource allocation. Minor factors such as fatigue, financial status, meeting friends, schedule, and the weather influence the decision to eat at home or out. While both options are appropriate for the situation, cooking at home is more balanced for the wallet and body. I can unleash my creativity and find ingredients that suit my tastes and health. Moreover, my kitchen can be just as enjoyable as a restaurant to meet friends or family. Saving money and time takes place for self-cooking since foresight and optimization allow me to understand the cost structure and not spend more on similar dishes. Thus, cooking at home does not lose out to eating out in terms of atmosphere and quality and benefits from financial and creative implementation.

Works Cited

“Get Cooking at Home.” Harvard Health, 2017, Web.

Garcia, Mariana T. et al. “Factors Associated with Home Meal Preparation and Fast-Food Sources Use Among Low-Income Urban African American Adults.” Ecology of Food and Nutrition, vol. 57, no. 1, 2018, pp. 13–31.