Being Admired or Being Liked

Adolescence is a crucial stage in the development of an individual. It is at this period that psychological and emotional issues arise even at times to the point of creating depressive and disruptive behavior problems in adolescents. One of the many factors that affect the development of an adolescent is the social status he or she possesses. In the case of adolescents, this social status is determined primarily in the school environment.A recent study by Oldehinkel and associates, examines the relationships of the different variables of social status of adolescents with that of depressive problems. The study concluded that depressive problems are primarily affected by two domains of social status which are achievement-related and affection-related social status. With the results of the studies, it is further recommended that what information that has been obtained be used for future studies that will endeavor to solve the dilemma of social status on adolescents.In praise of the stud y, the researchers have made a novel contribution to psychology through the use of a wide scope and delimitation of the subject matter. Article Review: Being Admired or Being Liked Adolescence has been widely known as one of the most complicated as well the most interesting stage in the development of an individual. It is at this stage that one’s unique identity is discovered and developed. Thus, adolescents experience a variety of challenges usually related to their psychological and emotional health.In the research study made by Oldehinkel and associates entitled â€Å"Being Admired or Being Liked: Classroom Social Status and Depressive Problems in Early Adolescent Girls and Boys†, the relationships and connections of different aspects of social status of adolescents with that of depressive problems in the classroom environment were analyzed and discussed. Hypothesis and Purpose of the Study Oldehinkel and comrades cited many studies not only on animals but on humans as well concerning the long-known association of low social status with depressive problems (2007).Social status has been defined in two ways, that is, through achievements and affections. In terms of achievements, the element of competition is present whereas in terms of affection, acceptance into a social group is crucial (Oldehinkel, 2007). Although both are considered measurements of social status, they are completely different from each other. In the study by Oldehinkel, the importance of these two definitions of social status was studied in line with depressive problems of adolescent boys and girls (2007).The study primarily focused on the adolescence stage since this period is interestingly considered as a crucial point where depressive problems are frequently encountered. Achievement-related and affection-related social statuses were primarily analyzed in the study. These two views of social status are usually factors that affect the arousal of depressive problems in indivi duals. In previous studies, the relationships of gender difference to the two definitions of social status have been greatly examined.Such studies show that males tend to be affected more by achievement-related social status while females tend to be affected more of affection-related status (Oldehinkel, 2007). In connection to recent and previous studies, the study constructed by Oldehinkel and associates was a concoction of all the studies. Its very purpose is to examine the relationship between early adolescent’s depressive problems and social status in the classroom environment (Oldehinkel, 2007).The major hypothesis tested by the researchers is that low peer status in the achievement-related domain is most significant for depressive problems in boys, while in girls, depressive problems are more strongly associated with low peer status in the affection-related domain (Oldehinkel, 2007). A secondary hypothesis is also formulated where researchers infer that high social stat us in a particular area will compensate for the individual’s depression problems and low status in another particular area (Oldehinkel, 2007).Methodology of the Study Sample Participants Participants were recruited initially by employing the Tracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey or TRAILS, which is a study on preadolescents whose aim is to track and explain the development of the participants (Oldehinkel, 2007, p. 419). The participants were selected in two stages. A request to give names and addresses of all inhabitants born in a particular year range is made to five municipalities, urban and rural alike, in the North of the Netherlands (Oldehinkel, 2007).In this step, 3483 names were listed (Oldehinkel, 2007). In addition, the researchers also approached primary schools of the same municipalities this time, to request participation in TRAILS. In order for children to be eligible, their schools should approve participation requests. A second wave of the TRAILS became the sample population of the study. All in all, the total number of the participants who were eligible and accepted to be part of the study, excluding the parents and the schools, is 1046 (Oldehinkel, 2007).In addition to these participants, schools having the TRAILS participants were requested to partake in peer information and nominations to determine the social status of the participating adolescents. Furthermore, the parents of the participating adolescents also became part of the information gathering. Measure Employed for Data Collection For the affection-related and achievement-related status, the information was obtained from the peer nominations from the participating schools. Questionnaires were formulated; six of which are affection-related such as â€Å"Which classmates do you like?†, whereas, achievement-related questions such as â€Å"Who are good at sports? † numbered three (Oldehinkel, 2007, p. 420). Proportion of nominations was used to determi ne the degree of peer status. Information for the participants’ depressive problems was obtained through the help of the adolescents’ parents. Questionnaires were again employed for this type of data gathering. The particular questionnaire used is the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) which is a commonly utilized questionnaire for child and adolescent psychiatric research (Oldehinkel, 2007, p.420). In addition to the data collected from the parents, self-reports from participating adolescents were also gathered through the use of the questionnaire Youth Self-Report, the counterpart of CBCL (Oldehinkel, 2007, p. 420). Statistical Analysis Statistical methods to test the hypothesis and the relationships between the different groups of information were employed. These include means of and correlations of the different variables, means of t-tests and z-tests (Oldehinkel, 2007, p. 421). Furthermore, linear regression analyses were also done.To better compare the different var iables to social status, the researchers constructed a system of four combined status groups. In this system, low and high (1) refers to adolescents with a low status in an area and a high status on another area, only low (2) refers to adolescents having a low status in one area and no high status, only high (3) refers to adolescents having only high status and no low status and lastly, intermediate (4) refers to adolescents who are neither low nor high in status in all areas (Oldehinkel, 2007, p. 421). Results and DiscussionResults show that females have more nominations of being good learners as well as good-looking, whereas boys were nominated predominantly as good in sports. No significant gender differences were observed for affection-related status although results point out that girls are more veered to depressive problems while boys to disruptive behavior problems (Oldehinkel, 2007, p. 422). In girls, depressive problems were usually due to association to being disliked whil e boys’ depressive problems are correlated with being good at sports (Oldehinkel, 2007, p.422). An interesting result obtained is that much like girls, boys’ depressive problems are highly related to the affection-related social status (Oldehinkel, 2007, p. 422). This is contrary to the previous studies that have shown that boys tend to have depressive problems caused primarily by achievement-related low social status. Interestingly, the results of the study also show that through the distribution of the participants into the four status groups systems, males and females are actually equally distributed (Oldehinkel, 2007, p. 423).This is significant since it exhibits that there are no substantial gender differences when it comes to social or peer status. Going back to the hypotheses formulated by Oldehinkel and associates, both hypotheses are supported by the results in the general scope although in the individual status groups, some trends vary. Nevertheless, the resu lts show that girls’ depressive problems tend to be affected by affection-related low social status while boys’ depressive problems are more likely to be caused by achievement-related low social status.Furthermore, data shows that the adolescents’ high social status in one domain tends to counteract the effect of a low social status in another domain, thus, lessening the instances of depressive problems. Generally, there is gender difference between achievement and affection-related social status. However, no significant gender difference is evident on the sports-related domain. This illustrates that girls are also excelling in sports which is contrary to traditional belief that sports is particularly related to males (Oldehinkel, 2007, p. 425).This may be explained by the growing trend in society regarding gender equality. Comments and Recommendations What the researchers have discovered is novel. Although there have been many previous studies that tackle the t opic of their study, the scope and delimitation of the research study conducted by Oldehinkel and associates has a far wider domain. With its multiple variables and various measures of data analysis, the researchers obtained a great deal of information. Thus, such study is a great contribution to adolescent psychology. The sample size and the duration of the study are also remarkable.Its relatively large sample size is a guarantee that the sample population is appropriately represented. The three years duration of the study also adds to the assurance that the data obtained from the study is reliable. The data collection was also appropriate. However, it is recommended that researchers should have cited the participating municipalities along with other communal information of the respondents. Furthermore, the methodology and statistical analysis of the study is commendable. Although some of the described procedures are complicated, the results have been presented clearly.Lastly, and the most interesting of the research study is its open-ended conclusion wherein the researchers themselves urge the creation of future studies to further make use of the results and conclusions obtained in the study. It is quite proper that further studies be done to obtain solutions to the social status problems and depressive as well as disruptive behavior problems of adolescents. Reference Oldehinkel, J. A. , Rosmalen, J. G. M. , Veenstra, R. , Dijkstra, J. K. & Ormel, J. (2007). Being Admired or Being Liked: Classroom Social Status and Depressive Problems in Early Adolescent Girls an

Analysis Of A Stakeholder Essay

The Stakeholder in which I decided to research and write about is the AMA or to some it may be known as the American Medical Association. This association’s mission is to better public health and promote the art and science of medicine. The AMA was founded in 1847 by a man by the name of Nathan Smith Davis. The group has since invested in the doctor and patient relationship and has promoted scientific advancement as well as improved public health. Mr. Davis was the first editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association back in 1883 until 1888. The first code of medical ethics was adopted by the AMA delegates and they were the ones to establish the first nationwide standards for preliminary medical education as well as the degree of MD’s. This association has become the largest in American history. The AMA continues to serve as an advocate for the profession, physicians, and patients. The AMA focus on three core areas within health care: (1) Improving the outcome of health care, (2) Changing medical education, (3) and by making sure payment models are delivered efficiently as well as enhancing physician satisfaction. Members of the AMA say they plan on setting goals in order to reach these things. (www.ama-assn.org) By doing so they plan to initiate, identify share, and develop patient-physician decision making. Also when it comes to bettering the system the AMA states that they will: (1) Increase productivity, save lives and money, and improve outcomes and health by developing and practicing it’s delivery, (2) Diversify physician services so that it may reflect the levels as well as its service risk by adopting a good payment policy, (3) and allow physicians to select the models that fits the mode of their practices.(www.ama-assn.org) After reading and knowing what the AMA stood for and the mission in which they are striving to accomplish made me better understand how they connect with the health care field. Now since we all have a better understanding about the AMA I can focus on the Health Care Reform Act and describe the AMA’s position on it. Here are a few things in which the Health Care Reform Act states. Thirty-two million uninsured Americans will be extended medical coverage. In the year of 2014 small business will be allowed to purchase coverage through a separate exchange. If a child has a preexisting medical condition they will not be denied health insurance coverage. Also in the year of 2014 no health insurance company will be able to deny health coverage to anyone. Parents will be able to carry their children on their health insurance policy until the age of twenty-six. Even if illegal immigrants want/need health insurance coverage and they are willing to purchase it with their own money they will not be allowed to do so with any exchange. In 2009 expansion of insurance coverage was the most contentious issue and the AMA was the most visible organization that represented physicians and their views on this issue. The AMA opposed Medicare expansion and proposed coverage of the uninsured primarily through private means. Many AMA members were in disagreement about this but it seems as if the older physicians supported the AMA’s decision but the younger ones disagreed. Many physicians supported the proposals for health insurance expansion in which the AMA opposed. Even though the AMA is considered the most visible organization that represent physicians, it’s views did not represent the majority of the physicians views on coverage expansion in the most recent reform efforts. The AMA felt as if the reform act did introduce and promise some priority goals which were: (1) extend coverage to uninsured, (2) investing in physician’s workforce, (3) proving long term relief from Medicare flawed physician payment formula, (4) focusing as well as increasing the nation’s preventive care and wellness initiatives, (5) and simplifying administrative burdens for patient and physicians. The AMA states that they will continue to work with Congress as well as Administration pushing for the best outcome for physicians as well as patients. (www.ama-assn.org) They also will continue to eliminate the IPAB (Independent Payment Advisory Board), replace the SGR (Sustainable Growth Rate), and Enact the MLR (Medical Liability Reform). With this being said overall it will take time but the AMA states that it will continue to stand strong and firm about its mission as well as its goals in which they are try to reach for its physicians and the patients.(www.acep.org) Even though the disagreed about certain proposals they will continue to fight. References www.acep.org www.ama-assn.org www.nejm.org

How does Edgar Allan Poe misguide the reader in his story ‘The Black Cat’? Essay

When I first read the title of the story by Poe, My immediate assumption was that it was a mysterious story about a black cat that may contain superstition and witchcraft, because in literature, black cats are associated with superstition, darkness and evil but as the essay title questions how it misguides the reader, I thought that the story may have nothing to do with the supernatural. This story, ‘The Black Cat’ is by Edgar Allan Poe. We do not know of what the story is about but we make assumptions from the title and we do not know whether the narrator is male or female because the story is fictional but Poe writes as if it is a personal account and it had really happened to him. His intent of the story is to unburden his soul and I think he wants to confess to everyone and anyone who will listen to him as he says he wants to ‘place before the world what has happened’ and claims he is going to die tomorrow. The opening is unusual because of his proposal when he says ‘tomorrow, I will die’. Also he gives the storyline but without detail, is this to misguide us? We never usually see this in a story. I think the story is about someone who has been involved in a series of unfortunate household events that ‘have terrified, have tortured and have destroyed’ him. The general tone is a frightened and worried one because he says how it has affected him and used powerful language, such as ‘tortured’. Also the writer seems desperate for someone to explain these happenings. In this story this writer has wrote the story in first person. This means that being a reader I can emphasise with the narrator. In most stories the narrator is the hero, he is known as being courageous and have the characteristics of a hero although in this story this is not the case. Poe was the first writer to use this style and make the narrator an ‘anti-hero’ he is also called this because it doesn’t seem right to label him a villain, but he also is not a hero. At the beginning of the story the narrator tries to make you feel sympathetic towards them by telling you that ‘tomorrow, I will die’ and tells of how recent events have ‘tortured’, ‘terrified’ and ‘destroyed’ him. He then continues to tell us how he was a animal lover by saying ‘never was I so happy as when feeding and caressing them’. He also says how he was married early and his wife has ‘a disposition not uncongenial with my own’, he and his wife were very alike and quite obviously happy. We are perceived into thinking he is a nice a nice and well natured gentleman. However we have been misguided as he is far from this stereotype is reality. We are fooled into thinking that he was an animal lover who would never hurt a soul. He tries to get our sympathy because he is consumed with guilt at the fact he sickly mistreated and killed a cat and ill-treated and went on to try and kill his second cat with an axe, but instead he savagely and ‘accidentally’ killed his wife, he says how he ‘buried the axe in her brain’. We have been betrayed completely by the narrator. Another way that the reader is misguided is by the unusual structure. In most stories these usually contains only one major climax but in ‘The Black Cat’ there is a number of major climax’s but the events that happen in the climax’s gets worse as the story goes on, making us forget the last climax that happened and we become ‘immune’. The first major climax is when the narrator ‘gouges the cats’ eye out’. We think this is the major climax but as the story progresses the events become worse and go from the cat being hanged and then finally resulting in his wife being murdered by him. He does this because he wants to tell us the evil things he has done one-by-one because he hopes we will forget about the previous atrocities and still feel sympathy for him. I also feel that, Pluto was used to misguide the reader in this story. First off, we find out that the cat is named Pluto, this could be associated with a mysteriousness and possibly magic and witchcraft. Poe then continues to say how at first the cat was an affectionate, loving pet, none the less he reveals his wife’s belief cats are witches in disguise. This automatically makes us think that supernatural happenings will later come into the story. The fact that he says about the cats white patch changing into a collar like a noose and that the second cat is a reincarnation of the first seems pretty surreal and unbelievable. The reason for this is so that we also believe that the cat is evil. The main role of the cat in this story is to divert the blame from the narrator to the cat for the terrible things he had done and the murder of his wife. The story would be incomplete without the cat, as it would just be about a man who has killed his wife; the cat is the main character. Another way Poe attempts to misguide the reader is by using doubles, a common factor used in gothic horror stories to show the story contains split personallities. In this story, it is two cats that are used as doubles to highlight the fact of the narrators split personality. Also another thing that suggests the narrator has a split personallity is the gouging of his cats eye. In english litrature, the gouging of an a eye is interpretted as the person who done it, wanting to be self-castrated. As this story was wrote in the pre 20th century when homosexuallity was illegal, one theory is that the narrator may have in denile of being homosexual,. This relates back to the self-castration, is it possible he wanted to become a woman? So that it was legal to have relationships with males. And by killing his wife with an axe demonstrates his inability to be with a woman. In conclusion I felt the purpose in the narrator writing his account of what had happaned was to divert the blame of all the horrible things he had done, off of himself. My personal reaction tp this story was rather excited and anxious as to what would happen next, after each climax, but I also felt quite disturbed as the story made me be in the mind of a murderer.

Western Civilization. The Second World War Essay

Western Civilization. The Second World War - Essay Example In the months and days prior to the war, tension had built up all over the country. As a newly appointed general and having had my father participate in the First World War, I was equally tense and concerned not only about my safety, but that of my squadron as well. When the looming war finally broke, initial orders conveyed to me and other generals expressly instructed us to lead our troops to invade Poland. This was one of the cruellest acts I have ever witnessed because innocent farmers were forced to relinquish their food supply and horses to the soldiers because they were needed for the war effort. Additionally, old people and veterans of the World War were recalled to the battle field. After the first two days, all the generals including me got assigned to diverse tasks meant to ensure that, the war was going as planned. I got the task of assigning the veterans to their specified areas of responsibility. I instructed them to head to the Hellnthal area and protect the border to the west; it was sad, yet challenging to see the old veterans rise up to serve their nation again after diligently doing the same during the previous war. The recalling of veterans and billeting them in the available castles, in Drreibor, was done hurriedly because France and England had declared war on Germany (Cole, Symes, Coffin, and Stacey 520). The weather was getting cold toward the conclusion of the Poland campaign. I remember ordering some young soldiers to replace the veterans in the castles, because the winter had a lot of snow, as well as, frost and some of the old soldiers could not handle the weather. After one year in the war, another campaign was launched and we were ordered to attack Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Holland. This is when we lost one of our planes near a dynamo generator house and the troops had to embark on travelling on railroad tracks. Other than railroads’ development, there was immense improvement of the aircrafts, which contributed to some of the major conquests in the war. The campaign lasted for six weeks and we emerged successful although, sadly, we lost a lot of men on the battle field. In 1941, the Battle of Britain began and this is when I was ordered to direct one thousand planes to raid the British (Cole et al 561). There were more casualties but as a general, one is not supposed to show weakness or pity for the enemy, but I can attest and say that this was the most difficult time in my life. I not only lost comrades, but many civilians died during the attacks as well. Additionally, about two young men were dying every day on the battle field and almost every night there were air raid. This is when I started to see people building shelters in their gardens although there was acute shortage in raw materials. It was a major development, since it showed growing innovation among civilians and it was also indicative of the people’s capacity to optimally utilize resources. It was not until 1944 that we start ed to launch attacks with the help of our allies, but despite our efforts to maintain our dominance over France, Paris got liberated. This is when the attacks got intense and we were losing so many people to the battle. Railroads and tunnels got destroyed and many boys and girls were taken to make the Westwall entrenchment, a highly difficult and perilous task (Cole 603). Even though the situation was deplorable and I did not want to exploit the young children, I had no choice but to follow orders and try to protect the civilians from continued deaths. I was also under immense pressure to guide my squadron in improving our weaponry cache, since the Americans had more civilized war machines. This brought about major improvements in the military.

Story- english Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Story- english - Essay Example But the captain argues that they need it more, because if they run out of food on the spaceship they will be in trouble. The ships first mate is not pleased either, although it is not explained why. At the end of the page the captain sees something that makes him stop in his tracks. One thing that drives me to this story is its setting. I like the fact that it takes place on another world, and will probably talk about things that cannot be experienced in real life. However, even though this is the case the characters are described realistically and have human problems, so it seems like the story will still relate to real life in that way. I also like the description used. Even though many terms are vague or made up, they still sound important and can be figured out by how the story describes them, like the â€Å"Optus† or the â€Å"Martian go-birds.† The story starts with action, in the captain and his men taking the natives food, and also with some tension between the various characters. The action and the way its described are good because they pull me into the story right away. The tension is just as important because it means something interesting is probably going to happen in the story later on and it makes me want to keep

Civil Legislation and the Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Civil Legislation and the Law - Essay Example se inner contents cannot be visibly from the outside, and there are no ways and means by which it is possibly for consumers to ascertain the contents of the bottle by viewing it externally. The facts of this case revolved on the perceived lack of care, or tort of negligence, displayed by the manufacture of ginger beer, in that its contents could hold toxic or health hazards, emanating due to issues arising due to lack of care and ordinary diligence, which had resulted in such situations. In this case, the ginger beer drunk by the plaintiff contained the remnants of a decomposed snail, which precipitated distress and illness in the applicant, Mrs. Donoghue and caused her significant health issues which necessitated medical treatment. Subsequently she brought action on the grounds that the manufacture had been liable for â€Å"damage caused by such neglect†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Donoghue (or M’ Alister) v Stevenson: House of Lords [1932] All ER Rep 1). The area of Tort of Negligence could be invoked in this case. She could bring up a suit for damages for injury caused to her due to consumption of contaminated ginger beer, due to apparent negligence on the part of the manufacturer to ensure that the consumable articles are free from harmful ingredients. Lord Atkins, in his rule on the Donoghue case rules This was what she claimed as damages for tort negligence not amounting to Fraud. This is because the case does not invoke any aspect of fraud or misrepresentation. The manufacturers, Stevenson, did not intentionally cause the snail to be placed in the bottle. It is believed that the place where the cleaning of bottles and refilling was conducted, hosted snails and other reptiles. It is quite possible that a snail may have lodged itself in the bottle. Subsequently, the bottle was filled and sealed by agents of the defendant, without inspecting whether the bottle was clean and contained any thing or not. Thus, basic negligence could be attributed to defendants, and his

Asia-Pacific Region Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Asia-Pacific Region - Essay Example The theme for APEC 2007, strengthening our Community, Building Sustainable Future, corroborates the APEC's principles namely: communication, cooperation, collaboration, and community among the 21 member economies of the organization (Australian Government). Australia, being the host country of the meeting, sees valuable opportunity to showcase their business, society and culture to their constituents; and at the same time, to provide Australia with a unique opportunity to guide its future direction (Australian Government). That direction is heading towards economic stability and growth of the region. In this regard, we can appreciate the action taken by the Australian Government of involving their youth in this affair in order to inculcate in their minds the importance of strengthening international relations so as to build sustainable future among the member economies. This approach is vital and effective; it is like putting the future in the hands of the next generation. As we can see, the main goal of the APEC is "to promote economic growth and prosperity in the region and strengthen the Asia-Pacific Community" (Australian Government). It is undeniably that many countries in the Asia-Pacific are economically poor. ... In some Southeast Asian countries, children are not only suffering malnutrition but also they are even subjected to force labor and have a minimal access to education and the use of technology like computers. They are quite far behind the technological advancement. In rural areas, many patients died in hospital because of lack of life-saving facilities that could have helped patients. The question "How can I/we build/create a better future" depends on the economic situation of the country which one belongs. Subjectively, the first thing that I can do is to help my self achieve my dreams in life. One cannot think of building or creating a better future if he does not have a dream or ambition in life. An architectural engineer for example can create an infrastructure design that will truly make a better community. A doctor can help patients in remote areas where access to hospitals is difficult due to financial problem. An educator can help educate people whose capacity to send their children to school are low if none at all. Objectively, there are many international non-governmental organizations such as the Green Peace Environmentalist group, the Human Rights Advocates and many other that endeavor so hard to reach out on people in depressed areas. Therefore, the same consciousness must also be taught to citizens of rich countries, in order to lend a hand for a better future of the region. Asia-Pacific Region is composed of both rich and third world countries, in which relationship between each of them is highly important especially on economic matter. As I see it, it is also of paramount importance to make out those countries of equilibrium in terms of economic privileges. Poorer countries should also experience healthier