Psychological and Biochemical Theories of Violent Behavior Essay

Psychological and Biochemical Theories of Violent Behavior - Essay Example Based upon the information from the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services (2010) the psychological theory of violence in relation to criminal behavior is rooted in the relationship of a person's individual character in relation to his environment. To quote the Ontario Ministry study (2010); â€Å"psychologists focus on how mental processes impact individual propensities for violence. Psychologists are often interested in the association between learning, intelligence, and personality and aggressive behavior. â€Å" The psychological theory is that man was not born a violent creature. Rather, he turns to violence when he does not have any choice due to a lack of certain influences in his life that should have made him or her a peace loving person. Further studies in the area by the Ontario Ministry (2010) show that tests such as ; â€Å"The Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) have frequently been used to assess the personality characteristics of young people. The use of these scales has consistently produced a statistically significant relationship between certain personality characteristics and criminal behavior. ... testing also suggests that crime-prone youth are also impulsive, paranoid, aggressive, hostile, and quick to take action against perceived threats...† However, Masters (n.d.) argues that violence that is triggered in certain individuals is based on his exposure to biochemicals in his daily life. It is Masters belief that brain chemistry, environmental toxins, and violent crimes are all linked in a certain manner.  

Islam in the modren world Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Islam in the modren world - Essay Example They are representative of a radical and extremist wing of fundamentalism, which is made up of Muslims who believe that an Islamic state needs to be imposed on the Muslims in their country. They believe that this Islamic state should be imposed on its people by violence if the situation demands it and should be imposed from above. Islam’s current passage into modernity has gone through three distinct stages. These are revivalism, reform that included nationalism, and finally fundamentalism (Lawrence 20). Each of these stages has emerged out of the failures of the previous ones. These failures include the inability to attain a self-sustaining scientific and economic infrastructure, an inability to attain true independence, and a realistic alternative to a worldwide system, which leads to the marginalization of Islam and their ignorance around the world. The fundamentalist movement is aided and fuelled by a combination of factors including economic, social, and religious stresso rs of countries practicing Islam. These involve high unemployment of the youth, poor human rights records by their governments, unelected and autocratic leadership, extreme poverty for the majority of Muslims compared to extreme wealth for the well-connected members, millions of displaced Palestinian refugees, and a lack of a democratic system of government (Lawrence 40). Probably the most significant stress factor of all has to do with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has dragged on for the majority of the last six decades since the founding of the Israeli state in the 40s. This conflict has helped to fuel a lot of anger, hostility, distrust, unrest, instability, and wide spread feelings of victimization in the Middle East. The elusiveness of a peace process settlement, the status of the city of Jerusalem’s Muslim section, the status of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount’s Dome of the Rock- the third of the sacred sites of Islam, and the continued unchecked expans ion of settlement by the Jewish State act as major flash points (Lawrence 41). Another stress factor fuelling these movements is the American military in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is viewed by a majority of the radical wing of Islam fundamentalism as blatant desecration of holy ground. The formation and the emergence of Islamic fundamentalism for the Palestinians in the Diaspora, as well as within Palestine, and the emergence of various fundamentalist political groups within the occupied territory began in the later part of the 70s (Lawrence 49). Defeat by the Israelis had forced the Palestinian, and their Arab backers to acknowledge their weak points. Most fundamentalists will attribute their inherent weakness to the spread of secularism and the region’s failure to embrace the teachings of Islam and to apply its teachings. Two movements emerged, in this context, especially from the Palestinian side: the Islamic Jihad and Hamas. These movements are focused on the per petration of violent acts to show their resistance to occupation of their lands by the Israelis. However, in the aftermath of what were bloody suicide bomb attacks perpetrated by members of these two movements inside Israel, the Palestinian Authority was forced to subject the two movements to punitive measures. These included a blanket ban on the military wings of the movements, closure of various institutions used for their recruitment,

Values Practice Issues Within Mental Health Nursing Practice

Values Practice Issues Within Mental Health Nursing Practice Using the values identified in the attached book (empathy and importance of self expression) review prepare a 2000 word discussion and analysis of values practice issues within mental health nursing practice. Introduction This essay aims to explore some issues around values and practice in mental health nursing. The essay builds upon a previous piece of work undertaken as a formative assignment, a review of a book read by the author, which raised some key points which may be important in mental health nursing practice. The process of uncovering these issues, in response to reviewing and reading a work of fiction, was one which led to a connection of ideas, from what the book presented, and from the author’s personal experience, life experience, and clinical experience and learning to date. The identified issues are to do with compassion, empathy and the importance of self-expression. These are all issues which the author believes are very much taken for granted in everyday life, but which become very significant for users of mental health services, and for mental health service providers, because they affect many areas of the person, their experience, and the therapeutic relationship. This essay will explore these issues in the light of some of the published theory and debate on these topics, and the author’s own point of view and experiences. Discussion It would seem that within mental health nursing, the relationship between the mental health nurse and the client is very important, but this relationship is based on certain values which must underpin nursing care (Eagger et al, 2005), and certain needs or requirements that the client might feel in relation to the nurse. Nurses working within a framework of values is no new thing, and values (and ethics) have always underpinned medicine and healthcare (Eagger et al, 2005). According to Svedberg et al (2003), â€Å"Mental health is created by the interwoven process of one’s relationship to oneself and to others†, which would suggest that the relationships the client forms with anyone involved in supporting mental health are doubly important. The client may find self-expression important for themselves, but also they will require compassion from the mental health nurse. The nurse, in turn, may be challenged by the client’s self-expression, and may find it hard to feel compassion or to empathise with the client at times. One of the challenges of providing compassionate care and even for the mental health nurse to experience compassion is the supposed relationship which some authors have found between perceived suffering and caregiver compassion. Schulz et al (2007) suggest that there are links between perceived suffering and the level of caregiver compassion. If this is the case, then it could be argued that some mental health nurses who do not feel or display compassion are doing so because on some level they do not perceive or believe the client to be truly suffering, or to be worthy of compassion. This would raise an ethical issue, because all the patient’s needs should be met, no matter what the ‘personal’ response to the client. However, this could be a lack of perception on the part of the mental health nurse. Akerjordet and Severinsson (2004) discuss the issue of emotional intelligence in nursing, a concept which affects the nurse-patient relationship, particularly within mental health nursing. Salovey and Mayer (1990) define emotional intelligence as â€Å"the ability to monitor ones own and others feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide ones thinking and actions† (p 185). In their qualitative study, Akerjordet and Severinsson (2004) found four dominant themes about emotional intelligence in mental health nursing â€Å"relationship with the patient; the substance of supervision; motivation; and responsibility.† This would suggest that emotional intelligence on the part of the nurse is important within mental health nursing. Akerjordet and Severinsson (2004) suggest that emotional intelligence â€Å"stimulates the search for a deeper understanding of a professional mental health nursing identity† and that â€Å"emotional learning and maturation processes are central to professional competence, that is, personal growth and development.† (p 164). Therefore, the mental health nurse would need to develop the emotional intelligence to understand why they are finding it hard to feel compassion for the client, and to take action to remedy this, and to act in a sensitive and supportive way towards the client, even if they do not truly feel compassionate towards them. Shattell et al (2007) carried out research on the therapeutic relationship within mental health services, and found that clients expressed experiences of the therapeutic relationship under the following themes: relate to me, know me as a person, and get to the solution. â€Å"A therapeutic relationship for persons with mental illness requires in-depth personal knowledge, which is acquired only with time, understanding, and skill. Knowing the whole person, rather than knowing the person only as a service recipient.† (Shattell et al, 2007 p 274). This would suggest that the mental health nurse should be motivated to develop an empathy with the client through this knowledge, and should actively engage in seeking out ways to know and to understand the client. This may relate back to the issue of emotional intelligence, because the mental health nurse needs to know themselves very well, and to understand themselves and their professional persona (Akerjordet and Severinsson, 2004) b efore they can then go on to get to know and understand, and empathise with, the client. Hamilton and Roper (2007) discuss the concept of insight, looking at its theoretical underpinnings, and the fact that it is problematic in mental health nursing because it can be difficult to have insight into patient’s experiences of mental illness. Insight is seen as part of the process of getting to know and understand the client, and from this, developing a knowledge of their mental illness, including diagnosing their particular mental illness (Hamilton and Roper, 2007). However, developing this insight is made difficult by problems such as the perceived difference in power between caregiver and client, and the expectations of ‘patient behaviours’ (Hamilton and Roper, 2007). This would suggest that the mental health nurse needs to see each patient as an individual, as unique, and to take the time to truly get to know the person and their experience of mental illness. Definitions of mental illness, and labels, can make this harder, for the nurse, and for the cl ient as well, who fears being reduced to his or her disease rather than being seen as a person who is ill (Hamilton and Roper, 2007; Shattell et al, 2007). Research by Shatell et al (2006) emphasises this point. In their study, clients raised a number of issues around being understood by mental health caregivers, and it was this concept of being understood which seemed most important in developing an effective therapeutic relationship. Some of these concepts include: feeling important; establishing connections, and being on the same level (Shatell et al, 2006). Research by Svedberg et al (2003) found similar results, and in their study â€Å"the patients described how the feeling of mutuality in the relationship with the nurse was important for the promotion of health processes. Mutuality was achieved by doing things together and by having a dialogue with each other.† (p 451). This author feels that these ideals can be properly achieved by mental health nurses who take time to get to know the client and who develop empathy with the client through focusing attention on them. The patients wanted to feel understood in Shatell et alà ¢â‚¬â„¢s (2006) study. â€Å" Feeling important was a major consequence of being understood. Being understood made patients feel like human beings rather than being treated like a number or being treated like in a factory. Participants wanted to be treated like human beings, not as sick, mentally ill persons; like persons, not a set of diagnoses â€Å" (Shatell et al, 2006 p 237). This could be viewed as a consequence of the compassion and self-awareness of the nurse as a professional, and of their ability to see the client as an individual, to not be prejudiced by anything about them, especially not their illness. This is very important. This author believes that compassion and empathy develop through getting to know the client properly, and that these all enhance the therapeutic relationship. Shatell et al (2006) also suggest that clients feel important when they know the nurse has been thinking of them at times other than face to face contact, and this is something to think of for practice, particularly in relation to the conversations that nurses have with patients. It is also important that mental health nurses develop proper listening skills, which would also allow them to develop compassionate understanding, and support the client in expressing themselves (Freshwater, 2006). Encouraging self-expression is an important part of nurses getting to know their patients, it would seem, but self-expression is not easy for many people. People with mental illness are often negotiating a range of different sense of what constitutes their ‘self’ (Meehan and Machlachlan, 2008). â€Å" For example, a professional woman becomes a mother and wife or ‘homemaker’ when she leaves the office for home. In changing from one self to another type, her multiple self voices renegotiate their hierarchy and positions and create a coherent self story consistent with the role of mother and wife.† (Meehan and Machlachlan, 2008). These negotiations can be problematic for the person with mental illness, and this just provides one example of how complex understanding the self can be, which makes self-expression similarly challenging. Yet it would be worthwhile to develop activities and actions which would sup port this. It may be that there are ways that mental health nurses can encourage or support self-expression and the development of caregiver understanding of the client. For example, Raingruber (2004) discusses the use of poetry in child and adolescent mental health, as a means of self-expression, arguing that poetry has the power to allow clients to develop self awareness and to express their feelings. Raingruber (2004) suggests that â€Å"The complexity, power, and beauty of language within poetry allow the expression of intense human experiences† (p 14). While there are drawbacks and limitations to the therapeutic use of poetry, it might be that this offers one kind of opportunity for self-expression, on the part of the client, and empathy, on the part of the mental health nurse. â€Å" When an appropriate moment arises, poetry should be used to help clinicians, nursing students, and clients become more aware of and open to possibilities.† (Raingruber, 2004 p 16). However, this author believes that the mental health nurse would need some skills in this area, or to be someone who is perhaps comfortable with using or writing poetry themselves, if they were to use it to any great extent with clients. Feen-Calligan et al (2008) make similar assertions about using visual art in supporting mental health users who are substance misusers. Feen Calligan et al (2008) found that â€Å"As the women learned to verbalize their feelings and reflect on their situations through interpretative interactions with visual art, they gained insight into their feelings and issues they faced in their recovery from chemical dependency.† (p 287). This research seems to show that using visual art and image processing allowed the women to fully express their feelings in ways they had not been able to before (Feen-Calligan et al, 2008). Again, some kind of knowledge or skill on the part of the nurse would be necessary. Both of these examples are of arts-related activities, and relate strongly back to the formative assessment and book review. It might be that there is great scope within mental health nursing to encourage self-knowledge, self-expression and mutuality through the use of creative arts an d fiction. Certainly this would provide a way for nurses to relate to clients more readily, to be on their level, and to talk in terms and metaphors that they are familiar with. Conclusion It would seem that underpinning mental health nursing are a number of core values which need to be more explicit in the discourses around the profession and in the practices of those within it. Svedberg et al (2003) state: â€Å"The most important goal of nursing care is to promote the subjective experience of health. The health promoting efforts of mental health care nurses must be aimed at creating encounters where the patient will be confirmed both existentially and as an individual worthy of dignity.† (p 448). The core values of mental health nursing should orientate towards this kind of confirmation of worth on the part of the healthcare provider for the client. Eagger et al (2005) state: â€Å"Organisations, too, would benefit from a clear, values-based statement that staff at all levels can identify with. Institutions encouraging a culture of care can contribute significantly towards creating a healing environment for staff as well as patients.† ( p 28). This would be particularly relevant for mental health nursing and mental health services, and might signify and important area for future practice development. Undertaking this exploration has shown to the author the need for self-awareness and emotional intelligence on the part of mental health nurses, as a prerequisite for developing true compassion and empathy. Fostering self-expression amongst mental health services users, providing opportunities for this, and supporting them by paying attention and understanding them, is also important. While some experiences so far might suggest that in certain contexts and situations, this might be difficult to achieve, it should be the goal that we all strive for, and these are core values which should underpin all of our practice. References 214727 Akerjordet, K. and Severinsson, E. (2004) Emotional intelligence in mental health nurses talking about practice International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 13 (3) 164-170 Benner, P. 2000. The wisdom of our practice: thoughts on the art and intangibility of caring practice. American Journal of Nursing. 100(10):99-105 Busfield, J. 2000 Rethinking the Sociology of Mental Health, Blackwell, London Castledine, G. 2005. Recognizing care and compassion in nursing. British Journal of Nursing. 14(18):1001 Eagger, S., Desser, A. and Brown, C. (2005) Learning values in healthcare? Journal of Holistic Healthcare 2 (3) Feen-Calligan, H., Washington, O. and Moxley, D.P. (2008) Use of artwork as a visual processing modality in group treatment of chemically dependent minority women. The Arts in Psychotherapy 25 287-295. Freshwater, D. (2006) The art of listening in the therapeutic relationship. Mental Health Practice 9 (5). Hamilton, B. and Roper, C. (2006) Troubling ‘insight’: power and possibilities in mental health care. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 13 416-422. Meehan, T. and MacLachlan, M. (2008) Self construction in schizophrenia: a discourse analysis. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory Research and Practice 81 131-142. Pilgrim, A. Rogers, D. 2005 Sociology of mental health and illness 3rd edition. OUP, Buckingham Salovey, P. Mayer, J.D. (1990) Emotional intelligence Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, 9, 185-211 Schulz, R., Hebert, R.S. and Dew, M.A. (2007) Patient Suffering and Caregiver Compassion: New Opportunities for Research, Practice, and Policy. Gerontologist, v47 n1 p4-13 2007 Raingruber, B. (2004) Using poetry to discover and share significant meanings in child and adolescent mental health nursing. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing 17 (1) 13-20. Shattell, M., Starr, S. and Thomas, S.P. (2007) Take my hand, help me out: Mental health service recipients experience of the therapeutic relationship. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 16(4):274-284. Shattell, M., McAllister,S., Hogan, B. and Thomas, S.P. (2006) â€Å"She took the time to make sure she understood.† Mental Health Patients’ Experiences of Being Understood. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing 20 (5) 234-241. Svedberg, P., Jormfeldt, H. and Arvidsson, B. (2003) Patient’s conceptions of how health processes are promoted in mental health nursing. A qualitative study. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 10 448-456.

Coming to the United States Essay -- Personal Experience

Sometime in 1978, my mother brings my sister and me to escape Viet Nam to Songkhla, Thailand. We arrived in San Antonio, Texas nine months later in July, 1979. It is here where I began my â€Å"American† education. It is this education system, and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) through the medium called â€Å"television†, which shred lights on me as I become conscious of what happened to my home country was not the fault of my own people. Regrettably, growing up in â€Å"America† as a foreign kid, barely speaking English, moving from town to town, and changing school annually is not straightforward. In a flash, the realization of what happen to my country vanished as it comes down to a mean of survival. I am on my own in this strange country and society, and I must do what I do to get through at the age of twelve. The recollections of my beautiful country, home, schools, and friends, appeared in the back of my mind from time to time, nevertheless I di d not have time to reflect upon them. The questions of why we left our country and came to such a distance place called the â€Å"United State of America†, never get a â€Å"real† answer. Until now, July 9, 2011, I am attending history 21, conducts by Professor Toshio Whelchel. Thirty-two years later, I am asked to compose an essay for my midterm title: â€Å"Modern American History: From the Overthrow of Hawaii to the Philippines War†. The anxiety in my stomach agitates and my eyes begin to tears, not because it is the â€Å"midterm† paper, not because I forget how to write, not because lettering is my weakness†¦but the memories. April 30, 1975, the reverberation of bullets piercing through the night, the gloomy stench of smoldering dead bodies, as bombs rained down upon us, and guns fired upon innocent ci... ... Horrendously for Philippines and Hawaii, their resources and people are the target of western imperialism, capitalism, racism, industrialization, and military power in the name of ‘democracy’. Against their will, these people must endure imposed western ideology, and sacrifice their life in the fights for self-government. On the other hand, those who came armed with intentions would use any means possible to get what they came for. For some conniving characters seeking self-fortunes, and protecting their own interest, they walk a fine line of morality. Where they can not apply forces, propaganda is their powerful allied. This is an endless cycle of how empire rises and falls. What goes down in history for future generation is the doctrines of the why and the how to go about obtaining the resources that enable one nation to rise or fall.

Company Law Legal Organisations Essay

Introduction Thor plc is a Public Limited registered company as per the provisions of Companies Act 1985, listed in London Stock Exchange.   A public limited company must have at least two directors to manage the business affairs of the company apart from a qualified company secretary.   Further public limited companies are also permitted to offer shares to the public to raise funds by way of public offer of shares to a minimum value of   Ã‚ £50,000. Thor plc is a commercial catering company   which has both shares and debentures to its credit.   A public limited company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association which details the entire internal and external boundaries of a director beyond which a director cannot act in any manner.   Chapter 2 Section 171-177 of Companies Act 2006   provide about scope and nature of general duties of a director. Some of the important general duties are : Duty to act within powers and in accordance with the company’s constitution (M&A) and exercise powers dutifully.(Sec.171) Section 172 states that a director must promote and work to the success of a company in bona fide and in good conduct for any long term decisions, in the interests of company employees, fostering the business relationship with business suppliers, customers and others, consider the company’s operations, its impacts on environment     and community.   A director must have interest to maintain the reputation of the company. Section 173 states that a director has the power to exercise independent judgment which is in accordance with the provisions and compliance of legal provisions enabled by Companies Act 2006 and authorized by Company’s constitution and which is not restricted and in contradiction with the agreement entered into between the director and the company. Section 174 states that a director must exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence. Section 175   provides that a director is in a position to always avoid a conflict of interest. Section 176 provides that a director must not accept any benefits   from third parties. Third parties means a person other than the company, a person acting on behalf of a company, an associate body or a body corporate. Section 177 provides that a director can always declare interest in a proposed transaction or arrangement. The proposed interest must be disclosed or declared either in a meeting with other directors, by a notice to other directors in accordance with Section 184   (notice in writing) or Section 185 (general notice). A director need not disclose interest in case the director is of the opinion that (a) the proposed interest for a transaction may give rise to a conflict of interest. (b) To an extent, if other directors are aware of transaction. ( c) The proposal need to be considered in a meeting of directors or by a committee of directors appointed for this purpose under company’s constitution. Section 178 deals with civil consequences of breach of general duties by   a director. Companies Act 1985 imposes a statutory prohibition that it is a criminal offence if a director without the prior permission of the Board, considers an option to sell or buy shares or debentures.   Insider trading is a criminal offence under Financial Services Act 1986 as per sections 61-62A when a private investor or person suffers a loss from breach of statutory duty which is caused by a director. Under Criminal Justice Act 1993 Part V, if a person knowingly commits insider trading, it will be considered as offence if, buy or sell shares is performed in a regulated market, where there is intermediary professional. Encourages another person to deal with such proposals of insider trading. Disclosure of information to persons who are outside of office, employment or profession. All the above offences are penalized either with fine or imprisonment of up to seven years. Mary in the capacity of a director, is entitled to sell Thor Plc shares which are held by Mary in the position of a director only after the prior intimation to the Board and after a resolution has been passed to that extent that certain number of shares held by Mary, the director of Thor plc can be sold. Mary has committed a serious offence by neither intimating the Board about selling of shares, nor took the consent of the Board in which case,   Mary has invited penalties under Companies Act 2006. Further, Mary has also encouraged another shareholder Graham to sell shares by revealing the confidential business information about the company which is also another serious offence which was not supposed to be performed by a director who is in the Board of a company. Mary as director has violated all the legal rules of Companies Act 2006 and has violated the rules of Thor plc. In view of the above, Mary is either required to pay a penalty or seek assistance from a legal practitioner 2(a) In October 2008, certain of the codified directors’ duties come into force. Explain briefly the relevant fiduciary duties which will be applicable prior to that date Directors have the major decision making power in a company. No other position in a company is greater than the position of a director.   The duties of directors are designed in a way that companies’ interests are protected, shareholders interests are protected in order to make corporate business as transparent and efficient.   There are many rules, statutory duties and fiduciary duties for a director’s position which have to be fulfilled in accordance with Companies Act 1985 and as amended by Companies Act 1989.   The government is of the opinion that codification of directors’ duties which are included in the Companies Act 2006, which was granted permission from Royal Assent on 8th November, 2006, ensures the law to be consistent and also enables directors to not to breach any duty that is written in law. Prior to the codification of directors’ duties, the fiduciary duties were prevalent which are briefly explained as below. Further fiduciary duties are of two categories. (1) Duty to act in good faith in the interest of the company and not for any collateral purpose. (2) Duty to not to permit conflict of personal interest with that of duties to be discharged as director of a company.   Ã‚  Fiduciary duties can never be breached by a director wherein case, the director would be held responsible for any loss suffered thereof.   Any profit or loss that is made from the discharge of duties by   a director, must be disclosed to the company in all respects.   Directors owe duties to the company only and not to individual members.   A director must disclose any interest in a proposed contract or a contract in a meeting of the directors of the company.   Director’s service contract must be kept available for inspection by the members.   Service contracts for more than five years must be approved in a general meeting.   Further a director must notify the company about any personal interest in shares of the company.   Personal liability for a director is more when   a director is participating directly or indirectly in fraudulent trading in the event of a company being liquidated or wrongful trading when a company is being declared as an insolvent and the court holds director as liable. When a company is in insolvent liquidation, the directors of the company are not eligible to incorporate another company in the same name or similar to the existing name for a term of five years. In case if a director is floating another company with the similar name, director becomes personally liable for the debts of such new company. Further an officer or director who signs cheques or orders for goods on behalf of the company is also held personally liable for all the transactions of the company, when the name of company does not appear on cheques or order documents.  Ã‚   Company records have to be kept at the registered office for inspection of company law officials or such other authorized persons as per Companies Act 2006. Fiduciary duties of a director are of equal source of personal liability as that of general duties of a director.   All fiduciary duties are self-explanatory whereas all general duties are specific and task-oriented for each director.   Breach of director’s duties result in either as offence, personal liability or termination of directorship as per the provisions of Companies Act 2006. There are totally four directors in Edu-con Ltd who are managing the business affairs of the company.   The constitution of Edu-con Ltd is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company which details the powers and duties of directors of Edu-con Ltd and further statutory laws and provisions of Companies Act 2006 apply to Edu-con Ltd for both filing the required statutory documents and for detailing the duties of directors of Edu-con Ltd.,   All the four directors of Edu-con Ltd for responsible for execution of general duties as well fiduciary duties of the company. Part 10 Chapter 1 Section 154 – 169 of Companies Act 2006 details about appointment and removal of directors. Chapter 2 of Part 10 Section 170 – 177 of Companies Act 2006 details about general duties of   directors. Section 252 of the Companies Act 2006 details about persons connected with a director. Section 253 of the Companies Act 2006 details about members of director’s family.   Section 254 states about a body corporate with which the director is connected.   Vera Freet lives with her partner, Bertram Boss who owns a business by name â€Å"Bell Agentis†. Vera Freet did not disclose partner Bertram Boss in any Board meeting and neither while selling the land adjacent to â€Å"Bell Agentis† for value  £350,000 to Edu-con Ltd., whereas it is important for a director to disclose about family members and also about any interest in business proposal that is related to the business management of Edu-con Ltd., Wilson Rabbit who is another director of Edu-con Ltd., has earned a commission of  £900 for awarding a printing contract to Bees Books Ltd.,   In this aspect, Companies Act 1985 states that disclosure of transactions that are within a sum of    £1000 in a financial year need not be disclosed by a director as long as it is a secret commission in terms of monetary benefit earned by a director. It is also important that the acts of directors are within the purview of Articles of Edu-con Ltd., and considered not as an offence.   However it is important that the Board must be notified about the paying of commission by Bees Books Ltd., to the director even though it is a small amount,   for all good purposes and to keep the transparency of the transactions. According to the EU Directive when a company is taken over by another company, existing board or change in board effects the value of   the company. In the present case, Edu-con Ltd has been taken over by another company, and subsequently there is also a change in the board members which means the existing four directors of Edu-con Ltd no longer carry the position of director. Any transactions that are still in term period do not hold good when a director ceases as board member which is relevant in the case of   Wilson Rabbit who has been receiving commission from Bees Books Ltd for printing contract. Similarly the land that is acquired from Bell-Agentis can also be reconsidered whether it should be retained by the new board members.   The new board has every right and authorized to write-off all the transactions that were exercised by previous board basing on the interest of the new board and for making the business good. Conclusion Companies Act 2006 is yet to come into force effectively by the end of the year 2008 as there are many changes in Company Reform Bill to bring order to all the existing UK companies and for all the new companies that are being incorporated. However it is important to always refer Companies Act 1985 as well Companies Act 2006 for deriving the maximum benefits in the matters related to directorships and financial related matters. References Companies Act, 2006 Reviewed 14 April 2008 http://194.131.210.216/eappub/includeimages/2007041722C1FAUHD_Companies%20Act%202006.pdf Company Law guide http://www.youngandpearce.co.uk/corporat.htm Companies Act 2006 and duties of directors Reviewed 17 April 2008 http://www.bytestart.co.uk/content/legal/35_2/companies-act-directors-duties.shtml Companies Act, 2006 Reviewed 14 April 2008 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/pdf/ukpga_20060046_en.pdf Explanatory Notes to Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 Chapter 12 Reviewed 14 April 2008 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2000/en/ukpgaen_20000012_en_1 Partnership Act, 1890 Reviewed 14 April 2008 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/BIM72505.htm http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2006/ukpga_20060046_en_1 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20072194_en_7 http://books.google.co.in/books?id=zb7VqRT4hOgC&pg=PA44&lpg=PA44&dq=selling+of+shares+by+director+of+a+company+is+a+criminal+offence&source=web&ots=9RfouwoVBz&sig=8REfcxgg1RLBiW-dxrG-4ioh6uw&hl=en#PPA52,M1 UK Government’s new Company Law Reform Bill Reviewed 14 April 2008 http://www.mallesons.com/publications/2005/Dec/8221850W.htm

The Three Certainties

Trust The Three Certainties An express trust will not take effect unless the three certainties are present . These certainties are (1)Certainty of words (2)Certainty of objects (3)Certainty of subject matter . It is therefore important to prove all three elements in the given scenario to prove that a trust exists . If any of these certainties are not present the trust fails and the donee of the property which is sufficiently defined ,takes the property as an absolute gift .If the words are imperative and thus raise a trust and the objects ascertainable but the property is not specified in terms of identity ,then there will be no trust ,for there would be nothing to hold and administrator of a trust property . This rule applies for all three elements ,there would be no trust without one or more of the elements not being present . The issue in the first scenario is; Whether all three of the certainties exists? Firstly certainty of words, this principle is that an expressed trust is cre ated where the settlers shows an intention to do so .It is therefore important to show settlers intention rather than moral obligation. Before 1830 proprietary words were construed by the courts of having the force to create a trust . The Common Law allowed an estate being disposed of to be vested in the execution . However after 1830 the law was changed by the executing act which provided that disposition of property should not go to the executor and the courts stopped construing precatory words as having the effect to create a trust. The words â€Å"I bequeath† and â€Å"I would like† is used in the given situation.The words of I bequeath $200,000 to my dear friend can be contrasted with that of Re Codrington where the testator’s wishes were carried out where he bequeted two of his plantations in Barbados to the society for the propagation of the Christian Religion . The main question was whether the will created a binding trust or not as the testator went on to use the word desire . It was held that a binding trust was created as Douglas CJ looked at the language in accordance with the law and intention .It is therefore necessary to look at the language intention and the law in this scenario . The words I would Like can amount certainty of words . The case of Lambe v Earnes (1871)held that precatory words in a gift and did not mean that the doner intended the donee to hold the property for trust . This has been enforced as trust ,gifts accompanied by precatory words . For example â€Å"Feeling Confidence †or in â€Å"Full confidence † in Re Adams and Kensington . It is not however an absolute rule that a trust can never be created where precatory words are employed .On the contrary if the instrument as a whole or the context in which precatory words are used ,indicates that a trust was intended ,the courts are quite prepared to give effect to the trust ,for example like Re Hamilton and Re Steel . If the words I would Like in this situation was intended to create a trust rather than a mere obligation then it can fall within the scope of certainty of words . Secondly, Certainty of subject matter . There are two aspects for the requirement of subject matter (1)Certainty as to the property held upon trust (2)Certainty as to the beneficial interest which each beneficiary is to receive .With respect to (a)The will or other instruments creating the trust must make it clear as to what property is to be bound by the trust . Can then â€Å"the remaining part of what is left in the first scenario constitute to that of subject matter? The case of Sprange v Bernard a testatrix gave property by her will to her husband for the sole use and directed that at his death whatever is left that he does not want for his own use was to be divided between her sister and brother . It was held that there was no trust, since it was uncertain what would be left after the death of the husband.How then could one know what would o f if anything be left after the death of Nancy, Gloria’s friend . The case of Re Beadmore Trust also went on to illustrate this as it said that the words of description in the latter case are of same interest and at the death,the remains part of what is left ,that he does not want for his own wants and use . The courts held that no valid trust could be created in such vague words . The question of the existence of the three certainties are also asked in the second situation to create a trust. I bequeath â€Å"in this situation may amount to certainty of words as Gloria may have intended to create a trust . Equity however look at intent rather than form of words used . The case of Re Codrington Agen shows this . Another case would be that of De Costa v Wilburton ,where intent is present there maybe no need for any precise technical expression to be employed . It is however left to the other two elements of certainty of objects and subject matter to create a trust . Certainty of objects â€Å"And in such times amongst such of the inhabitants of Grenada and as they shall in their absolute discretion think fit â€Å"The bjects of a trust are the person’s who are to benefit from it ,that is to say the beneficiaries . If the requirement for trust is clearly defined for example Aunty Angela ,Uncle Mukesh then the requirement is clearly satisfied . When the beneficiaries are not clearly identified by the vagueness used to described them there would be no trust . The test for certainty of objects differs accordingly to whether the trust id fixed or discretionary . A fixed trust is one which is beneficiary in allocating to a particular beneficial interest by the settler for example where $100,000 is given to my aunties and uncles in equal shares .A discretionary trust is one that trustees have a discretion as to which members of the class of beneficiaries are to benefit from the trust property and in what shares for example where $20,000 is transferred to trustee upon trust such as my employees or employers. Discretionary trust in the Old list test before 1970 was that as the same as fixed test where all the beneficiaries had to be named . The case of IRC v Breedway came up with the reasons for the Old test . One of the reasons for the old test was that (1)the court could not substitute its discretion for that of a trustee .There came a New test for Discretionary Trust . The House Of Lords in Mc Phail v Douton ,concerns a discretionary trust in favor of a certain Mr Bedens employees and ex employees preferred in Re Gasteneer and Re Gulberkan whether the words employed in describing the discretionary class are such that it can be said with certainty that the individual is /is not a member of that class. As illustrated in Mc phall case it was not possible to assert the possible beneficiaries . It may also be impossible for Gloria’s trustee to proceed upon the subject of certainty of object matter relating to the inhabitants o f the Island of Grenada .The third scenario given also has to prove all three elements in order to illustrate that a trust exists. Firstly certainty of words â€Å"I bequeath† in this scenario may have amounted to certainty of words as Gloria may have intended to create a trust . Equity however looks at the intent rather than forms of the words . Gloria goes on to say in â€Å"the expectation of† The case of Cary v Cary â€Å"When a testator ,having the power to dispose of property ,expresses a desire as to the disposition of the property ,and the objects to which he refers are certain ,the desire so expressed amounts to a command .The cases are clear on this subject ,that where the property and the objects are certain ,any word intimidating a wish or desire ,raise a trust ,if the objects be not certain ,a trust can no more be raised upon words of desire or request ,then upon words of actual devise . † This words in expectation of may amount to certainty of word s as it is an expressed desire my Gloria for her cousin Ann Marie to dispose her property (Wine ). Secondly In Re London Wine Co (Shippers )It was held that before any trust could be said to attach to and tangible assets comprise within the class of assets ,the particular assets have to be identified .For example His Honour Oliver J. stated a former who declares himself (without identifying them can be said to have created a preferred and complete trust whatever rights he may confer by such declaration of a matter of contract . But the mere declaration that a given number of criminals would be held upon trust could not create an interest . The example by Oliver J was in respect of trust of tangible assets in the nature of cases of Wine . The trust in Re London Wine Co was held invalid partially on the principle that this failure to segregate th wine to be held a trust rendered the subject matter of the trust uncertain .In Hunter v Moss (1993) the C. O. A. declined to apply the princ iple in Re London Wine Co in upholding that a trust is valid on the basis of intangible assets . This concept of intangible assets have not been sufficiently certain as to give rise to a valid trust ,It may therefore be left up to the courts to decide whether this situation amounts too certainty of subject matter . Lastly Certainty of Objects . Ann Marie in expectation will divide the contents of Gloria’s wine cellar to her old friends and in cases where there is doubt her trustees are responsible to designate who her old friends are.Where a trust would ordinarily fail because the class of beneficiaries is defined by conceptually inaccurate terms ,would such a trust be rendered valid where a third party id left to determine the meaning of the ascribed terms ? This scenario related to third parties ,Academic opinion is divided in this matter . Martin author of Hansbury and Martin asserts that conceptual uncertainty may in some cases be cured by providing that the opinion of th e third party is to settle the matter .On the contrary author said as Halton suggest if the concept is my far relatives or my old friends or my good business associates and the trustee are given the power to resolve any doubt as to whether a person qualifies the court can resolve the uncertainty. Re Track St (1978)Lord Denning saw no reason why a trust instrument should not provide that any dispute or doubt should be resolved . Re Bourogh v Philcox (1840 states that the test for powers /discretionary trust will at the oral determine whether the class is sufficiently certain.Gifts are expressed to be subject to a condition . The Applicator test was showed in Re Allen (1953) it states that such a trust will not fall for uncertainty of objects once it is possible to say at least one person that he/she satisfies the description of old friends . The effect of uncertainty of objects is that the resulting trust arises in favor of the transfer. It can therefore be said that the above scenar io can amount to certainty of objects ass may or may not be present according to the third party involved .Kate and Sierra may not know who Gloria’s old friends and good neighbors are and the gifts expressed may or may not result in favor of a class which fails for uncertainty of objects under the comprehensive list test. In Conclusion The first scenario did not include certainty of objects therefore a trust cannot be created, The Second scenario did not include certainty of subject matter a trust cannot also be created ,However the last situation entailed all three elements given case law and the relevant situation it may be left up to the courts to decide .

Ronger Essays

Ronger Essays Ronger Essay Ronger Essay The Business School and the University regards as a very serious matter the action of a student who acts dishonestly or improperly, including plagiarism or cheating, in connection with his or her academic work. Under University Regulation 6. 1. 1 Plagiarism is defined as The presentation of the works of another person / other persons as though they are ones own by failing to properly acknowledge that person / those persons. Plagiarism may take many forms including: direct copying of sentences, paragraphs or other extracts from someone elses published work (including on the Internet and in software) without acknowledging the source; paraphrasing someone elses words without acknowledging the source; using facts, information, ideas, concepts or diagrams derived from a source without acknowledging them; producing assignments which should be the students own independent work, in unauthorized collaboration with and/or using the work of other people (e. . A student or tutor, or working in pairs or groups and producing similar assignments on individual assessment tasks not referencing accurately (e. G. To citing correctly the work you have actually read) and later using other students work (e. G. Taking discs, picking up others marked assignments) recycling your own work / assignments or double dipping (e. G. E-submitting whole or significant parts of assignments across units, across years or across courses) th e Internet for sale) which is intended for submission for assessment, or which has already been submitted, so that it can be copied in part or whole and handed in by another student as that students own work. Students are warned against making assignments etc. Available to others, as they then could be regarded as a contributor to plagiarism and may be penalized as if they themselves had committed an act of plagiarism. Students are expected to be proficient with referencing and must always acknowledge any sources for work that is not their own. Inadequate referencing of cited materials is considered to be plagiarism. Details of referencing can be found on the following University web address: http://queering. Ballard. Du. AU/gasp/student/ learning_support/generalized/chic. HTML or Ballard. Du. U/current-students/learning-and-study/student-learning- skills/resources/downloads/avoiding-plagiarism Students Statement I have read and understood the information provided on this assignment cover sheet relating to plagiarism and other unacceptable behavior and therefore declare that the attached work is entirely my own, except where work quoted is duly acknowledged in the text, and that this work has not been submitted for assessment in any other course or program. Signature Date c CROSS provider NO. 30TH

Hasbro in Brazil Essays

Hasbro in Brazil Essays Hasbro in Brazil Essay Hasbro in Brazil Essay With 41. 9% of Hasbro sales revenue being generated internationally, it is essential that they work to maintain positive relationships with countries throughout the world. The international arena is becoming increasingly important to their revenues. Brazil is one of several international markets that Hasbro has expanded into over the last 5 – 10 years. Not only are they shipping products to Brazil, but in around 2007 they also opened an office in Brazil. Even with this being the case, Brazil has taken governmental measures to promote and strengthen the national traditional toys and games industry and stimulate further local production. In 2010, Brazil approved the reduction of import taxes from 20% to 2% on components to produce traditional toys and games such as electronic mechanisms and later the government increased import taxes on manufactured products from 20% to 35% to inhibit further imports, mainly from China (Toys and Games in Brazil, 2011). In a bid to remain competitive and increase market share, seven large domestic companies considered the possibility of merging to form the largest toys and game manufacturer in Brazil. While the project is still under consideration despite the challenges involved merging seven companies, three other companies, Baby Brink, Rosita and Acalanto, merged in April 2010 to create the group BBRA† (Toys and Games in Brazil, 2011). With measures such as these in place, it causes a disfavor t o companies such as Hasbro. : It requires them has to work twice as hard to gain acceptance in a country that is promoting growth for their national companies. Hasbro identified one opportunity for the locals of Brazil to view them in a light other than one of an â€Å"outsider. † In 2011, Hasbro partnered with Operation Smile Create Smiles to provide free medical treatment and toys and games for children born with cleft palate. â€Å"The medical mission in Brazil was made possible because of Hasbro. Our patients and families in Brazil are incredibly warm and vibrant, and yet the laughter and smiles of these children were hidden behind their clefts. Today, their futures are full of hope and opportunity, and they will always remember that Hasbro helped make that happen†, said Dr. Bill Magee, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Operation Smile (Kraft, Jessica, 2011). By taking steps to increase their social responsibility in Brazil, Hasbro is promoting themselves in a way that will allow them to gain an increased acceptance rating and hopefully, not only make 100 children’s smiles brighter but also their bottom line.

300 Movie

The film I chose to evaluate is the fantasy action film, â€Å"300. † 300 is a fictional retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae, in which the Greeks tried to hold off an invasion of the Persian Empire. The author’s message, from a leadership perspective, shows what a group of soldier would do for their king and how they inspire a country. A number of scenes from the film will depict that King Leonidas is a great leader with great conviction for what he believes in. Leonidas has many great leadership traits. Leonidas has all the traits a good leader needs. He has intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability. Even though Leonidas has assigned leadership, he also has emergent leadership. He is appointed king only after he has been tested by the rigorous traditional Spartan initiations into adulthood. After being inspected at birth to see if he was worthy of being a Sparta, Leonidas was thrown into the wild at the age of 7 and left to survive. Leonidas came back alive to prove to his father, and his people that he is capable to be their king. As king, Leonidas command legitimate, coercive, and reward power like his counterpart, Xerxes of Persia. But Leonidas also has referent power that Xerxes does not. Leonidas’ soldiers liked him and would die for him. Xerces’ army was made up of slaves and beasts that fear for their lives. They are forced to fight, and when they fail, Xerxes becomes enraged and beheads them. Leonidas’ leadership style is both directive and supportive. He gave specific instructions on how to battle against the overwhelming Persian Army and he also engages in combat with his army. After a victory he praises his soldier for their bravery and courage. He respects and acknowledges each soldier’s effort in the battles. Leonidas has high task and high relationship behavior with his army. Leonidas faced many challenges throughout the movie. One example was in the beginning, when the Persian messenger came to Leonidas and gave him Xerxes’ ultimatum. He had a difficult decision to make. His decision would impact the whole nation. Should he give in to the Persian army or should he declare war? As he ponders his answer, he looked at his people, their children, and his wife. He thought about his Spartan heritage and values. Spartans don’t surrender or fear anything. Acting according to authentic leadership defined, he lead by kicking the Persian messenger into the well. His actions show his people that he would not let anyone invade the empire, no matter the opposition. He showed them that his leadership is genuine and he would not coward even if he is greatly outmatched. Leonidas is a perfect leader for the situations in the film. In battle, a leader must have authoritative powers. He must have loyalty and attraction of his soldiers. He must also have highly structured strategic plans for his soldiers. The phalanx formation the Spartans use requires the soldiers to fight as one to be strong. The contingency theory of leadership would define Leonidas as being in a very favorable situation. In a favorable situation, the leader and followers will be effective. As seen through most of the film, Leonidas and his soldiers were victorious in all their battles until they were out flanked by the Persians at the end. Leonidas has good dyadic relationships with his men. He and his Captain, Artemis fought alongside each other when they were young. He also develops mutual trust and respect from Artemis and his soldiers, how could he of convince the 300 men to fight the whole Persian army. He knows that each man is a soldier and that they have heirs at home. They are also proud to fight alongside Leonidas. He doesn’t enlist them and take them to war. It is evident when he met up with the Arcadians. When the Arcadian General, Daxos ridicule Leonidas about how few men he brought to the war front, Leonidas asked three Arcadians for their profession. They responded with Potter, Sculptor, and Blacksmith. Leonidas then turns to his soldiers and asked them. They responded with supporting and confident grunts of courage for their leader. According to the Leader-Member Exchange Theory, leadership is a process that is centered on interactions between the leader and his followers. By having high-quality leader-member exchanges with his men, Leonidas is able to have positive performances and commitment from his men and be victorious in the battles. Leonidas was also able to lead through transformational leadership. Transformational leadership brings about positive change to the leader and to those who follow. Leonidas headed into an unfavorable war courageously so that his people may remain free. After multiple attacks on the Spartans had fail, Xerxes call for an audience with Leonidas. He offered Leonidas royalties if he put down his arms and be Xerxes’ general. But Leonidas thought of his people and his kingdom. His people would have to serve the Persians and if he surrendered, how could he answer to his ancestors. By surrendering he would not be a true Spartan. Leonidas kept his honor and brushed off Xerxes. He thought about his followers before himself. By doing this, even in death Leonidas was able to inspire and stimulate the Greek country to collaborate and fend off the Persian Invasion. In conclusion, Leonidas is a good leader as depicted in the film. He has a broad range of leadership skills and traits, but I believe Leonidas is best at leading with transformational leadership. His charisma strongly warrants him to lead through transformational leadership and given the situations of the film, Leonidas is best to use transformational leadership. Also, the message the film entitles is that one great man or nation can inspire a whole country to stand as one and unite towards a common goal.

All God's Children (Fox Butterfield) Book Report Essay

All God's Children (Fox Butterfield) Book Report - Essay Example All God's Children is an exceptionally well written and finely researched book, detailing how violence in the African American community and primarily in the Bosket family, saw roots from the violence that was the norm in South Carolina, where the Boskets came from. It is the sobering story of Willie Bosket's family, from his ancestors down to his parents and siblings, explaining how families can be doomed when they remain outside mainstream society and who have no access to opportunity or given any hope. Butterfield does a fine job describing the criminal justice system as it relates to children and how we have come to treat 12 and 13 year old children like adults. In July 1962, while Willie was still in the womb, his father, Butch, stabbed two men in the heart in a Milwaukee pawnshop. Willie's mother, Laura gave birth to him in Harlem, three months before Butch was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders. Willie did not learn his father's history or whereabouts until he was seven years old. By then, Willie had stolen groceries and assaulted an old woman. By age 8, Willie was described as a human nuclear chain reaction, someone very unpredictably violent and aggressive. When he threw a typewriter out of a school window, just missing a pregnant teacher, he was expelled from school and sent to Bellevue for observation. His institutional life had begun. He was diagnosed as depressed. By the time he was 15, Willie claimed he had committed 2,000 crimes, including 200 armed robberies and 25 stabbings. They culminated in seven violent weeks in 1978, when he kicked another boy off a roof to his death, and then murdered two men during subway robberies. Six factors existed in the Bosket family that fuelled this level of violence - alcoholism, physical abuse, sexual abuse, incest, rejection, and neglect. Since the victims of this abuse found it difficult to transfer their anger back at their family, they turned their rage outwards on society. It seemed as though the only way they had learned to fight back was with either weapons or with their bare hands. One of the saddest situations included Butch and the fact that he had raped his girlfriend's 6 year-old daughter, Kristin. The girlfriend's name was Donna, a weak-willed woman, who had actually ignored her daughter's cries during the rape. In the end, because she allowed it to continue, she had lost custody of both Kristin and her twin brother, Matthew. She was so taken by Butch that she seemed to care more about him than her own children. Butterfield shows the weaknesses that existed within the family. This book seamlessly ties two issues together. On the one hand, it is a fascinating and detailed true crime study of Willie Bosket and on the other hand it's a study of the origins of violence in America. With a surprisingly detailed research, the author was able to trace Willie Bosket's ancestry back to his slave ancestors, and follow the escalating evolution of violence and criminality in each succeeding generation of the Bosket family. The book begins in pre-revolutionary era with a study of white violence in the region of North Carolina where Willie's ancestors were enslaved. The author persuasively argues that the primary origin of black violence is the tradition of white violence that was transferred to them from their former slave owners. Butterfield contends that the white Southern mentality of easily aggrieved honor has made its way through time and the descendants

DQ Responses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

DQ Responses - Essay Example I perform critical thinking throughout this buying process. Eventually I found a computer that satisfied my needs and my budget constraint. Thinking outside the box involves generating ideas and finding solutions to problems in unusual places. For example a company that has done business domestically for 50 years, suddenly its manager thinks outside the box and introduces international expansion as a potential solution to achieve the desired sales growth. A person that thinks outside the box is open to possibilities others do not consider. A critical thinking technique that I utilized when making decisions is to put myself in the place of others and analyze what others would think of the decision. This technique helps me envision the different perspective that stakeholders would have and what the opinions of others might be regarding the different alternatives. A way to ensure that we have looked at a situation from every possible angle is to get more people involved in the thinking process. A group of six to eight people can be gathered to learn the opinions of others regarding the situation. A lot of minds will help a manager view different perspectives. A simple way to improve the decision making process is by allowing sufficient time before making a decision. A few years ago I worked in a start-up company that had a very cocky project manager. The PM was would get overly excited about insignificant issues. His overconfident hurt the company in the long run because he would make decisions that did not consider the effects the decision had on the employees and other stakeholders of the

Assignment 4 - Investment Portfolio Management

4 - Investment Portfolio Management - Assignment Example on while a value of 4 suggests greater risk aversion Therefore, in this case the utility adjusted return needs to be calculated which is actually the market risk premium expected by the investor. The formula for calculating the utility adjusted return is as follows: Putting the values in the formula, the utility adjusted return is obtained to be 5.52% which is greater than the risk free rate. This return is adjusted for the risk borne by the investor and therefore is the expected market risk premium required by the investor. ii) The allocation between stocks and risk free assists will have to be done on the basis of the risk aversion coefficient of the investor. In this case, the investor has a risk aversion score of A = 4; which suggest that the investor is more risk averse and thus will always choose to invest the majority proportion of the funds in less risky assets. Putting the values given above in the aforementioned formula we obtained the expected return of the portfolio to be 13.81% (refer to excel sheet for calculation). The standard deviation was calculated using the standard deviation formula in excel which provided a value of 0.034 for the current portfolio of the investor. iii) The underlying reason behind the inclusion of fund C is the fact that it has the highest expected return with the same standard deviation. This suggests that an investor investing in fund C will realize greater returns by assuming the same degree of risk borne by an investor who invests in fund A. In addition, the correlation of returns with the current portfolio for fund C is the highest. This suggests that fund C best compliments the investor’s current portfolio. Therefore inclusion of fund C within the current portfolio would be an optimal choice. iv.) In order to calculate the expected portfolio return and standard deviation value of the newly formed portfolio which includes the index fund C alongside the previous stocks, the same formula that was applied while

Social Media and Social Bonds Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Social Media and Social Bonds - Essay Example Shawn Ghuman in his essay â€Å"Is Technology Destroying Social Bonds?† notes how social media has led to the reduction of inter-person interaction in a real way. The argument is against the decline of what the author perceives as real relationships and conversations. For instance, he says, While chatting with friends, reading statuses, and skimming tweets, I wonder what happened to traditional communication in the current tech-savvy era. Our lives seemingly revolve around receiving digital messages, as we spend countless hours staring at screens and communicating with people online even though they are geographically close (110). While the author does have a point in the case of certain sections of people who may have had problems communicating even before the advent of social media, in the case of others, their extroversion may have merely transposed itself onto a virtual space. In many instances, plans for real interactions may even materialize on social media before they h appen in a real space. Thus, social media, while it is a virtual reality, may even in its nascent stages, facilitate rather than debilitate real interactions. The author also speaks of the relevance of social media in improving social bonds, albeit in a few lines. ... This was orchestrated through messages and short texts in order to escape the mechanism of surveillance. Through the course of the essay, the author reiterates at numerous points that contrary to the popular notion that social networking and modern technology have widened the scope of human communication, there is ample reason to believe the reverse. He uses persuasive reasoning by posing certain rhetorical questions to the readers urging them to reassess the role of technology in their lives. The most significant of these is the one where the reader is asked to think of instances where he/she may have connected with a person on Facebook or other similar social networking websites but upon meeting the individual in per son may be discovered that they are in fact incompatible. This stems from the larger point of social media allowing individuals to create virtual personalities for themselves which may not be reflective of who they truly are. Consequently, their social lives become limited largely confined to the virtual world as factors such as social awkwardness and introversion which may otherwise inhibit a person’s socialization are absent here. The writer also problematizes the idea that technology has simplified our lives. The argument here is that this seeming pursuit for simplicity and comfort may have actually resulted in oversimplification and sloth. This is seen in the lines â€Å"We can make ourselves sound intelligent, meaningful, or witty. Cellphones have become the faces of their users, and messages have become direct reflections of our personalities.†Ã‚  

Answer the specific questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Answer the specific questions - Assignment Example The price revolution served as the basis for the French revolution because people had less to eat and suffered from famine and hunger. In contrast, the Haitian revolution was instigated by massive objection to the slave trade. Haitian people are quite popular for their slave revolt in history. The American revolution was the war for independence basically. This demand for independence was reinforced by the enlightenment political thought which advocated people-driven government. This shows that different reasons laid foundations for three most important historical revolutions despite some similarities in the way these revolutions advanced. The cotton gin was an object of historical importance invented by Eli Whitney in 1793. This machine which made its appearance in 1793 is considered important by gigantic proportions because of the influence it exerted on the internal slave trade. Another factor which contributes to its importance is related to the ease in cleaning cotton. The cotton gin made it easier for slaves to clean cotton in a really short time. This machine is important because cotton rapidly became a cash crop in the south because of it. More land was needed when this business picked momentum in the south and this made the elitist whites take land away from the Native Americans. The south attracted huge popularity because of rapid production of cotton. More slaves were employed as free labor by white farmers to harvest the cotton. This is how an ordinary object like the cotton gin promoted the internal slave trade in the US. With more cotton production, whites’ dependency on slaves also increased in d irect relationship. This led to an increase in the number of uneducated slaves in America. These things happened because of an ordinary machine called the cotton gin. Achievements, in my opinion, constitute greatness in history. It is the glorious achievements of

Undersatnding Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Undersatnding Media - Essay Example The feeling that prevails is that the media has crossed its boundaries and has now become a severe tool of mind destruction. There is evidence that the media in particular instances, have shaped information to create an intended attitude in the population, and hence influence their decision making process. In essence, the media does not utilize its power for the good cause, but just forms the public opinion for ones profits. This paper will analyse literature to identify evidence of public manipulation by the media. The media is a powerful tool that plays a key role in painting public images that conform to the information in their possession, or even to reflect their personal opinions on critical matters in the society. In many countries, the media is protected by law and it bears the absolute right to cover any form of information, and to relay it to the public in the way that they feel most appropriate. There has been a great struggle to improve media independence and to give it the right to criticise and comment on various issues affecting the public. For instance, in the United States, the First Amendment Act allows the media to cover all mannerism of information without any limitations from the state government (Smith, 2010). As Smith (2010) points out, the First Amendment Act has played a key role in empowering the media and that this freedom will have both positive and negative consequences. Today, although the press has become a necessary tool, it has suffered the abuse of being a mani pulative tool to benefit a few in the society. One positive impact of the media in the society today is provision of current and relevant information from all over the world through its various channels. With the proliferation of technology, the media has achieved effective information coverage and the ability to relay it even to the most remote locations of the world. According to Cammons and Parks (2004), information is

Answer the specific questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Answer the specific questions - Assignment Example The price revolution served as the basis for the French revolution because people had less to eat and suffered from famine and hunger. In contrast, the Haitian revolution was instigated by massive objection to the slave trade. Haitian people are quite popular for their slave revolt in history. The American revolution was the war for independence basically. This demand for independence was reinforced by the enlightenment political thought which advocated people-driven government. This shows that different reasons laid foundations for three most important historical revolutions despite some similarities in the way these revolutions advanced. The cotton gin was an object of historical importance invented by Eli Whitney in 1793. This machine which made its appearance in 1793 is considered important by gigantic proportions because of the influence it exerted on the internal slave trade. Another factor which contributes to its importance is related to the ease in cleaning cotton. The cotton gin made it easier for slaves to clean cotton in a really short time. This machine is important because cotton rapidly became a cash crop in the south because of it. More land was needed when this business picked momentum in the south and this made the elitist whites take land away from the Native Americans. The south attracted huge popularity because of rapid production of cotton. More slaves were employed as free labor by white farmers to harvest the cotton. This is how an ordinary object like the cotton gin promoted the internal slave trade in the US. With more cotton production, whites’ dependency on slaves also increased in d irect relationship. This led to an increase in the number of uneducated slaves in America. These things happened because of an ordinary machine called the cotton gin. Achievements, in my opinion, constitute greatness in history. It is the glorious achievements of

American Dream Essay Example for Free

American Dream Essay In the literatures we have read this semester all of the characters have a dream that consists of a plan and multiple goals that sum up to the American Dream, however, there have been obstacles that sometimes hinder these American dreams. These obstacles range from internal conflict to society itself. The question is if it is possible for these characters to struggle with obstacles and overcome them to reach their dream? In â€Å"Step Children of a Nation† Isabel Gonzalez explains how the probabilities for Mexican-Americans in America during the mid 20th century for achieving the American Dream were very slim due to the obstacles that were presented by society (Gonzalez 162). Pedro Pietri details in the â€Å"Puerto Rican Obituary† the personal struggles endured by five Puerto Ricans in New York while attempting to achieve the American Dream (Pietri 212). We have no choice but to accept the standard of the United States and act in accordance with the society expectations as we see Ysreal do in Junot Diaz’ â€Å"No Face† (Diaz 417). Each character in these texts has the opportunity of success and only those who are willing to make a persistent and consistent effort will be able to achieve their dream despite their own personal struggles and the obstacles presented by society. Even though there are many obstacles to achieving this dream, it isn’t impossible for it to become a reality. The Mexican-Americans in Step Children of a nation lacked the ambition needed to achieve the American Dream. The most difficult obstacles to overcome are those presented by society. Isabel Gonzalez states what life was like for Mexican Americans trying to achieve the American Dream in the mid 20th century under poor living conditions and economic exploitation. These characters acculturated to the American lifestyle and the non citizens had the desire to become citizens. In fact they supported World War II (Leal) and Gonzalez noted that: It is a well known fact that the number of war casualties among the Mexican-American soldiers was very high in proportion to the population (Gonzalez , 163). But even after this the Anglo-Saxon society continued to discriminate and pursue segregation from their society. The Mexicans were forced to live in slums. During this time the homes these people lived in were hardly fit for animals and had no repairs in years but yet brought in income from Mexicans far beyond the value of the homes (Gonzalez , 165). They arrived in the United States believing a promise of personal economic growth (Aguilar), but instead came to live in substandard conditions with the hope of a better future for their children. Gonzalez states that industries have succeeded in keeping the Mexican the most underpaid and most oppressed worker so that they will always have a surplus of cheap labor (Gonzalez , 167). This economic exploitation caused the children to also have substandard education and health. These situations forced some of the characters to keep quiet due to fear of deportation and the reality of achieving the American Dream nearly impossible. But if these characters wouldn’t have overlooked the possibility of change and set aside their fear they would have been so much closer to achieving the American Dream. Another obstacle the characters from the texts we reviewed in class had to overcome was their own personal oppressions. In â€Å"Puerto Rican Obituary†, Pietri talks about 5 characters: Juan/ Miguel/ Milagros/ Olga/ Manuel and their daily struggles as a Nuyorican (Monthly Review Foundation) who didn’t accept the standards of the United States. These Nuyoricans were motivated to immigrate to this country by the American dream which turned into a nightmare presented as death. They were divided between two cultures and two languages. Juan/ Miguel/ Milagros/ Olga/ Manuel are attempting to live as a â€Å"gringo†. Their unfortunate situation is that as they attempt to leave behind their language they are also leaving behind their identity (Brook). And as they realize this they are torn between the dream and the nightmare. They feel overworked and underpaid. All died/ dreaming about america/ waking them up in the middle of the night/ screaming: Mira Mira/ your name is on the winning lottery ticket/ for one hundred thousand dollars (Pietri 36-41) The characters in this text believed they can achieve the American Dream by something simpler like winning the lottery. But by believing this almost impossible wish their dream becomes a nightmare which is reflected as their death. They dream of belonging to a community of â€Å"clean-cut lily-white neighborhood/ Puerto Ricanless scenes† and being â€Å"the first spics on the block† where â€Å"gringos want them lynched† (215). By not being able to accomplish this dream the â€Å"puertorriquenos† find themselves shut out of America’s economic opportunities and lifestyle, and realize that they are unemployed, living on welfare, bitter, and degraded. This situation leads to the death of their American dream along with their dignity; therefore the characters in this text do not achieve the American dream. Ysrael is a child with a disfigured face who knows all too well the difference between the nightmare and dream. He is a child that has accepted the fact that he has to wear a mask in public to be accepted in his community. He compares himself to Kaliman. Ysrael’s superpower is the power of INVISBILITY (Diaz , 418). He dreams of escaping Dominican Republic and going â€Å"up north† and has hopes that the doctor will fix him. In the end of the story Ysrael has to make sure to wear his mask when his father comes out but doesn’t have to worry when he’s around his mother. All of this symbolizes the life of an immigrant attempting to achieve the American Dream (Alford). Ysreal’s disfigured face is the life the immigrants have in their country of origin. The surgery that the doctor and the priest promise is the American Dream. The mask is the sacrifices the immigrants make by acculturating to the American society. The superpower of invisibility represents how people are obligated to put themselves out of sight from society when they do not act according to society’s expectations. When Diaz mentions that Ysrael wants to go â€Å"up north† he is referring to the United States. Also the father is stands for the American culture (where Ysrael always has to wear his mask) and the mother represents his own culture or his identity. The boys who throw rocks at him and the cleaning lady represent the obstacles the immigrants must surpass to achieve their dream. In this text Ysrael does achieve the American Dream because he has accepted the fact that he has to wear his mask in front of his father and when he goes out in public. But at the same time he does not lose his identify because those who are around him remind him of how his face became disfigured over and over again (Diaz , 419). Pietri talks about all the obstacles the characters face while attempting to achieve the American dream but if Juan/ Miguel/ Milagros/ Olga/ Manuel would have accepted the standards of society in the United States or if the Mexicans in â€Å"Step Children of a Nation† would have been more ambitious like Ysrael in â€Å"No Face† their nightmare could have converted back to the dream they immigrated to the United States for. So to answer the question if is possible for these characters to struggle with obstacles and overcome them to reach their dream the answer is only if they were all as ambitious, persistent, and committed as Ysrael. The character Ysrael did not let his disfigured face or his father hold him back from achieving his dream. Ysrael had people yell out to him â€Å"No Face† but yet he continues his path to his set goal. He was determined to be persistent and consistent in pursuing his dream. Works Cited Aguilar, Mario E. From Immigrant Ousiders to Indigenous Tribal National Identities. Web. 09 June 2011. Alford, William. Junot Diazs Drown Sex, Race and Power. 10 Feb 2005. Web. 08 June 2011. Brook, Elizabeth. Nuyroican Newness. 2010 11 May. Web. 08 June 2011. Diaz, Junot. No Face. Herencia: The Anthology of Hispanic Literature of the United States. Ed. Nicolas Kanellos. New York: Oxford Press, 2002. 417-420. Print. Gonzalez, Isabel. Step Children of a Nation. Herencia: The Anthology of Hispanic Literature of the United States. Ed. Nicolas Kanellos. New York: Oxford Press, 2002. 162-170. Print. Leal, David A. American Public Opinion. October 2005. webspace. utexas. edu. Web. 08 June 2011. Monthly Review Foundation. Monthly Review: Puerto Rican Obituary. 01 June 2004. Web. 08 June 2011. Pietri, Pedro. Puerto Rican Obituary. Herencia: The Anthology of Hispanic Literature of the United States. Ed. Nicolas Kanellos. New York: Oxford Press, 2002. 212-220. Print.

Crisis Intervention: Solution Orientated Brief Therapy

Crisis Intervention: Solution Orientated Brief Therapy The theory of solution-oriented brief therapy is particularly suited to crisis intervention. Kanel (2007) explores this perspective when she describes the brief therapy approach in the crisis setting stating, Brief therapy seems to be as effective as long-term therapy (p. 23). Since crisis situations are time sensitive, solution-oriented crisis intervention becomes practical because it focuses on quick assessment and creative change. Greenstone (2002) emphasizes that, Crisis Intervention/Management is an attempt to deal quickly with an immediate problem (p.1). Given the nature and needs of crisis situations the intervener may approach the encounter in a structured manner that assesses need, recognizes inherent dangers, suggests creative change, and facilitates a positive course of action. Positive reinforcement of the intervention can also be achieved through referral and/or follow-up. The Nature of Crisis Intervention A crisis intervener seeks to posture himself in a helping relationship with the counselee in order to arrest maladaptive behavior. The idea of maladaptive behavior is suggested by Greenstone (2002) and he reinforces the point that this results when the victim can no longer deal with mounting stress and as a result, their coping mechanisms begin to fail. In crisis situations, the immediacy and timeliness of the intervention is all-important. Greenstone (2002) suggests, The interveners skill and the timeliness of intervention can determine the possibility of the victims later functioning and growth (p. 1). The object of a crisis intervener is then to facilitate the counselee through the difficulties of a crisis and to assist them in choosing a direction that will allow them to once again function in life more proficiently. This can be accomplished by helping them to cope with crises and developing resiliency. Brammer (2003) accurately defines this helping relationship stating, Helping another human being is basically a process of enabling that person to grow in the directions that person chooses, to solve problems, and to face crises (p. 4). Issues of Immediacy Crisis Intervention can be approached singly or as a team. In either case, the responsibilities and procedures are the same. The Bible teaches that we are called to bear one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Ga. 6:2, KJV). A crisis counselor is always looking for a way to help. One thing that is consistent in approaching a crisis is that the immediacy of the intervention affects the outcome. Greenstone (2002) notes this stating, In approaching a crisis, the immediacy of the intervention is vital; The [intervention] team must attempt to relieve anxiety, prevent further disorientation, and ensure that the victims do not harm themselves or others (p. 37). Seeing the need to address the issues of immediacy in Crisis Intervention, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome have developed a modular approach to help children, adolescents, adults and families. Brymer Company (2006) suggest that this is to reduce the initial stress caused by traumatic events and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning and coping (p.5). This approach, called Psychological First Aid addresses the issue of immediacy. Brymer Company (2006) continue by stating, You need to have accurate information about what is going to happen, what services are available and where they can be found. This information needs to be gathered as soon as possible [emphasis mine] given that providing such information is often critical to reducing stress and prompting adaptive coping (p.13) The Need of Crisis Intervention There are many scenarios that a crisis counselor might come into contact with. Each one has its own unique attributes. However there are certain factors that remain the same with regard to the evidence of need. In counseling victims of violence, there may be evidences of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). For instance, if a woman has been abused and has repeatedly been stalked, PTSD may be an issue that the counselor should watch for and be alerted to. Sandra Brown (2007) points out that crisis intervention in particular, require that the intervener informs the counselee what to do in the face of imminent danger, stating, The concept of stalking trauma syndrome has been developed to describe types of PTSD symptomatology (Collins and Wilkas, 2001). A counselor needs to be alert [and aware] to any kind of traumatic emotional evidence that can guide the intervention and short-term goals (p.54). Method Solution-Oriented Brief Therapy A distinct advantage of the Solution-Oriented approach is that it addresses the issue of immediacy, or the need to provide intervention within a specific effective time-frame, and allows the counselor to immediately focus on the solution and not become reflective on what precipitated the crisis. The difference between being problem focused and solution focused is that one focuses on the root cause in order to alleviate the problem (Cognitive Counseling) while the other focuses squarely on quickly assessing the situation and assisting in creative change and a positive course of action. Kollar (1997) states, the approach often used today is based on some form of Albert Elliss rational-emotive therapy (RET) or one of the other cognitive-behavioral approaches (p. 43). With regard to becoming Solution-Focused, Kollar (1997) states, As we have seen, a question such as what is the root problem? assumes that the answer lies in present patterns that need to be analyzed, understood, and depart ed from. The question that underlies a solution-focused approach is, How do we create solutions with the counselee (p. 44). In this regard, the crisis intervener follows certain core actions that will facilitate successful intervention. These core actions can and should be influenced by underlying assumptions that include conformity to the image of Christ as part of the Christian counseling paradigm (Rom 8:29). Time Limitations Another advantage of solution focused brief therapy is that it is best suited to time-limited counseling which is inherent in crisis intervention. Benner (2003) observes four common principles that are generally followed in time-sensitive counseling. He states, All brief, time-limited approaches to counseling share four common principles the counselor must be active and directive, the counseling relationship must be a partnership, the counseling must concentrate on one central and specific problem and time limitation must be maintained (pgs. 48,49). A third consideration is the natural paradigm shift that occurs when the attention is placed on the solution rather than the problem. Hawkins (2010) states, People are looking for answers (solutions) in the counseling process. Brief therapy recognizes that the problems people encounter are not just in the person but around the person; Brief therapy is a paradigm shift that focuses the client on the solution, rather than on the problem (p. 2). This fact is of extreme importance to the crisis counselor. His job is not to de-brief the victim, ask questions about what happened, etc., but instead he needs to shift the focus from the problem/crisis and onto the solution in order to calm the victim and help them to regain control of their coping abilities. In addition to these considerations, Hawkins (2010) states that brief therapy is a method that allows you to start immediately into the counseling process [and] accelerate the change process (pg. 1). For these reasons, solution focused brief therapy is particularly suited to crisis intervention. Seeing that this research concerns itself with a brief model approach to crisis intervention, the researcher has attempted to further explore the merits of solution-focused therapy. The solution-focused approach to brief therapy has been practiced for some time as is clear in Steve de Shazers (2007) work More Than Miracles: the state of the art of solution-focused brief therapy, which states, Solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a future-focused, goal-directed approach to brief therapy developed initially by Insoo Kim Berg, Steve de Shazer and their colleagues and clients at the Milwaukee Brief Family Therapy Center in the early 1980s. Developed inductively rather than deductively, SFBT is a highly disciplined, pragmatic approach rather than a theoretical one (p.1). Results Structured Intervention There are a number of examples which may serve as a guide to a structured approach to crisis intervention. These interventions have achieved significant results when implemented. Whichever one is adapted, the counselor/intervener should include the four common principles as stated above. One good example is the list of core actions within the Psychological First Aid approach which itself is a compilation of informed approaches designed from empirical research. These core actions include contact and engagement with the counselee, ensuring the safety and comfort of the victim, stabilization (if they are physically or emotionally traumatized), information gathering (with regard to their needs or current concerns), and any kind of practical assistance that can be given. This can be followed by information on coping, connecting the counselee with support groups and linkage with collaborative services (adapted from Brymer Company, p. 19). These first set of core actions represent one way of developing a structure of solution focused intervention. A second example of structured intervention and the counselors task (from a general point of view) includes many of the same components. This process involves Entry: preparing the counselee and opening the relationship, Clarification: [re]stating the problem or concern and reasons for seeking help, and Formulating: encouraging a hope-filled solution to the problem (adapted from Brammer, pg. 55). The next task would include facilitating positive action. This would include exploration: formulating goals, planning strategies, consolidation: exploring alternatives, working through feelings, planning: developing an action plan to resolve conflicts, reduce painful feelings, and consolidating and generalizing new behaviors to continue self-directed activities (Brammer, 2003, Ibid.). Assessing Need When the crisis worker enters the world of the counselee, whether that is the scene of an accident or the docile environment of a living room, it is important to gather as much information as possible while rapport is being developed between the counselor and counselee. At this point, the intervener will begin to inspect the circumstances that have presented the crisis in order to quickly identify the causation. The ABC model of intervention has proved valuable in directing the thoughts of the intervener to assessing need. In this boiling down process, the worker quickly identifies the precipitating event, seeks to understand the cognitions of the counselee, gages their emotional state, including functional abilities and then moves on to the therapeutic interaction (adapted from the ABC Model of Intervention, Kanel (2007), p.78). The first assessments in intervention prove to be the most critical. Jeffry Guterman (2006) makes the observation that in most circumstances, people have existing strengths and skills that can be identified and utilized in the crisis counseling engagements. He states, Solution-focused counseling, like other counseling models, is not value free [it has assumptions]. It operates in keeping with a view of what problems are and what problems are not. Solution-focused counseling holds that people have existing strengths, resources and problem-solving skillsin effect, the natural resources that are needed to solve the problems that bring them to counseling (p. 3). Recognizing Inherent Danger In a more recent publication, Albert R. Roberts (2005) has noted that no two people are the same with regard to the inherent danger they face when trying to cope with crisis. Roberts (2005) states, When two people experience the same traumatic event, one may cope in a positive way while the other person may experience a crisis state because of inadequate coping skills and a lack of crisis counseling. Two key factors in determining whether or not a person who experiences multiple stressors escalates into a crisis state are the individuals perception of the situation or event and the individuals ability to utilize traditional coping skills (p. 5). This is illustrative of the fact that the way a person perceives a crisis is very important in the assessment process and can help to guide the counselor in his effort to provide aid. This observation also holds true with the thinking that two of the most important parts of structured intervention are assessing need, and recognizing inherent danger. Richard K. James (2008) observes, People can react in any one of three ways to crisis. Under ideal circumstances, many individuals can cope effectively with crisis by themselves and develop strength from the experience. They change and grow in a positive manner and come out of the crisis both stronger and more compassionate. Others appear to survive the crisis but effectively block the hurtful affect from awareness, only to have it haunt them in innumerable ways throughout the rest of their lives. Yet, others break down psychologically at the onset of the crisis and clearly demonstrate that they are incapable of going any further with their lives unless given immediate and intensive assistance (p. 4). For this reason, and others, it is important that the intervener enters the crisis scenario with the intention of first assessing the need. By doing so, he/she can understand something of the severity of crisis and assess the subjects ability, but more importantly, recognize and underst and the inherent danger in the crisis situation. Suggesting Creative Change In many instances, such as doing crisis counseling in marriage, an intervener may effectively use solution-oriented brief therapy to suggest creative change that will facilitate healing and bring help to struggling relationships. With regard to rapid intervention, Michele Weiner-Davis (1992), in her book Divorce busting: a revolutionary and rapid program for staying together, the author explains the following: By identifying each persons role in the way the problem is being handled today, brief therapists obtain the raw data necessary to generate prescriptions for change. By so doing, lengthy reviews of personal histories are bypassed. More importantly though, SBT therapists focus on the future, helping couples envision what their lives will be like without the problems. Unlike psychodynamic or psychoanalytic approaches which emphasize how problems develop, SBT asks: What do you want to become? and What are the necessary steps to get there? Therapy becomes less explanation-oriented and more solution-oriented, a process which takes considerably less time (p. 16). This scenario illustrates how that brief therapy can be effective in a crisis situation. It also underscores the concept of rapid intervention in a crisis situation. Assessing need and envisioning (with the counselee) a prescription for change can drastically affect the outcome of the crisis. This emphasizes that creative change, suggested in a timely fashion, during which solution-oriented crisis intervention is employed, can be effective in achieving significant results. Active Participation It is important that the counselee joins the counselor in active participation in achieving the solution oriented goals. Kollar (1997) states, a solution focused counselor, by contrast, will guide but not control the counseling interview by his skillful use of questions (p.50). It is important that the counselee takes an active role in exploring creative change. It is also important that the responsibility for change is shifted to the counselee. Walter Peller (1992) state, The solution-focused model places responsibility on the other side of the relationshipà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦clients are the experts on what they want to change, as well as in determining what they want to work on (p. 28). Discussion Facilitating a Positive Course of Action Positively reinforcing the intervention through Referrals and/or Follow-up may be required in the case of acute emotional trauma after a crisis situation. In some instances, a lengthier (therapeutic) course of action will be necessary. It would be advisable for the crisis intervener to network with other resources and provide information for follow-up treatment to the victim. In many cases, the solution-based brief therapy model of crisis intervention can be followed up by practitioners who utilize this modality in a more controlled setting and for a more extended encounter. Some questions may remain with regard to follow-up treatment and the referral process. More and more, professional counselors are taking advantage of the brief therapy model instead of more cognitive treatment but not necessarily because it seems to be the most practical form of intervention as much as that this modality figures into their forced restraints placed upon them by insurance companies. With regard to these restraints, Albert Roberts (1995) states, In regard to the practice setting, a growing number of therapists and counselors are being forced to use similar theoretical orientations and techniques. The primary reason for this trend toward conformity is increasing limitations placed by health insurance providers on the number of reimbursable sessions per client (p. 6). While this is hardly a justifiable reason to choose brief therapy, it does serve to illustrate the practicality of the method. Roberts (1995) goes on to say, therefore, professional counselors are being forc e not only to be consistent in their treatment modalities but to do their best to resolve their clients problems in the shortest amount of time possible (p. 6). This seems hardly a sound reason to choose SFBT yet it seems to be more common today. The question remains, does SFBT provide a valid alternative with regard to crisis intervention? This research attempts to prove that a Solution-Focused approach to Crisis Intervention is a valid and productive way to initiate and conduct Crisis Intervention. Quite often, follow-up is not necessary in crisis intervention but on occasion, the counselor may be required to develop a plan for referral for those who are experiencing long term effects from crisis situations. In this case, resiliency is a factor as well as the general coping skills developed by the counselee. Hamaoka Company (2007), at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, observes: Many acute negative behavioral and emotional responses remit over time and do not require formal treatment. This tendency toward recovery is often credited to resiliency, a dynamic process of health recovery and coping in the face of adversity. Optimism, intelligence, humor, creativity, and active coping are related to resilience and positive outcomes after crises. Through active coping, individuals accept the impact of traumatic events and implement attainable, concrete measures to improve things. Although many people experience distress after a crisis, some experience more persistent psychological sequel, such as anxiety, insomnia, increased smoking, increased alcohol consumption, and bereavement. This group may benefit from supportive psychological interventions, including psychological first aid and brief pharmacological interventions for sleep or anxiety. A still smaller group will develop psychiatric illness, including anxiety disorders (acute stress disorder, ASD; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD), major depressive disorder, and substance use disorders. Such individuals require more formal (and perhaps more prolonged) interventions, including psychiatric treatment (p. 2). Conclusion The afore-mentioned quote from Hamaoka Company (2007) is a sobering reminder that positive, hope-filled, solution-oriented crisis intervention can mean the difference between renewed coping and prolonged damage. As a crisis intervener, it is imperative to choose the most effective modality or paradigm in which to conduct care. This research points out the value of solution-focused brief therapy as a model in the approach to crisis intervention. It may be adequately utilized in a number of scenarios and as research has concluded, can serve to be as effective as more long-term therapy. Because of the nature and the needs of crisis situations the intervener can practically use the principles of solution-focused brief therapy as a crises intervention. By using this modality, the intervener can approach the initial encounter in a structured way, assess the needs and recognize the inherent dangers both to himself and in particular to the counselee. The intervener may then suggest creative change to facilitate a positive course of action as a part of the intervention. After the initial encounter, positive reinforcement of the interaction as well as the further development of coping skills may be achieved through referral or active follow-up. Resources Benner, David G. (2002). Strategic pastoral counseling: a short-term structured model. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic Publishing. Brammer, Lawrence M. MacDonald, Ginger (2003). The helping relationship: process and skills. Boston, MA: AB Publications. Brown, Sandra L. (2007). Counseling victims of violence: a handbook for helping professionals. Alameda, CA: Hunter House Publishers. Brymer, M., Jacobs, A., Layne, C., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinbreg, A., Bernberg, E., Watson, P. (2006). Psychological Fist Aid: Field Operations Guide. Washington, D.C.: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center of PTSD. DeShazer, Steve Dolan, Yvonne. (2007). More than miracles: the state of the art of solution-focused brief therapy. Binghamton, NY: Hawthorn Press. Greenstone, James L. Leviton, Sharon C. Elements of crisis intervention: crises and how to respond to them. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing. Guterman, Jeffry T. (2006). Mastering the art of solution-focused counseling. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. Hamaoka, I. D., Benedek, D., Grieger, T., Ursano, R. J. (2007). Crisis Intervention: Uniformed Services University of the Health Science. Bethesda, MD: Elsvier Inc. Hawkins, Ron E. (2010). Brief Therapy: Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Lynchburg, VA (Accessed, 12/2/2010). James, Richard K. (2008). Crisis intervention strategies. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing. Kanel, Kristi. (2007). A guide to crisis intervention. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing. Kollar, Charles A. (1997). Solution focused pastoral counseling. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing. Roberts, Albert R. (2005) Crisis intervention handbook: Assessment, treatment and research. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Roberts, Albert R. (1995) Crisis intervention and time-limited cognitive treatment. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Walter, John L. Peller, Jane E. (1992). Becoming solution-focused in brief therapy. Levittown, PA: Brunner/Mazel Publishers. Weiner-Davis, Michele. (1992). Divorce busting: a revolutionary and rapid program for staying together. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.