Volkswagen of America Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Volkswagen of America - Case Study Example This led to a situation where the company had to decide on a permanent solution which could not only resolve the issues, but help them to experience growth at every possible instance. Analyzing the new process gives a clear picture of each department and the process covered by the management. Matulovic’s decision seems to be a better one, as it deals with the problem’s base and tries to resolve it before it could affect the other departments. The new process is based on certain strategies that aim at eradicating the management issues and problems like setting the priorities and managing the budget. The budget allotments and managing priorities seems to be a herculean task and Matulovic ended up at managing the firm based on strategies that could help them to improve the company in every possible way. The priorities include proposing a change in the IT department, budget allocation, service oriented problems and product implementation. Taking a look at the present scenario, there is not much of a difference on the management side and the company has concentrated more on product and IT related issues. Since even a minor issue can lead to a big problem after sometime, it is important for the company to give due importance to all the prevailing problems. During the late 1990’s the company’s management failed to act quickly while deciding on the design of the vehicles. The manufacturing unit was made to wait til l they got an approval from the management side. They had to interact with the management each time a modification is required. Even the slightest change in the product was not permitted and the company waited till the next round of feedbacks came from the customers. When compared to the old process, the new process for managing the priorities is certainly effective. A detailed look on the new process reveals more information regarding the product development, resource allocation, budget management and other factors too. The improvement in the IT

Different Degree Levels in Nursing Essay Example for Free

Different Degree Levels in Nursing Essay Nursing is a wonderful, rewarding profession to enter, and it must be chosen for all the right reasons. Today many nurses are faced with a difficult decision to return to college. For those of us who wish to continue to advance our nursing career; we continue to need the educational assistance that is necessary to advance our nursing skills. With nursing there are so many paths one can obtain after achieving your RN. You just need to choose what path is right for you. Basically there are two of the most common degrees to choose from the Associate’s Degree of Nursing (ADN) or Bachelors Degree of Nursing (BSN). Many do not realize the difference between the two. However there are many differences, but both nurses subscribe to the same nursing philosophies. With that being said, the ADN is about a two-year program while the BSN is a four year college or university. Another differences between ADN and BSN, is the ADN is 72 credits and the BSN is 125 credits. Today many nurses are faced with a tough and difficult decision. They are asking themselves what is the right choice for me? Why should I return to school? What are the benefits going to be for me after completing my degree? Truly, when it comes down to it only the nurse can decide and make the necessary decision. The associate degree level of nursing was developed out of a need to produce nurses in response to a shortage during and following World War II (http://nursing. adelphi. edu/about/history. php,n. dHYPERLINK http://nursing. adelphi. edu/about/history. php,n. d. . ). In return many students who choose nursing were leaving only after a few years, thus creating a shortage. The ADN of nursing typically focuses on clinical competencies, fundamentals and technical skill needed to care for the patients. Also, the ADN degree promotes more task-oriented nurses, basic theory and the judgment to function at the entry level. They must also demonstrate the skills necessary in life-saving practice. It generally takes about two years at a community college and the cost for this degree is more manageable. Once the nurse proves their competencies by passing the NCLEX-RN they can obtain a state license. The benefit of having ADN is that the degree itself is a much shorter timeframe and a much less expensive to complete to become a registered nurse. â€Å"In 1965, the American Nurses Association (ANA) designated the baccalaureate degree as the educational entry point into professional nursing practice† (Friberg, page 3). The Bachelor of Science (BSN) in nursing typically takes a person four years to complete at a state college or university. The expense of a four-year degree is costly for some who are trying to be sparing with their college education. The BSN requires the ability to think logically and critically in patient care settings. The curriculum places emphasis on leadership and management in the nursing setting. Also it broadens the knowledge of patho-physiology of diseases, deals more with public issues and refines to a deeper assessment of nursing skills. One of the many benefits of having a BSN allows one to gain more experience and more responsibility. Also, allowing one to further their education in nursing by obtaining a master’s degree, nurse anesthetist, and nurse practitioner. The BSN also allows for a salary increase. It is unreasonable to think that this situation is going away anytime soon. With that being said, looking into the future today most hospitals are trying to achieve Magnet status. â€Å" The nation’s Magnet hospitals, which are recognized for nursing excellence and superior patient outcomes, have moved to require all nurse managers and nurse leaders to hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing by 2013†(Rossester 2012b). One thought to this is to have nurses obtain the most knowledge possible, and the know how to think in critical situations when they arise. One of my patient care situations that I can recall is when I was working on the telemetry floor in our local hospital. I was with a few other nurses, having their associate degree and two with their bachelor degree. Let’s call the ADN nurse A and the BSN nurse B. So, we were all around the nurse’s station waiting to give report to the next shift and one of the nursing assistants came running down the hall saying, one of the patients in room say 420 is not responding when I try to call her name. Nurse A and Nurse B both went into the room and the patient had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. Nurse B immediately started CPR and took charge in calling a Code. The code team arrived at this time. Nurse B asked if Nurse A could take the patient’s blood sugar and hang some fluids and get the patient on the monitor. Nurse A was also well in keeping the family and the people in the hallway calm and relaxed. The patient in the end was transferred to the ICU where they can better care for the patient in this critical situation and the physician was notified. Nurse B was more knowledgeable and had the necessary leadership skills along with the advanced critical thinking skills that this situation required. Nurse A was competent and did what was expected of the skills she had. In conclusion, I believe that having your ADN degrees is a quick way to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to enter into practice and the cost is less. The BSN allows one to prepare for management and leadership decisions. Also allowing for more critical skills and providing better career opportunities along with higher pay. As I reflect back on my education and skills and the future I recommend all nurses should receive their BSN. References http://nursing. adelphi. edu/about/history. php. (n. d. ) Friberg, Creasia (2011). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice [5] (VitalSource Bookshelf), Retrieved August 14, 2012, from http://pageburstsls. elesevier. com/books/978-0-323-06869-7/id/B9780323068697100029_f0010. Rosseter, R. (2012b, April 2). Fact Sheet: Creating a More Highly Qualified Nursing Workforce. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Retrieved August 14, 2012, from www. aacn. nche. edu/edia-relations/Nursing Workforce. pdf.

E.H. Sutherland: White Collar Crime

E.H. Sutherland: White Collar Crime What are some of the principal elements of E.H. Sutherlands contribution to the study of white collar crime? What are some of the limitations? What factors seem to have contributed to Sutherlands interest in white collar crime and to the relative disinterest of most other criminologists? E.H. Sutherland is widely considered the most important contributor to American criminology in the nations history. Among his many contributions, Sutherland is credited with coining the term white collar crime, formulating the theory of differential association, and contributing extensively to the study and formulation of laws concerning sexual psychopaths (Friedrichs, 2007). Sutherland differentiated himself from other professionals of his time because rather than focusing his efforts on explaining lower-class criminality, he sought to offer guidance and understanding on the criminality of middle-and upper-class people. Among Sutherlands inspirations was the work of E.A. Ross (1907) Sin and Society: An Analysis of Latter Day Iniquity (Geis and Goff 1987). the criminaloid: the businessman who committed exploitative, if not necessarily illegal, acts out of an uninhibited desire to maximize profit, all the while hiding behind a faà §ade of respectability and piety. Ross regarded these criminaloids as guilty of moral insensibility and held them directly responsible for unnecessary deaths of consumers and workers. Building on the research of Ross and others in the criminology field, Sutherland formulated his theory of differential association. He came to believe that his theory of differential association, which attributed criminality to a learning process, was precisely the type of general theory that could usefully explain both lower-class and upper-class crime (Friedrichs, 2007). The first recorded use of the term white collar crime was in Sutherlands landmark book entitled, White Collar Crime (1939). The book brings to the forefront the prevalence of criminal activity in some of the largest companies in the country. White Collar Crime focuses on the 70 largest U.S. manufacturing, mining, and mercantile corporations with respect to the legal decisions against them and the pervasiveness of immoral and corrupt business practices in the corporations (Friedrichs, 2007). Sutherlands research showed that 97% of the corporations were recidivists. That is, when they were caught and punished, they committed more crime. That compares to 50% or so of the individuals who commit new crime after being released from prison (Friedrichs, 2007 p. 2). In his book, Sutherland noted that corporate officials felt contempt for the law, and didnt want laws to be passed to control their harmful behavior; they didnt want the laws enforced and they didnt want to be punished personally if caught (Friedrichs, 2007). Although Sutherlands book and theories were seen as an important step in the right direction in terms of recognizing white collar crime and emphasizing the need for its enforcement, his theories did have some limitations. Among the shortcomings was his general label of white collar crime to all crimes concerning a corporation. Sutherland failed to differentiate between the crime done by white-collar employees against the corporation, and the crime done by the corporation acting as an individual company (Young, 1989). Friedrichs (2007) listed several other shortcomings: Sutherland overemphasized an individualistic framework (and social-psychological factors) and largely ignored social structural factors (e.g., capitalism, profit rates, and business cycles). He failed to make clear-cut distinctions among white collar crimes, and he did not adequately appreciate the influence of corporations over the legislative and regulatory processes. Which social developments may have contributed to a social movement against white collar crime, and which factors continue to act as constraints against any such movement? There have been a number of factors in the last century which have contributed to a social movement against white collar crime. The stock market crash of 1929 marked the start of the Great Depression and a renewed assault on the illegal activities of corrupt businesses, corporations, and politicians around the country. During this time of great suffering and unemployment by millions, the horrid business practices of many corporations were seen as being unethical. Many of these corporations formed their business models that were centered on profit at the expense of the workers, customers, and the country. Awareness of WCC and the public movement against it really came to the forefront again during the nineteen-seventies. The seventies saw a decline in public confidence of elected officials and businesses alike because of events such as the Vietnam War, the Watergate crimes of the Nixon White House, and some high-profile cases of corporate misconduct (Friedrichs, 2007). The biggest factor in my view, which has contributed to awareness and action against WCC, is the news media, and the Internet. Im not necessarily speaking of the nightly news shows of the networks which were the norm in the seventies, eighties, even into the mid-nineties. Im talking about the explosion of cable news and the Internet which provides 24 hr sources of news and information to the public. The round the clock pursuit by people to gather information on important topics and beat another network to the story has led to the uncovering and release of more important stories and information to the public than ever before. TV personalities and investigative shows such as Bill OReilly, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Dateline, and 60 minutes, and others make it their mission to uncover blatant abuses of power and illegal activity that can affect citizens around the country. These private citizens with the backing of their networks often uncover information that leads to criminal action taken against individuals, corporations, and politicians. The bottom line is that when citizens are made aware of the corruption and other abuses by powerful people or businesses, they have the power to (and often does) speak out. When citizens speak out, their elected officials should take note as should law enforcement. This chain of events is often the primary factor leading to arrests and convictions for acts of white collar crime and other similar instances of fraud, waste, and abuse. The advent of the Internet, cellular phones, and twenty-four hour cable news allows for instant access to information. People can talk, text, email, and fax information around the globe in an instant. The information flow allows us to search for nearly anything at anytime. This accessibility to information has made more people aware of the manner and frequency in which businesses, politicians, and others have abused their positions of trust and authority in order to gain financially at the expense of others. In the last decade alone the United States has seen some of the biggest companies come crashing down because of deceitful business practices designed to mislead the general public and help the company profit. Companies such as Enron, Adelphia, AOL/Time Warner, and WorldCom (to name a few) are prime examples of companies who have cooked their books to deceive consumers, investors, and the government (Patsuris, 2002). Despite the many factors which work against white collar crime, there will always be those corrupt individuals and companies who will seek to profit illegally through lies, deceit, and trickery. These powerful individuals use their wealth and positions of power to influence public officials into looking the other way or passing laws to benefit their interests. This is the biggest hindrance to stamping out white collar crime. The ability of the rich and powerful to corrupt public officials has and will continue to be the driving force which allows this type of illegal behavior to continue. Identify the principal agents who expose white collar crime in contemporary society. What factors motivate people to expose such crime, and what factors inhibit them from doing so? What specific policy measures can be adopted to encourage exposure of white collar crime? In regards to high level or corporate white collar crime the most likely method of exposure will come from an informer or whistle-blower from within the business or institution itself. Outside sources can contribute to investigations by uncovering or suspecting wrong doing. Often, these sources will come from the media, consumers, or concerned citizens. The informer will likely be an insider in the company who is involved in the criminal activity in some way. In return for their cooperation with law enforcement, the informer will likely seek compensation of one form or another, they may be given promises of leniency, immunity from prosecution, or a financial reward (Friedrichs, 2007). Another company insider who is a vital source of information to investigators is Whistle Blowers. These individuals are crucial sources of information needed for the detection, and ultimately the prosecution of many white collar crimes, especially when they are of the governmental and corporate varieties. Another common perpetrator of white collar crime and also important players in exposing it is through politicians and other elected officials. These officials are generally closely affiliated with business and community leaders who commit the majority of white collar crime, and as a result may be subject to the allure of money and power. Other sources which can be of assistance in uncovering instances of white collar crime are from the media, particularly investigative journalists. Investigative journalism can be a pain staking, time consuming, and expensive process. Because of the expense and resources necessary to conduct an in-depth investigation, many smaller newspapers or local television stations are reluctant or unable to undertake them (Friedrichs, 2007). Bigger TV networks or newspapers with strong financial backing and high subscribership or viewers are now the most likely people to break these stories of white collar criminals, particularly when they involve elected officials. There are a number of factors which ultimately govern a persons decision to expose their employers activities, or in many cases deter them from doing so. Some come forward because of their need for self-preservation, or for other altruistic reasons. They may be afraid they will be harmed either financially or physically due to the illegal actions of the person or company, or they can feel a moral sense to do what is right. The same logic holds true for not coming forward, due to fear of reprisal and potential for lost income, job, or physical retaliation or intimidation (Friedrichs, 2007). There can be a number of changes and improvements made to federal and state statutes in order to encourage people to come forward and expose acts of white collar crime. One of the most important and logical measures would be to provide financial protection for a person, because they will likely suffer greatly if they become an informant against their own company. They will likely have to quit their job or be let go. They will lose pay and put themselves and their family through a great deal of stress if the case is long and drawn out in court. I realize there are regulations in place that provide a whistleblower with a reward of a percentage of the judgment against a company or corporation (Friedrichs, 2007). These laws should be applied to many more cases and when possible the person providing the information should be subsidized during the trial to help them with their bills in return for their assistance. These are just a couple of the general ways in which people can be encourage d to come forward and expose white collar crime. What are some of the specific challenges in studying white collar crime relative to the study of conventional crime? Can white collar crime be studied scientifically, or does it require a different approach? White collar crime is much more difficult to study and investigate than traditional or conventional crime. WCC is generally not openly blatant like most conventional criminal activity. An officer can walk into a crime scene, see a badly beaten body and know with near certainty that a crime occurred. The same does not hold true if that same officer walks into an office and sees a man in a suit sitting at a desk typing on a computer. The effort necessary (in most cases) to discover then investigate instances of WCC are far greater than most traditional crimes. Among the many difficulties in studying WCC, is the most basic question: What exactly is white collar crime? WCC can include such a wide spectrum of actions and activities, encompassing different people, businesses, and physical areas that it is very difficult to define and uncover. Scholars studying WCC may choose to focus on one single aspect much like they would in a conventional crime; i.e. homicide investigator, vice, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ This approach can lead to confusion and difficulty when attempting to study WCC. Another challenge in studying WCC is the access to research subjects, statistics, and support. Companies will likely be hesitant to allow a research project to be carried out on their company, unless the researcher can show them that it specifically benefits them and their organization. Statistics on WCC are difficult to come by because as Friedrichs (2007) stated there is no real white collar crime equivalent to uniform crime report data, which exist for conventional crime (p. 33). Researchers must obtain data from a number of sources and agencies then group it so the data can be studied. Finally, it will likely be difficult for a researcher to obtain support from their organization to conduct the WCC research. Large corporate structures and bureaucracies will likely feel that the study will hit too close to home and have some uneasiness when their support is requested (Friedrichs, 2007). Many of these groups are hesitant to lend their support because they feel the researcher will b end the data gathered to support their own preconceived notion and bias. The experiment, a method of exemplifying a positivistic or scientific approach, has to date seldom been used in the study of white collar crime (Friedrichs, 2007 p. 36). The classical experiments of setting specific variables vs. a control group do not necessarily apply when studying white collar crime. Experiments of free will and the effects of pressure from superiors or authority figures on a person or group in controlling their actions may have some usefulness in studying WCC. Critically evaluate the traditional, common claim that the general public perceives white collar crime to be less serious than conventional crime. What specific methodological questions can be raised about research on this question? Which specific factors have contributed to a growth in the perception that white collar crime is relatively serious? I feel that historically the general public at large views white collar crime as less serious because it is not as in your face as conventional crime. People have a fear of being robbed, assaulted, raped, or their children being kidnapped because these crimes are something tangible, they can see, feel, and be scared of. Most people do not wake up in the morning or walk down the street thinking; God please dont let a bad man manipulate his companys finances so they appear to have made billions more than they actually did. Most people do not think about the hidden harmful effects that respectable and powerful people can have on them and their lives. I do feel that the current reality is that white collar crime is as serious and can inflict as much if not more damage to all of us than conventional criminal activity. Each of us in our everyday lives feels the harmful effects of WCC, although many of us do not even realize we are suffering the results of these crimes. The impact of these crime are everywhere and they affect each of us, this reality is being felt now, perhaps more so than any time in our recent history. WCC has resulted in higher insurance premiums, extra money spent on security in the financial sector, bank fees, lost jobs, companies going bankrupt, higher prices of goods and services, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Over the years people have come to better understand the direct effects that all aspects of white collar crime have on them and their loved ones. Peoples lives can be turned upside down simply by a man in a shirt and tie taking a bribe then putting a check in a box to say a product is safe, when in reality it is not. I am 28 years old, in my lifetime I have seen numerous stories about recalls of defective or potentially dangerous products ranging from toys, cars, supplements, clothes, to laundry detergent. Many of these recalls are the results of people ignoring simple safety inspections and reports. Bernie Madoff stole billions of dollars from investors who thought they were investing with a respectable business man. Enron overstated their companies worth by more than $1.5 billion. They ultimately went bankrupt with many of their executives in prison and thousands of employees and investors losing their life savings (Net Industries, 2010). Cases such as these are prime examples of w hy the American public now view white collar crime as serious if not more so than conventional crime.

A&P, by John Updike :: Literary Analysis

The first line of the story, â€Å"A&P, by John Updike, â€Å"In walks three girls in nothing but bathing suits†; (230) sets the tone for the rest of the story. The remainder of the story is a description of how the main character Sammy, views not only the three girls in the bathing suits , but the rest of the women that are portrayed in the story. The main character of the story is a young guy, in the early 1960s, who is working at a grocery store when these three young women walk in. He describes how they were scantily clad and walking around the store, and the reactions of the others in the store, including himself, his co-workers, his manager and other patrons. This story is about how a 19-year-old guy in 1961 perceived and objectified the women, young and old, as a whole. The first woman Sammy has contact with after observing the three girls, is a customer he describes as â€Å"a witch of about fifty years, with rouge on her cheekbones and no eyebrows† (230). She has become impatient with him when he cannot recollect if he rang up her box of crackers, since the three younger girls distracted him. Sammy also says, â€Å"If she were born in the right time, they would have burned her over in Salem†, substantiating his characterization of her being a witch. He presumes that this woman’s purpose was to trip him up and get pleasure from it. Sammy goes on to describe the three young women. The first one he calls the â€Å"chunky one† (230), whom he describes as having a â€Å"sweet broad soft looking can† (230), in reference to her backside. He also adds, â€Å"With two crescents of white under it where the sun never shines† (230), showing that he is really gawking at her backside. The second, he describes as the â€Å"tall one, with black hair that had not quite frizzled right, with a chin that was too long† (230) - the kind that other girls think is very â€Å"striking† (230) and â€Å"attractive† (230). The third, he described as the â€Å"queen† (230). She is the one he considers to be the most attractive of the girls, and the leader of the group. When she pulled out her money to pay for her purchase, Sammy talked about how he slowly un-creased the bill. It was retrieved from what he described as the â€Å"nicest two scoops of vanilla he has ever seen† (230); m aking reference to the queen’s breasts. A&P, by John Updike :: Literary Analysis The first line of the story, â€Å"A&P, by John Updike, â€Å"In walks three girls in nothing but bathing suits†; (230) sets the tone for the rest of the story. The remainder of the story is a description of how the main character Sammy, views not only the three girls in the bathing suits , but the rest of the women that are portrayed in the story. The main character of the story is a young guy, in the early 1960s, who is working at a grocery store when these three young women walk in. He describes how they were scantily clad and walking around the store, and the reactions of the others in the store, including himself, his co-workers, his manager and other patrons. This story is about how a 19-year-old guy in 1961 perceived and objectified the women, young and old, as a whole. The first woman Sammy has contact with after observing the three girls, is a customer he describes as â€Å"a witch of about fifty years, with rouge on her cheekbones and no eyebrows† (230). She has become impatient with him when he cannot recollect if he rang up her box of crackers, since the three younger girls distracted him. Sammy also says, â€Å"If she were born in the right time, they would have burned her over in Salem†, substantiating his characterization of her being a witch. He presumes that this woman’s purpose was to trip him up and get pleasure from it. Sammy goes on to describe the three young women. The first one he calls the â€Å"chunky one† (230), whom he describes as having a â€Å"sweet broad soft looking can† (230), in reference to her backside. He also adds, â€Å"With two crescents of white under it where the sun never shines† (230), showing that he is really gawking at her backside. The second, he describes as the â€Å"tall one, with black hair that had not quite frizzled right, with a chin that was too long† (230) - the kind that other girls think is very â€Å"striking† (230) and â€Å"attractive† (230). The third, he described as the â€Å"queen† (230). She is the one he considers to be the most attractive of the girls, and the leader of the group. When she pulled out her money to pay for her purchase, Sammy talked about how he slowly un-creased the bill. It was retrieved from what he described as the â€Å"nicest two scoops of vanilla he has ever seen† (230); m aking reference to the queen’s breasts.

Continuous Story Writing Essay

I saw her lying on the floor in a pool of blood, her eyes still opened but rolled back. My sight of her became blurred, I noticed after awhile. Wet, hot tears were starting to roll down my face. I could not catch my breath. My body quivered, I was beginning to fall. The last thing I remembered was a tattered book lying on the floor a few centimeters from her hand. It was a bright sunny Friday morning. The birds were singing, rays of sunshine shone into my room and the air was fresh with a tint of rosemary and pine. March the 15th, the day of my ballet recital. Today will be the best day of my life, I thought dreamily. I made my way down the stairs and was greeted by my mom with a wide smile on her face. A sumptuous breakfast was laid out for me. On the table were my favorite peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, scrambled eggs, hotdog tortillas and a cup of refreshing orange juice. I took my time to enjoy my breakfast and when I was done I made my way to my ballet studio, excited to start my day. â€Å"One two three, one two three, twirl and smile, one two three, one two three..† 26 graceful ballerinas were dancing and prancing, smiling sweetly back at me. Each move we made were precise and synchronized. I couldn’t help but glance at my gracefulness in the crystal clear mirrors. This was my time to shine. I gave a finishing double pirouette and the famous swan lake pose as the closing to my ballet recital. That smell of cherry blossom lip gloss and fresh roses filled the room. You could feel excitement, joy and nervousness all at the same time in the atmosphere. Ballerinas were busy having their make up done, their hair nicely done up into a tight bun, going through their steps in their minds all at the same time. Every performer had glitter on their faces, but the glow that was radiating from their faces was what made them exceptionally beautiful on this very day. In just a matter of an hour’s time I was going to be on that big, wide, cold stage. I was going to be speculated by hundreds of people. The thought was almost too overwhelming for me but thankfully the thought of my mother being there in the audience comforted me. I was going to make my mother really proud. I was determined. â€Å"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Grace ballet studio’s annual ballet recital. Please take your seats and prepare yourself for the long-awaited swan lake adaptation by our very own ballerinas,† announced the master of ceremony of the evening. I was getting butterflies at that moment. I opened the curtains ever so slightly just to see if my mother have arrived. I scanned and scanned through the seats but she was no where to be found. â€Å"Jolie, hurry, it’s almost timed!† I was pulled by the hand and brought to the position where I was supposed to enter from behind the thick red curtains. â€Å"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you have all been waiting for, please welcome the shimmering ballerinas of Swan Lake† With each step I took, each movement I made I pranced and danced gracefully on the wide stage. The spotlight was mine for a little while and then my friends came in through the sides of the curtains and joined me. All 26 of us compliment ed each other with every move we made. Our first act ended with never ending applause by the crowd. They loved us! During the intermission I got changed into my second costume. This time I had a tiny tiara on my head. Everyone’s makeup was redone and everyone was so hectic that I didn’t even get the chance to take a peek through the curtains to see where my mom was seated. I took a deep breath. â€Å"I can do this. Mommy will be cheering me on.† I stood up, straightened my costume and got ready for the second act. The smell of roses, that dazzling smile on my face, together with the standing ovation my ballerinas and I have earned was the perfect ending to my ballet recital. I was on cloud nine before i realized I had not seen my mom and I don’t see her anywhere now. I was beginning to worry and at the same time I was angry. Angry that she stood me up. We waved the audience goodbye, took a group picture and everyone helped to clean the place up. Everything was done and the place was spick and span. I went backstage to pack up my things soon after. Adele’s voice flooded the room and I immediately dug for my phone, an unknown number. â€Å"Hmm, who could that be?† I thought. â€Å"Hello. Yes, this is Jolie Schubert. That’s right. What? What did you just say? Alright, I’ll be right over.† There I was, standing. Quivering. My mother was lying there motionless. My mother had not come for my ballet recital not because she had forgotten, but simply because she couldn’t have come. The forensic investigator covered my mom with a long white sheet and began sobbing uncontrollably. Just then my father came through the door, he too was weeping, weeping for his beloved wife. It has been exactly one week since the passing of my mother, there was no doubt that I was still pretty sore but I knew life had to go on. Today I am going to receive my most outstanding ballerina award. Although my mom is not here to witness me receiving this very award but I just really want to thank her for all the support she’s given. This is for you, mom.

Social Anxiety

Anxiety With awareness of different mental and psychologically disorders on the rise, one in particular caught my eye. Social anxiety disorder has always intrigued me due to its close relationship to shyness and has sparked many different questions pertaining to how this disorder differs from Just being shy. For my research paper, I would Like to explore how this disorder's symptoms are different from being shy as well as explore why people with social anxiety exhibit these symptoms.In exploring why people exhibit symptoms, I hope to find different studies that show how social anxiety disorder affects the brain and how people with the disorder's brains differ from people who do not suffer from it. Along with this, I would also like to be able to thoroughly explain how the disorder affects the dally lives of sufferers and when symptoms of the disorder begin as well as how to recognize that these symptoms correlate to having social anxiety disorder. For my research paper, I would like to explain different treatments for the disorder and figure their effectiveness as well as why they are effective.I will also examining the correlation between social anxiety and many other different mental or psychological disorders and determining if there is a direct relationship between any two. Amiss, P. L. , M. G. Gelded, and P. M. Shaw. â€Å"Social Phobia: A Comparative Clinical Study. † The British Journal of Psychiatry 142. 2 (1983): 174-79. Print. This article discusses a study in which symptom's of people with social anxiety were compared with symptoms of people with agoraphobia. The study was conducted to prove that certain symptoms were distinct to a certain disorder.The homonyms were assessed through clinical, questionnaire, and demographic data. The results showed that symptoms of social anxiety differed from agoraphobia as social anxiety symptoms were more apparent and voluble to others. This source will be helpful In my research as I will be able to referenc e this when I am explaining different symptoms of social anxiety disorder. With the support of this article, I will be able to make claims that indicate that many symptoms of social anxiety disorder are unique to this disorder only. Connors, K. M. Psychometric Properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): New Self-rating Scale. The British Journal of Psychiatry 176. 4 (2000): 379-86. Print. Before this study, no social phobia scales Incorporated variables such as fear, avoidance, and physiological symptoms. The author of the article created a new scale called the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN which incorporated each of these previously unused variables. A study was conducted to assess the validity of this new scale and results were obtained which indicated that this test correctly measured social phobia levels and was responsive to change over time.This source will be helpful for my research paper as it gives many efferent examples of different tests used to determine If an Indi vidual suffers from correctly diagnose someone with the disorder. I will incorporate this in my paper when talking about how people are diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Craig, Ashley, and Woven Train. â€Å"Fear of Speaking: Chronic Anxiety and Stammering. † Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 12. 1 (2006): 63-68. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. Web. 31 Mar. 2014 This article reviews the relationship of stammering as a child and the prevalence of social anxiety.Stammering when young is usually caused by higher anxiety levels of the child in question. The article shows that children who stammer when they are younger are at a higher risk of developing social anxiety disorder. It also talks about why children stammer and identifies the social fears associated with it. I will use this in my research paper to identify early onset symptoms of people with social anxiety. The article goes into great detail over the social fears experienced by the children who stammer and expl ains the relationship between this and social anxiety.From this, I will be able to go into further detail over the social anxiety symptom of stammering and explain what causes the behavior. Marilyn J. Essex, Marjorie H. Klein, Marcia J. Clattery, H. Hill Goldsmith, Ned H. Kaolin; Early â€Å"Risk Factors and Developmental Pathways to Chronic High Inhibition and Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescence. † American Journal of Psychiatry. There has been evidence that suggests that high levels of behavioral inhibition act as a precursor for social anxiety disorder.The authors of this article took it upon themselves to evaluate and identify the different risk factors that may also play a part in development of the disorder. They conducted a study which evaluated 238 children who they followed from birth until the 9th grade. Different behavioral factors were evaluated in each participant. After evaluating each factor in the children, results showed that each factor examined accounted for greater and chronic inhibition. By the ninth grade, the study indicated that chronic high inhibition was associated with a lifetime of social anxiety disorder.Conclusions were made that high levels of inhibition were directly related to the development of social anxiety by adolescence. I will be able to use this source in my research paper to show the early signs of social anxiety. How the disorder develops will also be expanded upon using this article in my paper. Mark Olefins, Mary Guardian, Elmer Strutting, Franklin R. Schneider, Fred Hellman, Donald F. Klein; â€Å"Barriers to the Treatment of Social Anxiety. † American Journal of Psychiatry. 4. 1 57(2000):521-527. 22 Mar 2014.Despite the advancement in availability to treatments for social phobia, many adults do not seek help for their problems. The authors of this article evaluated the barriers to treatment for adults with social anxiety disorder and conducted a study that involved adults who participated in the Na tional Anxiety Disorders Screening Day in 1996. Background characteristics of individuals with symptoms of social anxiety were compared to those who participated in the screening who had no symptoms of social anxiety disorder. The barriers to previous mental health treatment for all participants in the study were evaluated and compared.The results of the study indicated that people with social anxiety have a higher risk of functional impairment and feelings of isolation as well as run a higher risk of suicide. They also reported financial barriers, uncertainty of where to seek help, and fear of what others may think which decreased the likelihood for them to seek help. Conclusion were preventing sufferers from seeking the proper help needed. From this study, I will be able to take the results and relay them into my research paper to show the different barriers people who suffer from the disorder have.I will also be to show that without properly sought out help, many people are left with serious symptoms that affect their daily lives. Michael, M. , and M. Brushwood. â€Å"Social Anxiety Disorder in First- episode Psychosis: Incidence, Phenomenology and Relationship with Paranoia. † The British Journal of Psychiatry 195. 3 (2009): 234-41. Print. For people with psychosis, the prevalence of social anxiety disorder poses a big problem. However, it is unclear if this is a byproduct of persecutory thinking. A study was conducted to determine the significance of social anxiety on people who suffer form psychosis.The results of the study showed that social anxiety is a significant commodity in first-episode psychosis. This study showed that there was a definite relationship between psychosis and social anxiety. I will be able to incorporate this into my research paper when comparing social anxiety with different diseases and will be able to note the different shared symptoms and the effects that both disorders have on the brain to define why he disorders are re lated. Psych Central Staff. â€Å"Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) Symptoms. † Psych Central. Com. Physic Central, n. . Web. 24 Mar. 2014. Psych Centrals article over social anxiety begins by giving a general overview of symptoms of social anxiety. The article explains that people who suffer from this disorder have an extreme fear of becoming exceptionally anxious or humiliated in certain social situation. Sufferers of social anxiety also have different symptoms than a person who is shy. Social anxiety differs from shyness as individuals who are only shy do not experience the extreme anxiety from social situations and do not go to extreme lengths to avoid social situations.The article then goes on to list symptoms that people with social anxiety must have. People with social anxiety have an intense fear of being scrutinized in social or performance situations in which they are around people they are unfamiliar with. Social anxiety also makes an individual go to extreme lengths to avoid these situations, which interrupts their normal routine. This article will be helpful in writing my research paper as I will be able to use it to identify common signs of social anxiety disorder.This source will also be helpful in comparing and contrasting the differences between the disorder and shyness. The article is a good overview of the disorder that helped give a general understanding of what social anxiety disorder is. Richard Dolman, Ph. D. , Joseph Himself, Ph. D. , Deborah Beebe, Ph. D. , James Babbles, M. D. , Ph. D. , Jody Hoffman, Ph. D. , Michelle Van Tenet-Lee, Ph. D. ; â€Å"Impact of Social Anxiety Disorder on Employment Among Women Receiving Welfare Benefits. † Psychiatric Services. 22 Mar 2014.Social anxiety disorder can affect many different aspects of life and is a common disorder that is disabling and costly. The authors of this article decided to examine the different obstacles of employment of women in Michigan receiving welfare. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short Form aided the authors in establishing the psychiatric diagnoses of the different women in question. The study surveyed 609 different women who suffered from social anxiety and completed at least one-third of the Women's Employment Study.The surveys of the women with social anxiety were demonstrated that the women with the disorder worked fewer months than those without the disorder and indicated the severity of social anxiety as it had a greater impact on life than depression. Conclusions were made that indicated that social anxiety posed significant problems to sufferers, making it hard for them to go to work. From this source I will be able to access how social anxiety affects the lives of those who suffer from it.I will incorporate this source into my paper as an example of the type of people who normally suffer from the disorder and its impact on their lives. Samuel Lilies, Ph. D. , Jessica Eleven's, B. A. , Rater Biggs, B. A. , Linda Johnson, B. A. , Reagan Amelia, Ph. D. , Daniel Pine, M. D. , Christian Grilling, Ph. D. ; â€Å"Elevated Fear Conditioning to Socially Relevant Unconditioned Stimuli in Social Anxiety Disorder. † American Journal of Psychiatry. 1. 65(2008):124-132. 22 Mar 2014. Conditioned fear is a classic symptom of patients with social anxiety disorder.The authors of this article decided to perform a study to examine the differences in general conditionality by using socially nonspecific, unconditioned stimuli. A model for conditioned fear was made by the authors using unconditioned stimuli of facial expressions and verbal feedback. In the study, patients with social anxiety disorder as well as subjects used hat worked as healthy comparisons underwent different classical conditioning consisting of three different facial expressions: one happy, one neutral, and one angry. Each of the expressions was paired with audio that reflected the nature of the facial expression.The results o f the study showed that only the social anxiety patients suffered from fear conditioning from the facial expressions. The conclusion of the study indicates a conditioning contribution to social anxiety disorder. I will be able to incorporate this study into my research paper as experimental proof of symptoms of people with social anxiety. The study showed that individuals who suffer from the disorder are more frightened and effected by facial expressions than normal. Sinclair, Leslie. â€Å"Treating Social Anxiety Doesn't Decrease Alcohol Consumption. † Psychotherapists.Psychiatric News, 06 July 2012. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. In Sinclair article, she examines the relationship between social anxiety disorder and alcohol consumption. In the article, she lists psychiatrist Sarah Book as defining that social anxiety puts people at a higher risk to abuse alcohol in order to decrease stress and feel more relaxed and that different effective treatments should be more deadly available to s ufferers of social anxiety disorder. In order to back her claims, Book took it upon herself to conduct several different studies to analyze this relationship.In one study, she and some of her colleagues determined whether social anxiety serves as a detriment to successful outcomes in traditional forms of alcohol and drug use therapy. The results from the study showed that there was clear correlation between social anxiety and alcohol abuse. I will use this article in my research paper to show that social anxiety disorder has other indirect symptoms. From this, I will be able to make claims over the seriousness of the disorder and show that some symptoms cannot be cured through the disorders different treatment options.Smith, Melinda, and Ellen Gaffe-Gill. â€Å"Social Anxiety Disorder & Social Phobia. † Social Anxiety Disorder and Social Phobia: Symptoms, Self-Help, and Treatment. Gaffe-Gill begins by defining what social anxiety disorder is. Social anxiety, which is also kno wn as social phobia, is the extreme fear of certain social interactions. There are certain triggers which spark symptoms of the disorder such as meeting new people, performing on stage, taking exams, or even eating or drinking in front of others. Once triggered, people who have the disorder experience emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms.The article continues by presenting different treatment options for social anxiety disorder which include challenging negative thoughts, breathing control, changing one's lifestyle through the building of new relationships. This article will be helpful as it will allow me to examine the different treatment options given to sufferers of social anxiety. This source also discussing the effectiveness of each treatment. With these different treatments, I can do further research into exactly how each one works and include this in my research paper. â€Å"Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder). NIMH IRS. National institute of Mental Health, n. D. Web. 22 Mar. 2014. This article by the National Institute of Mental Health begins by defining what social anxiety is. The article defines social anxiety disorder as the strong fear of being Judged by others or embarrassed. The causes for the disorder are not completely known, however studies have shown that it tends to run in families. Researchers have found that there are several parts of the brain involved with fear and anxiety and have examined them in order to try and find effective cures for the disorder.The second portion of this article by the Institute of Mental Health talks about how somebody is diagnosed with the disorder. Sufferers of social anxiety usually start having symptoms during their youth. Doctors are able to diagnose the disorder if one has had persistent symptoms for longer than 6 months. I will be able to use this source to assess how social anxiety effects the brain and how different treatments work on the brain to relieve symptoms. The way that people are d iagnosed is also mentioned in the article, which I will be able to use in my research paper.Stefan Plaint, Leonardo Coercion, Eric Hollander; â€Å"Social Anxiety in Outpatients With Schizophrenia: A Relevant Cause of Disability. † American Journal of Psychiatry. 2004):53-58. 22 Mar 2014. Many people who suffer from schizophrenia exhibit many symptoms of social anxiety disorder, which are often looked past due to the other more serious symptoms of schizophrenia. The authors of this article conducted a study to examine the relationship between the two disorders and determine if they are linked.In the study, 80 people diagnosed with schizophrenia and 27 people diagnosed with social anxiety disorder were assessed with the different mental health tests. The results of the study indicated that social anxiety is often prevalent in people who have schizophrenia, but is unrelated to the clinical psychological symptoms. This study will also be very helpful in comparing social anxiety disorder to different mental disorders. It will also be used to assess the correlation between the two disorders and with further research I will be able to ampere the effects of both disorders on the brain.Stein MOB, Putsch M, MÃ'Ëœleer N, H ¶fleer M, Life R, Witches H. â€Å"Social Anxiety Disorder and the Risk of Depression: A Prospective Community Study of Adolescents and Young Adults. † Arch Gene Psychiatry. 3. 58(2001): 251-256. 22 Mar 2014. This article examines the correlation between social anxiety disorder and depression. The authors of the article noticed that perform a study to assess the relationship between the two disorders. To begin, data was collected from a longitudinal, epidemiological study of people aged 14-24 to use as baseline.Follow up interviews were given to determine if these individuals suffered from symptoms of both depression and social anxiety and to assess the extent of their disorders. The results from the study showed that individuals with no depressed symptoms at baseline had an increased likelihood to exhibit symptoms of depression. Those who suffered from social anxiety disorder and depression during baseline also showed worsened depressed conditions. This article will help me in my research as it gives a very detailed study over the relationship between social anxiety and depression.I will be able to use this when discussing the various side effects that the disorder gives. This source will also be helpful in discussing the relationship between different mental disorders. Veal, David. â€Å"Treatment of Social Phobia. † Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 9. 4 (2003): 258-64. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. This article begins be explaining what social anxiety is and how it effects the lives of people who have it. It gives statistics over the disorder, such as explains that it is the 3rd most common mental disorder in the word, has a lifetime prevalence of %, and has an equal gender rati o.The article lists a very detailed description of the different symptoms and why sufferers exhibit them. The article's focus is put on the different treatments and how they work as well as which treatments work better for different people based on symptoms. Some of these treatments include pharmacopoeia and cognitive therapy. I will use this article to note the relationship between symptoms exhibited and the most effective treatments. Since the article goes very in depth over each symptom and its best treatment option, I will be able to show why each treatment is effective.