Parental Risk Factors And Child Maltreatment Social Work Essay

Parental Risk Factors And Child Maltreatment Social Work Essay It is staggering to know that thousands of children are maltreated in ways that are detrimental to their developmental and psychological growth. Widespread concern about the issue was initially triggered in the 1960s to raise awareness of the plight of the battered child. Research has recognised numerous risk and protective factors commonly associated with child abuse. This essay will deal with the parental risk factors and will take into account the measures that afford protection against them. Some forms of child maltreatment are related to parental competency due to age, temperament or a personal history with child abuse. However, a good deal of abuse and neglect is linked to sources of stress where marital conflicts, domestic violence, and the lack of a stable social network play significant causal roles. Having said that, no single factor can be definitive in determining risk and so they require simultaneous consideration. Despite the causes, family protective factors can reduce maltreatment rates by promoting positive parent-child relationships, encouraging extended family support and by building parental resilience. When addressing the question of intervention, knowledge of the risk and protective factors implicated in child mistreatment can minimise risk. By recognising the complex interaction of factors that affect susceptibility to maltreatment, professionals can implement programmes specifically designed to protect children at risk. Therefore understanding the causes of maltreatment is crucial to preventing the problem. Child maltreatment is a complex and pervasive problem that cuts across all sectors of society, where even defining the term ensues in an inherent complication. During the 1960s, the growing prevalence of abused children lead to the introduction of the term battered child syndrome. This term, seen as a narrowly defined, was broadened so as not to simply infer to physical abuse. In 1997, the World Health Organisation drafted a definition of child maltreatment to encompass both emotional and physical injury but also negligent treatment. Risk factors are characteristics where certain behaviours or conditions will likely play a contributory role in child mistreatment. Although some are not direct causes, circumstances in which these factors exist make a child highly vulnerable to experiencing maltreatment. However, there are also factors that offer a protective effect which mediate against risk and therefore can increase the well-being of children and families. When determining risk in familial child maltreatment, it is necessary to examine the role of the parent as he is often the direct perpetrator. Temperament is significant when trying to understand why parents abuse their children. Influence of an individuals psychological capacity on parental functioning can be found in investigations of mentally disturbed adults. Baldwin, Cole and Baldwin (1982) have revealed that families with a parent suffering from a psychotic disorder were less interactive and exhibited less warmth than families without. Mental illness can distort a parents judgement to a point where he is no longer competent to make decisions about a childs needs. Strong evidence implicating psychological factors in the etiology of child maltreatment derives from reports of intergeneration cycles of abuse (Spinetta and Rigler, 1972; Sherrod, et al., 1986). Parents who were victims of child mistreatment themselves gives rise to the common perception that being a victim is a determinant for turning into an abuser, yet there is a lack of substantial evidence. Undoubtedly, a history of abuse is a considerable risk factor alone but child maltreatment is determined by a complex interaction of rick and protective factors; factors which differentiate between repeaters and non-repeaters. Notwithstanding, parents who were mistreated as children are less likely to become victimisers if they resolve internal conflicts related to that history of abuse. To further reduce risks, it is also important if parents have a supportive spouse and good social supports (Hunter and Kisltrom, 1979). However, adults who were rejected as children become emotionally insulated from interpersonal relations and are unable to give affection or form a close bond with their children (Kempe and Kempe, 1978). This returns attention to the psychiatric make up of the individual abuser and shows how interrelated causal factors are. Competent parenting can also be associated with psychological maturity; another determinant of maltreatment. Therefore, age serves as a indication of maturity and parental aptitude as young mothers may posses less desirable child-rearing attitudes than older mothers. Having said that, age also accounts for poor or inaccurate parenting skills as teen-parents will lack the fundamental understanding of a childs needs. Having unrealistic expectations about a childs progress may culminate in inappropriate punishments where conclusive studies presented by Straus (1992), and Flanagan et al., (1995), report that teenage mothers tend to exhibit higher rates of child abuse. Protective factors aimed at minimising these risks should support parents with their child-rearing skills and teach sensitive parenting techniques. By providing parent education classes for new and especially for teen parents can inform them about normal child development and what to expect from their children at specific ages. Yet, this protective factor is not well-suited for all as some parents may be reluctant to attend parent-group meetings. Social conditions create stresses that undermine family functioning where specific situations may exacerbate certain emotions of the family members affected. Hostility and frustration can resultantly aggravate the level of familial maltreatment. Marital relationships serve as a principle support system for parents and so conflicts can elicit child maltreatment. Family dissolution can burden an individual and research indicates that children living with single-parents may be at a higher risk of experiencing abuse and neglect than children with two biological parents (Finkelhor, et al., 1997). The sole burden of family responsibilities linked together with fewer supports can contribute to the risk of single-parents mistreating their child. Children in violent homes who witness intimate partner violence are subsequently at risk for being maltreated themselves. Appel and Holden (1998) have found that spousal abuse and child maltreatment co-exist in 30-60% of families. Even if children are not maltreated, they still experience harmful emotional consequences as witnessing violence teaches likewise behaviour or warrants it as appropriate and the child may resort to using violent action later in life. This draws attention back to the victim to offender hypothesis. In addition to a family system, interpersonal relations, between relatives and friends are essential when considering risks. Parents who are isolated with few social connections are at higher risk for maltreating their children. Hetherington, Cox and Cox (1977) have found that the support received from significant others exert a beneficial impact on parent-child relations. This data shows how a stable social network is positively linked with parents sense of competence in the care-giving role and evidently can lessen maltreatment rates. But its not merely about having several social connections but the quality of them as-well. It is interesting however that in these cases of support, the mediating role of the parents psychological well-being is pivotal. Marital relations do not influence parenting directly but instead promote positive attitudes in an individual and thereby influence parenting capabilities (Gamble and Belsky, 1984). Similarly, social relations may serve to enhance the psychological functioning of the parent. Sources of stress and support thus strongly affect parental competence, as although unfavourable relations contribute to the etiology of abuse, the quality of the relationship is influenced by personality; correspondingly, they produce bi-directional affects. Parental substance abuse, is also predictive of child maltreatment when daily stresses of raising children prove challenging especially when accompanied with multiple life stressors such as an history of abuse or marital conflicts. Substance misuse interferes with mental functioning and subsequently make parents less available to children, as Forrester (2000) confirms that substance abuse is strongly related to neglect. It may also explain some of the attachment difficulties that can occur, since healthy development requires parental responsiveness to the needs of a child. Being intoxicated can again negatively influence parental discipline choices and lead to violent tendencies towards a child. Simultaneously, these risk factors can affect a parents capacity to cope effectively but by reaching out to a support system can help build resilience against stressful circumstances. The interactive play of risk and protective factors provoke familial child maltreatment but it can be prevented regardless. Early identification of causes and outlining the compensatory factors can lead to effective interventions to protect the child involved. Helfer and Kempe (1976) have argued that preventing child abuse entails predicting its occurrence. Therefore, it is clear that professionals need awareness of the several factors that create contexts for maltreatment so that intervention programmes employ a multi-sectoral approach. By acknowledging the factors, intervention strategies can be implemented to minimise the underlying risks; encourage reaching out to family and friends, but also to strengthen the protective factors; advanced prenatal care and home-visitor networks (Halperin, 1979; Parke Collmer, 1975). Moreover, when enforcing intervention strategies, the treatment of parents should be coordinated to that of children as the potentials for change in parent-child relationships and parental attitudes is maximised (Olds, 1983). However, risk factors have limitations in predicting specific instances of abuse as the determinants in one family may not necessarily result in child maltreatment in another. Furthermore, an individual may not have the emotional resources to cope adequately with the demands of parenting and so intervention must be able to address these implications. Additionally, extensive evaluations need to be conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of short and long-term intervention programmes.

Does Democracy Ensure Freedom Essay

Does democracy ensure freedom? I believe democracy can ensure freedom, but not always, thus my answer is maybe. For democracy is a form of government that rely on a system of law in which individuals are treated equally while having fair access to the legislative process through electing official who will act in their constituent’s interest and voice their concern. Through proper protection with legislation, individual’s freedom can be ensured. Yet the nature of democracy favour majority thus it is possible for politician to cater to the mass to secure vote and have access to the seats of power. Democracy is unable to act if the votes are tied, such flaw can leads to politician abuse their power tilting the result either way to further his own goal. If elected official no longer voice the population yet game the system by continue to appease the majority, minority right and freedom can not be ensured. Government ultimately objective is to govern the people for the betterment of people, thus democracy reflects the need for it is form of government allowing people’s voice being heard through the elected officials. Each voter’s vote count and the majority trumps. Elected official then go on legislate laws that regulation that resolves the population’s concern. Such fair access to the legislative process and equality before law ensure the population to be protected, the law are made by them and for them, protecting their freedom and rights. But democracy also follow majorities rule. It is possible for 49% of population to lose out simply because of the 2% difference. Yet if rights are cemented fully protected via charters, even minorities can escape such tyranny. Unfortunately, elected officials can not always complete reflect the desire of the entire population. They are at best incomplete projection if not catering to special interest or simply the mass for the system favours the majorities, and once tied vote occurs. The decision will lie solely on those in power. For few individuals to be able make decision that influence a nation, such power can be attractive if not lucrative, for there is motive and it is not hard to imagine such corruption taking place. Once a politician is no longer serveing the voter but himself, without proper check and balance for the government to self correct such mistake. It is to picture minorities right and freedom being sacrificed for the corrupted official to stay in power. The key all hinges on the soundness of said country’s legal system, if a government official have the power to alter laws, taking away rights and freedom as he pleases. The freedom can not be ensured. Yet, with a proper procedural fair legislative system, the inbuilt checks and balance will stop said corrupted official overstepping his position. The electoral system will kick in which official will be replaced if they do not deliver what is expected off them. With a solid charter of rights, even minority’s innate rights and freedom can be protected against majorities for the inalienable rights protect each of us and allow us to maintain the dignity we all possess. Freedom is the concept that verges upon the condition in which individual live their life accord to their free will. For they make their own choices without facing disabling condition nor the pressure of simply fulfilling the basic necessities of life. We choose how we present ourselves to the world and how we communicate our idea and thoughts. We decide on how to live our life, from our goal to our means of achieving said goals. Yet these seemly innate right are in fact fragile and vulnerable. The nature of government impose rules and regulation with our daily life. Our freedom is merely conditional, for we can only exercise our right and freedom to a certain extent. As matter of fact, our right and freedom can be taken away by the same law that protect our rights and freedom. But that is the truth of reality, freedom without bound is impossible. The physicality of reality impose restriction, scarcity of recourse and mortality of men. Civilization dictates rules from punishment of crimes to shame and guilt through morality. Thus government, a form of rule, can not truly ensure freedom for its conditional and with limits. Men has long realize such limitation, yet we still yearns for such notion for we are driven by our free will and we seek create such system for we are protected from not just each others but ourselves’ own infringement of rights and freedom. Democracy is still our best attempt at this unrealistic dream, the approach is simple, for a system of law made by people for people. We strive to effectively govern ourselves and keep our right and freedom. It is understandable to treat the question â€Å"does democracy ensures freedom ? † in an bifurcate manner. It is easy to state the fact that democracy is simply mob rules thus two wolves can vote having the sheep for dinner against the one lone sheep’s objection. Yet it seems silly to categorize a whole country’s population into a predator/prey relationship, not to mention having a sound legal system in which inalienable rights of human beings are guaranteed can indeed prevent the two wolves ganging up on the sheep, minorities can still be sufficiently protected by law if the charter of rights allows. Further more, freedom can only be secure via proper system of law that protect human right and freedom, types of government should not be the deciding matter for ensuring freedom. As the above paragraphs have shown, democracy either ensure nor deny freedom, while there is no true freedom under any form of government for by definition of government, restriction and restraints are naturely imposed upon individuals. I still consider limited conditional freedom preferable to none for my inalienable right are protected even against the tyranny of majorities for this rights are inalienable. While democracy can allow favour toward the majorities and official in position of power, with proper checks and power established within the government, such issue can be self corrected. But without the legal safenet, minorities can easily been swapped up by politician’s agenda and sacrificed to the tyranny of majorities. As a partying thought, if no form of government can achieve true freedom, what is the future of democracy with our society?

The Between Cressida And Troilus And Cressida Essay

PANDARUS [†¦] Have you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is not birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and so forth the spice and salt that seasons a man? CRESSIDA Ay, a minced man†¦ (1.2.231-236) This conversation between Cressida and Pandarus demonstrates the representation of masculinity in both Coriolanus and Troilus and Cressida. Each of them is concerned with ideas of honour and military prowess in relation to the male identity, drawing on the masculine ideals of Roman antiquity – a prominent notion during the early modern period – as is evident in Pandarus’ notions of ‘what a man is’. Shakespeare does not, however, endorse these notions in the plays; his handling of the subject is reminiscent more of Cressida’s response in this passage, suggesting that the same qualities which make a man can also effeminize him. This essay will examine how this paradoxical nature of manhood and its arbitrary relations to honour and women are exposed in the plays. In the world of Coriolanus, violent and aggressive masculinity is set on a pedestal by the people of Rome. This is evident in Volumnia’s attitude towards raising children – applauding wounds Coriolanus has received in battle and even going as far as saying that The breasts of Hecuba, When she did suckle Hector, looked not lovelier Than Hector’s forehead when it spit forth blood At Grecian sword, contemning. (1.3.37-40) Intimacy has no place in this violentlyShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Troilus And Cressida Essay1766 Words   |  8 Pages In the essay, I am attempting to reveal the true character of Cressida as opposed to the reputation she obtains in the play. This is accomplished through the conversations Cressida has with Pandarus and Troilus, where the two men obtain early encounters with Cressida as this noble nature is revealed. In the Shakespearean play, â€Å"Troilus and Cressida†, Cressida is a woman who seems to be easily manipulated by the male characters. Despite being taken advantage of often, she finds herself makingRead MoreTroilus and Cressida Commentary1171 Words   |  5 PagesAct I, Scene III of Troilus and Cressida by Shakespeare features members from the Greek army. From lines 22 to 54, Nestor further applies a previous speech by Agamemnon. The condition of the Greek army is stressed, as the war is not going the way the Greeks would like. This is a dire situation in the Greek camp, and these speeches aim to rally the troops to fight back in this war with the Trojans. This excerpt is significant in that there is a good use of literary techniques to demonstrate the importanceRead MoreThe Significance of Tickle in Troilus and Cressida Essay1902 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Troilus and Cressida is a play filled with marked variations of tone. The language ranges across the gamut from satirical to anticlimactic to dignified to tragic. This explains, to some extent, the level of difficulty that commentators have had in classifying the work. A close reading of the word choice and sense of tone in the play contributes a great deal to a better understanding of its meaning. Analysis of particular word choice should be, in fact, a very important considerationRead MoreCommon Features of a Shakespeare Comedy1745 Words   |  7 Pagesthrough the course of the play, overcome the obstacles in their relationship and unite. Love in Shakespearean comedy is stronger than the inertia of custom, the power of evil, or the fortunes of chance and time. In all of these plays but one (Troilus and Cressida), the obstacles presented to love are triumphantly overcome, as conflicts are resolved and errors forgiven in a general aura of reconciliation and marital bliss at the plays close. Such intransigent characters as Shylock, Malvolio, and DonRead MoreGender Roles in Shakesp eare1834 Words   |  8 Pagesroles of men and women, they can be said to be a product of their society. However, since they have been studied, performed, and taught for five hundred years, they may be seen as formative of contemporary notions about the relationships between males, females, and power. Derrida was right in asserting that there is no outside to the text. His claim is that every text is affected by every other text and every other speech act. As an instance, most of Shakespeares plays haveRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Trojan War 1318 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare uses the backdrop of the Trojan War in Troilus and Cressida to explore the interpretation of honor as something extrinsic without associating it with intrinsic moral values. In the seventeenth century, â€Å"honour† was used in four different ways: fame, renown, glory; credit, good name, reputation; noble rank, position of dignity, title of renown; source of distinction. Fame and reputation are the most common uses of honor throughout the play. Therefore, to avoid confusion and redundancyRead More Gender Roles in Shakespeare Essay1760 Words   |  8 Pagesproper roles of men and women, they can be said to be a product of their society. However, since they have been studied, performed, and taught for five hundred years, they may be seen as formative of contemporary notions about the relationships between males, females, and power. Derrida was right in asserting that quot;there is no outside to the text.quot; His claim is that every text is affected by every other text and every other speech act. As an instance, most of Shakespeares playsRead MoreThe Tretis Of The Twa Mariit Wemen, And The Testament Of Cresseid1799 Words   |  8 Pagesattended St Andrews University between 1477 and 1479 and gained a degree. He based many of his poems around religion and courtly love (two common themes of medieval poetry) and wrote many popular poems such as The Dance Of The Seven Deadly Sins and The Tretis of the Twa Mariit Wemen and the Wedo. Like Dunbar, Henryson was also a Scottish poet, although born earlier in 1425 and can be said to be heavily influenced by Chaucer also, composing a sequel to Chaucer’s poem Troilus and Criseyde and naming itRead MoreAnalysis Of The Song Of Achilles 1330 Words   |  6 PagesMadeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles re-tells the classic tale of The Iliad through the romantic relationship highly speculated between Achilles and Patroclus. In a diachronic approach to historical queer narratives, I will analyze queer identities and representation within literature with an emphas is on contemporary queer narratives. Queer narratives are especially important stories to perpetuate and recognize both historically and contemporarily, as they impose, perpetuate, or upset notions ofRead MoreMan s Search For Meaning : Primary Relationships1433 Words   |  6 Pagessearch for meaning: primary relationships - Final Draft From prehistoric cave dwellers to 21st-century urban dwellers, humankind has focused on finding the meaning of life/significance of their existence. Through the four primary relationships between humankind and society, God, cosmos/nature, and self; many philosophers have tried to explain the meaning of life which has led to the production of many philosophical and scientific works. These impenetrable questions such as â€Å"What is the meaning

Connecting Character - Job and Adam - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 924 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/10/10 Did you like this example? Paradise Lost presents the character of Adam as that close to the most perfect imaginable human being. Adam is presented to have very strong and attractive physical features, profound spiritually, and with mental proficiency. After God completed His work of creation, he put Adam the one in charge of all of God’s creations. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Connecting Character Job and Adam" essay for you Create order Adam was given the responsibility of taking care and being the head of God’s creation because God had created him in a special and perfect manner (Langford 119). He stood out in the Garden of Eden because no other living thing would compare to him. Adam demonstrates a respectful character irrespective of the status of who he relates with. Adam is obviously superior than Eve and other animals but he inferior to the Angels of God and to God Himself. He does not discriminate and he accords proper respect to the animals, Eve, plants Angels, and God in his graceful manners and speech. Adam converses with Eve in a very formal way. The conversation between then shows that Adam is more superior in the relationship than Eve though. Adam thinks that Eve is capable of preparing them a good meal and he trust her for it. By entrusting on Eve to prepare them a good meal does not indicate a dismissal but an acknowledgement that Eve is more talented and informed in the situation concerning food in the Garden of Eden that Adam. This shows that Adam has a clear understanding of the responsibilities accorded to different people, plants, and animals towards one another and in the service of the world. Adam uses a similar tone during his conversation with Angel Raphael. The way he welcomes the angel is with grace and respect that indicate the superiority of Raphael as an Angel. He accords respect to Angel Raphael acknowledges that the Angel knows a lot about the heavens(Langford, 119). He spend time with the Angel with an aim of learning more about astronomy, the story of creatio n, and about the heavens. This search of knowledge is an indication that Adam was intellectually gifted and curious about why and how things happen. The tone in Adam speech changes after his fall. He openly blames Eve and Eve blames him for the sin. Their relationship turns to become querulous. It is through the effort of Eve that reestablishes the proper initial relationship between Adam and Eve which rekindles the love Adam felt for his wife Eve. The relationship between Angel Raphael and Adam also shows some dynamics after the fall of Adam. This manifest the changes exerted to the relationship between Angels and man that resulted from sin(Langford, 119). Adam is characterized by anger, self-pity, self-doubt, and sullenness after the fall. Although the love Eve showed him played a part in bringing him back to the righteous path, the old perfect Adam was already gone and the current Adam was just ordinary and good. The book of job present job as a blessed man based on how it impressively describes him. Job was blessed with a lot of physical possessions among them being a number of sons and daughters, camels, cattle, sheep, and servants. The people of his time highly regarded him mainly because of extraordinary riches. One can confidently say that job was perfect, not one who is free of sin because all men are sinners but, because he was spiritually whole and observed morality (Fiorello, 170). His perfection is manifested by his ability to control himself entirely and his integrity. Job was also a good man who felt pride from helping others. He was quick to help those in need and did not discriminate them because he was rich. Job is also described as an upright and righteous man. He lived according to what the word of God expected of him. According to men, Job was a blameless and perfect man but according to God, he was upright and righteous. Job always did what would please God and not what would please man or his culture. The fact that job was a gentile did not stop him from obeying God. Gentiles were not among the God’s chosen people(Fiorello, 170). As a gentile, the Ten Commandments were not available for Job but he still knew what to do to please god. This made him special and naturally upright. The book of job characterizes job with tremendous fear of God. This explains his righteous and blameless life that he led. In his undertaking, Job sought to honor God in everything. His respect for God was mainly because he feared what was likely to happen in the event where he failed to please God(Fiorello, 171). He was always doing the right thing because he knew that God was always watching him and he didn’t want to displease him in any way. As much as Job was a powerful and rich man he perfectly understood that he wouldn’t handle the wrath from God. He understood that god was just, holly and righteous, but He is also slow to anger. This is why Job was afraid of provoking God’s wrath. In conclusion, the character of Job in the Book of Job and the character of Adam in Paradise Lost shows some connections from the discussion above. Both men are seen to be perfect in their distinctive situation. They are also favored of God: Job is given riches and is highly regarded by his community, Adam was created in the likeness of God and was given power and responsibility over all other creations.

Essay on Stanley Milgram - 1913 Words

This quote, by Stanley Milgram (1974, p. 205), exemplifies the debate that exists around the topic of obedience. Obedient behaviours have been studied in Milgram’s famous obedience experiments, and evidence of atrocities being carried out as a result of obedience can be seen in situations such as the holocaust in World War Two (Mastroianni, 2000) and more recent events such as (My Lai). This essay will explain both sides of the debate, arguing for situation and individual factors that influence people to behave in particular ways. Therefore, an interactional approach is argued here, that the situation and individual influences cannot be disentangled. A brief explanation of Milgram’s baseline study (1963) will be introduced first, before†¦show more content†¦Proximity between the participant and the learner was changed, with it ranging from the learner not being heard or seen at all (yielding 100% obedience), to the participant holding down the learners hand and arm onto a metal plate, which they believed was shocking the learner (decreasing obedience to 30%). Milgram himself reported significant differences between these proximity conditions, but when Blass (1991) evaluated Milgram’s (1963) work, he reports the analyses and shows that regardless of whether a participant is close to the learner physically and emotionally, they still acted in a similar way. The fact that Milgram did not report these analyses also shows how there might have been some selective reporting in what he wanted the public to see. Blass’ (1991) analyses display how the situation was not necessarily that powerful, and that the participants acted in similar ways regardless of the different types of contexts they were put in. Furthermore, there was also another version of the study (state exactly which experiment this was) in which the participants could decide for themselves how much voltage to shock the learner to. It comes as a relief that they shocked significantly lower than the baseline conditions, showing that when the situation allows freedom, the individual can make a decision. However, I would argue that even though they had the freedom to administer the shock level of their choice, they still actually administered aShow MoreRelated The Perils of Obedience by Stanley Milgram Essay812 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"The Perils of Obedience† was written by Stanley Milgram in 1974. In the essay he describes his experiments on obedience to authority. I feel as though this is a great psychology essay and will be used in psychology 101 classes for generations to come. The essay describes how people are willing to do almost anything that they are told no matter how immoral the action is or how much pain it may cause.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This essay even though it was written in 1974 is still used today because of its historicalRead MoreThe Background on the Stanley Milgram Theory Essay1088 Words   |  5 PagesThe social psychology theory that I will be analyzing is based on the Stanley Milgram experiment done in 1965 following the start of the Nazi war. He was curios on all the violence taking place during this time. As a Jew himself, he wanted to find out whether or not the Adolf Eichmann accomplice had the same intent and hate towards the Jewish people during the holocaust. Based on Solomon Asch’s past experiments on conformity, Milgram’s experiment was done to determine whether or not the power ofRead MoreEssay about Obedience to Authority by Stanley Milgram2387 Words   |  10 PagesStanley Milgram’s 1963 studies into obedience have provided important and shocking insights into the power of authority. The study set out to discover how obedient people really are. Debat e and controversy have surrounded the study since the results were first published. Predictions made by psychologists before the experiment proved dramatically inaccurate. The experiment led volunteers to believe they were administering increasingly painful and dangerous electric shocks to another volunteer forRead MoreStanley Milgram vs. Diana Baumrind Essay1169 Words   |  5 PagesThe Controversy of Obedience A classic experiment on the natural obedience of individuals was designed and tested by a Yale psychologist, Stanley Milgram. The test forced participants to either go against their morals or violate authority. For the experiment, two people would come into the lab after being told they were testing memory loss, though only one of them was actually being tested. The unaware individual, called the â€Å"teacher† would sit in a separate room, administering memory relatedRead MoreObedience, Disobedience, And Disobedience1687 Words   |  7 Pagesshown in the novel â€Å"Holes† by Louis Sachar because the main character, Stanley, is sent to a child correction camp and has to obey the upper authority Mr. Sir. He starts out being an obedient child and following all Mr. Sir’s rules but then as he begins to see the real reason he is told to dig holes in a barren desert he rebels against Mr. Sir. These acts of obedience and disobedience are then analyzed and explaine d by; â€Å"Milgram Experiment† by Saul McLead, â€Å"Opinions and Social Pressure† by SolomonRead MoreThe Ethics Of Psychological Studies1219 Words   |  5 PagesIn this essay, the ethics of psychological studies carried out in the past will be reviewed. In the current contemporary environment many psychological studies are now seen as being unethical by many psychologists. Both theory and information relating to the psychology studies will be addressed. This essay will also outline the ethical responsibilities of the psychologists carrying out psychological research studies. The two psychological studies that would not be considered ethical today that willRead MoreAnalysis Of Stanley Milgram s Perils Of Disobedience 1372 Words   |  6 PagesIn Stanley Milgram’s essay, â€Å"Perils of Disobedience†, an experiment was conducted to test an individual’s obedience from authority when conflicting with morally incorrect orders. Following the conclusion of World War Two, Milgram’s essay was published in Harper’s Magazine, which appeals to a national audience and yields an array of content from different contextual backgrounds. As Milgram reports the results of his experiment, he provides descriptive details of many of the subjects and their behaviorsRead MoreStanley Milgrams Experiment961 Words   |  4 PagesStanley Milgram s Experiment In Stanley Milgram s essay Some Conditions of Obedience and Disobedience to Authority, the self-proclaimed social psychologist conducted a study while working as a psychologist at Yale University. The primary goal of Milgram s experiment was to measure the desire of the participants to shock a learner in a controlled situation. The experiment was based on three primary roles: the authoritative figure, the learner, and the teachers. The authoritative figure instructedRead MoreThe Milgram Experiment1142 Words   |  5 PagesThe Milgram Experiment Stanley Milgram, a famous social psychologist, and student of Solomon Asch, conducted a controversial experiment in 1961, investigating obedience to authority (1974). The experiment was held to see if a subject would do something an authority figure tells them, even if it conflicts with their personal beliefs and morals. He even once said, The social psychology of this century reveals a major lesson: often it is not so much the kind of person a man is as the kind of situationRead MoreThe Ethical Standards Of Modern Psychology1320 Words   |  6 PagesThere are many research studies conducted in the past that would not be considered ethical today. This essay will review two research methods, whilst taking into account the ethical standards of modern psychology. The focus of this essay will be; ‘Landis’ Facial Expressions Experiment 1924’ carried out by Carney Landis and ‘’Milgram’s Obedience Experiment’ carried out by Stanley Milgram. B oth experiments were carried out under immoral circumstances and perhaps should never have been allowed to take

Ethics in Contemporary Society Free Essays

Presently, Americans are comfortable relating ethics to individuality. Often times, American citizens expresses their right of freedoms to enhance their own sense of ethics or relativity. In defining relativism, moral principles are a matter of personal feelings and individual preference. We will write a custom essay sample on Ethics in Contemporary Society or any similar topic only for you Order Now As for individual moral relativism, figuring out what is moral and immoral in specific circumstances differs according to the person. On another note, moral relativists have a disbelief in universal truths or common law. This essay will examine and highlight major details about problems surrounding individual moral relativism and cultural moral relativism. It will reflect post-modern and modern methods of belief in order to exhibit its valuableness in ethical decision-making in overcoming problems (Owen, 2011). In particular, it argues that abstract theories of either individual or subjective moral relativism are fruitless for understanding humans. What’s more, it tends to limit humans to egocentric people or hamper the development of distinctiveness through division and relativism. It is disputed that innovativeness excludes other styles of understanding. It utters reverence and celebrates the variance; it has rendered the pursuit for any kind of meaning inaudible (Reno, 2012). To bypass these restrictions and to extend the resistance of ethical relativism this article draws substantially from the research of Lawrence Kohlberg. He is a well-known psychologist that is recognized for the moral stages of development. Moreover, his research theory moves closer by claiming cultural relativists are individuals trapped in the conventional stage of ethical development (Garz, 2010). This ethical development model greets and enriches narrative understanding. As this essay continues to explore the world of  ethical/moral relativism, it will summarize topics like cultural moral relativism, individual and subjective relativism. In addition, it will review Kohlberg’s moral stages of development and why he believes that many cultural relativists are trapped in a particular stage. As a final touch, this essay will discuss personal beliefs and experiences in relation to each topic, and why I agree or disagree with these reasoning. What is more moral relativism? Previously moral relativism was defined as being right or wrong, and the second deals with the difference between an objective and a subjective truth. Thinking that ethical truth is biased, moral relativists often react to moral conclusions about homosexual behavior (Klikauer, 2011). To these individuals, the term homosexual is rubbish because everyone’s morality is equivalent. In short, nobody has a right to a morality that is incumbent on others. Being objective (individual) honest is recognized as the best choice; however, it is not the easiest decision (Owen, 2011). For example, parents or educators do not chastise students merely for getting their answer wrong in Math problems. For many students, their mistakes would be coherent, not moral. Another example would be a husband beats his wife is simply indecent; therefore, he’ is considered as being immoral. Based on Quintelier Fessler (2012) findings, cultural relativism is considered as an interpretation that all views, customs, and ethics are comparative to the individual within his or her own societal environment. Therefore, individuals put their cultural beliefs at the front of comparative ethical decision-making. Basically, right and wrong are culture-specific; however, what is right in one culture may be considered as corrupt in another culture (Owen, 2011). Being there is no universal code of morality, individuals does not have the right to judge another societal traditions. At the conventional stage of ethical development, each person respects the beliefs of his or her group, family, or nation, as important, despite of the abrupt and apparent concerns (Klikauer, 2011). This stance is not just conformity to subjective expectations and social order, but also one of loyalty. According to Kohlberg, cultural relativist is often stuck in this stage due to their beliefs and cultural upbringing. Furthermore, I support this stance for different reasons. For example, I was raised to believe in Christianity is the right path to follow because my parents instill that religion into me as a child. In conclusion, many philosophers have both defended and opposed moral relativism. Recent research argues that normative moral theories should be controlled and explore by psychologists to grasp a more in-depth understanding (Quintelier Fessler, 2012). Researchers questioned the thought that individuals are or can be moral relativists. If so, can being a moral relativist affect can an individual’s moral functioning. This research is underutilized in theorists’ normative philosophies of relativism; all together, the pragmatic work is abstractly incoherent (Quintelier Fessler, 2012). The main objective of this assignment is to assimilate ethical and practical work on limitations about normative relativism. From my perspective, I support the individual and cultural relativity. As an African female, customs, traditions and religions played an essential role in my childhood as well as my growth. Biblical teachings were molded into my mind, heart, body and soul. My grandparents are the root to my development and ethical beliefs. How to cite Ethics in Contemporary Society, Papers

Stalins Corruption free essay sample

He certainly did have cause to believe in the power of a humans will as he experienced it in himself firsthand, having had extraordinary willpower and perseverance (He didnt call himself Man of Steel for nothing, folks), rising up from the lowly station of alcoholics son in Georgia to one of the biggest monsters in human history, supposedly killing more than Hitler. Exactly how did he do this? Why? And how did his corruption reach such extents as to do all this for power? Josef Stalin (originally named Josef Djugashvili) was born in Gori, a violent town in eastern Georgia, on the twenty-first of December, in 1878, to his parents Ketevan Geladze and Besarion Jughashvili. He lived for seventy-four more years, and in his time living became the totalitarian dictator over all of the Soviet Union. By the time he died in 1953, he was extremely corrupt. How, in these seventy-four years, did he get so corrupt? This essay answers this. Stalin took advantage of the weakness of the early Communist system to attain power. He did this because of his ambitious and power-hungry personality which, in part, had been caused by his troubled personal history. The corrupt actions of Joseph Stalin were made possible by the newly employed and therefore rather weak political system of Communism but were mostly caused by his power-hungry personality and troubled personal history, which led to the power having an extreme effect on him. The actual power did the corrupting, but these personal factors primed him for it. Stalin took advantage of the youth of the Communist system to gain power. He gained power from this because the rules of Communism werent set in stone, firmly established, and not everybody was thoroughly educated about Communism, and this way he could lie about the systems rules or develop his own to suit himself. In other words, Stalin got an almost clean slate to work off of. Stalin taking advantage of Communisms novelty is shown when he  simplified (or, perhaps more accurately, simply lied about) the words and works of Lenin. As it says in a well-informed articleIn bringing the message from the stratosphere to the ground, Stalin did for Lenin what, in a different context, Lenin had done for Marx (Pereira, 2). What did they do? Simplify. Twist meanings. Each time the message got into new hands, the meaning changed a little bit to suit their interests, but they still credited the respected people before them, so that they would seem like these people. Stalin took concepts over common folks heads, and brought it down to be understandable, in black and white without any gray tones, basically paraphrasing Lenins works (tweaking a bit here and there), making it simpler and easier for mass consumption. He gave people junk food speeches. He did this because he didnt care whether people were actually informed about the system they were living in, as long as they had reverenceaccording to Isaac Deutscher, he believed in information being pushed down their [the peoples] throats (Pereira, 4). Some of the key words in all of this are tweaking a bit, because tweak, Stalin did. After Lenin died, Stalin played the part of impromptu spokesperson for him, giving speeches like the famous oath of devotion to the just-deceased Lenin in which he said that In leaving us, Comrade Lenin ordered us to hold high and keep pure the great title of member of the Party. We vow to thee, Comrade Lenin, that we shall honourably fulfil this thy commandment In leaving us, Comrade Lenin ordered us to guard the unity of our Party like the apple of our eye. We vow to thee, Comrade Lenin, that we shall fulfil this thy commandment, too In leaving us, Comrade Lenin ordered us to guard and strengthen the dictatorship of the proletariat, etcetera. In this speech he made many feel-good generalizations, similar to the propaganda technique Glittering Generalities, using words and terms like honourably, pure, great, and apple of our eye, and all the while complimenting himself and flattering his audience. By acting as if his words were indirectly Lenins, Stalin could say almost any number of things with the people agreeing out of respect for Lenin. This relates to the propaganda technique Testimonial. There were other ways that he took advantage of how Communism wasthe omnipotent and omnicompetent boss was still the norm in a society so recently under Czarist authority (Pereira, 5). Because of this, Stalin could easily claim supremacy over the people of Russia, because they were used to this. Part of what helped Stalin attain so much power and therefore get so corrupt was all of this taking advantage of not completely set rules. But why did he want to take advantage of this for power? He did this because of his power-hungry personality. Stalins having a power-hungry personality is a big part of what made him corrupt, and is also a part of his corruption. Not many will dispute this, especially once faced with evidenceStalins craving for power is evident in many areas. He certainly had a lot of will-power to do as much as he did! One such example of this is accentuated by him opportunism and likeness to a chameleon; he would do almost anything to attain power, not having scruples or paying attention to ideals (although he harnessed those of the people to gain power! Stalin performed his great turn-about in late 1927 and took over the left analysis (Pereira, 5). This is interesting because Stalin had been on the more conservative right side of Communist politics. So what caused him to switch? The obvious answer is the sentence after, where it says that he was reaping clear political benefits. Looking deeper, he switched primarily because he needed an enemy. Robert Tucker depicts Stalin as the prey of his own deceit, saying that In Stalins mind, the hero-image of himself was in symbiosis with a villain image of the enemy. Counterposed to the picture of himself as a great revolutionary and Marxist [ ] was a picture of the enemy inside the party as a would-be betrayer of it and the Revolution (in Stalin and the Communist Party in the 1920s by Pereira, 4). This means Stalin didnt necessarily have anyone who openly opposed his views, but because he wanted to consolidate power, he needed to eliminate those who might take that power. Therefore he had to find something wrong with them, make them his opponents, and win against them in a battle of wills. So in this example, what Stalin was doing was politically positioning himself opposite those he felt threatened by. He had already exiled Trotsky and disposed of its other main proponents on the left in some fashion (whether it be disgrace, execution, or by some other means), so now he had no one to get rid of on the left. However, there were some challenging him on the right, so he switched over to the more radical side and ruined Bukharin, Rykov, and Tomsky. He had no care for those he damaged politically when he switched sides so abruptly; he only cared for the power he would gain from these new alliances and disengagement of old ones. But how did Stalin come to have such disregard for kindness? Many believe that this arose from the lack of kindness he was given. Stalin had a troubled childhood and background, being beaten, made fun of, and generally did not learn love. He grew up in a violent country, in a rough town, with a difficult family. This is evident in many accountsThe roots of violence ran deep in his family life and in Gori, where streetbrawling was the principal sport. Soso, as Stalin, born Josef Djugashvili, was called, suffered savage beatings from his alcoholic father and doting mother, who alternated smothering affection with harsh corporal punishment (Grimes, 1). This is basically saying that Stalin had a tough life as a kid, growing up where being cruel was almost a simple but enjoyable pastime. This probably made Stalin feel powerless, with such a strict, smothering mother, savage father, and gory Gori. Because Stalin felt powerless, he probably developed a great longing for power, and when he got it, didnt let go, adamantly refused to. Through this Stalin may have become corrupted and addicted to power. Most will attest that Stalin was extremely corrupt. He ruined the lives of thousands, millions even. How can the world avoid another Stalin? The first step would be to eliminate the variables that made him corrupt. Perhaps there should be more extensive social networks to intervene in family life and raise the quality of childrens lives. Maybe there should be new limits to alcohol consumption. And there should definitely be limits to a persons power. But how can society do these things without becoming a many-armed Stalin? How can the people intervene to prevent the variables that created Stalin without acting his part? Society must find a way to escape both totalitarianism and exorbitant capitalism without manifesting as the one percent of todays United States, or the failed Communist experiment corrupted by those like Stalin.