Math problems Speech or Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Math problems - Speech or Presentation Example Any negative value will be also inappropriate. 2. Examine the rise in gasoline prices from 1997 to 2006. The price of regular unleaded gasoline in January 1997 was $1.26, and in January 2006, the price of regular unleaded gasoline was $2.31 (â€Å"Consumer price index,† 2006). Use the coordinates (1997, 1.26) and (2006, 2.31) to find the slope, or rate of change, between the two points. Describe how you arrived at your answer. represents an estimate of the average cost of gas for year x starting in 1997 (â€Å"Consumer price index,† 2006). The year 1997 would be represented by x = 1, for example, because it is the first year in the study. Similarly, 2005 would be year 9, or x = 9. I expect the lines to be intersecting (or close to parallel) because there will be difference in average cost of gasoline each year and the price of gasoline in January of each year due to fluctuation of

Data Validation and Verification Essay Example for Free

Data Validation and Verification Essay Computers can produce inaccurate results only if the data inputted is incorrect. If an input is scanned in by a computer this reduces the risk of errors. In my system it is important that all the data is accurate as well as correct. There are two main ways of achieving this. These are Verification and Validation. Verification allows me to ensure that the data entered into my system is correct. This is important since when a new patient comes to join I will need to collect the correct information. As for validation, this will be useful so you can set various checks and limit the mistakes in the data. Verification By verifying what the computer comes up with you can reduce errors, like if you are at a catalogue shop and you tell the person behind the till a number and it comes up with an item. This item is then checked with the customer to check that it is the right item. The item is then sent down from their storage floor and is again verified that it is indeed the correct item. This constant verification greatly reduces errors I will need to use verification in two scenarios. These are booking an appointment in either person or on phone and when a new patient joins. I will deal with these two situations separately, firstly with booking appointments. In booking an appointment either on the phone or in person I will need to collect the following information. * Patient Number * Patient Name and Surname * D.O.B * Time and date of appointment I asking for the patients number will verify the above. When I have collected this I would have to ask a number of questions, such as the patients address or D.O.B to verify that this is the right person and no one is trying to make a hoax. Once I have got all his or hers details and allocated them a GP, I will check the data over again to confirm that its all correct. This will all be inserted directly into the system. When a patient calls over the phone I will use the same method of asking their Patient Number than asking a question such as their D.O.B to see if its the right person. Again once I have enough information to confirm that this isnt a hoax I will allocate them a GP, and check the data over again to confirm that it is correct. In this case the data would also be input directly into the system. When a new patient comes depending on how busy the surgery will depend what data entry method I would use. If it were busy then I would issue the person a paper-based copy of the Patients form for them to fill out. Once they had finished it I would ask them to check over it to confirm that all the information is correct. If the surgery wasnt busy then I would instead ask them the question in the intend that they can answer the questions for me to put the answers directly in the online system. Once all the questions had been asked I would then go over the answers once more to confirm everything is correct. This is how verification will be used in my system. Validation Validation is the process of detecting any data that is inaccurate, incomplete or unreasonable. A computer programme performs validation. Validation programmes will perform some or all of the following checks Character type checks Character checks to make sure that the right type of characters have been entered such as characters where there should be characters and numbers where there should be numbers Range checks That a value entered is in the right range e.g. 18 is not a valid age for a pension Hash Totals This will check that the values on something like an invoice have been keyed in correctly the hash total has no real meaning as a number Control total A control total is like a hash total except the total has a meaning like the cost of something Check digits When a number is directly inputted to a computer there will be errors and check digits are a way around this we call barcodes International Standard Book Number or ISBN Spelling checkers Any software with words in it should have a spell checking function Length checks Sometimes a certain item of information should always be a certain number of characters, then the length checker will alert you that the values are incorrect Types of Errors There are two main types of errors these are: Transcription errors Misreading or misunderstanding data causes these, this could be caused by bad handwriting or confusing handwriting for example where the letter s looks like the number 5. Transposition errors These errors occur where two digits or letters are swapped around as if you are working at high speed you dont always look at the screen so it is common to type ot instead of to or 5124 instead of 5214 about 70% of all errors are transposition errors. Within my system I have used Validation to hopefully enhance it and limit mistakes. 1. Here you can see that I have used validation to limit the number of characters that can be inputted into the surname. 2. Here I have used a data type filter so no numbers can be inserted in to the patients surname. This doesnt stop mistakes but will limit the mistakes within my system. 3. Here I have used an input mask this is so you automatically put a capital in the beginning of a surname. This rectifies the mistake of forgetting to put a capital at the start of a surname. Another, and more accurate method of validation within my system is the use of an input mask. I used a simple type of input mask in 3 above and here is another part in which I have used an input mask. Here you can see another example of an input mask in my system. This one is used for the Postcode. As you can see this input mask reduces mistakes by allowing the first two figures of the Postcode to be capital letters only and the next two numbers only. Then it has an automatic space. The next figure is a number with the remaining two being capital letters. This input mask is a good method of validation since it doesnt allow you to insert letters where numbers are required and vice-versa. It also automatically makes a space within your Postcode. The final method of Validation used in my system is the combo box. With this it only allows for a set number of answers. Of course this can only be used on a field that only has set answers such as sex or title. I have in fact used this on both of the prior mentioned. 1. Firstly I have set the type of control to Combo box. 2. In row source I have then chosen the values that you can select from. As you can see the only values selectable for the title table is Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms and Doctor. This has set up my combo box for use in both my patients form and table as you can see below. The above examples both show the combo box working successfully in my database. This actually limits the mistakes made since it is impossible to but Mr as MMR and Dr as SDFS. It allows is time saving and makes sure that the data isnt unreasonable and incomplete. As you can see the verification and validation methods used in my system enable me to have more accurate data, which is essential within a database of this importance. As the aim of this part of my system was, it allows me to ensure that the data input into my system is correct.

Analyzing The Moral Panic Of Media Media Essay

Analyzing The Moral Panic Of Media Media Essay Thompson(1998) describes 5 key elements in a moral panic. It is something or someone who is defined as a threat to values and interests; the threat is depicted in an easily recognisable form by the media, with use of aspects such as Exaggeration, distortion, prediction and symbolisation. This then causes a rapid build up of public concern. Newspaper coverage and news broadcasts are commonly known to exaggerate issues in society which then encourage the public to react timorous to the concerns. Lastly, moral panics are continuously used to result in; a response from the authorities or opinion-makers. Thus, this included changes made evident from law enforcement, the councils and general charity organisations. The final element is that panic recedes or results in social changes. There are many issues that are often subject to moral panics such as Youth Crime/Gun Crime, Binge Drinking, child abuse, sex and violent behaviour, drug abuse, paedophilia, the law and asylum seekers and immigration policy. A moral panic can be defined in several ways, one definition is a kind of short-hand for public hysteria, by definition irrational, and is almost always held to be indicative of someone elses behaviour rather than our own (Critcher, 2003). The media directs its judgments and perspectives at members of society that are classed as unacceptable or deviant. In his book Moral Panics and the Media, Chas Critcher explains that Moral panics involve a  ¿Ã‚ ½heightened level of concern over the behaviour of a certain group or category and the consequences that the behaviour presumably cause for the rest of society(Critcher,2003,pg 23). A moral panic must be manifested in concrete ways in other words there must be a public commentary in the form of media; such as newspaper coverage and news broadcasts. In relation to Thompsons description the media then proposes legislation and social movement activity. The media is acting as a voice for the public; some may argue that it offers biased/distorted views of issues which therefore cause a moral panic. Conversely, it can also be argued that the media plays a crucial role in establishing a moral panic as a way of creating awareness to the public; thus without media involvement this is not possible. A key subject that is continuously making heavy appearances in tabloid newspapers and news broadcasts daily; is Gun/Knife crime which is commonly affiliated with youth culture/youth gangs. To understand how Thompsons, Critchers and other theorists concept of moral panic works, analysis of media coverage is critical. The media has developed and distorted representations of British youth for a long time, and certain coverage in British cinema, documentaries, press coverage and broadcasting have made it evident that the representation of  ¿Ã‚ ½youth ¿Ã‚ ½ is seen as a threat to many. However the coverage differentiates from different forms of media. The coverage of moral panics in broadcasting differs to press; television news broadcasts, are described as unbiased and therefore have a minor affect on moral panics as the impact might have not been on such a large scale. However in major moral panics they tend to have the same large amount of coverage on daily. British Youth are constantly being associated with factors such as drug abuse, low achievers, under age drinking, ASBO ¿Ã‚ ½s , violence; leading to such headlines as  ¿Ã‚ ½Britain a nation of yobs ¿Ã‚ ½. The term  ¿Ã‚ ½yob ¿Ã‚ ½ and  ¿Ã‚ ½thug ¿Ã‚ ½ is commonly used in numerous press cuttings specifically from tabloid newspapers such as ¿Ã‚ ½The Sun ¿Ã‚ ½ and the  ¿Ã‚ ½Daily mail ¿Ã‚ ½. It can be argued that the depiction of a sterotypicaly  ¿Ã‚ ½thug ¿Ã‚ ½ is being used as the  ¿Ã‚ ½Folk Devil ¿Ã‚ ½. Moreover the use of these metaphors are adding to the sensation of the moral panic  ¿Ã‚ ½Yobs must get tough sentences not a slap on the wrist ¿Ã‚ ½,  ¿Ã‚ ½Another stab victim dies, yet yobs with blades could escape with fine ¿Ã‚ ½,  ¿Ã‚ ½Thug stabs student to death ¿Ã‚ ½ and  ¿Ã‚ ½Blade Britian ¿Ã‚ ½. The headlines are poignant and direct, ¿Ã‚ ½1 day. 5 dead ¿Ã‚ ½, this encourages the readers to be aware but also an element of paranoia can be injected provoking public distress, causing a stir in society. There is use of emotive language such as  ¿Ã‚ ½His mother has run out of tears ¿Ã‚ ½ and use of alliterations in  ¿Ã‚ ½Kids killing kids, families in fear, its time to say, No More ¿Ã‚ ½, these are examples of rhetoric which newspapers use to persuade its readers in supporting their views. An example the initial making of a moral panic is a headline used in the Daily Mail;  ¿Ã‚ ½Random attack by thugs every 30 seconds ¿Ã‚ ½. This can be described as heavily exaggerated which provokes public reaction and emotion. On the other hand, youth crime is rapidly increasing, in society.  ¿Ã‚ ½The amplification which takes place through the medias work serves to appeal to the public so that they concur with ready-made opinions about the course of action to be taken. Combined with the opinions of the experts who are wheeled out to give their diagnosis, they reach an agreement about how to cope with the situation in hand, and the problem either disappears or at least deteriorates. ¿Ã‚ ½(Burns:2000). In reference to Youth crime; various  ¿Ã‚ ½anti-gun/knife crime ¿Ã‚ ½ campaigns have been made and according to an article in 2008 from the  ¿Ã‚ ½Sunday Mirror ¿Ã‚ ½ the home secretary Jacqui smith states that  ¿Ã‚ ½thugs carrying knives will face four years in jail ¿Ã‚ ½. It can also be argued that moral panics can result in social change. In Conclusion, Sometimes  ¿Ã‚ ½panics ¿Ã‚ ½ have existed in society for a considerable time but a particular event has triggered the significance; although generally they pass as quickly as they came and are long forgotten. The media ¿Ã‚ ½s involvement plays a crucial role in the establishment of moral panics, as it raises awareness of serious ongoing issues. However it can be argued that it promotes a bias nature which can ultimately prevent the public from the truth.  ¿Ã‚ ½Yobs must get tough sentences not a slap on the wrist ¿Ã‚ ½.(The Sun;2008). The media ¿Ã‚ ½s powerful role can be criticised for using moral panics to enforce the ideas and rules about the government. Moral panics will continue to dominate society and the media; provoking public concern and sometimes legislation but there will always be questions doubting whether it does reinforces public opinion and if it is a voice for the people or a propaganda tool for the rich and powerful.

The Concert Experience and the Song as Oral Tradition :: Communication Literature Essays

The Concert Experience and the Song as Oral Tradition Before the invention of written language that enabled the creation of book technology, the spoken word was the leading edge of communication. Spoken epic poetry such as the Iliad and Odyssey, the Anglo-Saxon Beowulf, and the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh was the content of the speech medium. These epics were created as spoken pieces, and because listeners lacked an alphabet to commodify them (separate them from their performance), the tales had to be heard and experienced first-hand. This group experience of the spoken epic involves what authors Hobart and Schiffman term commemoration: â€Å"In the world before writing, memory is the social act of remembering† (15). The way pre-literate media (speech) shaped culture includes this commemorative act. Pre-literate cultures had no other way of storing information and memory than to relive it. They could not write something down, forget about it, and then relearn the same information at a later date by reading it, because they lacked the technology of the written alphabet necessary to do so. Of course, they had the recollecting powers of the mind alone, but as today's stories, passed from one person to the next inevitably change, so did oral communications as human recollection failed in terms of an exact repetition of the original performance. Hence, each time listeners heard a spoken account of the Iliad, it changed a bit. In terms of an exceptional pre-literate performer of the Iliad or Odyssey, Rober t Fitzgerald goes as far as to say that "He inherited a traditional art comparable in range and refinement to the art of the musical virtuoso in our day, but more creative and fluid, for in some degree it remained an art of improvisation" (484). Mnemonic devices such as rhyme and meter aided memory and kept the story on track (Hobart & Schiffman, 24), and as McLuhan would agree, can be counted as technological advances prior to the invention of alphabet because they extend language technology. An analog to the spoken epic experience is the modern-day concert experience. Both are examples of live performance. For an example, the Rolling Stones' song "Sympathy for the Devil" is more like a spoken epic than a written account of an epic. This is because song and spoken epic utilize the same medium.

Art History Paper †“the Denial of St. Peter” Essay

I chose the artwork â€Å"The Denial of St. Peter† attributed to Master Jacomo in the early mid-17th century made using either French or Italian style which consisted of oil on canvas. The physical condition of the painting looks good for how old it is and it looks clean. The painting represents a scene of a Roman guard interrogating St. Peter and a servant girl. St. Peter denies the fact that he is a follower of Jesus to the Roman soldier as the woman looks on. When I first saw the painting my eyes focused on the left side of the painting: then the followed the rest of it while noticing a dark and suspenseful scene that focused on the actions of many beings. The male and female on the right seem to on walk or stroll while the two males on the right are more on like a night shift or patrol. The people in the light are tenser and tight guarded while the two figures in the half dark are more open and smug with their facial features. The people in the light seem to be almost trying to hide something but it seems that the guard has some sort of idea what their hiding with the expression he has on his face. The guard might have a smug look but he has his right hand clenched meaning that not only is he cocky he is also a bit angry. The woman seems to be trying to hide the older male from the guard by putting his shroud over his face. The woman is also looking to her right which could give reference that she is lying because when people look to their right it says that they are using their right side of their brain which is where their creativity is. It seems that she is trying to lie in order to hide his identity. The old male however seems to trying to reassuring the guard to clear them of any suspicion that he may have of them. He is looking straight at him without doubt of fear in his eyes. The male that is in the back is trying to get a look at the old male and female while blocking most of the light from his ey es with his right hand. The most interesting part is the lit candle that the man is holding in his left hand as it is the only source of light in this painting. The guard is holding the other man by the wrist as he tries to steady the light. The funny thing is the light plays more of a role here than its purpose. The effect that is being used right now is the Chiaroscuro effect which is the strong contrast between light and dark. In this painting there is a strong contrast of light and dark. St. Peter and the woman faces and hands are in the light while their lower bodies are in darkness. For the guard if face and hand are the only parts in the light while the other male holding the candle only has half his face in the light. Also the light plays another part as showing who knows, who doesn’t, and who believes. In this painting the woman is in full light with the exception of some of her left side of the head this could refer that she knows of the old man’s identity. For the guard we can only see half his face in the light which could refer that he had some idea of who the old man is but he is still is not totally sure which could explain his smug expression of thinking he has St. Peter. The old man is in total light which is justified because he knows who he is so of course he would be know the truth. Now the man in the back his face would be in total light if his hand wasn’t covering his face which could mean he might know who the old man is but is trying to hide the truth from himself which is weird because he is the one holding the candle to begin with. Now the colors used in this painting are mostly dark colors. The scenery color does not vary. There is more focus on the middle detail and color on the middle portion of the painting rather than on the sides of the painting. The only color that really stands out is the red that the woman is wearing which draws attention to her. It could also mean anger showing that she could be angry that they were found. St. Peter is dressed in black with a brown shroud over his body and head. The black almost hides him in the dark with the brown as a cover if the light wasn’t on him. The black represent his inconspicuous while the brown shows his stability and connectivity with the earth. The guard is dressed in grey armor as he almost hiding himself in darkness also ready to come out whenever needed. It almost gives an ominous and depressing feeling when seeing that grey in the darkness. It could show that by meeting this guard they are facing exposure and loss. The light of the candle is again a bright color that illuminates everything in its path. It symbolizes the light of truth showing who knows what truth is and who does not. Other than those colors, darkness fills the rest of the painting obviously showing that this is a night scene. This painting showed a lot of effects that takes a while to see when looking at this painting. It was a great painting that I had a good sense of style and it had good hidden symbols in the painting. The artist really showed the Chiaroscuro effect and played the light well. Think the artist not only wanted to show â€Å"The Denial of St. Peter† but he also wanted to show how the light and truth have ties with each other. It probably the artist way of saying the light will always guide you to the truth.

Why we should go to war with Iraq!

Why we should go to war with Iraq! To those who believe President Bush is a warmonger, singling-out North Korea and Iraq for his own self-serving political agenda; to those who believe that we should "give peace a chance"; I have but one thing to say: "WAKE UP!"What did you expect the United States to do after the twin towers and Pentagon were attacked? Write up a treaty for the Taliban? Beg bin Laden for mercy? The fact is that terrorists and the countries that support them, will not abide by political documents.When al-Qaeda murdered our citizens with no remorse, it was a reminder that diplomacy only works for countries... countries that are willing to change.Terrorists have no regard for our lives (or theirs). If you think that our government doesn't consider the ramifications of the use of force, you don't realize what we're truly fighting for. It's freedom, not oil.Listen for a second.English: Hamid Mir interviewing Osama bin Laden fo...What do you hear? Explosions? No. When was the last time your city was bombed ? When was the last time that you had to fear for your life? The U.S. projects its political power through force to protect you here at home, so your life isn't full of tragedy.Fighting fire with fire suppressing killing with more killing may seem immoral, but those who have compromised our lives obviously are not moral beings. Besides, what's immoral about protecting ourselves?To say that war does no good is to negate the very reason that thousands have died in the past. Those who fought for this country's freedoms had so much faith in this nation; they put you and your family and the future of America before their own lives.You may think that the solution is simple, that we can keep peace by being a global recluse. But...

Group Forming †Psychology Final Group Research Paper

Group Forming – Psychology Final Group Research Paper Free Online Research Papers Group Forming Psychology Final Group Research Paper Group is two or more interdependent individuals who influence one another through social interaction. (Donelson R. Forsyth, pg.2) Group therapy is setting in a group of people support each other in making changes in their lives. Some common concerns are discomfort in social settings, depression, relationship issues, loss, anxiety, or trauma. (The university of Maine-group therapy- see QA: Isn’t individual better than group therapy) The group size is usually depend on the age of clients, experiences of leader, type of group and problem to be explored. For a weekly ongoing adult group, the ideal group size would be eight participants and one counselor. For adolescent, the ideal group size would be six to eight people. For children participant in elementary school, the ideal size would be three to four people. The frequency of the group meeting is depending on the group. If the group taking place in a school setting, the meeting time would depend on the class period. For group of relatively well-functioning adults, weekly two hours group session would be good for them. In general, the high school groups and college groups typically run about fifteen weeks. Fifteen weeks should be longer enough for people to develop trust toward behavior change. The place to held meeting should be not clutter, and allow for comfortable seating arrangement. Groups usually seat in a circle because this setting could make all participants to see each other and also allow members have enough freedom of the physical movement. (Marianne Schneider Corey and Gerald Corey, 2005) For the in-class group, we have seven participants that include six students and one professor. We usually held our meeting in the classroom, and the meeting usually runs by half hour or less than one hour. During the group meeting, we always seat in a circle. Advantage, Disadvantage and Goal of Group Group provides some advantages which include support, belonging, awareness, confrontation, universality, catharsis, vicarious learning, group as a microcosm, feedback, and simulation of primary family. For example, the group of physical difficulties. The group counseling with people who have physical difficulties, the advantage would be following: 1. Group can help people strive toward the resolution of some common by providing them with the opportunity to learn from one another through sharing common concern and problem and generating solutions to obstacles and difficulties. 2. Group offer members a forum for the emotional release of burdensome personal issues in a supportive setting. Realizing that others face similar problems tends to lessen the anxiety and fear that accompany various disabling conditions. 3. The group experience can partially alleviate the stress, pain, and misery often generated by physician disability and further aggravated by social isolation, separation from family and friend, and perceived alienation from one’s own group. 4. The group experience eases the transition into the able-bodied community. Through modeling and various socialization and social building exercise, group members learn and practice how to better deal with outside community and its various imposed barriers. 5. Through the group modality, leader are able to develop a more accurate and comprehensive psychosocial assessment of group members. 6. Development of social support network is often facilitated through the relationship formed during group counseling. Issues such as empowerment, hopefulness, search for meaning, and gaining spirituality require a support network to be fully explored. A successful platform for their exploration can be provided within a group context. (Hanoch Livneh, Lisa M Wilson, Robert E Pullo, 2004) The disadvantage of the group would be following: It’s difficult to establish trust between all members in the group. It is harder to ensure confidentiality. There is higher risk of having causalities in group It is more difficult for the counselor to track all the participants. Each group has their own goal to move on. The goal would separate two parts which include group goals and individual goal. Following are the common goals to many different types of group. Become aware of one’s interpersonal style Increase awareness of what prevent intimacy Learn how to trust oneself and others Become aware of how one’s culture affect personal decision Increase self-awareness and thereby increase the possibilities for choice and action Challenge and explore certain early decisions (most like made during childhood that may no longer by functional Recognize that others have similar problems and feelings clarify values and decide whether and how to modify them Become both independent and interdependent Find better ways to resolve problem Become more open and honest with selected others Learn a balance between support and challenge Become sensitive to the needs and feelings of others Provide others with helpful feedback (Marianne Schneider Corey, and Gerald Corey,2005, pg. 146) A good group leader has to assist group member to define a personal goal. The ASGW guideline state that group leader has responsibility to assist members in develop their personal goal in a collaborative fashion. (Marianne Schneider Corey, and Gerald Corey, 2005, pg. 148) For example, Alcoholic Anonyms (AA) Group, the goal for AA would be stop drinking, stay sobriety. For people who went to AA, AA help abuser confront difficult issues and learn to cope with life stresses more effectively. AA provide very supportive network. In our group, the advantage would be there is no judging. The fact is there is no one has an experience to work with a counseling group. Therefore, all of us here is to learn how to work with a group, how to lead a group, being a leader what should we focus on, and what should we take care of. We are here to understand and help each other to live in better life. So, there is no right or wrong answer. The main goal is to learn how to be a success counselor in our future life. The disadvantage in our in-class group would be hard to lead the group. I felt when we running a group and a leader asked anyone wants to share; we would always quiet for a period. There is no one wants to start discussion. Why Group therapy better than Individual Therapy? Group therapy is typically half the cost of individual therapy and is therefore often a first resort for people who cannot afford private sessions or steep insurance copays. (Darby Saxbe, 2005) â€Å"Research has demonstrated that almost any concern that brings you in for counseling can be dealt with in group therapy as well or even better than it can in individual therapy.† (The university of Maine-group therapy- see QA: Isn’t individual better than group therapy) â€Å"Group therapy usually more efficient than individual for two reasons which are following: First, you can benefit from group even during session when you say little by listening carefully to others. You will find you have much in common with other group member, and as they work on a concern you can learn more about yourself. Second, group members will often bring up issues that strike a chord with you, but which you might not have been aware of or brought up yourself.† (Therapy groups at CAPS- se e QA: isn’t individual therapy better?) According to Philip G Erwin’s (1999) study, he found for people who participant in structure group counseling, they often rate more positively than individual counseling. A structure training program would help participants’ focus on current tasks and prevent excessive off-task behavior. The study also point out a structure group counseling may be useful for directing and focusing activity, experience are always interpreted and the full benefit of exercises will undoubtedly accrue to those who are most fully involved and committed. Rule for running a group The first rule for running a group would be Do No Harm. Second rule would be confidentiality. When we running our in-class group, group leaders always mention those two rules which would be â€Å"Do No Harm and whatever says here, stays here†. When I participant the AA meeting, they also mention the second rules all the time. â€Å"Everything says here, stays here† To provide a safety environment is extremely important in the group. The third rule for running a group would be respectful. Each group members have to respect one another includes sex, culture, and etc. Group Process Groups always run into four stages which include Initial Stage, Transition Stage, Working Stage, and Ending or Termination Stage. Initial Stage: ? Characteristics of initial stage: ? Participants test the atmosphere and get acquainted ? Risk taking is relatively low, and exploration in tentative ? Members are concerned with whether thy are include or exclude ? Trust and mistrust is a central issues ? Period of silence and awkwardness may occur ? Member are deciding how much they will disclosed and how safe the group is ? Common fear experienced by group members: o Anxiety over being accepted or rejected o Concern about the judgment of others o Afraid of appearing stupid o Concerns about not fitting into the group o Not knowing what is expected o Concern over communication feelings and thoughts effectively ? Advantage of developing here and now focus ? Dealing with the here and now energizes the group ? Members are best know by disclosing here and now experience ? Being in the here and now serves as a spring borad for exploring everyday life ? Leader attitude and behavior that generate test ? Careful attending the genuine listening empathy ? Empathy ? Genuineness and self-disclosure ? Respect ? Caring confrontation ? Group leader issues at the initial stage ? Division of responsibility- how to achieve a balance of sharing responsibility with members ? Degree of structuring- creating a structure that will enable members to make maximum use a group process ? Opening group session- how to best open group and help member gain a focus ? Closing group session0 how to best bring a session to closure without closing down further work later on? ? Rounds: We will address next week. (Walter,2005) I remembered the first experience when I walking to the class, I felt nervous, anxious. The first night, we had ice break activity. The purpose of the activity is to make all of us to know more about each other. When we started to run the group, I felt a little bit uncomfortable, because I am going to share the stuff with people that I am not familiar with, that really feel not so good because I don’t know I can trust them or not. Sep. 14 is the first of our in-class group meeting, we were talking about self-image. I shared my experience regarding language barriers that would make me frustrated. Jan and Terry also shared their experience regarding people misunderstand them would make them frustrated. Jan shared her experience regarding when she is not angry and people keep asking her are you angry? That would make her frustrated and then, really angry at the end. At the begging, I felt it would be really hard to start to talk about. But, after I started, I felt it is not hard, especially, I felt all of you were respect me, and really pay attention regarding what I said in the group. All of the members support me to share my experience that was really positive to me. I felt people wanted to listen to me; they cared about what I said. None of you cut off when I was speaking. It made me felt safe and support of the environment. A counselor to provide a safety environment is very important in this stage because most of the member would felt uncomfortable at the beginning. To provide a safety environment would keep members to stay in the group. We should give newcomer a positive experience of their first meeting. If we provide a negative experience to our clients, they would never come back. Transition Stage ? Characteristic of the transition stage ? Transitional phase is marked by feeling of anxiety and defenses ? Member are ? Testing the leader and other members to determine how safe the environment is ? Struggling between wanting to ply it safe and wanting to risk getting involved ? Observing the leader to determine if he or she is trustworthy ? Learning how to express themselves so that others will listen ? Thought on dealing with resistance therapeutically ? Don’t label all hesitations as a sign of resistance ? Respect resistance- realize that member resistance may be serving a function ? Invite members to explore the meaning of what appears to be resistance ? Describe behavior of members-avoid making too many interpretations ? Approach resistance with interest, understanding, and compassion ? Common fears at the transition stage ? Fear of making a fool of oneself ? Fear of emptiness ? Fear of lose control ? Fear of being too emotional ? Fear of self-disclosure ? Fear of taking too much o group time ? Fear of being judged ? Leader function during the Transition group ? Show member the value of recognizing and dealing fully with conflict situations ? Help members to recognized their own pattern of defensiveness ? Teach members to respect resistance and to work constructively with the many forms it tasks ? Provide a model for members by dealing directly and tearfully with any challenge ? Encourage members to express reactions that pertain to here and now happening in the session Working Stage ? Key point in working stage ? There are no arbitrary dividing line between each stage of group ? Group development ebbs and flows- does not stay static ? Work can occur at every stage-not just the working stage ? Not all group reach a working stage ? Not all members are functioning at the same level in a working stage ? Group norm and behavior at the working stage ? Both support and challenge to take risk in group ? Leader use a variety of therapeutic interventions ? Members interact with each other in more direct way ? Healing capacity develops within the group ? Increased group cohesion fosters action-oriented behaviors ? Characteristic of a productive group ? Conflict in the group is recognized and explored ? Members are willing to make themselves known ? Trust are safety are increased ? There is a focus on the here and now ? Goals of members are clear and specific ? Cohesion is high-a sense of emotional bonding in the group ? Characteristic of nonworking group ? Mistrust is manifested by an undercurrent of unexpressed feelings ? Participants focus more on others than themselves ? Participants hold back- disclosure is minimal ? Members may feel distant from one another ? Conflicts are ignored or avoided ? Communicational is unclear and indirect The film- Twelve Angry Men is a good movie to present this stage. In the movie, twelve juries are working on the same goal. The goal is clear and specific for them; the goal is to decide the boy is guilty or not. According the movie, we can see the members interact with each other more directed way. They have conflict during the process. For example, character number 3 had been fight with character number 8. They are focus here and now during the process, such as, they focus on every question they had been raised, and try to solve the problem together. Like the glass mark on the nose. In the film, both support and challenge take risk in the group. During the group process, character number 8 had been raise a big issues for other juries, and then, he encourage others to share their idea, also encourage them to find out more evidence to prove the boy might probably not guilty. Nov 16th, I believe Chris play an amazing job on working stage. During the group session, he asked couple of questions that make all of us to think about the film again. He provide the positive feedback during the group session, for example, when Terry point out the Character number 8 were like angry in the film because he is the only one who wear White. Chris gave the positive feedback to Terry, such as, â€Å"yes, you are right, when think about the film again, when he was stand in front of the window, he is the only one who were white, others were blacks.† Then, Chris made other question that made us interesting about the topic. For example, he raised the problem like, â€Å"Let’s talks about other characters in the film, and is there are anyone thinks they would change? And what they get from the group?† And, that really make all of us to discuss the character regarding what their got from the group, and what kind of issue they might changed, and how could I see the point of that person. During the group session, he listened to us, he brings issues that make all of us to find the comment, he also encouraged us to talk about their experience and he give a positive feedback. Termination Stage ? Tasks of the final stage of group ? Dealing with feeling of separation and unfinished business ? Review the group experience ? Preview the group experience ? Practice for behavior change ? Giving and receiving feedback ? Ways of carrying learning further ? The use of contract and homework ? Leader functions during the ending phase of group ? Assist members in dealing with any feeling they might have about termination ? Reinforce changes that members have made during the group ? Work with members to develop specific contracts and homework assignment ? Provide opportunities for members to give one another constructive feedback ? Reemphasize the importance of maintaining confidentiality after group is over ? Leader function after termination of group ? Offer private consultations if any member should need this service ? Provide for a follow-up group session or follow-up individual interviews ? Identify referral sources for members who may need further assistance ? Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the group ? Giving and receive feedback at the ending stage The sentence completion method can enhance the quality of feedback can result in focus feedback, such as following: ? My greatest fear for you is†¦ ? My hope for you is.. ? I see you blocking your strengths by†¦ ? Some things I hope you will think about doing for yourself are†¦ ? Applying what is learned in group to everyday life Members can reminded of way to translate what was learned in group and assisted in developing action plans geared to change, such as following: ? A group is a means to an end ? Change is bound to be slow and subtle ? Focus more on changing yourself than on changing others ? Decide what you will do with what you learned about yourself (Walter, 2005, lecture six) According to our in-class group experience, we did not run into this stage. But, according to Corey’s videotape, he did present this stage very well. In this stage, it is very important for group members to bring the power from the group to outside. Being a good counselor, we have to challenge client to make contract, have homework, make them realize the unfinished business, and etc. For client, it’s all about what you learning, how did you lean, and what do you think you taking away from the group. Those are the issues present in Termination stage. If I am a group leader who is going to run Termination stage, I will give homework to all of my group members on the session before the last meeting. The homework is to review your experience about the group. You can put your thinking, what did you learn from the group, the group experience which would be significant for you and etc. On the last day of the course, I want my group members to share what they wrote in the group. And, I would also want them to make a contract to the group regarding unfinished business. I want my groups walk out the door; and still remember the experience they got from the group. The experience would help them and encourage them keep working in their life. What would influence the group development? George Smith (2001) mention there are three factors that McCollom (1999) point out would affect the group development. The factors are (1) group’s relationship with its environment, (2) internal group relations, and (3) the group’s temporal boundaries. The group’s environment would influence the group relationship. Such as, the large organization can affect group process in terms of authority relations and in the defining of group tasks. Internal relations would also affect on group development. That included the composition and site of the group and skills and personalities of group members. The study shows the leadership dynamic and subgroup relations within the group are potential forces that could affect group development. The group’s temporal boundaries are also another element affect group development. McCollom notes groups are like other living system therefore, their lives are finite. Another important time-related factor is what McCollom refers to as â€Å"temporal context.† â€Å"Temporal context reers to things such as seasonal cycles or historal evenbts, presumably past, present and future, and could affect how a group operated, develops, and perhaps even changes over time.† Role in group There are three different roles which include leadership, observer and participant would be presenting in the group. ? Leadership- â€Å"Leadership is influence, operating, and improving. Influence client by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. Operating is an action taken to achieve the sort term goals of accomplishing the overall goals. Group leader would operating planning preparing, executing, and assessing. Improving is group leader strive to improve everything entrusting to them. Group leader would improve on people, training opportunities, and resource for clients. There are five different leader styles which are following: 1. Directing leader style- ? Leader Centered ? Don’t solicit input form clients ? Give detailed instructions ? Supervise execution very colsely 2. Participating leader style- ? Center pm the leader and the group ? Leader ask clients for input, information and recommendations ? Make final decision themselves 3. Delegating leader style- ? Giving clients the authority to solve problems and make decision without clearing them thought the leader. 4. Transformational- Transform clients by challenging them to rise above their immediate needs and self interest: ? Is developmental, emphasizes personal growth and organizational enhancement ? Empowering and mentally stimulating client (first as individuals then as a groups) ? Leader communicates intent then steps back and let clients work. The impact of transformation leadership on the group would be following ? Impact ? Recruiting-selection, promotion, and transfer ? Development ? Training ? Approach to training ? Leadership education ? Job design and assignment ? Organizational structure 5. Transactional- ? Motivating clients to work by offering reward or threatening punishment ? Prescribing tasks in writing ? Outlining all condictions of task completion ? Management by exception-focus on failures† ( Walter, 2005) Our in-class group is hard to assign a group leader each time. The first time experience to participant the group is a treasure for group leader, because the emotion, feeling that you had at that moment would guild you to understand a new comer’s emotion and feeling. ? Observer- Being an observer in the group, I have to know who is participant the group, the position of their role, to understand the whole process regarding what type of the issue bring to the group, the interaction between the members, and etc. Those are important to address. For our in-class group, I tried to put myself to be an observer every time. Being an observer I have to know who set where, and the interaction between the members. On Nov 16th, Chris was a leader to lead us to running to the group regarding the topic to discuss the film of twelve angry men. We were set in a circle, the turn would be Chris, Dr. Walter, Darrel, Terry, me, Daniel, and Jan, (left turn) The stage would be working stage. Chris asked couple of questions that make all of us to think about the film again. When Terry point out the Character number 8 were like angry in the film because he is the only one who wear White. Chris gave the positive feedback to Terry, such as, â€Å"yes, you are right, when think about the film again, when he was stand in front of the window, he is the only one who were white, others were blacks.† The question that Chris had raised, make us interesting on the topic. I do believe he create an amazing job on Work stage. He listened to us, he gave issues that make all of us to find the comment, and he also encouraged people to talk about their experience. For example, he raised the problem like, â€Å"Let’s talks about other characters in the film, is there are anyone think they would change? And what they get from the group?† that really make all of us to discuss the character regarding what their got from the group, and what kind of issue they might changed, and how could I see the point of that person.† To observer AA meeting, make me realize what is AA, how’s the group function, the interaction between the members. AA is self-funning group. People would attend AA because they want to stop drink. Stop drinking is their specific goal. In the group, I saw the connection between the members which was they all had drinking problem; therefore, thy found the common between them. During the group session, I saw safety, trusting, and confidentiality. They all focus on themselves, not other people, not the relationship with any one else. They just focus on themselves. They shared their life stories, they might cry in the group. The advantage for people to attend AA was there was no judge. For me, to attending AA is a great experience to combine with our group counseling course because I saw the group running exactly what I learned. I saw what is AA, the goal for AA, how could AA running, what would AA provide to people, and the interaction between the members. ? Participant- usual participant experience. Add the feeling, and what do I see in AA In our group session, I do have more chance to being a participant. I still remember the first experience to participant the group. I am anxious, nervous, and not comfortable to talk to people who I am not familiar with regarding my problem in my life. Attending our group meeting make me realize there are some connect between us. For example, when we discuss self-image, I found the common connection between all of the people in the classroom. The language barriers make me frustrated when people misunderstand. Sometimes the tone and the statement were all make me frustrated. Jen and Terry also talked about what people misunderstand them, which would make them frustrated, too. Jan shared her experience regarding when she is not angry, and people keep tell her or ask her regarding â€Å"you are angry†, that would make her frustrated and angry at the end. Our In-class running group, we had been discussing different topics that full in our life. The first time experience would be a trouser for me because the feeling I got at the moment would be the same feeling that newcomer might have. Multicultural â€Å"Self-disclosure is a central behavior in group counseling, which is fundamental to all therapeutic factors in group work. The behavior is particular sensitivity to cultural differences when comparing collectivist authoritarian societies with individualist, democratic ones.† (Zipora Shechtman, Aya Hiradin, and Samahar Zina, 2003) Counselors are ethnically responsible for developing skills to communicate effectively with clients from other cultures. Therefore, a white counselor should be striving to obtain both actual experience and information about specific Black cultural group and their worldviews. The counselor should take time to find out from the client about those aspects of his or her culture that are particularly significant to the counseling relationship. Counselors also need to acquaint themselves with how their cross-cultural clients refer to themselves and their own communities. A professional counselor should create a positive regard, and empathy, has the potential to span cultural boundaries. (Jurdora J. Spangenerg, 2003) There is a real study of a support group for Asian international students by Loetta L. Carr, Miki Koyama, and Monica Thiagarajan (2003) They point out to assist cross culture groups especially international students, counseling has to know the culture values, beliefs, and etc. For Asian students, they think to see counseling as shameful and embarrassing because a cultural stigma is often attached to emotional expression in their societies. A professional counselor has to build up support, safe environment when he/ she work with multicultural group. In this study, â€Å"the support group is seeing for socializing; practicing English; addressing academic, personal and social concern, and acculturation stresses; and receiving support from culturally sensitive counselor.† I am an international student in U.S.A., I could understand when people coming from different country their emotion, and thinking. My experience tells me to help those students to give support and a positive feedback and listen to them are the best way to encourage those students to move on. I still remembered the pain of prejudice, and non-respect. Therefore, those are good lesson for me when I face people who coming from different ethic group. Personal Growth The first day of the counseling session, I was nervous, anxious, little bit afraid, don’t know what should I talk to others. Until, I was kind families, understand, and comfortable to be with each one of the classmate. Who else do I see the growth for our in-class group? I did have chance to work with each participant in our class. And, I got deep impression of Jan. Jan had two experience to lead our in-class group. I personal felt she did the first one better than second one. But, the second one, she did pay attention on On Dec. 7th, is the first time, I had an experience to work with Jan. we have to practice training exercise number one which is a college student who have a problem regarding her school. She thinks she is not good enough in U of C. And, she is the first person to pursue a college education in her family. In this case, I was a student, and Jan was a counselor. When we role play this case, I felt she really concerned about my case. Her questions were right on target. For example, is there are any problem that makes you cannot concentrate on your reading? How about your time management? How many courses do you take this semester? She also did a good job regarding referral. Such as, she suggests me to find a tutor. I felt what she had been done on the role play; she did followed ADDRESSING, ADDIE, and BASIC ID. ADDRESSING- o A- age and generational influences o D-development o D-disabo;otoes o R-religious and spiritual orientation o E-ethnicity o S-socioeconomic status o S-sexual orientation o I-indigenous heritage o N-national origin o Gender ADDIE o A-Analysis o D-Design o D-Development o I-Implement o E-evaluate BASIC-ID o Behavior o Affect o Sensation o Imagery o Cognition o Interpersonal o Drug/biology (Walter, Lecture #10, 2005) What else do I learn from the class? On Nov. 30th is my first time to being a counselor. I volunteer to be a counselor with Dem’s case. Terry was a role of Dem. I took the chance to be a counselor because of two reasons; first, I never have chance of role play for the counselor. Second, I really want to see what I grew after taking many of the counseling courses. Third, I felt more comfortable to role play in front of you-Dr. Walter because since I have class with you, you always support me a lot. Being a success counselor, there are five different parts that we have to pay attention, which are Attending, paraphrasing and summarizing, Reflect the feeling, Getting Concrete, and Referral. (1) Attending includes- direct eye contact, body language/post out, focus, listen to client, smooth and clam. When student come to your office, a counselor should stand up and welcome the student. The office should be always open and welcome. (2) Paraphrasing and Summarizing- is to stop client rambling. Counselor should make a cl ear statement regarding what client told you. You may make clear statement about client’s feeling. 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