Gay Marriage Essay - 1431 Words

The issue of gay marriage has been stirring controversy among the nation for some years. Previously considered a taboo subject and only discussed within the gay community, the issue of gay marriage has made it to the forefront of national headlines. Many states are currently allowing the issue to be decided on by the voters. However, the gay community still faces some obstacles in their fight for equality. While the issue of gay marriages is gaining more acceptances, homosexual couples who choose to marry still face issues unlike those of interracial couples in the past. Like interracial couples in the 1950s and 1960s, homosexuals have had to fight for their rights to marry the person of his or her choosing. There were laws dating back†¦show more content†¦Kailas 2005). Many people are in favor of legalizing a civil union or domestic partnership for same sex couples but will stop short on agreeing to a marriage between same sex couples. Legalizing same sex marriage would give gay couples the same rights and privileges of heterosexual couples. The issues of health insurance, death and survivor benefits, and the right to file their income tax as married are just a few of the issues they seek to rectify. If one of the partners in a gay relationship becomes the victim of a violent crime, the other one does not have the same protections of heterosexual couples, such as confidentiality of address or the right to make an impact statement in a court of law. If one partner is a police officer, fire fighter or in the military and are killed in the line of duty, they cannot receive any of the survivor’s benefits. If there are minor children in the relationship, the surviving partner does not have any parental rights to that child. Currently, there are five states that allow gay marriage. The state of New Jersey allows same-sex couples to enter in to a civil union. A civil union is a form of relationship recognition that gives same-sex couples access to the state-level only rights and responsibilities of marriage. Same-sex couples living in California, the District of Columbia, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington state can take advantage of broad domestic partner laws that,Show MoreRelatedEssay on Gay Marriage 1616 Words   |  7 Pages Gay marriage is a very talked about topic in are country that shouldn’t be ignored. I believe men and women should be able to love freely and not be shamed by it. Marriage is a great factor in the United States. To some people it’s what we live for; is to get married and start a family. To not give everyone the same opportunity to have a happy marriage and family is unlike us. This problem is bringing a lot of hate, the same hate that was used in racial discrimination so why not give gays equalRead More Gay Marriage Essay1308 Words   |  6 Pageshousing, jobs, public accommodations, and should have equal access to government benefits, equal protection of the law, and other rights granted to US citizens. However, when the topic of marriage arises, all the talk of equality ceases. Over fifty percent of all people in the United States oppose homosexual marriage, despite the fact that most are otherwise supportive of homosexual rights. This means that many of the same people who are even passionately in favor of homosexual rights oppose homosexualsRead MoreArgumentative Essay on Gay Marriage842 Words   |  3 Pages Grammar and Composition lesson 75 Argumentative Essay on Gay Marriage Marriage is the ceremonial binding of two people, male and female, into one couple. Historically, marriage has been the institution when a man and a woman join together with the promise of love, devotion, to always stay together, to be there for each other, to take care of one another and to start a family together. Biblically, marriage has been all the aspects above, but including honoring, loving andRead MoreGay Marriage Moment Essay951 Words   |  4 PagesGay Marriage Moment Gay marriage should be allowed nobody is perfect. In this world we all have the ability to love somebody. We shouldn’t judge others, all of us are human beings just because we don’t like a man or women of our kind. Each one of us that are homosexuals or lesbians or gays. Doesn’t mean that we can’t have the same things as men and women some people believe that same sex marriage is against their morals and their religious won’t accept it. Gay marriage should be allowed because theRead MoreGay Marriage Essay977 Words   |  4 PagesHomosexual Marriage and Equalityp In the midst of war and economy decline, Americans are being thrown a curveball that may change the way of their culture is forever; the idea of legalizing homosexual marriage. Frankly speaking, this idea was once new, strange, and deemed unnatural and it is now one of the biggest social controversies in our country. However, United States was built on the idea of federalism; the separation of power between federal and state government along with ideas of civilRead MoreEssay on Gay Marriage1455 Words   |  6 Pagesright: homosexuality. The marital rights of gay couples are violated every day because of the fear of the destruction of marriage and religious condemnation of homosexuals; however, many people are trying to get gay marriage legalized. The marital rights of gay couples are violated every day. Thousands of people are affected by same-sex marriage bans worldwide. The most widely approved estimate is that one in twenty people is homosexual (â€Å"Do Ask, Do Tell; Gay Statistics† 1). This would mean that 5%Read MoreGay Marriage Essay1744 Words   |  7 Pages 02/02/2012 Legalizing same-sex marriage has been a debate going on for quite some time. The recognition of such marriages is a civil rights, political, social, moral, and religious issue in many nations. Since 2001, ten countries have begun allowing same-sex couples to marry nationwide. In the United States the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage, but such marriages are recognized by some individual states. Proposition 8 in November 2008Read MoreEssay on Gay Marriage1657 Words   |  7 PagesMarriage is the legal or religious ceremony that formalizes the decision of two people to live as a married couple. Marriage should not be based on what others think. When people get married in a heterosexual union, they do it for their own happiness, not for the happiness of others. Gay marriage is the same way. Homosexuality has always been around and will continue to exist. Why should homosexuals be denied the rights of heterosexuals? No one has the right to say that homosexuals can not marryRead MoreGay Marriage Essay1335 Words   |  6 PagesGay Marriage People should be able to marry whomever they want and they shouldnt have the fear to be judged and have the same rights of everybody else becasue they are people just like us. Gay marriage has affected the country in many ways. It was legalized just two years ago by the Supreme Court ruling it (www.theatlantic.com). I chose this topic because people should do what they want and marry who they want so they have the same rights as everybody else. There was 14 states that did not allowRead MoreEssay on Gay marriage827 Words   |  4 Pages Critical Review - Gay Marriage â€Å"Unnatural† Sheldon L, 1996, Gay Marriage â€Å"Unnatural†, USA Today, USA. Homosexual marriage is one of the old but controversial issues around the world. Compared to the past, it seems to become a more open debate among people. At the same time, people seem to be more swayable than before, but towards the gay marriage, different voices have still been hovering in the air. Gay people and their supporters have been striving for their rights to get married legally, while

The Story of a Man Turned Jazz Musician - 771 Words

Whether it’s a musician, singer, artist or anyone else, everyone have to go through the journey of life by facing difficulties. It’s a story about one day, just like several days where a jazz musician has been interviewed near the national forest. After being asked about why he changed his profession, he tells something amazing. (He tells) In this world there are two types of people: Polite, shy and religious, and on the other hand who is the self- styled ladies’ man. My life starts from ‘World War’ where from several bombings and deaths including fire in forests my family decides to change the Home- town to Paris. As a child I was polite and shy. When I had family problems during which my mother and father divorced and got separated. I changed my interest several times including arts, music, and writing and now as an adult in girls. I had several girls in my life. Finally, One day when I was in a good mood because of joking around with the friends, after the lunch I met someone and for the first time, I felt as if I am so lucky to be the part of this world. She seems to be so attractive to me; I have seen several girls in my life. Her body was symmetrical in shape; eyes were like the shining star that comes in the morning, making the sky bright. Something was special in her I have seen several hair styles but I cannot forget her hair; that was while touching on her face, more beautiful than the peacock feathers. She was drinking water; I wished to be that water bottleShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin956 Words   |  4 Pageswere, though. In some of Baldwin stories, they often have a similar story line where it seems he is the less favored child over everyone else. In â€Å"Sonny’s Blues,† a similar scenario is presented in some ways. While the unnamed narrator often speaks of Sonny’s and his father’s relationship, he never speaks of his own relationship with his father. Despite not feeling accepted by his stepfather, at a young age, he began to follow in his footsteps. When Baldwin turned 14 until he was 16, he followedRead MoreEssay about Sonnys Blues by James Baldwin1003 Words   |  5 Pagesthey deal with their pain, which often truly tells character. Sonnys Blues isnt a story of two brothers living in a rough city; one of whom is a talented musician. The story is so much more, its the point of tossing the main two stereotypes of African-Americans in an urban environment. The brothers cope with their own suffering and the suffering around them in two very different, but not uncommon ways. The story is told through the eyes of Sonnys older brother, whos name we never disclose.Read MoreAnalysis Of James Baldwin s Sonny s Blues Essay1154 Words   |  5 Pageschosen art form of music.       Symbolic ice that began the story and from the very beginning music plays a important role in the story often defining the characters or their personalities, as well as the culture of Harlem itself. â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† is the story of a young man who decides early on that he wants to be a musician.   Sonny s brother does not want him to be a musician, but Sonny persists and he is influenced by the jazz musicians of that time, including greats like: Charlie Parker and DizzyRead MoreJazz Music Of The Time1559 Words   |  7 PagesMusic such as jazz was commonly used mediums where African American musicians sought fame and fortune. Many influential artists took to the stage in clubs such as the Cotton club. Notorious gangster Owney Madden took over as the owner, where he used the club’s popularity as a platform to sell his alcohol in the face of prohibition. It came to be known as a hub for alcohol, drugs, marijuana, and interracial sex. Despite being a white-only establishment, this Harlem nightclub lent itself to some ofRead More Sonnys Blues by James Baldwin Essay1228 Words   |  5 Pagesof the story. This is a story of how two African Americans brothers take their own path through life as they struggle to find meaning in their lives. Sonnys brother point of view is shared in this story as he feels responsible to keep his brother safe. The brother learns to listen throughout this story to betterRead MoreSonnys Blues1264 Words   |  6 Pagesfeels, and how he struggles trying to understand Sonny through the course of the story. This is a story of how two African Americans brothers take their own path through life as they struggle to find meaning in their lives. Sonny s brother point of view is shared in this story as he feels responsible to keep his brother safe. The brother learns to listen throughout this story to better understand Sonny s life. This story is primarily about Sonny s brothers life, how he struggled in his life andRead MoreRedemption In Sonnys Blues910 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Sonny’s Blues† by James Baldwin, is a short story that takes place in Harlem. It is told through the perspective of his brother, who is the narrator. The story is focused on Sonny and his music, more specifically, how the music was redemption for Sonny. For Sonny, the music helped establish his identity while also helping him find a place in society. Thus, a kind of reconciliation occurs among various conflicts, which is symbolized by the drink his brother sends to him at the end. Music is crucialRead MoreLouis Armstrong : The Greatest Jazz Artist1087 Words   |  5 PagesLouis â€Å"Satchmo† Armstrong One of the greatest in Jazz music history Louis Armstrong, a man of many talents and skills his occupation ranging from singer, film star, soloist, comedian, bandleader, and most importantly a jazz trumpeter with his thrilling performances; being recognized as one of the greatest jazz artist in history. Louis Armstrong is considered one of the most influential jazz artists capturing the people’s attention with his â€Å"daring trumpet style and vocals†. Developing his skillsRead MoreThe Impact Of Ray Charles On American Culture1164 Words   |  5 Pagesimpact that Ray Charles has had on American culture is nearly indescribable. Although unable to see, he was successful in making his artistic visions come to life by fusing the sounds of blues, gospel, jazz, and RB, making him one of the leading soul artists of the 1950s. The legendary musician is recognized for being a pillar in the industry, credited with making strides in desegregating musical genres. Although he composed many of his early hits, Charles is considered to be an interpreter ofRead More Charles Mingus Essay1611 Words   |  7 Pagesjoined the army in 1915 after a frustrating career in the post office. His mother died only five months after Mingus was born. The times were hard in Los Angeles, as more and more poor people migrated into the city, and the small suburb of Watts turned into a black ghetto inside of a single decade. But young Mingus was pretty much protected from all the social pressure. His family was basically middle-class. His father has remarried, and Mingus’ step mother had soon taken an active role in his

Abnormal Psychology Study Guide Free Essays

string(180) " an antisocial personality disorder displayed some patterns of misbehavior before they were 15 years old Handout 30: Antisocial Personality Disorder Surveys indicate that up to 3\." Chapter 16 — Personality Disorders Slides, handouts, and answers keys created by Karen Clay Rhines, Ph. D. , Seton Hall University Handout 2: What is Psychological Abnormality? What is personality? Personality is a unique and long-term pattern of inner experience and outward behavior Personality tends to be consistent and is often described in terms of â€Å"traits† These traits may be inherited, learned, or both Personality is also flexible, allowing us to adapt to new environments For those with personality disorders, however, that flexibility is usually missing Handout 3: Personality Disorders What is a personality disorder? A very rigid pattern of inner experience and outward behavior This pattern is seen in most interactions, differs from the experiences and behaviors usually expected, and continues for years Handout 4: Classifying Personality Disorders A personality disorder is diagnosed only when it causes impairments in social or occupational functioning, or when it causes personal distress Personality disorders typically become recognizable in adolescence or early adulthood . We will write a custom essay sample on Abnormal Psychology Study Guide or any similar topic only for you Order Now Generally, the affected person does not regard his or her behavior as undesirable or problematic It has been estimated that 9 to 13% of all adults may have a personality disorder Handout 5: Classifying Personality Disorders Classifying these disorders is difficult because little is known about their origins or development They are diagnosed on Axis II of the DSM-IV Handout 6: Classifying Personality Disorders Those diagnosed with personality disorders are often also diagnosed with an Axis I disorder This relationship is called â€Å"comorbidity† Axis II disorders my predispose people to develop an Axis I disorder, or Axis I disorders may set the stage for Axis II disorders, or some biological condition may set the stage for both! Whatever the reason, research indicates that the presence of a personality disorder complicates and reduces a person’s chances for a successful recovery Handout 8: Classifying Personality Disorders The various personality disorders overlap each other so much that it can be difficult to distinguish one from another The frequent lack of agreement between clinicians and diagnosticians has raised concerns about the validity and reliability of these categories Handout 10: â€Å"Odd† Personality Disorders People with these disorders display behaviors similar to, but not as extensive as, schizophrenia Behaviors include extreme suspiciousness, social withdrawal, and peculiar ways of thinking and perceiving things Such behaviors leave the person isolated Some clinicians believe that these disorders are actually related to schizophrenia, and thus call them â€Å"schizophrenia spectrum disorders† Handout 11: â€Å"Odd† Personality Disorders Clinicians have learned much about the symptoms of odd personality disorders but little about effective treatment for these disorders In fact, people with these disorders rarely seek treatment Handout 14: How Do Theorists Explain Paranoid Personality Disorder? The proposed explanations of this disorder, like those of most other personality disorders, have received little systematic research Psychodynamic theorists trace the pattern back to early interactions with demanding parents Cognitive theorists suggest that maladaptive assumptions such as â€Å"People are evil and will attack you if given the chance† are to blame Biological theorists propose genetic causes and have looked at twin studies to support this model Handout 15: Treatments for Paranoid Personality Disorder People with paranoid personality disorder do not typically see themselves as needing help Few come to treatment willingly Those who are in treatment often distrust and rebel against their therapists As a result, therapy for this disorder, as for most of the other personality disorders, has limited effect and moves slowly Handout 16: Treatments for Paranoid Personality Disorder Object relations therapists try to see past the patient’s anger and work on the underlying wish for a satisfying relationship Behavioral and cognitive therapists try to help clients control anxiety and improve interpersonal skills Cognitive therapists also try to restructure client’s maladaptive assumptions and interpretations Drug therapy is generally ineffective Handout 17: Schizoid Personality Disorder This disorder is characterized by persistent avoidance of social relationships and limited emotional expression Withdrawn and reclusive, people with this disorder are not interested in relationships with others People with schizoid personality disorder focus mainly on themselves and are often seen as flat and cold The disorder is estimated to affect less than 1% of the population It is slightly more likely to occur in men than in women Handout 22: Schizotypal Personality Disorder This disorder is characterized by odd (even bizarre) ways of thinking and perceiving, and behavioral eccentricities These symptoms may include ideas of reference and/or bodily illusions People with the disorder often have great difficulty keeping their attention focused; conversation is typically digressive and vague Handout 23: Schizotypal Personality Disorder Socially withdrawn, people with this disorder seek isolation and have few friends This disorder is the most severe of the three in this cluster It has been estimated that 2 to 4% of all people (slightly more males than females) may have the disorder Handout 24: How Do Theorists Explain Schizotypal Personality Disorder? Because the symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder so often resemble those of schizophrenia, researchers have hypothesized that similar factors are at work in both disorders Schizotypal symptoms are often linked to poor family communication and to psychological disorders in parents Researchers have also begun to link schizotypal personality disorder to some of the same biological factors found in schizophrenia The disorder also has been linked to mood disorders Handout 27: â€Å"Dramatic† Personality Disorders The behaviors of people with these disorders are so dramatic, emotional, or erratic that it is almost impossible for them to have relationships that are truly giving and satisfying These personality disorders are more commonly diagnosed than the others Only antisocial and borderline personality disorders have received much study The causes of the disorders are not well understood Handout 28: Antisocial Personality Disorder Sometimes described as â€Å"psychopaths† or â€Å"sociopaths,† people with antisocial personality disorder persistently disregard and violate others’ rights Aside from substance-related disorders, this is the disorder most linked to adult criminal behavior The DSM-IV requires that a person be at least 18 years of age to receive this diagnosis Most people with an antisocial personality disorder displayed some patterns of misbehavior before they were 15 years old Handout 30: Antisocial Personality Disorder Surveys indicate that up to 3. You read "Abnormal Psychology Study Guide" in category "Papers" 5% of people in the U. S. meet the criteria for this disorder Caucasians are somewhat more likely to be diagnosed than are African Americans The disorder is four times more common in men than women Because people with this disorder are often arrested, researchers frequently look for people with antisocial patterns in prison populations Studies also indicate higher rates of alcoholism and other substance-related disorders among this group Handout 33: How Do Theorists Explain Antisocial Personality Disorder? The cognitive view says that people with the disorder hold attitudes that trivialize the importance of other people’s needs A number of studies suggest that biological factors may play a role Findings suggest that people with antisocial personality disorder have lower levels of trait anxiety and arousal, leading them to be more likely than others to take risks and seek thrills Handout 34: Treatments for Antisocial Personality Disorder About 25% of all people with antisocial personality disorder receive treatment for it, yet no treatment appears to be effective A major problem is the individual’s lack of conscience or desire to change Most have been mandated to treatment Some cognitive therapists try to guide clients to think about moral issues and the needs of other people Hospitals have attempted to create therapeutic communities Generally, most of today’s treatment approaches have little to no impact on the disorder Handout 35: Borderline Personality Disorder People with this disorder display great instability, including major shifts in mood, an unstable self-image, and impulsivity Interpersonal relationships also are unstable People with borderline personality disorder are prone to bouts of anger, which sometimes result in physical aggression and violence Just as often, however, they direct their impulsive anger inward and harm themselves Handout 37: Borderline Personality Disorder Almost 2% of the general population are thought to suffer from this disorder Close to 75% of those diagnosed are women The course of the disorder varies In the most common pattern, the instability and risk of suicide reach a peak during young adulthood and then gradually lessen with advancing age Handout 39: How Do Theorists Explain Borderline Personality Disorder? Some features of the disorder also have been linked to biological abnormalities Sufferers who are particularly impulsive apparently have lower brain serotonin activity Close relatives of those with borderline personality disorder are five times more likely than the general population to have the disorder Some sociocultural theorists suggest that cases of borderline personality disorder are particularly likely to emerge in cultures that change rapidly Handout 40: Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder It appears that psychotherapy can eventually lead to some degree of improvement for people with this disorder It is not easy, though, for a therapist to strike a balance between empathizing with a patient’s dependency and anger and challenging his or her way of thinking Furthermore, termination of therapy is often incredibly difficult Handout 42: Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder Antidepressant, antibipolar, antianxiety, and antipsychotic drugs have helped some individuals to calm their emotional and aggressive storms Given the high risk of suicide attempts by these patients, their use of drugs on an outpatient basis is controversial Some patients have benefited from a combination of drug therapy and psychotherapy Handout 43: Histrionic Personality Disorder People with histrionic personality disorder are extremely emotional and continually seek to be the center of attention They often engage in attention-getting behaviors Approval and praise are the lifeblood of these individuals People with histrionic personality disorder are often described as vain, self-centered, and demanding Some make suicide attempts, often to manipulate others Handout 44: Histrionic Personality Disorder This disorder was once believed to be more common in women than in men However, research has revealed gender bias in past diagnoses The latest statistics suggest that around 2% percent of adults have this personality disorder, with males and females equally affected Handout 46: How Do Theorists Explain Histrionic Personality Disorder? Cognitive theorists look at the lack of substance and the extreme suggestibility seen in people with the disorder Some propose that people with histrionic personality disorder hold a general assumption that they are helpless to care for themselves Sociocultural theorists believe the disorder is caused in part by society’s norms and expectations The vain, dramatic, and selfish behavior may be an exaggeration of femininity as defined by our culture Handout 47: Treatments for Histrionic Personality Disorder Unlike people with most other personality disorders, those with histrionic personality disorder often seek treatment on their own Working with them can be difficult because of their demands, tantrums, seductiveness, and attempts to please the therapist Handout 49: Narcissistic Personality Disorder People with narcissistic personality disorder are generally grandiose, need much admiration, and feel no empathy for others Convinced of their own great success, power, or beauty, they expect constant attention and admiration from those around them People with this disorder exaggerate their achievements and talents, and often appear arrogant Handout 50: Narcissistic Personality Disorder People with this disorder are seldom interested in the feelings of others Many take advantage of others to achieve their own ends Probably less than 1% of adults display narcissistic personality disorder Up to 75% of these are men This type of behavior is common among teenagers and do not usually lead to adult narcissism Handout 51: How Do Theorists Explain Narcissistic Personality Disorder? Psychodynamic theorists more than others have theorized about this disorder, focusing on cold, rejecting parents Object-relations theorists interpret the grandiose self-presentation as a way for these people to convince themselves that they are self-sufficient and without need of warm relationships In support of this theory, research has found increased risk for developing the disorder among abused children and those from divorced families Handout 52: How Do Theorists Explain Narcissistic Personality Disorder? Behavioral and cognitive theorists propose that narcissistic personality disorder may develop when people are treated too positively rather than too negatively in early life Those with the disorder have been taught to â€Å"overvalue their self-worth† In support of this explanation, first-born and only children score higher on measures of narcissism Finally, many sociocultural theorists see a link between narcissistic personality disorder and â€Å"eras of narcissism† in society Handout 53: Treatments for Narcissistic Personality Disorder This disorder is one of the most difficult personality patterns to treat Clients who consult therapists usually do so because of a related disorder, most commonly depression Once in treatment, the individuals may try to manipulate the therapist into supporting their sense of superiority None of the major treatment approaches has had much success Handout 55: â€Å"Anxious† Personality Disorders People with these disorders typically display anxious and fearful behavior Although many of the symptoms are similar to those of anxiety and depressive disorders, researchers have found no links between this cluster and those Axis I diagnoses As with most of the personality disorders, research is limited But treatments for this cluster appear to be modestly to moderately helpful Handout 56: Avoidant Personality Disorder People with avoidant personality disorder are very uncomfortable and restrained in social situations, overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, and extremely sensitive to negative evaluation They believe themselves unappealing or inferior and often have few close friends Handout 57: Avoidant Personality Disorder The disorder is similar to social phobia, and many people with one disorder experience the other Similarities between the two disorders include a few of humiliation and low self-confidence A key difference is that people with social phobia mainly fear social circumstances, while people with avoidant personality disorder tend to fear close social relationships Between 1 and 2% of adults have avoidant personality disorder Handout 60: How Do Theorists Explain Avoidant Personality Disorder? Cognitive theorists believe that harsh criticism and rejection in early childhood may lead people to assume that others will always judge them harshly In several studies, individuals reported memories that supported both the psychodynamic and cognitive theories Handout 61: Treatments for Avoidant Personality Disorder People with avoidant personality disorder come to therapy seeking acceptance and affection Keeping them in therapy can be challenging because they often begin to avoid sessions A key task of the therapist is to build trust Beyond building trust, therapists tend to treat the disorder as they treat social phobia and anxiety These treatments have had modest success Group and drug therapy may also be useful Handout 62: Dependent Personality Disorder People with dependent personality disorder have a pervasive, excessive need to be taken care of As a result, they are clinging and obedient, fearing separation from their loved ones They rely on others so much that they cannot make the smallest decision for themselves The central feature of the disorder is a difficulty with separation Handout 65: How Do Theorists Explain Dependent Personality Disorder? Behaviorists propose that parents of those with dependent personality disorder unintentionally rewarded their children’s clinging and â€Å"loyal† behavior while punishing acts of independence Alternatively, some parents’ own dependent behaviors may have served as models for their children Handout 68: Treatments for Dependent Personality Disorder Treatment can be at least modestly helpful Psychodynamic therapy focuses on many of the same issues as therapy for people with depression Cognitive therapists try to help clients challenge and change their assumptions of incompetence and helplessness Antidepressant drug therapy has been helpful for those whose disorder is accompanied by depression Group therapy can be helpful because it provides clients an opportunity to receive support from a number of peers and because group members may serve as models for one another Handout 70: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Between 2 and 5% of the population has this disorder, with white, educated, married, and employed individuals receiving the diagnosis most often Men are twice as likely as women to display the disorder Many clinicians believe that obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (the anxiety disorder) are closely related While the disorders share similar symptoms, researchers have not found a specific link between them Handout 72: How Do Theorists Explain Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder? Freudian theorists suggest that people with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are anal regressive Because of overly harsh toilet training, people become angry and remain fixated at this stage of psychosexual development To keep their anger under control, they resist both their anger and their instincts to have bowel movements As a result, they become extremely orderly and restrained Handout 77: What Problems Are Posed by the DSM Categories? Some of the diagnostic criteria cannot be observed directly The diagnoses often rely heavily on the impressions of the individual clinician Similarly, clinicians differ widely in their judgments about when a normal personality style crosses the line and deserves to be called a disorder Handout 79: What Problems Are Posed by the DSM Categories? Because of these problems, diagnosticians keep changing the criteria used to assess the personality disorders Further, some theorists believe that the personality disorders actually differ more in degree than in type of dysfunction Some theorists have proposed that the disorders be organized by how severe certain key traits are rather than by the presence or absence of specific traits How to cite Abnormal Psychology Study Guide, Papers

Inner Darkness Essay Example For Students

Inner Darkness Essay Inner Darkness Reading Joseph ConradsHeart of Darknessis a true study of how men come to lose their hope in humanity. It also displays the overtly cynical and sometimes racist and purist overtones that plagued Europe in its early days. During a cruise along the River Thames, Charles Marlowe reminisces on his days sailing through Africa, and how the experience has shaped his life. The supporting players in his life, and his selective memories of each one, paints a picture of the unknowing, rather prejudiced man he was before, and the wiser man he has become. In Joseph ConradsHeart of Darkness, a combination of orientalisms view of the other, feminisms patriarchal socialization, and Friedrich Nietzsches nihilistic theories illustrates how overall prejudice leads to a fear of the unknown and clashes between cultures. Rather than trying to understand the natives, Marlowe and his colleagues take a position of control and sometimes antagonism towards them, leading to a realization that they have been sheltered by their Occidental lifestyles and missed out on vital life experience. Their only relation to the white man is as slaves, and to Marlowe, this is precisely how it should be. Watching the African-American rowers, he remarks We had enlisted some of these chaps on the way for a crew. Fine fellowscannibalsin their place' (Conrad 35). What does Marlowe truly mean by this last portion? Is he simply happy for the extra hands, or glad to see black men working for the whites as they were meant to do for so long? Edward Saids discourse on Orientalism strongly supports the latter. In his essay, simply titled Orientalism, he notes that the dynamic between whites and Orients a relationship of power, of domination, of varying degrees of a complex hegemony (Said 1870). And we do not help that relationship at all by using phrases such as in their place, which only serve to bring the Orients down and strain the already complex relations that exist between the two parties. Because of this, the few complimentary gestures extended towards the natives feels slightly less significant and makes the contrasting portrayalsall the morerepresentative of Marlowes lack of understanding. Although he considers the black sailors to be in their place, he still extends the occasional expression of sympathy. Watching the slaves practically on their deathbeds, he marvels that They were not enemies, they were not criminals, they were nothing earthly nownothing but black shadows of disease and starvation' (Conrad 11). The word shadows says a good deal about how the blacks had been treated even before illness consumed them. Even watching them seconds from death, Marlowe cannot seem to get away from seeing in only the most negative terms possible. Itseems to indicate that once they are gone, what little sympathy he has for them will cease, and they will be all but forgotten. In his own essay onHeart of Darkness, Chinua Achebe mentions Conrads of human expression to the one and the withholding of it from the other (1616). Indeed, the black characters remain all but wordless for most of the story. Even the portrayal of the African coast is plagued by obscurity, and treated as otherworldly when compared to Europe. In her article Unspeakable Secrets, Anne McClintock describes Marlowes first view of the coast as struggle that goes beyond the question of perception and involves the very stuff of language itselfAfrica is protean and featureless because it has withdrawn beyond the horizon of new language (41). Knowing the historical context, the reasoning could be that the whites have kept the inhabitants in their place for so long that speech has completely escaped them. The problem is that by depriving them of their faculties of speech, Conrad has upset the balance betweenApollineand Dionysiac contrasts, as detailed by Nietzsche inThe Birth of Tragedy.He describes the differing ideals with Appolineart of the imagemaker or sculptor (Bildner) and the imageless art of music, which is that ofDionysos (Nietzsche). There must always be a certain contrast between the simple andAppolinicthemes and the more bombastic, Dionysiac scenes, something that Marlowe seems not entirely aware of. The story begins on the river Thames of Europe, described by our initial narrator as low shores that ran out to sea in vanishing flatnessbrooding motionless over the biggest, and the greatest, town on earth (Conrad 1). Due to its calming nature, the Thames serves as theAppolinehalf of the duo, leaving the River Congo, An empty stream, a great silence, an impenetrable forest (Conrad 24) to serve a as Dionysiac. One extreme cannot survive without the other, and to repress one side is to upset a delicate and extremely important balance. The few female figures suffer a similar treatment, as most of their actions lack true power, and the mens patronizing attitudes show that patriarchal disease is to blame. Even one of the most powerful of female characters, Marlowes aunt, is overshadowed by the contributions and power of her male superiors. Although she is dear enthusiastic soul' and is instrumental in sending Marlowe on his lifechanging journey, she is only able to accomplish the task because, in her own words, I know the wife of a very high personage in the Administrationand alsoa man who has lots of influence' (Conrad 5). Rather than helping him directly, she must instead rely on her connections to more powerful figures, all of whom are male. Les Murrays Widower in the country Essay Kurtz himself seems to have been living a lie, with his arrogance being the main obstacle between him and a greater understanding of the natives that surround him. Gerald Levin describes him as unlucky to have lost the protection of a fixed code (177), without even the very slight sympathy for the natives that Marlow has. Even on his deathbed, his idealism isfailingand his arrogance is evident, particularly in his stubbornness and how it affects those who had once admired him so greatly. The Russian man, for example, when recounting to Marlowe how the attack was Kurtzs doing, says He hatedsometimes the idea of being taken awayand then again. But I dont understand these matters. I am a simple man' (Conrad 59). Considering how long Kurtz has lived among these natives, could that explain why this Russian has such a selfdeprecating view of himself, and seems to be waning in his attention towards the man in question? As Said recalls, So far as th e Orient is concerned, standardization and cultural stereotyping have intensified the hold of the nineteenth-century academic and imaginative demonology of the mysterious Orient' (Said 1886). By not trying to truly understand his native people, and instead projecting his socalled superiority upon them, Kurtz has deprived himself of any true understanding of who they are. This culminates at last with his final words: The horror! The horror!' (Conrad 69). Gazing into the eyes of death, he sees where his false truths and delusions of grandeur have placed him. It is all too clear that he is dissatisfied with the results. It might not have ended this way had Kurtz been more aware of Nietzsches concept of unconsciousness. His description of how certain human beings unconsciously in the way we have described, and in accordance with centuries-old habitsand precisely because of this unconsciousness, precisely because of this forgetting, they arrive at the feeling of truth (Nietzsche 768) seems to apply perfectly to Kurtz. Having such high confidence in the capabilities of his mind, he allows himself to become stagnant and develops what Nietzsche calls a superman view of himself. But when faced with death, he wakes from this unconsciousness, and finds that the truth he has made for himself was selfcontained. He understands himself not by comparing to others, but by comparing others to himself, and demeaning those who not measure up. In the aftermath of his death, it proves to be an epiphany for Marlowe. His somber demeanor in the present portrays his new philosophy on life, how must inevitably give way to disillusioned maturity (Levin 177). It is best exemplified as he ends his story and apart, indistinct and silent, in the pose of a meditating Buddha (Conrad 74), a clear contrast from the wideeyed adventurer we were first introduced to. In summary, nihilistic conflicts ultimately tend to stem from a misunderstanding on some level. In the case of the whites and the natives, the lack of understanding towards their Oriental ways pushes them apart. Blacks are treated as servants at best, and borderline nonexistent at worst. As for the female characters, few as there are, the conflict there is more hierarchyoriented. Do women have any place in the work of men, as blacks supposedly do in the work of white men? They canmake an effort, but it tends to be overshadowed by the successes of their counterparts and demeaned by the patronizing malefemale dynamics of the 19thcentury. The rather brusque treatment ofboth of thesegroups leads us to Marlowes ultimate conclusion: intellect is ultimately futile, for it only leads us further from reason. It may be right that everyones idea of truth is different, but a glimmer of hopestill remains. Instead of basing our ideas on limited knowledge, we must give voices to the repressed,in a n effort tounderstand them. It is the first step we can take to prevent an entirely bleak future.