Thursday, September 5, 2019

Building Therapeutics Relationships in Forensic Psychology

Building Therapeutics Relationships in Forensic Psychology What interpersonal qualities should a forensic psychologist have that help build therapeutic relationships? Forensic psychology is a branch of criminological psychology; it refers to the knowledge of the understanding, prediction and nature of crime or criminal behaviour (Bull, Davies Westcott, 2003). What defines this psychological practice from others, is that the material produced is usually used within a court of law and during group or individual therapy sessions, with courts commissioning psychologists to create reports indicating the fitness of a defendant on trial, with reference to pre-existing areas of research, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Blackburn, 1996). With recent growth in popularity, due to exposure in certain mainstream television shows and films, such as ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘Cracker’, there has been a recent increase in the amount of individuals looking towards a career within forensic psychology (Buskist, Carlson Martin, 2000). The focus of this essay will be to explore the qualities needed from forensic psychologists and h ow these may have an impact on the relationships created with individuals they help. To understand this question in its basic terms, we will first try to understand a brief history of forensics as a psychological practice, what individuals are likely to expect within this practice, what is skills and requirements are asked of an individual in this trade, what may occur in certain situations wherein these interpersonal qualities are not met and finally the ethical and legal considerations we must make. The history of forensics within a psychological practice may assist in understanding how particular traits have become necessary when treating individuals. One of the first recorded cases of a psychologist giving a professional opinion within a court trial would be that of Albert Schrenk-Notzing in Germany, 1886. Later Hugo Munstering, who gave psychological insight into two murder trials, published some of the earliest forensic psychological resources in 1908 (Haward, 1979; Colman, 1995). In recent years, some state institutions have tried to prohibit females from working within all male prisons in America, as they argue that it is too dangerous for females (Arrigo Shipley, 2005), meaning that although there have been major developments for equality of sexes, there is still some prejudice of females being the weaker gender, both physically and psychologically, within this line of work. This shows us that forensic psychology is a fairly recent phenomenon, with establishments, such a s the British Psychological Association (BPS) recently creating a division devoted to criminal psychology (Buskist, Carlson Martin, 2000). This may mean, that although we have some understanding of the professionalism needed within legal and psychological situations, we may not be fully aware of specific requirements needed of individuals due to the fact that forensic psychology is still in its adolescent stages of development. Some questions posed to forensic psychologists help us gain an insight into what qualities are needed to give an accurate report and to fully express themselves within legal situations. These include, and are not limited to: if they are fit to stand trial, if the testimony is genuine, if the individual has any learning difficulties and if they are malingering (Colman, 1995). This would mean that not only are forensic psychologists required to have a respectful understanding of all parties involved, it is also key that they show qualities of insight, to understand the strengths and limitations of the individual and the tests conducted. Other qualities include an empathetic personality to any personality or learning disorders, tolerance of individuals with uncooperative personalities and an unprejudiced outwardly view of an individual, regardless of their past. To fully understand what is required from a forensic psychologist, it is important to understand this occupation in comparison with others which it is usually mistaken for, such as forensic psychiatry and clinical psychology, as many of the boundaries between these careers are blurred. Clinical psychologists primarily assess the psychological distress of an individual, and through already established methods, try to promote psychological well-being. Forensic psychiatrists have little or no training in professionally administering psychological tests which assess personality and intelligence; they will usually provide evidence based on a clinical interview, which are sometimes regarded more as an opinion than objective data (Buskist, Carlson Martin, 2000). This would mean that individuals within forensic psychology will not only have a broad understanding of particular tests used, but also their limitations and benefits and an open-minded personality on how this may help of the rehab ilitation and support of convicted criminals. Many of the duties involved in being a forensic psychologist require a different set of skills in many situations. Clinical assessments involve interviewing individuals and performing particular psychological test to assess an individual. As previously noted, this requires a broad range of knowledge and understanding of the tests, along with their strengths and weaknesses. The formulation of cases involves the hypothesising of causes, precipitants, and key influences on an individual’s interpersonal and behavioural problems (Eells, 2007); this means that not only is certain degree of open-mindedness needed to understand the individual needs and requirements in certain situations, a forensic psychologist is also required to be supportive and empathetic in nature, whist maintaining a professional attitude of the boundaries put in place by this career. Another duty involves the risk assessment of criminals; this requires a working knowledge of how to predict and manage individual s who seem to pose a risk of committing a criminal act (Appelbaum, Grisso, Monahan, Mulvey, Robbins, Steadman, 2000). This means that a personal understanding of an individual is required during therapeutic sessions, therefore a forensic psychologist should remain professional, whilst being reflective and insightful to build a rapport with those they are trying to help. Undergraduates wishing to undergo this career are notified of the amount of work they will need to do to be able to fulfil this aspiration. A first in a degree supported by the BPS is one of the primary requirement, with few post-graduate training courses taking on those with a 2:1. Secondly, a masters accredited by the BPS in forensic psychology is also necessary, followed by two years of supervised practice in a forensic psychology Stage 2 program, also accredited by the BPS. Alternatively, some universities offer a doctorate programme in forensic psychology, which combine the masters and stage 2 course. Finally, a registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) is also required. Just the training for this career path shows us that this is not a job to be considered lightly; due to the amount of time and funding it takes to undergo this path, those applying will need excellent time management skills, along with a desire to fully commit themselves to this lifestyl e; both of these qualities are also used later when they are in a career, meaning that throughout training, you are prepared for some of the challenges we will discuss later. Many individuals which a forensic psychologist encounter, tests both the strengths and limitations of the individual; whilst some therapeutic sessions may conducted in a straight forward manner, others will challenge the way we conduct ourselves, meaning that to fully understand the individual, we must first understand our own limits. There is a wide array of personalities and people which a forensic psychiatrist may treat, for example, adolescent offenders, adult female and male offenders, offenders who are disabled, have behavioural/psychological disorders or learning difficulties and those convicted of criminal acts which may afflict an emotional response from a psychologist (such as arson, stalking and sex offending). Interestingly, there has been a dramatic increase of women sentenced to immediate imprisonment within the UK, as the average female inmate population grew over 173% between 1992 and 2002, whilst male inmate population increased by only 50% (Home Office, 2005). This shows us that as society is changing, we too need to adapt our abilities and skills to treat a new wave of criminal behaviour, as some may be unable to cope or unsure of how to deal with the demands placed on us by dramatic increases such as this. In some instances in which individuals are not prepared for the psychological demands of this career, or do not have the suited interpersonal qualities to facilitate a healthy therapeutic relationship, situations may result negatively for one or both of the parties involved. In June 2009, Margret Burton was murdered by her late patient and partner Jason Hawkins after previously being advised that he should not have been released. This may have been due to a number of factors, as Burton had moved to another country, away from support groups, such as family and friends. Another reason may have been that there was an inadequate system put in place by the institution she was working at to deal with these particular stresses that would have otherwise been noticed. This means that not only is it of upmost importance to understand your individual weaknesses within this industry, it is just as important to understand how to cope and ask for assistance. Another example of an incident regardin g the safety of a forensic psychologist would be that of the murder of Kathryn Faughey, an individual who was murdered by David Tarloff in 2008. Initially, one of her co-workers, Kent Schinbach, was supposed to be targeted, due his diagnosis of schizophrenia in 1991, which in turn led to Tarloff becoming institutionalised. Figures indicate that violence against employees within the mental health sector is not an uncommon occurrence, with over 40% of colleagues reporting a non-fatal violent crime being committed against them between the years 1993 and 1999, and is thought to increase within recent years (Dubin Ning, 2008). This has led to forensic psychologists to understand and undertake safety measures as a part of daily clinical practice, as well as understanding the steps needed to prevent and confront violence within the possible therapy sessions; it also means that in order to deal with these common occurrences, individuals who work within this sector should have a tolerant pe rsonality and professional personality, whilst remaining empathetic and supportive towards their clients. There are many ethical considerations put in place by courts to ensure that confidentiality, consent and other legal obligations to maintain the safety of the individual are upheld within all situations; this requires a particular amount of trust, respect and professionalism from the both the psychologist and law at all times. The legal understanding of the standards of ethics within particular situations is key in undergoing this career, as a majority of the work involves adherence to a specific ethics code put in place by the courts, therefore any psychologist should meet the standard of general practice within both a psychological and legal setting (American Psychological Association, 1991). It may be a surprise to some that informed consent is not legal requirement, as in situations wherein it is ordered by the court it may be overlooked; this means that although an individual may initially reject a psychiatric interview or certain psychometric tests, if the court requests it, fo r example, for the inclusion in a report for use during trail, the right to withdraw will then be withheld (Kalmbach Lyons, 2006). In some cases, the right to withdraw is also held by the examiner, should they feel discomfort, moral obligation to stop or for any reason they feel the individual should not undergo the testing, however a reason is almost always required within this situation. In other scenarios, in which a court feels as if objectivity is being compromised (such as an examiner producing prejudice results or giving a misleading interpretation of an event) will cause the court to reject the statements given and demand that they withdraw from a trial (Bonnie, 1990; Brodsky, 1990). Psychologists who trying to build relationships with those that they are treating would need a high level of understanding of the ethical and legal requirements within the workplace, whilst maintaining an unbiased attitude towards all those involve, as certain personal emotions may result in a loss of objectivity. To conclude, the work and development in the field of forensic psychology has shown great importance, due to the contributions it has made within legal and social settings. The collective work of forensic psychologists has inspired the entertainment industry to create fictitious scenarios, some of which based on real events, which in turn has inspired a new generation of individuals to undergo a career in forensic psychology. With the rise of criminal and violent behaviour within today’s society, there is a welcomed need for these inspired individuals to mould what has already been created and adjust it to the individual and society’s ever changing and complex nature. As noted, a career within this community is not be undertaken without some understanding into the possible risks and hazards involved, such as the likelihood of psychological and physical harm to the individual. This means that those considering a career must first understand their own weaknesses, as shoul d they present themselves during this period of work, it could be detrimental to themselves and those they are treating. The ability to ensure an individual feels comfortable during a personal situation, such as therapy, is arguably one of the most important skills to possess; not only are forensic psychologists required to maintain this trusting and empathetic persona during these sessions, it is of upmost importance that they also understand that a professional, resilient and respectful nature is key, as a lack of these may have detrimental effects on the patient and psychologist alike. Many institutions within the UK have support systems put in place, such as staff supervision, for those at risk or in training which allow individuals to reflect on themselves, and to understand how they may have a major impact on an individual’s wellbeing. References American Psychological Association. Committee on Ethical Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists.(1991). Specialty guidelines for forensic psychologists. Law and Human Behavior, 15, 655-665. Appelbaum, P.S., Grisso, T., Monahan, J., Mulvey, E.P., Robbins, P.C., Steadman, H.J. (2000). Developing a clinically useful actuarial tool for assessing violence risk. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 176(4), 312-319. Arrigo, B. A., Shipley, S. L. (2005). Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Issues and controversies in law, law enforcement and corrections. Blackburn, R. (1996). What is forensic psychology? Legal and Criminological Psychology, 1(1), 3-16. Bonnie, R. J. (1990). Grounds for professional abstention in capital cases. Law and Hu-man Behavior, 14, 99-104. Brodsky, S. L. (1990). Professional ethics and professional morality in the assessment of competence for execution: A response to Bonnie. Buskist, W., Carlson, N., Martin, N. (2000). Psychology: The Science of Human Behaviour . Essex, England: Pearson Education Ltd. Davies, G. M., Bull, R Westcott, H. L. (Eds.). (2003). Childrens testimony: A handbook of psychological research and forensic practice (Vol. 45). John Wiley Sons. Colman, A.M. (1995). Testifying in Court as an Expert Witness. The British Psychological Society. Dubin W.R, Ning A. Violence toward mental health professionals. In: Simon RI, Tardiff K, eds. (2008). Textbook of Violence Assessment and Management. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. Eells, T.D. (2007). Handbook of Psychotherapy Case Formulation (2nd edition). New york: Guilford Press. Haward, L.R.C. (1979). The psychologist as expert witness. In D.P. Farrington., K. Hawkins S.M.A Lloyd-Bostock (eds), psychology, law and legal processes. London: Macmillan. Home Office. (2003). Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System, Section 95 Report, London: Home Office. (2005), Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System, Section 95 Report, London: Home Office. Kalmbach, K. C., Lyons, P. M. (2006). Ethical issues in conducting forensic evaluations. Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice, 2(3), 261-288.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Pros and Cons of Attending College Essay example -- essays research pa

Is College Worth It? In Life today a college education is no longer an option or privilege, but rather it is a necessity. We are raised to believe that a person needs higher education in order to succeed in life. There is a saying, â€Å"if you think education is expensive, try ignorance.† You may ask is college necessary? There are people out in the real world that have never set a foot on a college campus before and they are doing better than others that have their master’s degree. There are many views from both sides that have a good argument. The main reason people go to college is because they were always told you will have a better life if you go to college. Kids are pressured to feel that the have to go to college because, â€Å"it is the right thing to do.† Students may have different ideas on what he or she want to do with their life, but because their mentors and parents know what is best for them they might end up doing something they may not want to do. Going to college makes you appear more socially prestige. Some people go to college only for the title, others go f...

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Search for Perfection in Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye Essay -- Blues

Search for a Perfection in The Bluest Eye    The concept of physical beauty and desire to conform to a prescribed definition of what is considered beautiful can destroy a person's life. In Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye, many characters are obsessed with attaining the idealist definition of what is considered beautiful. The characters of Geraldine, Pauline, and Pecola all believe that physical perfection leads to acceptance; however, it is the same belief that causes their personal downfalls and prevents them from recognizing their own inner beauty.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Geraldine's anxieties over wanting to comply with what others think is beautiful, damage her existence. For example, the character of Geraldine is so consumed with physical perfection that she prevents herself from accepting her black heritage. When the author illustrates how woman like Geraldine act, she asserts, "They hold their behind in for fear of sway too free; when they wear lipstick they never cover the entire mouth for fear of lips to thick, and they worry, worry, worry about the edges of their hair" (Morrison 83). Geraldine is so ashamed of her black characteristics that she tries to hide them. She thinks black people are ugly, and she wants to appear white because she equates having lighter skin with being a better person. Geraldine thinks she will be discriminated for being black, therefore, she refuses to accept and own any physical features of her culture. In addition, when the author illustrates how Geraldine is more concerned with her baby's physical appe arance than with his emotional needs, she writes, "He was always brushed, bathed, oiled, and shod. Geraldine did not talk to him,coo to him, or indulge him in kissing bouts, but she saw that every o... ...ining an ideal appearance in order to accommodate what others view as beautiful can ruin one's existence. The characters of Geraldine, Pauline, and Pecola all erroneously believe that obtaining a certain look will enhance their lives. However, as a result of their search for a perfect outward image they are never able to value their inner selves. Works Cited Bayles, Martha. "Special Effects, Special Pleading." Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Roger Matuz. Michigan: Gale Research Inc., 194-213. Davis, Cynthia. "Self, Society, and Myth in Toni Morrison's Fiction." Contemporary Literary Criticism. Draper, James P., ed. Michigan: Gale Research Inc., 1994. 215-273. Morrison, Toni.   The Bluest Eye. New York, New York: Plume, 1994. Steiner, Wendy. "The Clearest Eye." Contemporary Authors. Trosky, Susan, M., ed. Michigan: Gale Research Inc., 1994. 239.

Monday, September 2, 2019

Allegory Essay -- essays research papers

Allegory Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave is a short story specifically discussing the parallels between the shadows the prisoners sees on the wall of the cave, and the illusion, which passes off as truth in today\\'s society. The Allegory of the Cave is about Socrates teaching his student, Glaucon, certain principles of life by telling him one of his allegories. The Allegory of the Cave can be interpreted in many ways; one way is to make a comparison between the story and the way of thinking by individuals in a closed society. Socrates states that the cave is a world many of us would like to see, but is not really how the world is. It is almost like the movie \\"The Matrix\\", where Neo, the main character is to discover that the world he lives in, is not the real world, but a world generated by machines and computers. Only in Socrates\\' allegory, the world is not created by computers, but by individual minds. Socrates wants Glaucon to be a wiser, better-educated man, who will later become a ruler of the State. He wants him to know not only the right, but also experience the wrong, because only a man who knows the bad, can truly understand and appreciate the good. Socrates does this by telling him a story, to let him better understand the principles of life. Men are chained down in a cave and have a wall blocking their view to the outer world. The prisoners can only see the shadows of the objects on the other side of the wall. If the prisoners see the shadows of the men ...

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Developments in Migration Theory, Feminisation, Diaspora & Transnationalism, and Asylum as a Migration Flow

Abstract This research presents how the push-pull model of migration has been deflated by developments in migration theory.It discusses the concept of feminisation as a major trend in contemporary migration, caused by the dynamics of corporate globalisation. Diaspora and transnationalism are described as ‘two dance partners,’ explaining this metaphor within the prism of migration. Asylum is the chosen migration flow for this research, alongside considerations of how the analysis of global migration and its regulation becomes complicated. This research adopts the qualitative research design, which harmonises with the interpretive paradigm. An in-depth semi-structured interview is conducted with a Sierra Leonean migrant who sought asylum in the UK. The research concludes the presence of feminisation, the partnership of Diaspora and transnationalism, and the irrelevance of the push-pull model in the example of an asylum seeker as an interview participant. 1.Introduction According to de Haas (2008), one’s decision to migrate is influenced by a number of factors, including the area of destination; intervening variables (distance, immigration policies, etc.); and personal factors. Migration occurs within definite streams, from certain places of origin and destination (de Haas, 2008). Globalisation has created a channel for individuals to become increasingly mobile. Coupled with globalisation, the existence of skilled workers has tended to marginalise the less skilled, who encounter limitations on their permanent migration, thereby making it difficult for them to move from temporary to permanent work and obtain residence permits (Kofman, 2005). Emphasis on stratification within labour migration research can potentially tackle queries on the consequences that emerge from the manner of inclusion or exclusion of different groups from labour markets (Gabriel and Pellerin, 2008). The growing social differentiation of migration is seen amongst skilled Mexicans, considered as the new ‘high tech braceros’ (Smith and Favell, 2006: 24) that utilise a variety of visa channels to work in the US economy. Smith and Favell (2006) bring forward the evidence that the migration movement is more than about ‘brain drain’, as brain circulation, which underp ins new forms of global competition, is being encouraged.1.1 Aims and objectivesThis brief aims to discuss how the limitations of the individualistic ‘push-pull’ model are overcome by developments in migration theory. It also explains the reasons for the feminisation trend identified by Castles and Miller (2009). Along with these two topics are the attempt to describe what Faist (2010b) means by the metaphor ‘two awkward dance partners’ to describe Diaspora and transnationalism, and whether he is right. Moreover, this research explains how asylum complicates the analysis of global migration and their regulation. The objectives are the following: To review the extant literature on the developments in migration theory, feminisation in migration, Diaspora and transnationalism, and asylum in the midst of global migration To conduct an interview on the subject of asylum and link it to migration concept 2. Literature Review2. 1 The ‘push-pull’ model of migrationThe push-pull model allows the assumption that migration decisions are motivated by economic, environmental, and demographic reasons. The pushes and pulls in migration are created by either rural population growth or economic conditions. The first applies a Malthusian principle that such migration is due to pressures on natural and agricultural resources. The second, on the other hand, pushes people to be lured into cities and industrialised countries (de Haas, 2008). At first, the push-pull model seems to integrate all the factors that contribute to migration decision-making because of its seeming propensity to incorporate other theoretical ideas. However, dubious insights have come to forward the insight of whether the push-pull model offers much analytical use, and whether it can qualify as a theory at all. A more problematic view is its tendency to puzzle various (individual and global) scales of analysis and not to allow designating relative weights to the various factors impacting migration decisions. The model also tends to overlook the internal stratification and heterogeneous character of societies and is instead likely to work out on the individual level. There are therefore certain limitations posed by the push-pull model in the analysis of migration (de Haas, 2008). The triviality and limitation of the model is mirrored in the relativity of migration pressure. Finding a better environment or less population pressure are not the typical reasons why people move, but due to their expectation of a more satisfying living elsewhere (de Haas, 2008). The transnational approach to migration is one of those that attempt to overcome the limitations embodied in the push-pull model. The transnational community creates social bonds that allow migrants to tend to remit considerable amounts of money to their relatives, contrary to the push-pull model. The often transnational identity characters of migrants provide a huge explanation for the usual maintenance of bonds with communities of origin, as well as the creation of trans-local and transnational social links (de Haas, 2008). In support of de Haas, Amelina and Faist (2012) describe the transnational approach as one that discards the nation-state as the only source of empirical analysis – which is also posited by Faist (2000) and Portes (2000). Methodological transnationalism, which is constructed by Amelina and Faist, covers a range of research methods that complement current epistemological approaches to the link between space and social mobility. Linked to this are migrant’s investments and entrepreneurship (as a way in which they pursue a wide range of transnational economic activities), which is an important concern of policy makers (Olesen, 2003). As migration can be understood through interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary viewpoints, developments in migration theory such as those by Castles and Miller (2009) fully describe this view, which only suggests an attempt to overcome the limitations of the ‘push-pull’ model2.2 Feminisation as a major trend in contemporary migra tionFeminisation as a major trend in contemporary migration is seen in the example of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, which obtained the labour market for domestic workers, thereby spurring the feminisation of migration in the Gulf region. Female migrants are found in such fields as medical/health, sales, hospitality, and maintenance. The largest number of women migrants is in domestic work (Asis, 2005; Mateos, 2005). According to Asis (2005), Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines deploy female workers annually at 62-75 per cent; and deployment is associated with feminisation of migration. There are circumstances that feminisation of migration would broaden to include other countries, as illustrated by the example of Thai women migrants who may face underrepresentation in legal migration, but are predominant in terms of irregular migration (Asis, 2005). It may be seen based on Asis’ (2005) discussion that the wider significance of feminisation as a major trend in contemporary migration is driven by labour migration. Piper (2013), on the other hand, surmised that the relevance of gender is found in most aspects of migration. Feminisation has been acknowledged as one of the major issues of current migration streams, as noted by academic studies since the 80s. Piper cited the reason for this: improvement in statistical visibility, increased women participation in most migration flows, increased failure of men to seek full-time jobs in their countries of origin, and an increasing demand for female employment in destination countries. In support to this, Engle (2004) claims that foreign women are tremendously regarded as commodities and carriers of service. If in the past, the movement of women was often due to family reunification or dependent on a male migrant; today, such movement features them as main migrants in their own right, generally as low-wage earners, where the dynamics of corporate globalisation are the ones directing female employment. The wider significance of this feminisation trend for understanding migration is that it plays an important role in the institutionalisation of corporate globalisation in the process of migration, which offers further understanding of migration.2.3 Diaspora and transnationalism as two awkward dance partnersDiaspora and transnationalism are described by Faist (2010b) as ‘two awkward dance partners’ that function as prominent research lenses for seeing the upshot of international migration. Albeit both ‘globalisation’ and ‘multiculturalism’ describe cross-border processes, the concept of Diaspora has often denoted national or religious groupings of people that live outside an imagined native land. Transnationalism, on the other hand, is used narrowly (to describe the strong ties amongst migrants) and widely (to depict communities and social formations) (Faist, 2010b). Why Diaspora and transnationalism are two awkward dance partners is because of the discussion below: Transnational social spaces, which are depicted in transnationalism, describe migrants’ daily practices as they engage in a range of activities, such as reciprocity and unity, political participation in both countries of emigration and immigration, and migrants’ small-scale entrepreneurship, to name some. Transnationalism is not broadly used compared to Diaspora and is not as politicised, but it is entangled with political connotations. Despite the indicated presence of ideology in the ‘ism’ in transnationalism, the adherents of this ideology is not apparent. Moreover, discussions on immigrants’ integration have been sparked by transnationalism ever since transnationalism was introduced to migration studies (Faist, 2010a). It has been made clear that both Diaspora and transnationalism cannot be taken apart in any way since doing so would mean neglecting the panoply of constantly overlapping definitions. Diaspora faced an absolute increase in applications and interpretations and these characteristics sum up most of its definitions. The first pertains to the causes of migration. Forced dispersal has been affixed to the older notions, which can be traced from the experience of Jews. Newer notions, on the other hand, relate to any form of dispersal, such as trade dispersal. The second refers to homeland’s cross-border experiences with destination, as implied in older notions that indicate a revisit to an imagined homeland. Newer notion, on the other hand, replace revisit with dense and continuous connections across borders, which include countries of onward migration, thereby highlighting lateral ties. Thus, Diaspora can be referred to include ethnic and religious groups/communities. Lastly, the th ird characteristic suggests the â€Å"integration of migrants and/or minorities into the countries of settlement† (Faist, 2010b: 13). It may be inferred that based on these discussions, Faist is right in describing Diaspora and transnationalism as awkward dance partners.2.4 The Increasingly Differentiated Migration Flows Focused on AsylumThis section discusses the increasingly differentiated migration flows, focused on asylum migration. According to Lasailly-Jacob (2010), policies on asylum have been the main focus of academic research and public debates. The point of view of the host countries has been given much attention, with particular emphasis on the foresights of the receiving ones who manage the effects of population movements in their country. Doomernik and Jandl (2008) observe that a tough policy on asylum migration has been undertaken to balance global recruitment strategies. Whether a strong asylum policy only intends to mask an increasing volume of immigration is open to interpretation. Published reports indicate refused asylum applications alongside approximately 60,000 deportation targets. The European Union (EU) compromises certain democratic norms in dealing with neighbouring counties like Libya or Ukraine to adopt migration activities. Questions that arise include proper access to asylum, protection from persecution, and detention conditions. Physical safety has been used as a prism for greater cooperation to regulate the flow of asylum seekers across countries. Common legally binding policy – in relation to asylum and policing – has been undertaken (Charmie and Powers, 2008). Both asylum and immigration policies face the issues of visas, family unification, social integration, equal treatment and inclusivity, and admission criteria, to name a few (Peers and Rogers, 2006). 3. Research Methodology3.1 Research Design: QualitativeThe specific research design for this study is qualitative, which is defined as â€Å"multi-method in focus, involving an interpretive, naturalistic approach to its subject matter† (Denzin and Lincoln, 2011: 5). This indicates that qualitative research undertakes investigations in natural settings, whereby people attempt to interpret phenomena based on the meanings brought to them. Some of the empirical materials used in qualitative studies are interviews, case studies, visual texts, and focus groups, to name a few. The justification for using the qualitative design for this research is its direction to present the research questions involving migration, which cannot be adequately discussed if a quantitative or a mixed method design is applied.3.2 Research Paradigm: InterpretiveSince this research pursues the qualitative design, it hence correspondingly employs an interpretive paradigm. This paradigm states that people con tinuously produce social constructions from the world around them. The ultimate purpose of interpretive paradigm is to understand the experiences of people as the study takes place in natural settings (Chilisa and Preece, 2005). On the point of view of interpretivism, knowledge is subjective because of its nature to create social constructions. This is differentiated from the positivist paradigm, which is based on measurement and quantification (Cohen, Manion, and Morrison, 2011).3.3 Data CollectionBoth primary and secondary data collection methods are applied to this research to address the research questions. Primary data are those collected afresh for the specific use of the researcher and are therefore original (Mooi and Sarstedt, 2011). Examples of these are survey data, interview data, observation data, field notes, etc. Secondary data, on the other hand, are those already collected by someone else for their own purpose, which is being used again by another (Kothari, 2004). Ex amples of these are data from books, journal articles, corporate reports, online data, and the like. This current research employs interview data as well as data from books and academic journals. The interview thus conducted is in-depth and semi-structured, involving an asylum seeker from Sierra Leone. 4. Presentation and Analysis of Results According to the interview participant, the civil war in her homeland caused her to come to the UK in 2002. Her purpose of migration was to obtain safety from the war and to have a better chance of good education. This is coherent with the notion of forced dispersal embodying the concept of Diaspora (Faist, 2010a; Faist, 2010b). There was a strong belief from the participant that Britain is more accommodating towards asylum seekers than other countries, as she was reminded that Sierra Leone was once a colony of Britain. The presence of a strong Sierra Leone community in Britain, to which she is able to identify and rely strongly, also served as a reason for her search for asylum in the country. Physical safety is the reason for her search for asylum, which the literature also claims as the prism that precipitates greater cooperation to regulate the flow of asylum seekers (e.g. Charmie and Powers, 2008). Apparently, the push-pull model does not harmonise with the participant’ s situation because of the model’s focus on the individual level and its propensity to overlook the internal stratification and heterogeneous character of societies (e.g. de Haas, 2008). The participant states that despite her strong Sierra Leone culture, there were changes in her priorities along the way. She claims that she goes home every year, communicates with her family via phone or Skype, and sends money to her people. This is congruent with de Haas’ (2008) description of the transnational community. The participant now sees the UK as her home because this is where she lives, works, and pays her taxes. The strong cultural ties and community spirit with her people is seen in the fact that if any Sierra Leonean is in difficulty, she participates (along with the others) in contributing money, buying food, or helping the person to take care of their children if they cannot. It may be suggested that within this community is a form of people’s cooperative union, showing Diaspora that includes ethnic and religious groups/communities as described by Faist (2010b), as well as an â€Å"imagined homeland† (Faist, 2010a). This also demonstrates how m igration systems link people in transnational communities, consequently resulting in a geographical clustering of migration streams (de Haas, 2008), as how the Sierra Leone community (where the participant belongs) is formed. Having lived in the UK for quite a long time, the participant appreciates the idea of the multicultural community, coupled with friends of different nationalities who are generally more accepting. Faist (2010b) calls such integration into the country of settlement ‘Diaspora’. According to the participant, some countries do not apply equal opportunities, fairness, and human rights as they do in the UK. Amongst those she appreciates the most in the UK are free education, respect for human rights, safety and security, a feeling of independence, and economic and political stability. She says that this is unlike the civil war, corruption, and lack of economic growth in Sierra Leone. However, she stresses the importance of having family members around, since being alone can be isolating. Despite having lived in the UK for a long time, she claims that the Sierra Leonean culture has influenced her character more than the British culture. The notion of transnationalism is seen i n this context, specifically transnational social spaces, such as reciprocity and unity in both countries of emigration and immigration (Faist, 2010a). Her country of origin benefits from her living in the UK by working with the Red Cross as a way to give back to the country that rescued her from persecution in her homeland. The war in Sierra Leone created an avenue for her to come to the UK and pursue her goals, including education, which is valued in her family as a means to sustain financial and social statuses. Amelina and Faist (2012) describe this in their ‘methodological transnationalism’ as a development that takes place between space and social mobility. It must be noted that the concept of feminisation (e.g. Piper, 2013; Engle, 2004; Asis, 2005) may also be applied to this example, as the asylum seeker is a woman who was eventually able to integrate to the UK society as a student and a worker. It has been forwarded that the relevance of gender can be seen in most aspects of migration (including asylum) (Piper, 2013), to which the participant’s situation is applicable. 3. Evaluation and Conclusion 3.1 Evaluation The participant in the study demonstrates the irrelevance of the push-pull model of migration to the stream of migration. Rather, the transnational approach reveals a more applicable position to the situation, as shown by the social bonds thus created amongst Sierra Leoneans and with other UK residents, and the tendency of the participant to remit some money to her family and friends way back in her country (e.g. de Haas, 2008; Amelina and Faist, 2012). Albeit faminisation is not the major issue in the interview, it can be surmised that its essence is nonetheless existent since the asylum seeker eventually became a worker in the UK, and her deployment may be associated with feminisation of migration (Asis, 2005). Diaspora is evident in the groups of Sierra Leonean people who live outside an imagined native land (e.g. Faist, 2010b). Transnationalism, on the other hand, is seen in the description of the migrants’ strong ties and social formations (e.g. Faist, 2010a; Faist, 2010b). Thus, the partnership between Diaspora and transnationalism is relevant to the migrant as an asylum seeker. Moreover, regulation processes create and mould migration flows, which are involved in labour market segmentation insofar as polices are supported by gendered and classed postulations. Legal channels are concluded to have opened up due to the upsurge of irregular migration, including asylum. 3.2 ConclusionThis research deals with the developments in migration theory and how these developments addressed the limitations of the push-pull model. It explains feminisation as a major trend in contemporary migration, as well as the metaphor that Diaspora and transnationalism are ‘two awkward dance partners’. Further, it focuses on asylum and how it complicates the analysis of global migration and their regulation. Developments in migration theory have caused an attempt for the surmounting of the limitations of the ‘push-pull’ model, an individual choice and equilibrium model. The relativity of migration pressure shows the triviality of the model. The transnational approach deals with this triviality and limitations, whereby it rejects the nation-state as the sole basis of empirical analysis. Feminisation, on the other hand, is seen as a major trend in contemporary migration, as evidenced by the proliferation of women workers in the fields of medical/health, sales, hospitality, and maintenance. Labour migration drives the occurrence of feminisation as a major trend in contemporary migration. Gendered norms also mediate the way migrants perform their roles in the migration process. There are prevailing stereotyped assumptions amongst labour recruiters set at the heart of the feminisation of migration, offering both demand and opportunities for female workers. Through migration systems, people, families and communities are linked in transnational communities, and it consequently leads to an orderly geographical arrangement and clustering of migration streams, just as the participant in the study seems to depict. The concept of Diaspora denotes national or religious groupings of people that live outside an imagined native land. Transnationalism is used to explain the strong ties that prevail amongst migrants as well as to describe communities and social formations. A balance between tough policy on asylum migration and global recruitment processes has been established in migration process. Physical safety has been the precipitating prism for regulating the stream of asylum seekers across countries, which is the same reason for asylum seeking by the participant in the study. Bibliography Amelina, A. and Faist, T. (2012) De-naturalizing the National in Research Methodologies: Key Concepts of Transnational Studies in Migration. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 35 (10): 1707-1724. Asis, M. M. B. (2005) Recent Trends in International Migration in Asia and the Pacific. Asia Pacific Population Journal, 20 (3): 15-38. Castle, S & Miller, R. (2009) The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World. Fourth Edition. New York: Macmillan. Charmie, J. and Powers, M. G. (2008) International Migration and Development: Continuing the Dialogue: Legal and Policy Perspectives. Geneva: International Organization for Migration. Chilisa, B. and Preece, J. (2005) Research Methods for Adult Educators in Africa. NY: Pearson Education. Cohen, L., Manion, L., and Morrison, K. (2011) Research Methods in Education. Seventh Edition. Oxon: Routledge. de Haas, H. (2008) Migration and Development: A Theoretical Perspective. Paper 9. Working Papers. Oxford: International Migration Institute, James 21st Century School, University of Oxford. Denzin, N. K. and Lincoln, Y. S. (2011) The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research. London: SAGE Publications, Inc. Doomernik, J. and Jandl, M. (2008) Modes of Migration Regulation and Control in Europe. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. Engle, L. B. (2004) The World in Motion: Short Essays on Migration and Gender. Geneva: International Organization for Migration. Faist, T. (2000a) The Volume and Dynamics of International Migration and Transnational Social Spaces. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Faist, T. (2010b) Diaspora and transnationalism: What kind of dance partnersR. Baubock & T. Faist (Eds.) Diaspora and Transnationalism: Concepts, Theories and Methods (pp. 9-34). Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. Gabriel, C. and Pellerin, H. (2008) Governing International Labour Migration: Current Issues, Challenges and Dilemmas. Oxon: Routledge. Kofman, E. (2005) Citizenship, Migration, and the Reassertion of National Identity. Citizenship Studies, 9 (5): 453-467. Kothari, C. R. (2004) Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. Second Edition. Delhi: New Age International. Lasailly-Jacob, V. (2010) â€Å"Forced migration in Africa: A new but overlooked category of refugees†. In C. Audebert and M. K. Morai (Eds.) Migration in a Globalised World: New Research Issues and Prospects. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. Mateos, N. R. (2005) The Mediterranean in the Age of Globalization: Migration, Welfare, and Borders. NJ: Transaction Publishers. Mooi, E. and Sarstedt, M. (2011) A Concise Guide to Market Research: The Process, Data, and Methods Using IBM SPSS Statistics. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. Olesen, H. (2003) ‘Migration, Return, and Development: An Institutional Perspective’. In N. V. Hear and N. N. Sorensen (Eds.) Geneva: The Migration Development Nexus. Peers, S. and Rogers, N. (2006) EU Immigration and Asylum Law: Text and Commentary. The Netherlands: Konikliije Brill NV, Leiden. Piper, N. (2013) New Perspectives on Gender and Migration: Livelihood, Rights and Entitlements. United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. Oxon: Routledge. Portes, A. (2000) ‘Globalization from below: The rise of transnational communities. In D. Kalb et al. (Eds.). The End of Globalization: Bringing Society Back in. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, p. 253-270. Smith, M. P. and Favell, A. (2006) The Human Face of Mobile Mobility: International Highly Skilled Migration in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Critical Lens Essay

Trust is a very valuable thing is one’s life. Without trust, it is next to impossible to go through life. Graham Green happens to agree with this as she had once said, â€Å"†¦ it is impossible o go through life without trust†¦Ã¢â‚¬  One can interpret this quote as trust being an essential aspect to life and in order to go through it, there must be someone or something a person can put his or her faith in. Two works of literature that reflect this quote are The Fault in Our Stars by John Greene and A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. Trust sometimes helps people strengthen themselves to be able to go through tough times in life. John Greene proves so in his book, The Fault in Our Stars. Hazel and Augustus are able to build a strong relationship. The author uses characterization in order to build trust between the two characters. Since Hazel was able to put her faith in Augustus, her character became stronger and started to have more confidence in herself. Augustus, a philosophical teenager, helps Hazel live her life in the limited time that she has although he, himself was dying. Both characters became stronger and were able to live their life as much as they could because of how they made each other feel. Augustus made sure Hazel never looked down on herself. When it was time for Augustus to go, Hazel was strong enough to give him a proper good-bye. In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, trust is used in order strengthen the relationships within the family. When Mama receives the insurance check that the family was waiting for, Mama decides to buy a house with the money. Doing so creates a conflict between Walter Lee. To make things right, Mama entrusts him with the rest of the money. But, Walter Lee breaks the whole family’s trust by investing the money in the liquor store even though he told not to do so. When his friend runs away with the money, Walter Lee realizes his mistake. It was the family’s faith in Walter Lee, which let them forgive him. The family knew that he truly regretted what he had done and that he would do everything in his power to try and gain their trust. Trust is the key to building relationships and maintaining them. In John Greene’s The Fault in Our Stars and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, the trust and faith is what keeps the characters headstrong. Hazel and Augustus’s trust helps them stay optimistic through their illness. The Younger family’s trust within themselves helps maintain their relationships with each other and get through tough obstacles in life. Both works of literature prove that trust is essential to life.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Business And Organization: questions and answers Essay

1. Distinguish between an absolute advantage and a comparative advantage. Cite an example of a country that has an absolute advantage and one with a comparative advantage. Absolute advantage is when a monopoly exists in a country when it is the only source and product of an item. Meanwhile, a comparative advantage is when a country can supply products more efficiently and at a lower cost than it can produce other items. South Africa has an absolute advantage because of its diamonds. The United States has a comparative advantage because of the many products we produce. 3. What effect does devaluation have on a nation’s currency? Can you think of a country that has devaluated or revaluated its currency? What have been the results?Devaluation decreases the value of currency in relation to other currencies. Mexico is a country that has devalued their currency. The result of this is to make things less expensive. 4. How do political issues affect international business?Political issues affect international business by it helps to sell products overseas. 5. What is an import tariff? A quota? Dumping? How might a country use import tariffs and quotas to control its balance of trade and payments? Why can dumping result in the imposition of tariffs and quotas?An import tariff is a tax made by the nation on goods imported into the country. A quota limits the amount of products that can be imported into a country. Dumping is a country selling products at less than what it costs to produce them. A country uses import tariffs to protect domestic products by raising the price of imported ones. A country uses quotas by voluntary agreement or by government decree. Dumping can result in the imposition of tariffs and quotas because it permits quick entry into the market or a firm’s product is too small to have a certain level of production. 6. How do social and cultural differences create barriers to international trade? Can you think of any additional social or cultural barriers (other than those mentioned in this chapter) that might inhibit international  business?Social and cultural differences create barriers to international trade by cultural differences in spoken and written languages are different. A certain phrase in America can be defined as something very different and sometimes inappropriate in another culture. Body languages and personal space are also an affect. These differences can cause misunderstandings or uncomfortable feelings toward a specific business. Another cultural barrier may be a certain religion and something that person believes in. A business may be mocking a religion without knowing anything about it. 8. At what levels might a firm get involved in international business? What level requires the least commitment of resources? What level requires the most?A firm might get involved in international business at many levels, it depends on the commitment and effort a certain company decides to involve itself in international trade. The least commitment of resources is a small company on the level of less than 100 employees. The level which requires the most is a large company with more than 500 employees. 9. Compare and contrast licensing, franchising, contract manufacturing, and outsourcing. Licensing is a trade arrangement in which on company allows another to use its company’s name, products, patents, brands, trademarks, raw materials, and many others in exchange for a fee or royalty. Franchising is a form of licensing in which a company agrees to provide their name, logo, methods of operation, advertising, products, and other elements in return for a financial commitment and the agreement to conduct business in accordance with the original standard of operations. Contract manufacturing is when a company hires a foreign company to produce a specified amount of the firm’s product to specification. Outsourcing is transferring manufacturing or other tasks to companies in countries where labor and supplies are less expensive. All of these ideas are similar in the way it helps businesses expand their work into more areas of their own countries or in foreign countries as well. 10. Compare multinational and global strategies. Which is best? Under what circumstances might each be used?Multinational strategies are plans used by  international companies that involve customizing products, promotion, and distribution according to cultural, technological, regional, and national differences. Global strategies involve standardizing products for the whole world. The best is global strategies because it helps the world recognize different cultures and understand the way one culture believes to another. A global strategy is used by American clothing, movies, music, and cosmetics. A Multinational strategy is used by celebrities being advertised in one country but can’t be advertised in another because of the unfamiliarity. Book: Business Organization and Management