Idun
Not a member yet
1923 research outputs found
Sort by
Confined Identity: Reexamining Total Institutions
Get PDFSocial life has great impact on the identity formation of groups and individuals. It is from society that people receive validation for the identities they wish to convey. Typically, individuals have freedom to adopt multiple identities, for different social contexts demand different behaviors. However, there are some places where individuals are restricted to one common identity by authorities. Erving Goffman defines such a location as a total institution. Although Goffman\u27s theory adequately describes the circumstances in the asylum he observed, it is not as applicable to other cases that should theoretically match Goffman\u27s description. This article will address the problem of inapplicability through a theory elaboration of Goffman\u27s definition of total institutions. For this elaboration, two different cases that apply to Goffman\u27s five types of total institutions will be examined: Navy SEAL training and the Amish lifestyle. These analyses will demonstrate where the theory is lacking. After the weak spots are found, improvements to the theory can be made
The Psychological Effects of Starvation in the Holocaust: The Dehumanization and Deterioration of its Victims
Get PDFMy paper exposes the inherent link between the intense starvation implemented by the Nazi regime in concentration camps during the Holocaust and the psychological state of the victims of the camp system. Explored in this essay are the deteriorative and dehumanizing effects that starvation played on the mind of the camp prisoner. In this paper, I explore the widespread and intense malnutrition among the prisoners that led to cognitive decay such as comprehension complications and loss of concentration. I also examine the cognitive and psychological processes that led to acts of desperation, such as cannibalism, as well as the specifically psychological effects of starvation, including depression, anxiety, apathy or loss of motivation, and feelings of lessening self-worth. I discuss starvation\u27s role in the Nazi goal of mass extermination and its place in the camp structure, and I analyze the complications that starvation places upon the formation and maintenance of prisoner relationships. A close study of this method of Nazi dehumanization directly exposes the link between the physical and psychological factors of the concentration camp system and the connection to the lack of resistance and general sense of submission among the prisoners. Throughout my analysis I often reference Doctor Ancel Keys\u27 experiment with men who volunteered to participate in controlled starvation at the University of Minnesota Memorial Football Stadium in 1944. By applylng the information obtained from this experiment on the effects of starvation to my study on starvation\u27s psychological implications in the Holocaust, the extremity and severity of starvation\u27s toll on human life is recognizable
Music and Six-Minute Walk-Distance- One Step at a Time: Commentary on “Rhythmic auditory stimulation increases 6-minute walk distance in individuals with COPD: A repeated measures study
Get PDFThe article by Hernandez and colleagues published in this edition of Heart & Lung, reports on original research exploring the use of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) to increase the 6-minute distance walk with individuals diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The authors provide clear rationale regarding the use of music to stimulate movement, increase exercise tolerance, and to distract participants from the perception of dyspnea. Through this report, we offer further insights specifically focused on the RAS process, including vital considerations when implementing a music-based intervention in clinical practice settings
The Observed Effects of Recreation Jamstix™ use on Mood: a Pilot Study
Get PDFThe purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the changes in mood before and after a one time improvisation with a Jamstik™ in order to understand if and how the experience will produce a statistically significant method for quantitatively addressing mood in music therapy. Participants (N: 15) were a convenience sample of male and female college students. Using the Quick Mood Scale (Woodruffe-Peacock, Turnbull, Johnson, Elahi, & Preston, 1998), this research compared pre- and post-test measures in participants\u27 moods after a 15 minute improvisation session with the Jamstik™ while the researcher accompanied on a drum. Results indicated immediate and significant positive changes in four out of the six mood factors after a single session: (a) wide awake/drowsy, (b) relaxed/ anxious, (c) cheertul/depressed, and (d) friendly/aggressive. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the Jamstik™ can be used as a tool of improvisation to bring an immediate, positive impact on mood. Limitations and suggestions for future research are provided
Huck Finn and (Still) Racist America
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which the infamously banned book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn can be used in contemporary society and, more importantly, in schools. Ever since Mark Twain wrote the book, Huck Finn has received bombardments of criticism, both positive and negative. Unfortunately, for the most part the negative criticism has made itself more easily heard, causing the book to be banned from countless libraries and public and private schools. Given the ill treatment of the book, this paper will argue that the race discussion inherent in Mark Twain\u27s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a powerful source of learning and self-reflection. By examining the content of the novel, arguments from critics on both sides, and an educational classroom perspective of the novel, this paper will show that Mark Twain\u27s Huck Finn should not be dismissed or removed from public education
Bollywood Images: the Illusions and Realities of Arranged Marriages, Weddings, Dowries, and Attitudes Toward the Girl Child in the Lives of Women in India
Get PDFOffering audiences a romanticized interpretation of Indian life, the images in Bollywood films present the viewer with loving and supportive families, beautiful wedding rituals, and a happily ever after point of view that does not quite measure up to the societal realities of life for millions of Indian women. Juxtaposing themes and images from three popular Bollywood films against current attitudes towards women in Indian society, this paper will analyze the issues surrounding women\u27s choice of marriage partners, the high cost of weddings and dowries, female infanticide, and the violence too often suffered by women and girls in India through dowry-related abuse or murder. This paper will also examine the question of whether the Bollywood film industry and its highly revered actors are attempting to alter awareness regarding these issues in the larger Indian society
Holistic Care of the Home Dialysis Patient
No full textChronic kidney disease is a devastating illness; these patients have high mortality rates and often suffer from numerous comorbid conditions. As patients transition into receiving renal replacement therapy such as dialysis, they experience profound and life altering disruptions requiring guidance from medical providers. Patients often have difficulty coping with this diagnosis and exhibit fear, depression, and anxiety. Unfortunately, nursing care is often focused on procedural activities rather than addressing the psychosocial and emotional needs of the patient. One way dialysis providers are trying to improve health outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients is with home dialysis modalities. These methods of delivering kidney replacement therapy are proven to raise health outcomes, decrease costs, and provide a better quality of life. To ensure the psychosocial and emotional needs are met, the nurses at a large Midwestern tertiary healthcare center are provided an educational opportunity. The educational presentation is developed based on the concepts of Margaret Newman’s Health as Expanding Consciousness Theory and its use in a holistic assessment. It is hoped this activity will inspire a paradigm shift in the nursing care of patients receiving home dialysis from a procedural one to a holistic one focused on recognizing the psychosocial aspects in the patient. This education will help to guide the nurses to better understand the patient’s personal goals, discover the reasons of the disconnect between desired outcomes and actual results, find the motivation to change behaviors, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes for home dialysis patients
Shifting the Paradigm: Promoting Wellness for Cancer Caregivers
No full textThe role of caring for a cancer patient is often overwhelming for caregivers. The effects of caregiving can be tumultuous and detrimental to a caregiver\u27s health. The current paradigm in healthcare is to primarily focus on patients and their needs while not giving attention to the needs of cancer caregivers. There is little to no time spent on educating caregivers on the importance of self-care. A pilot project to educate caregivers on self-care tips has been developed. This pilot project used the distress tool developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the Distress Thermometer (2016) to assess the level of distress in cancer caregivers in an outpatient hematology setting. Success will be evaluated by doing a pre-intervention questionnaire and post-intervention questionnaire and comparing levels of stated distress. Nursing as a whole focuses solely on the patient, but a shift in the paradigm should occur to include caregivers. This project helps nursing as a profession to shift the paradigm to meet the needs of the patients and their families
Congressional Redistricting
Get PDFTo identify when gerrymandering occurs, one can study compactness measures of districts. After determining that some measures of compactness alone are insufficient to identify fair or biased district boundaries, this study\u27s investigation continues by focusing on wasted votes. Using wasted votes, a procedure is developed and coded in R that takes a given congressional district map and alters it to provide a redistricting of desired fair or partisan results.https://idun.augsburg.edu/zyzzogeton/1013/thumbnail.jp