Psychology Phobias Coursework Essay Example for Free

Psychology Phobias Coursework Essay The area studied for this study is phobias, by adapting the work of Bennett Levy and Marteau.  The alternative hypothesis was whether the participant disliked a particular thing about the animal; in particular it being likely to bite, being ugly, or having a strange texture, they will also give a high fear rating.  A survey was completed by 30 participants aged over sixteen years old, using an opportunity sample, to find their opinions about how likely the variables are likely to occur. The principle finding was all the variable results gave a positive significant correlation.  The main implications of the findings were it supported the research by Bennett Levy and Marteau that there is a strong correlation between an appearance of an animal and fear.  Introduction:  The definition of a phobia is a persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the conscious awareness that it is not dangerous. Explanations to how a phobia develops differ between schools of psychology. The behaviourist theory argues that phobias are learnt by classical conditioning and reinforced by operant conditioning. An experiment on phobias supporting the behaviourist theory was executed by Watson and Rayner in 1920. The aim of the experiment was to show how classical conditioning could be applied to condition fear of a white rat into Little Albert, an 11 month old boy. The psychodynamic theory sees phobias resulting from the displacement of repressed impulses to an object or situation which becomes a focus for a phobia. Sigmund Freud speaks of an Oedipus complex which is where children of both sexes regard their father as an adversary and competitor for the exclusive love of their mother. This is related to phobias in the study of Little Hans. Little Hans phobia of horses is due to the fact that he took pleasure in his father getting hurt by a horse, as it meant Little Hans could have his mother all to himself. The cognitive theory states that people with phobias tend to focus on negative aspects of situations. The way people typically think, such as catastrophising, affects the likelihood of a fearful response. Tomarken et al (1989) supported this theory by finding the participants with phobias greatly overestimated the number of times fear related slides were followed by a shock. The biological theory states phobias tend to run in families which suggest a genetic component. Phobias related to survival, such as snakes, spiders, and heights, are much more common and much easier to induce in the laboratory than other kinds of fears. Seligman proposed the Preparedness theory that states humans are genetically disposed to respond rapidly to hazards in order to survive dangerous environments, therefore a result of evolutionary history. Consequently, the innate predisposition to fear these objects became an adaptive human trait. Ohman et al also said that many common phobias, such as heights and snakes, are based on things which may have threatened human survival in the past. While researching the biological theory, a decision was made to focus on this theory due to it having many areas that one could explore. These included the study Bennett-Levy Marteau and Sharma.  Bennett-Levy and Marteau (1984) showed there is a strong correlation between fear of small harmless animals and an animals appearance. Specifically it is seen that the amount of fear expressed is related to the extent of the difference from the human form. They did this by conducting surveys, and correlating two variables. A number of surveys correlating fears and phobias have also been done by Agras, Sylvester Oliveau, 1969; Costello, 1982; Kirkpatrick, 1984.  Sharma wrote a paper suggesting disgust and fear are closely related. Sharma observed many patients postpone or avoid a simple blood test, and was unsure whether this was due to the test being painful or whether it just felt icky. Sharma wrote that fear and disgust are both one of the five basic universal emotions, found in all cultures and societies as it is essential for survival, fear tells us to run and disgust tells us to avoid contact. However, Sharma says that some people with the phobias of spiders or insects have greater disgust sensitivity. Disgust sensitivity is a term used to describe a person who finds things disgusting easier and quicker than the majority of other people.  From the research by Bennett-Levy and Marteau, a questionnaire was made in order to be able to see the correlation between fear/deadliness and how disgusting the animal is.

Communist Manifesto Essay examples -- Literary Analysis, Karl Marx

Karl Marx in his â€Å"Communist Manifesto† states that the wage gap will eventually result in revolutions of working class across the world, and consequently difference in classes will be vanished. Whereas, Robert Reich in â€Å"Why the Rich are Getting Richer and the Poor, Poorer† argues that American strategy of economic development, which is based on expansion of the production, will lead to collapse of American economy. Though, the poor people will suffer of various deprivations, wealthy people will be putted into even more unenviable situation in both cases. Moreover, scenario given by Marx in his work proposes the worst position for the rich people than Reich describes. First of all, the equal situations illustrated by both authors are result of over-extension of the market. This is due to the fact that trading relations is no longer bounded by national borders and corporations are selling their products not only in the specific region, but on the every part of the globe, in order to get more profit. Such profit-seeking concept of producers also forced them to make production process as cheap as possible. For example, high-volume production was moved from developed to developing countries with cheap labor force (Reich, p. 5), also as the production becomes automated to exclude the costs due to worker’s salary (Marx, p.44, Reich p.17). According to Reich, policy of American national companies, which is to expand distribution market, will eventually trigger slow but constant economical degradation. â€Å"And as the American corporation sold its goods and services all over the world, the purchasing power of American workers became far less relevant to its economic survival† (Reich, p.43). As the result of this, all classes in America wi... ...ening wage gap. Reich states that economic crisis in America will result in lost wealth of the rich people, but that issue will affect only well-off people in America, consequently they can either immigrate to different country before he gets poor or invest in overseas companies. On the other hand from Marx’s point of view wealthy people will literally get destroyed by proletarians due to three reasons. Firstly, the proletarian revolution will be worldwide, so the rich people won’t have a place to run to, everywhere will be the same equal society. Secondly, proletarian revolution is inevitable therefore rich man can’t stop the Specter of Communism. Finally, if the former rich man will rise against communism he will be punished. Thus, in Marx’s scenario of sinking of wealthy people they are doomed, as there is no way for them to avoid that state of affairs.

My favourite stuff

In my leisure time I enjoy having a long drink and a bowl of popcorn watching a nice film.   I do not favor any category of film.   I normally read a review of a film and see what evaluation it had been given by the reviewer.   Although I have some favorite actors, like for example Robert De Niro in the films ‘The Awakening’, ‘Sleepers’, and ‘Meet the Fockers’, Al Pacino in the films ‘Devils Advocate’, and ‘Carlito’s Way’, and George Clooney in the films ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’ and ‘The Perfect Storm’. A recent film that comes to my mind is Pursuit of Happyness.   It attracted me most for its comparisons to the daily routine.   In fact it is based on a true story of Chris Gardner.   To be sincere I do not really fancy so much the main actor of this film whom character is played by Will Smith, but he really has done his best to play such an excellent role.   While the boy in the film, who is also the real son of Will Smith manages to play an impeccable role in the film.   The story is about a salesman who is trying to sell medical scanners with no luck at all. While he possesses minimal money and the only breadwinner of the family is his wife, who is panic stricken on how to continue paying the house rents they have with insufficient income. The last straw that broke the camels’ back was when ‘Chris’ told his wife that he was inclined for the profession of a stockbroker.   As a result, she left home and allowed Chris to take the full custody of his son. In such a stance, Chris had to study to attain the job as a stockbroker, while trying to provide shelter for his son.   This part of the film revels the great commitment that Chris Gardner had for his family and for the job that he was inspired to reach. A story like this induces me to look at the bright sight of any situation and to be realistic in any condition in my life. Will Smith shows this entirely on how he keeps a smile on his face knowing the severe circumstances just to give hope and love for his son.   Knowing that these are real events from the daily routine of Chris Gardner, he managed to protect his son from the daily darkness, random misfortunes and homelessness. Even though I am watching a film I try to get a good source of education or knowledge or loving depending on the film.   For example through ‘Last King of Scotland’ I noted the hardships that people in Uganda suffered during the reign of General Idi Amin.   The braveness and courage of William Wallace in the film ‘Braveheart’ provided me good historical insights of Scotland during that epoch. Being a movie admirer I am always keen to watch a good film at the Cinema first.   I usually prefer a quite theater, with no disturbances from other spectators, which will hinder my attention on the film.   I also follow the Oscar Nominations and Awards thoroughly.   Indeed it is customary for me to watch all the movies in a cinema that were nominated to an Oscar.   I always try to match who will be the Best Actor, Director, Actress and Film before the award ceremony. Reference: Internet Movie Database. The Pursuit of Happyness (on line). Available from:   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/ (Accessed 9th April 2007).

Essay on A Comparison of Two Christian Denominations

A Comparison of Two Christian Denominations The two churches that I am going compare and contrast are the Anglican Church and the Orthodox Church. These two churches have many different symbolisms and traditions, but nevertheless have the same basic belief in that Jesus Christ is the centre of their faith and worship. The Orthodox Church is renowned for its colorful outside, exotic features and images along with elaborate rituals. An Orthodox Church cannot be confused with any other as it has those tell-tale domes that characterize the ostentatious expressive Orthodox faith. The external square shape with the dome on the top is an indication that everything in Gods universe is seen by him. The†¦show more content†¦The seven- branched candlestick depicts Gods presence and reminds us of the seven sacraments. The churchs striking beauty does justice to the familiar phrase built for the glory of god, and its beauty is epitomized in the iconostasis. This is an elaborately decorated screen of icons separating the nave from the sanctuary. The iconostasis is a spiritual symbol of the gulf between heaven and earth, humans and the almighty God. Icons form an integral part of the Orthodox worship, as they believe that God is totally beyond human reach therefore the use of these icons enables them to reach God. Behind the iconostasis lies the spiritual realm and as the priest opens the royal doors the congregation is allowed a small glimpse into heaven. The doors are a linking bridge between heaven and earth; they are the only way into heaven. Within the church the sanctuary would symbolize heaven and the nave would symbolize earth. Despite the slightly gaudy extravagance; still at the heart of the church lies a peaceful holy sense of Gods presence. Together all these different features, symbolisms and sanctities create the perfect recipe to do justice to the omnipotent God. The Orthodox Church takes the view of dark mysterious atmosphere as being the best tone to worship God. In contrast to the numerous over-elaborate symbolisms of the inside of the EasternShow MoreRelatedThe Practice Of The Eucharist1140 Words   |  5 Pagessimilarities and differences. For a majority of these two Christian denominations they both share many of the same beliefs. A similarity between the Catholic and the Church of England read and proclaim the same scriptures from the Old and New Testament of the bible. Another similarity is that both Churches recite and pray the Nicene Creed and the Apostles creed and both have a calendar for Saints fest days with prayers and readings. A comparison is that the Church of England believes that Jesus isRead MoreAbrahamic Religions With Similar Rituals And Practices Essay1606 Words   |  7 Pagesslam and Christianity in Comparison; two religions with similar rituals and practices. 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