Critical Review of Dementia Service User’s Experience of Care

Title: A 3000 words essay critically reviewing a service user’s journey through their experience of care In this essay I will critically evaluate a resident by the name of Tom Journey with dementia. He suffers from Alzheimer's dementia and lives in sheltered housing. I will explore issues surrounding nutrition intake, wandering, communication, incontinence and the environment that affect the client, family and staff. I will then look at the assessment process, care planning, implementing and evaluation.I will explore patient safety, intervention and the processes that managers and professionals have to undertake when managing individuals with dementia. These interventions and approaches adopted are vital when planning person centred care. In addition, due to the policy of confidentiality I would not mention the name of the organisation and persons involved. The essay will end with a conclusion and a summary. According to Mathers and Leanardi (2000), â€Å"Dementia is a syndro me caused by a range of illnesses and currently many are incurable, and cause progressive, irreversible brain damage.They include Alzheimer's disease (the most common cause), vascular disease, frontal lobe dementia and Lewy Body disease. Symptoms of dementia can include memory loss, difficulties with language, judgement, insight and failure to recognise people, disorientation, mood changes, hallucinations, delusions, and the gradual loss of ability to perform all tasks of daily living†,( Mathers and Leanardi, 2000). Mace and Rabin (1999) highlighted that, â€Å"the word dementia originated from two Latin words which mean â€Å"away and mind†. This can indicate a loss of memory inability to function effectively, which can result in mental confusion†.Jack is a seventy year old man with dementia. He lives in sheltered housing. He has four children two sons and two daughters. He was moved from his home into sheltered accommodation after the death of his wife Mary. Hi s condition deteriorated very rapidly and he needed extra support to live at home safely. The family was unable to adequately provide for Jack’s needs, so they decided to re-house him. The family brought Jack with them to view the flat before he was moved in. This allowed Jack the opportunity to meet the staff and get familiar with the new environment. He was brought in by is son and daughter, but his son stayed with him in the guest room for a few days to get him settled and feel comfortable. Jack was showing early signs of dementia as his communication was not clear at times and often his speech was muddled. Furthermore, his memory was poor at first as he kept asking for his wife repeatedly for examples, † where am I†, â€Å"whose house is this†, and â€Å"why am I here†. Also his nutrition was an issue as he was not eating his meals and often said he was not hungry or he would eat later. He would sometimes say take it away and feed the pigeon.Food would turn up in various places like bins, in drawers and even in his bed. Mace and Rabins (1999) mentioned that eating alone can contribute to or worsen their confusion. Incontinence was also a big concern for staff as he was constantly wet and soiled with faeces. He would choose places not suitable to use for toileting, removing his protective clothing. He was also hiding dirty soiled clothes in inappropriate places. Moreover, getting his personal care done was a big task as he was not cooperative. Beatie et al, (2005) stated that people with dementia do not know that they are not being cooperative with certain basic tasks.This could be related to my client as I observed these issues on many occasions. All these conditions have been highlighted by (Kitwood, 1997). With regard to incontinence, Parker (2000) supported that because of the dying of the brain cells, a person like Jack will not be able to independently identify the message the brain is conveying about the bowel. This p roblem was identified with Jack. Jack, as supported by Parker (2000) should be encouraged to use the toilet before and after consuming meals and drinks and should also have a regular pad change.Parker 2000 also cited that when any person in a state like that of Jack is constipated or having sluggish bowel movement, they should be offered medication like suppositories and if this does not work they should be supported by observation. When dealing with Jack who does not have mental capacity it is important to observe his actions. When he is in need of toileting he can exhibit the following actions which are non verbal such as pulling down or removing pants, or opening his fly. These actions are likely to suggest that he wants to use the toilet.Mace and Rabins (1999) argued that it can be very difficult for practitioners to achieve appropriate assessments when they are dealing with persons who are living in an independent setting. My assessment highlighted many problems such as persona l care, poor memory, poor nutrition intake, urinary incontinence, poor communication and wandering about all the time. However, this was more pronounced in the evenings. Morris and Morris (2010), Kitwood, (1997) and Algage (2006), have highlighted this problem to be â€Å"sundown syndrome†.According to Leblance (2011) he described this as onset of confusion that occurs in late afternoon and night time. Algage (2006) further stated that wandering is a way of communicating in a non verbal form by using action to correspond with others. Moreover Beatie et al, (2005) argued that patients with dementia may not be able to read signs. For example factors like the environment may cause them to be distressed and might put them at risk, (Hodgkinson et al, 2007). Some residents like Jack may have limited communication ability to verbalise what they want to do, so they just show action as a way of communicating.For example, the sign posts, symbols and photographic pictures might not appe al to them because of their limited ability to focus on details, (Hodgkinson et al, 2007). Beatie et al, (2005) and Fox and Wilson (2007) have highlighted that living in a sheltered housing environment can be a lonely experience for many patients and this can make them feel isolated. More so, Beatie et al, (2005) mentioned that these factors might cause a patient to wander because if they feel lonely and anxious for a long period of time. They might want to find something to engage in.A person with dementia might find it difficult to sit down. For example in my observations I feel that Jack was living in a community where he had friends and family to socialise with and moving to a new place was somehow upsetting for him. Likewise changes might have caused Jack’s more loss of memory and this could be another reason why he failed to adjust to his new surrounding as cited in Mace and Rabins (1999). Moreover, in this sheltered housing there are no facilities like shops and recrea tional facilities as it is in a secluded area.Knockers (2000) mentioned about daily living activities that could have been useful to a patient with dementia like Jack. In my opinion, this would have given Jack the opportunity to engage with other residents. This would have been a great way of socialising, chatting, enjoyment and given him a purpose in life and most of all engaging his time and stop him from wondering so frequently. According to Cheston and Bender (1999) and Innes et al, (2000) the DCM (Dementia Care Mapping) is a precise framework that is important to assess patients with dementia.The DCM (Dementia Care Mapping) is an observational tool which is used in a professional setting. This tool could have been useful to Jack if he was living in suitable housing that meets his needs (Kitwood 1997, Shels 2007 and Fox and Wilson, 2000), Mace and Rabins (1999) mention that MME (Mini Mental Examination) also known as the â€Å"mini mental† is one of the tools that are use d to screen an individual’s mental ability at the onset of dementia. This tool is also known as the performance tool that allows five minutes to perform a set of precise tasks.This entails a maximum score of thirty answers to questions given. â€Å"Some of the questions are, do you know what day it is, date, month and the time, do you know what country you live, and the town. Can you spell the word â€Å"world† backwards, can you write a sentence†. Likewise, In Jack’s case he was assessed using this tool to get a precise answer to see what he can independently do for himself. In addition, Fox and Wilson (2007) argued that the assessment processes should be compiled into a feedback statement. This information should be given at the beginning and end of the assessment.Chester and Bender (2000) mentioned that feedback should be given in both oral and written statement. This is necessary for the patient and their family to adjust and come to terms with their illness, and deal with their emotions. According to Carmody and Forester (2003) the main areas of care planning are assessment, planning, evaluation, implementation and evaluation. Care plans are legal documents which should be reviewed on a regular basis for accuracy. Jack’s care plan contains some important information such as his name, date of birth, address and all information recorded was signed and dated.Likewise, May et al (2003) mentioned that a care plan should be compiled and put together the persons needs and deeds. Jack’s care plan was fully supported and some of the information included was his life history, lifestyle, health, personality, and preferences, present and future wishes. Jack’s capacity, cognitive ability and the stages he was at present were documented. Jack’s care plan contains three columns. The left column was to record Jack’s needs, the middle column gives precise information for cares to comply with, whilst the right column is to record information, sign, date and reviews (May et al, 2003).May et al, (2003) proposed that the enriched care planning was developed from the enriched model of dementia by (Kitwood, 1997). Jack care plan consists of five core areas which are reviewing, profiling, implementation, identifying needs and documenting needs. Jack care plan was fully supported by the carers. In Jack’s case his care plan was reviewed with the social worker, general practitioner, occupational therapist, dietician, warden, care manager and family and myself who is his key worker. This set out clear instructions for staff on how to personalise care for Jack.This includes, monitoring and assessing changes in his toileting, nutritional intake, communication, health and wandering. Four main calls were put in place for his main meals and regular checks to stop him from feeling lonely. Jack care plan was reviewed and implementation of safety devices was put in action to keep Jack safe. This inv olves the implementing of sensory aids and equipment that will help to keep him safe at all times and especially during the nights. This included a bed sensor and door activator that goes off when he gets out of bed and when he leaves his flat.This equipment was most useful during the nights. Reflective lighting was also put into place. It would come on at a certain time in the evening. The door bell flashing light let him know when someone was entering his flat. Picture coding colour was put on his fridge door and bedroom door to remind him where to go and what to do. Jacks’ family were in complete denial about his condition and they would often get very upset with him. They thought that their dad was trying to get back at them for moving him. One daughter was constantly fussing over him and telling him off.This made it quite difficult for staff and management to get the assessment process started. The other barrier was the staff members that were not able to support Jackâ⠂¬â„¢s family appropriately, as they were not trained adequately in dementia care. Jack’s condition deteriorated rapidly and staff was finding it quite difficult to cope with his demanding and stressful behaviour. Jack was given tablets to keep him calm, however, this medication in my observation was too strong for him and often he would sleep for long periods of time.Staff would have to wake him up for meals and before he finished his meals he would be fast asleep. In work places which are independent based, these facilities are not designed to accommodate people with certain forms of dementia and for this reason it took a longer time for Jack’s needs to be reassessed. Jack’s needs were finally met and then he was admitted to a dementia unit where he was housed, (Carmody and Foster, 2003, Jacques and Jackson, 2000). These factors can become a barrier for professional when implementing care for people living with dementia, (Jacques and Jackson, 2000).In Jackâ₠¬â„¢s case he could have benefitted from the evaluation tool to stimulate communication between staff and himself. This would have prompted his alertness and encouraged communication at meal times as observed by Shiels (2007). With reference to evaluation this process is necessary to get a direct result of Jack’s illness. This will establish how far his condition has deteriorated and the extent of his impairment and functioning. Moreover, this will identify other health problems, so that the necessary treatment and planning can be put in place to address his needs, (Mace and Rabin 1999).Jack had to undertake this evaluation and many tests such as CBC (Complete blood count) which includes a blood chemistry test, checking the liver and kidney for signs of diabetes, vitamin B12 and thyroid level . The VDRL check for syphilis and LP (lumbar puncture) investigates the central nervous system. EEC (electroencephagram) measures the brain activities. CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, SP ECT scans which are all important tests can identify the presence of a stroke. Jack was also given a neuropsychological test or the cortical test where they test his memory for writing and reasoning ability, and coordination (Mace and Rabin 1999).A psychiatric and psychosocial evaluation was also conducted by way of interviews with Jack’s family and his friend. This was vital to planning and development of care and this was also supported by a family evaluation to assess and to address their emotional, financial and physical needs, (Carmody and Forster 2003). Jack‘s condition has deteriorated even further and he has started leaving the premises through the back door. There is sensory equipment which is now in place in order to monitor his movements.Jack sometimes presses the button and it raises an alarm with the central control office. The control room staff will then contact the staff on duty to go and attend to Jack and see whether there is anything he needs. In most cases when the staff gets there, Jack will be trying to leave the premises not properly dressed. Examples being dressed in his pyjamas and bed room slippers, wearing a vest without his shirt or wearing his trouser inside out. When the staff try to get Jack to return to his flat he becomes very aggressive, shouting and hitting the staff and refusing to go back.The police on many occasions are called to search for him. AGASE (2006) indicated that wandering is associated with risk factors of getting lost and falls. As highlighted by Hodgkinson et al ( 2007) â€Å"gridlines placed on front door exits, door handles, panic button bars might be an effective way to addresses Jack’s wandering and reduce the risk of escaping†. Carmody and Forster (2003) suggest that a person like Jack can benefit from ADL (Activities of Daily Living) as this will help test his functioning abilities and performance.With regards to communication and Jack’s outburst Phillips and Penhale (19 96) argued that some people with dementia like Jack might have poor memory, limited communication ability with others. Jack is unaware of his aggression towards staff. This is not done intentionally as his brain cells are dying. Jack is unaware that he is causing harm to any one as he is simply trying to communicate. Jack will be trying to say why are these people stopping or preventing me from going to see my friends. In my observation Jack was finding it difficult to say the right word, as he was not able to understand what is being said to him.Carmody and Forster (2003) Fox and Wilson (2000) highlighted that the person who is undertaking a communication assessment needs to be a good listener and a competently trained professional. This person needs to have experiences of in dealing with different cases of dementia and know the differences between the different types. Fox and Wilson (2000) mentioned that a person with counselling skills might be able to address the needs of a pers on with dementia more efficiently. In my opinion, these skills are important when working with customers with dementia.In Jack’s case this would have been more beneficial if staff dealing with him had appropriate counselling skills. They would have been in a position to understand how to communicate with Jack as to achieve effective results. In the long run Jack was finding it more difficult to cope with every day activities. He had suffered a relapse and his condition deteriorated very rapidly and he needed more specialist care. He was not coping well and his health and safety was at risk. Jack needs were reassessed and he was no longer capable to live independently any more.Management and social worker were in the process of getting him relocated when he suffered a fall. He was taken to hospital and then he was moved into a residential home that cares for people with dementia. In conclusion, the government acknowledges dementia as a growing problem and has put strategies in place to care for people with dementia. To address Jack’s needs appropriately his care should be person centred. Jack was moved to a new home and this might have contributed to his wandering. His new setting was secluded and he had no friends to communicate or socialise with.This factor could have led to further confusion and made him feel lonely and even depressed. Although Jack was fully supported by the planning, assessment, implementing and evaluation process, his needs were slow to be addressed by the family and this posed as a barrier to Jack getting the care he required. However, the assessment procedure and progress for independent living have to be organised by many professionals. It appears in Jack’s case it was not recognised and dealt with appropriately at times. For example, the process to get a person assessed for dementia in independent housing took a long time.There were other issues and barriers that Jack faced on his journey, even though the governme nt had put these strategies in place to address the needs of people with dementia. In order to address Jack’s needs and that of other people with dementia the professionals need to adapt a person centred approach. Staff needs to be competently trained in dementia care so that they can support family and friends when a person is diagnosed with dementia. Reference Algase,D. L. (2006) What’s new about wandering? An assessment of recent studies 226 -234 [Available at: www. reo. beds. ac. uk]. (Accessed: 3/10/ 2011). Beatie,E. R. A. Song, J. And LaGore, S. (2005) A comparison of wandering behaviour in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, Research and theory for nursing practice Vol 19 No. 2. 181-196 [Available at: www. breo. beds. ac. uk]. (Accessed: 3/10/2011). Carmody, S. Forster, S. (2003) Nursing older people; a guide to practice in care home. Oxion Radcliff Publishing. Cheston. R. Bender, M. (1999) Understanding dementia: the man with the worried eyes, London. Jessica Kingsley. Fox, M. And Wilson, L. 2000) The centred advocacy for people with dementia, The journal of dementia care Vol 15 No 2. Jacques, A. And Jackson, G. (2000) Understanding dementia, 3rd edn, London, Churchhill Livingston. Hodgkinson, B. Koch, S. Nay R. And Lewis, M. (2007) Managing the wandering behaviour of people in a aged care facility 407-436 [Available at: www. breo. beds. ac. uk]. (Accessed: 3/10/2011). Inness, A. Capstick, A. And Surr, C. (2000)Mapping out framework, The Journal of dementiacare, Vol. 15 Kitwood, T (1997) Dementia reconsidered; The person comes first, Buckingham.Open University Press. Knockers, S. (2007) Capturing the magic of everyday activities, The journal of dementia care. Vol 15 No2 Leblanc, G. J. (2011) staying afloat in a sea of forgetfulness; common sense care giving, Bloomington Xlibris. Parker, T. (2000) Incontinence of faeces: the final frontier? Journal of dementiacare V0L. 8 No2 Phillips, J. and Penhale, B. (1996) Reviewing Care Mana gement for Older People, London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers May, H. Edwards, P. And Brooker , D. (2009) Enriched care planning for people with dementia , London. Jessica Kingsley

Cyp 3.7

CYP 3. 7:Understand how to support positive outcomes for children and young people 1. 1 Describe the social, economic and cultural factors that will impact on the lives of children and young people. There are many factors that can have an impact on young people’s lives but the three main factors that I’ve chosen to consider in this assignment are social, cultural and economic. Social Factors One of the major social factors, which can impact on the outcomes and life chances of young people is neglect.Without proper guidance in life children cannot learn what society regards as acceptable behaviour and if a child is being neglected they won’t understand that what they are experiencing is not normal behaviour. They may react to situations in a way that is acceptable within their home environment but which is certainly not acceptable in wider society. This behaviour can in turn have an adverse effect on the child’s education as they overstep boundaries, are di sruptive and disobedient and may end up getting suspended from school.Neglect in the child’s home environment can mean that they find it hard to make friendships in life as they are not used to other company and are naturally distrustful. If a child suffers from a disability or illness they may have to miss a lot of school, which can have a major impact on their education and they may fall behind. The child may struggle to make friendships, as they are not on the same level as their peers. This can lead the child to feeling very isolated and cause feelings of anger and resentment, which can then lead to behavioural problems.Economic Factors Poverty is a factor, which can have a major impact on children’s lives, as their parents may not be able to afford proper food and this can lead the child to suffer from malnutrition. If a child is not getting the nutrition that they require, they’ll suffer from a lack of concentration and their schoolwork will likely deterio rate. A side effect of poverty is not being able to afford adequate housing. People on low incomes cannot usually afford mortgages and so often live in poorer social housing, this can have several disadvantages for their children.Social housing can often be small and crowded and make it difficult for children to find sufficient space to complete homework, causing them to fall behind in their education. People who rely on social housing don’t often get to chose the area in which they live in so they may end up staying in an area where it is not safe for the children to go out or indeed anywhere for them to play, therefore the children will not be able to form friendships and may feel isolated.In some cases the child’s living conditions may be very poor and dampness and a lack of affordable heating may cause health problems such as asthma, resulting in them having to take time off school and missing out on their education. Cultural Factors One of the main cultural factor s is that of religious beliefs. Children with different religious beliefs follow specific customs and often attend particular schools where they only meet children who are being brought up with the same beliefs.This enforced isolation may mean that children may struggle to understand other people’s lifestyle when they interact with them and they may therefore find it hard to make relationships with other people. Children can often be discriminated against because of their different beliefs leading to feelings of isolation and victimisation. Although each of the previously mentioned individual factors may have the same outcomes, without support and intervention their effects can continue over the years and lead families into a vicious cycle of mistrust and despair.As care workers we must work closely with the families to assist and help as best as we can. 1. 2 Explain the importance and impact of poverty on outcomes and life chances for children and young people In my role as a classroom assistant I feel that the factor, which has the most severe impact is poverty. Poverty is becoming one of the biggest concerns within the UK with a recent survey showing that the government spends at least ? 25billion a year trying to alleviate child poverty.The limitations placed on children who grow up in poverty often results in poorer academic qualifications, lower job prospects and reduced expectations. 1. 3 Explain the role of children and young people’s personal choices and experiences on their outcomes and life chances As individuals we all have the right to make our own choices, unfortunately some of the choices we make can have a negative impact on our life. Children who come from low-income families often live in rural areas where there is a higher crime rate.These children subsequently end up hanging around with people who have a negative influence on them and getting involved in criminal activities, drugs and alcohol. Children are making personal choi ces from an early age, when they go to nursery they decide which toys to play with or who they make their friends. Some children can be louder and more boisterous than others and may display unwanted behaviour; other children will copy this behaviour thinking that it is acceptable and become disruptive in turn.As a care worker it is my responsibility to teach the children which behaviours are acceptable and which are not, if the child is being naughty they will be put in â€Å"time out† to teach them that the behaviour they were displaying is unacceptable. 2. 1Identify the positive outcomes for children and young people that practitioners should be striving to achieve As a care practitioner I place the needs of the children at the top of my work. Children respect care workers who can relate to them, communicate well with them and who enjoy working with them.I and the other classroom assistants in my school are committed to ensuring that all children have the chance to enjoy a nd achieve, to be healthy, to stay safe and to make a positive contribution and experience economic well-being. Within school we encourage children to eat healthily, we provide healthy meals and snacks for break and lunch and children are encouraged to drink water rather than fizzy drinks. Within the school setting we ensure that the child is kept safe and we continuously promote children’s welfare and ensure that we take all ecessary steps to reduce the spread of infection. It is necessary to ensure that the children are kept safe so we need to ensure that the level of staffing is appropriate. The environment in which I work, and the equipment provided for the children, must be appropriate for their age level in order to ensure development at the proper rate. 2. 2 Explain the importance of designing services around the needs of children and young people Children are unique and as a care practitioner it is my responsibility to ensure that every child’s needs are catere d for individually.It is essential to establish what their needs are, so that they can be met correctly and this can be done by liasing with parents, carers, and professionals such as GPs, speech therapists and occupational therapists in observing the child’s progress. 2. 3 Explain the importance of active participation of children and young people in decisions affecting their lives It is important that children have a say in what is happening throughout their lives, no matter what age. We must value the child’s views, thoughts and opinions in order to give the child a sense of belonging and control of their life and well-being.It is important that children learn the process of decision-making and what consequences can come from the decisions they have made and how to deal with them. As a care worker I work with children to try and help them to make the right decisions; if however they choose to make a decision that is not acceptable, for example to hit another child o r throw something, they will be asked to â€Å"take time out† and think about what they have done, only when they are ready to say sorry for their actions are they allowed to come back and join their friends.This process is to help children at an early age learn what is right from wrong. 2. 4 Explain how to support children and young people according to their age, needs and ability to make personal choices and experiences that have a positive impact on their lives Every child is different and as they grow up their needs change. When working with children it is important that we allow them to express their thoughts, views and opinions and most importantly that we listen to them.We may not always agree with their views or opinions but as a classroom assistant I work closely with the children’s parents and the child to try and come to a compromise and explain a different path to the child, always stressing that we are only trying to do what is best for them. 3. 1 Explain the potential impact of disability on the outcomes and life chances of children and young people Children who suffer from a physical impairment or require special requirements are no different than other children, they are just more dependent on their carers.Children may have an impairment which gives rise to disability. A child can have a sensory impairment, which can involve either a loss of hearing or restricted vision. A physical impairment or learning difficulty may occur due to a result of genetic inheritance, an accident or disease or due to complications before or during birth. Some children may have difficulty with emotional or social development, lack of communication and interaction and behaviour problems. Children who experience any of these difficulties often suffer from autism.There are both positive and negative outcomes for children with a disability. Children with physical impairments don’t have a strong immune system therefore their health won’t be as healthy and they may have to miss a lot of school which obviously will have a detrimental effect on their education and future career aspects. Children with a disability can have poor self-esteem as they feel they’re not as capable as other children; they can find it hard to communicate with their peers and may feel isolated and unwanted.As a classroom assistant it is important that my co-workers and I focus on what the children can do rather on what they can’t achieve. By adjusting the environment in which the child learns in and making it suitable for the child’s needs and providing appropriate facilities and resources it allows the child to feel confident and learn new skills. Don’t think of children with a disability or as special needs think of them as children with specific or additional requirements. Within my setting we aim to give all children the same opportunities and ensure that no one feels isolated.For example within my school we have child ren who require 1:1 assistance so instead of removing them from group situations we let them sit at the table with their peers but give them the extra support they need this way they don’t feel left out. 3. 2 Explain the importance of positive attitudes towards disability and specific requirements It is important to display positive attitudes towards children with disabilities and special requirements, so that the child feels valued and respected and doesn’t feel isolated within the class setting.As a care practitioner it is important that I show a positive attitude towards the child and set a good example for the other children. 3. 3 Explain the social and medical models of disability and the impact of each on practice Children with disabilities are often left feeling outcast and discriminated against. The medical model holds the traditional view that a child can be cured through medical intervention, whereas in fact in most cases of physical impairment there is no cu re. They expect disabled people to change to fit into society.Alternatively, the social model of disability looks at ways to address issues which will enable children to achieve their potential by adapting the environment the child is learning and living in so that the child can feel more included. By adapting the child’s environment and removing any barriers you are allowing them the chance to learn and achieve new things, which improves their confidence and self-esteem. 3. 4 Explain the different types of support that are available for disabled children and yond people and those with specific requirements.There are many services available for children with disabilities. Speech and language therapists can work with children to improve the child’s communication skills. Occupational therapists can also be involved in the child’s development by providing walking frames for children with physical impairments. As a classroom assistant we liase with many professional and the children’s parents to ensure they are getting all the appropriate care and assistance available to enhance their development. 4. Explain the meaning of equality, diversity and inclusion in the context of positive outcomes for children and young people It is essential within my school that each child is treated fairly and with respect. Equality is about making sure that each child is given the same chance as each other, it is not about treating everyone the same way, but rather by recognising that each individual has different needs. Children must not be discriminated against because of their race, gender, disability, religious beliefs or age. Diversity is about treating students as individuals.Teachers need to ensure that their methods cover every child’s learning abilities since children come from different religious and cultural backgrounds. It is imperative that we treat students with respect at all times and always give consideration to each individualâ₠¬â„¢s specific needs. Inclusion means ensuring that everyone is included in tasks. As a classroom assistant I make sure that the tasks are divided out equally and that children take turns. We have charts within our class that set out the children’s tasks for that day and we rotate these every day to ensure that no one is left out.Every child has different needs and requirements and it is important as a classroom assistant that I learn and understand each child’s individual needs so that they can be catered for. 4. 2 Compare, giving examples ways in which services for children, young people and their carers take account of and promote equality, diversity and inclusion to promote positive outcomes One of the things that we do within my school is that we teach the children about different cultures. We recently held our annual French Day where both staff and pupils dressed in French clothes and ate French foods such as croissants and crepes.One of the most inspiring moment s that day, was watching a wheelchair bound pupil in my class who loves playing with sand, sitting contentedly in the sand pit (having been helped out of his wheelchair and being supervised so that he didn’t fall) wearing a beret and neckerchief and putting small French flags on top of the sandcastles he made. This was an example of inclusion in practice and just one of the many opportunities my school gives to children to help them gain independence and confidence.

Business Communication

Identify characteristics of nonverbal communication Nonverbal communication refers to the interpretations that are made of bodily actions, vocal qualities, use of space, and self-presentation cues. 2 Identify channels through which we communicate nonverbally Nonverbal communication is continuous, multichanneled, intentional or unintentional, possibly ambiguous, and the primary means by which we convey our emotions. The sources of nonverbal messages include use of body motions (kinesics: gestures, eye contact, facial expression, posture, and touch); use of voice (vocalics: pitch, volume, rate, quality and intonation, vocalized pauses); and use of space (proxemics: personal space, physical space, use of artifacts). 3 Discuss how our self-presentation affects communication People gather information about us based on how they interpret our self-presentation cues. Self-presentation cues include physical appearance (for instance, body shape), clothing and grooming, and use of time (or our temporal orientation). Examine how nonverbal communication varies based on culture and gender The nonverbal behaviors that we enact and how we interpret the nonverbal messages of others depends on our culture and gender. Regardless of our cultural background or gender, however, we can become more adept at interpreting others’ nonverbal messages we receive by not jumping to conclusions, by considering cultural and gender differences, by paying attention to all aspects of nonverbal communication and their relationship to verbal communication, and by perception checking. Understand guidelines for improving nonverbal communication We can improve our encoding of nonverbal communication by being conscious of the nonverbal behavior we are displaying, by being purposeful or strategic in its use, by making sure that our nonverbal cues do not distract from our message, by making our nonverbal communication match our verbal messages, and by adapting our nonverbal behavior to the situation. Key Terms nonverbal communication behaviors |body orientation |proxemics | |kinesics |haptics |personal space | |gestures |vocalics |physical space | |illustrators |paralanguage |artifacts | |emblems |pitch |endomorph | |adaptors |volume |mesomorph | |eye contact or gaze |rate |ectomorph | |facial expression |quality |chronemics | |emoticons |intonation |monochronic time orientation | |posture |vocalized pauses |polychronic time orientation | Lesson Plan for Lecture The goal for this chapter is that students understand nonverbal communication, the types of nonverbal signals used, and how they are used to communicate along with verbal messages. In this chapter, students will identify the characteristics of nonverbal communication, describe the sources of nonverbal information, and explain how gender, sex, and cultural context affect how different nonverbal messages will be received. The chapter concludes by offering suggestions to improve both the construction and the interpretation of nonverbal messages. Chapter Outline with Accompanying Power Point Slides 1 Characteristics of Nonverbal Behavior (See Power Point Slides 3-5) A. Nonverbal communication is continuous B. Nonverbal communication is multi-channeled C. Nonverbal communication can be intentional or unintentional D. Nonverbal communication meaning can be ambiguous E. Nonverbal communication is the primary conveyor of our emotions 2 Sources of Nonverbal Communication (See Power Point Slides 6-7) A. Kinesics: the interpretation of body motions used in communication (See Power Point Slide 8) 1)Gestures: movements of our hands, arms, and fingers that we use to describe or to emphasize a. Illustrators: gestures that augment a verbal message b. Emblems: gestures that substitute for words c. Adaptors: gestures that respond to a physical need 2) Eye contact, or gaze: how and how much we look at people with whom we are communicating 3) Facial expression: the arrangement of facial muscles to communicate emotional states or reactions to messages 4)Emoticons: typed symbols that convey emotional aspects of an online message. 5)Posture: the position and movement of the body; body orientation: posture in relation to another person 6) Haptics: the interpretation of touch a. Reaction to touch is affected by individual preference, family background, and culture. b. Reaction to touch differs within context (public versus private) B. Vocalics: the interpretation of the message based on the paralinguistic features; paralanguage: the voiced but not verbal part of a spoken message. (See Power Point Slide 9) 1)Pitch: the highness or lowness of vocal tone 2)Volume: the loudness of softness of tone 3)Rate: the speed at which a person speaks 4) Quality: the sound of a person’s voice 5)Intonation: the variety, melody, or inflection in one’s voice 6)Vocalized pauses: extraneous sounds or words that interrupt fluent speech C. Proxemics: the interpretation of a person’s use of space (See Power Point Slide 10) )Personal space: the distance you try to maintain when you interact with other people 2)Physical space: the part of the physical environment over which you exert control 3)Artifacts: objects and possessions we use to decorate the physical space we control 3 Self-Presentation Cues (See Power Point Slides 11-13) A. Physical appearanc e 1)Endomorph: round and heavy body type 2)Mesomorph: muscular and athletic body type 3)Ectomorph: tall and thin body type B. Clothing and personal grooming: physical appearance sends a message and one should adapt their style of clothing and personal grooming techniques to the setting C. Use of time; chronemics: the way others interpret your use of time 1)Monochronic time orientation: a time orientation that emphasizes doing one thing at a time, adheres to schedules and rigid appointment times, and schedules interpersonal relationships )Polychronic time orientation: a time orientation that emphasizes doing multiple things at once, views schedules as flexible, and subordinates scheduled activities to interpersonal relationships 4 Cultural and Gender Variations in Nonverbal Communication (See Power Point Slides 14-16) A. Kinesics 1)Eye contact is not universally appropriate and differs in cultures and subcultures 2) Facial expressions and gestures a. Many similarities in facial expre ssions across cultures b. Gestures differ across cultures c. Displays of emotion differ based on culture and gender; gesture style is often used to label masculinity or femininity 3) Haptics, or touch, is closely linked to culture. Some cultures encourage contact and touch, others do not. The meaning of touch also differs by gender. B. Paralanguage 1)Volume varies greatly by culture 2)United States stereotypes masculine voices as low-pitched and loud, and feminine voices as high-pitched and expressive C. Proxemics and territory refer to the difference between individualistic and collectivistic concepts of personal space D. Artifacts and physical appearance: culture and gender influence clothing choices E. Chronemics: The dominant U. S. culture has a monochromic time orientation, while many Latin American and Arab cultures have polychronic orientation. 5 Guidelines for Improving Nonverbal Communication (See Power Point Slides 17-19) A. Interpreting nonverbal messages )Don’t automatically assume a particular behavior means something specific 2)Consider cultural, gender, and individual influences on behavior when interpreting nonverbal cues 3)Nonverbal messages should be interpreted in context 4)Use perception checking B. Sending nonverbal messages 1)Be conscious of your own nonverbal behavior 2)Be purposeful i n your use of nonverbal communication 3)Don’t let your nonverbal cues distract from your message 4)Make sure your nonverbal cues match your verbal communication 5)Adapt nonverbal behavior to the situation Lesson Plan for Group Work Discussion and Assignment Ideas 1Visit the website http://www. ree-hugs. com and read about the campaign to promote more conscious touch. Why do you think this campaign has received such a strong reaction? Do you think our society is more or less open to touch than a generation ago? Would this campaign have been possible 50 years ago? 100 years ago? 2Quotes: These can be used to introduce topics, questions perspectives, or gain individual opinion. Providing students with a quote and prompting them to write or reflect on their personal feelings about the quote can help to spark discussion and interest. Suggested prompts may include â€Å"Define this concept in your own words†; â€Å"Do you agree with this statement? Explain†; â€Å"What text material can be used to support or refute this idea? † Voices: I think they must go deeper into us than other things. —George Elliot The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said. —John Stuart Mill Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. —Leo Buscaglia 3At what age were you able to detect sarcasm? When is sarcasm inappropriate even if the intent of the paralanguage is known? How does sarcasm affect electronically mediated communication? Chapter Activities |4. : Gender and Nonverbal | | |Communication | | |Purpose: |To illustrate differing cultural rules regarding appropriate nonverbal behavior for males and | | |females | |Time: |50 minutes | |Process: |Have men and women reverse role-play (women playing men, men playing women) in the f ollowing | | |situations: | | |a. Two male friends who haven’t seen each other for some time meeting on the street. | | |b. Two female friends who haven’t seen each other for some time meeting on the street. | | |c. Three women sitting around a table in a bar and talking. | | |d. Three men sitting around a table in a bar and talking. | | |e. A male student telling his roommate about his significant other breaking up with him. | | |f. A female student telling her roommate about her significant other breaking up with her. | |When all simulations have been presented, discuss them in terms of proxemics, haptics, kinesics, | | |and paralanguage using the following questions: | | |1. What were women’s perceptions of men’s typical nonverbal behavior? | | |2. What were men’s perceptions of women’s typical nonverbal behavior? | | |3. What are the sources of these perceptions? Are they accurate or stereotypical? | | |4. Do such behaviors and perceptions of behaviors affect same-sex com munication? How? | | |5. If you could change anything about these perceptions, what would you change? Why? How? | |4. : Understanding Kinesics | | |Purpose: |To help students understand both the usefulness and the limitations of relying too heavily on | | |body language for meaning | |Time: |15 to 20 minutes | |Process: |Working in teams of two, three, and four, have students enact a two-minute conversation entirely | | |through body motions (such as gestures, facial expression, eye contact) and touch. You can have | | |them pick from the following scripts or make one up for themselves: | | |(3 students) Cheating student. Two group members don’t want to let you cheat. | | |(2 students) Someone is blind. Another person is in a rush, trying to sneak by the blind person, | | |not knowing that person is blind. | | |(4 students) Three people are in the waiting room of a hospital. One is a nurse, trying to get | | |ahead of the others in line. | | |(2 students) Two people are in church. One is falling asleep, and the other is embarrassed and | | |trying to keep that person awake. | | |(2 students) One is showing the other how to change a baby’s diaper. | | |Give the students a few minutes to work out how they will convey the message of their skit | | |without words. Make sure the groups do not share the scripts with one other, as you will be | | |asking the class to guess what each group’s message is. Ask for student volunteers to share a few| | |of the skits with the class. At the end of each skit, every student should write their own script| | |of what messages were conveyed and understood. Have the class compare scripts. How accurately did| | |the students communicate their messages? Which of the body motion categories were most helpful in| | |conveying meaning? When there were inaccuracies, can you identify why? What kinds of information | | |did you feel the greatest frustration in communicating? | |4. : The Versatility of | | |Paralanguage | | |Purpose: |To help students recognize that often it is the paralanguage that conveys the message | |Time: |15 minutes | |Process: |Provide students with a very generic dialogue involving two participants that relies on | | |historical context, emits descriptive words, and can be applied to many situations. Have two | | |students volunteer to perform the scene. Give these students a setting and situation (e. g. , you | | |meet an old friend in the grocery store). Have them use the dialogue and paralanguage to convey | | |this setting. Have other students guess what is going on. Continue to provide different | | |situations for different volunteers, allowing all students to see that a verbal message might | | |apply to any situation but that paralanguage is often the determining, descriptive factor. | |4. 4: Paralanguage Practice | |Purpose: |To have students practice using paralanguage to communicate emotion | |Time: |15 minutes | |Process: |Bring the following items to class: a DVD player manual, a bottle of bubbles, a cake mix box, a | | |shampoo bottle, and a drug prescription information sheet. Write the following emotions on small | | |pieces of paper: anger, disgust, embarrassment, elation, despair, contentment, and loneliness. | | |Have volunteer students select a product and an emotion. Instruct them to read the printed | | |material while communicating the assigned emotion through their paralanguage. Ask the class to | | |guess the emotion being communicated. | |4. 5: The Messages of Artifacts | | |Purpose: |For students to recognize the intentional and unconscious messages that artifacts convey | |Time: |15 minutes | |Process: |Ask students to get into pairs, and ask them to choose as a partner the person in class they know| | |least well. Each student will share one of the following personal artifacts with his or her | | |partner: key chain, wallet, or a purse. Without saying anything, both partners should take a few | | |minutes to silently familiarize themselves with the artifact that belongs to their partner. They | | |will then take turns and share with each other any conclusions they have drawn about the owner of| | |the artifact: Is this person organized? Romantic? Interested in politics? This exercise will | | |demonstrate the conscious and unconscious messages that our artifacts convey. | Video Materials Movies Movies and movie clips can be used to help students grasp concepts. Clips can be shown in class, or movies can be assigned as homework. Following the movie clips, ask students written or oral questions. These questions should address pertinent concepts, thereby actively engaging students in discussion. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) Rated: PG-13 (Language, mature themes) Synopsis: Daniel and Miranda are in the middle of divorce proceedings. When Daniel realizes he is about to lose access to his children, he takes action by enlisting the help of his make-up artist brother, Frank, to create a character, Mrs. Doubtfire, whom he uses to interview for the position of family housekeeper. In the process, he learns about himself and his family. Questions for discussion 1. What role does the song â€Å"Dude Looks Like a Lady† have on the interpretation of the nonverbal communication? 2. What is your reaction to the â€Å"dance†? Why do you think it has such an effect? 3. How does clothing affect the reactions of the bus driver? The purse snatcher? 4. How are Mrs. Doubtfire’s emotions communicated? Pleasantville (1998) Rated: PG13 (Mature themes, sexual situations, mild profanity) Synopsis: David and Jennifer, two children of a broken marriage, are mysteriously transported into the set of a fictional 1950s black-and-white TV series called Pleasantville. As they experience the quaint family-oriented reality of this fictional community, their attitudes and actions bring about a radical change to the landscape. Slowly but surely, the community’s veneer of perfection starts slipping away. As their presence introduces jealousy, anger, and passion, the movie slowly shifts from the monochromatic background into a vibrant landscape of color. Questions for discussion 1. How does the absence of color serve as a means of nonverbal expression throughout the movie? 2. This movie makes a very blatant statement about society and social changes through the use of color, but in real life the effects of the use of color are much more subtle. What are some examples of the effects of the use of color, whether subtle or blatant, in other movies? The use of color in society? Additional suggested movies: Philadelphia (1993) (perception, nonverbal); Before Sunrise (1994) (nonverbal); In and Out (1997) (nonverbal, co-culture, gender); Freaky Friday (2003) (personality expression via nonverbal communication); Tootsie (1982) (masculine and feminine nonverbal behaviors) Student Assignments The following activities can be assigned for students to work on independently or in some cases as in-class or group activities. Unless otherwise noted, students will have access to these assignments through the Critical Thinking Activities online. Activities marked with a yellow icon can also be found on the Instructor Prep Card. Some of these activities may have accompanying worksheets, which you will want to make available to students if you choose to assign them; these worksheets can be found in the Chapter 4 Handouts section online at www. 4ltrpress. cengage. com/comm. Case Assignment: What Would You Do? Use the following case assignment (also found on the Instructor Resource Card) to get your students to consider how different nonverbal behaviors convey different messages. You might use this as a handout, for which students can provide short answers, or you might use this to create an opportunity for class discussion. A Question of Ethics AFTER THE INTRAMURAL, MIXED-DOUBLES TENNIS MATCHES ON TUESDAY EVENING, MOST OF THE PLAYERS ADJOURNED TO THE CAMPUS GRILL FOR A DRINK AND A CHAT. MARQUEZ AND LISA SAT DOWN WITH BARRY AND ELANA, THE COUPLE THEY HAD LOST A MATCH TO THAT NIGHT LARGELY BECAUSE OF ELANA’S IMPROVED PLAY. ALTHOUGH MARQUEZ AND LISA WERE ONLY TENNIS FRIENDS, BARRY AND ELANA HAD BEEN GOING OUT TOGETHER FOR MUCH OF THE SEASON. After some general conversation about the tournament, Marquez said, â€Å"Elana, your serve today was the best I’ve seen it this year. † â€Å"Yeah, I was really impressed. And as you saw, I had trouble handling it,† Lisa added. â€Å"And you’re getting to the net a lot better too,† Marquez added. â€Å"Thanks, guys,† Elana said in a tone of gratitude, â€Å"I’ve really been working on it. † â€Å"Well, aren’t we getting the compliments today,† sneered Barry in a sarcastic tone. Then after a pause, he said, â€Å"Oh, Elana, would you get my sweater—I left it on that chair by the other table. † â€Å"Come on, Barry; you’re closer than I am,† Elana replied. Barry got a cold look on his face, moved slightly closer to Elana, and said emphatically, â€Å"Get my sweater for me, Elana—now. † Elana quickly backed away from Barry as she said, â€Å"OK, Barry—it’s cool,† and she then quickly got the sweater for him. â€Å"Gee, isn’t she sweet,† Barry said to Marquez and Lisa as he grabbed the sweater from Elana. Lisa and Marquez both looked down at the floor. Then Lisa glanced at Marquez and said, â€Å"Well, I’m out of here—I’ve got a lot to do this evening. † â€Å"Let me walk you to your car,† Marquez said as he stood up. See you next week,† they both said in unison as they hurried out the door, leaving Barry and Elana alone at the table. 1. Analyze Barry’s nonverbal behavior. What was he attempting to achieve? 2. How do you interpret Lisa’s and Marquez’s nonverbal reactions to Barry? 3. Was Barry’s behavior ethically acceptable? Explain. Journal Assignments A. Distracting Mannerisms Describe any distracting mannerisms that you may have. Ask someone who knows you well to provide input. Compare your perception with that of the person you asked. How aware of your nonverbal communication behaviors are you? What, if any, changes would you like to make? B. Touch Preferences and Personal Space Are you a person who likes or dislikes being touched? Why? How do you communicate your preference to others? How does this correlate to personal space? Through observation, see if you can distinguish your preferred distance for intimate space. How does your preference for personal space and touch change when interacting with acquaintances, friends, and strangers? C. Environment How does your home, apartment, or dorm room communicate information about you? What is it saying right now? Why? D. The Multi-Channeled nature of Nonverbal Communication For this assignment, select a popular syndicated talk show host who has both a radio and a TV or Internet broadcast. First listen to the host you chose speak on the radio. Then watch him or her on TV or the Internet. Pay attention to how you receive the message over the radio, when only paralanguage is available, versus when you watch the broadcast over a medium in which you can see facial expressions, eye contact, and other nonverbal channels. How is the message affected by the presence or absence of certain nonverbal channels? Do you interpret the message differently when you see it with paralanguage alone, or was the message the same when it was accompanied by other nonverbals? E. Body Motions Find a public setting (for example, a restaurant) where you can observe two people having a conversation. They should be close enough to you so that you can observe their eye contact, facial expression, and gestures, but not close enough that you can hear what they are saying. Carefully observe the interaction, with the goal of answering the following questions: What is their relationship? What seemed to be the nature of the conversation (social chitchat, plan making, problem solving, argument, intimate discussion)? How did each person feel about the conversation? Did feelings change over the course of the conversation? Was one person more dominant? Take note of the specific nonverbal behaviors that led you to each conclusion, and write a paragraph describing this experience and what you have learned. See Chapter 4 Handouts for accompanying Observation Form. Experiential Assignments 4. 1 Vocal Characteristics Spend a few hours listening to public or talk radio. If possible, listen to a station that broadcasts in a language with which you are unfamiliar. Attempt to block out your awareness of the speakers’ words and instead, focus on the meaning communicated by the pitch, volume, rate, and quality of their speech. Be sure to listen to a number of different speakers and record your results in a log. Can you detect any variations in the vocal characteristics of the different speakers? If so, what do you make of these variations and what they say about each speaker’s message? See Chapter 4 Handouts to find a list of observable vocal characteristics. 4. 2 Self-Presentation Audit The Self-Presentation Audit allows you to analyze the image you project, using the dimensions you have studied in your textbook. These include body type, clothing and personal grooming, poise, touch, and use of time. You can find the audit in your Student Workbook or online. Once you have completed the audit, review how you have described yourself with respect to each of the self-presentation dimensions. Then write a short essay in which you describe how you present yourself, evaluate how satisfied you are with this image, and list what, if any, adjustments to your self-presentation you would like to make so that your self-presentation matches the image you are trying to project. See Chapter 4 Handouts for accompanying Self-Presentation Audit Worksheet. 4. 3 Gender Variations in Body Motions Find a place in the cafeteria or another public spot where you can observe the conversation of others. You are to observe the nonverbal behaviors of three dyads for at least five minutes each. First, observe the interaction of two men, then the interaction of two women, and finally, the interaction of a man and a woman. Using the Observation Tally Sheet provided here, record each participant’s behavior and any other behavioral cues you note. Using these observation notes, review the material on male and female use of body motions. Did your observations confirm these trends? If they did not, evelop an explanation about why they didn’t, using the sheet that follows. See Chapter 4 Handouts for accompanying Gender Variations Observation Form. Using their observation notes, students may review the material on male and female use of body motions with the following questions in mind: †¢ Did your observations confirm these trends? †¢ If they did not, develop an explanation about why they didn’t? 4. 4 Vocal Interferences Tape record yourself talking for several minutes about any subject. When you finish, estimate the number of vocal interferences you used. Then replay the tape and compare the actual number with your estimate. How close was your estimate? Wait a day or two and try it again. As your ear becomes trained, your estimates will be closer to the actual number. Keep a record of your improvement using the worksheet provided. Now that you have raised your awareness, identify the vocal interference you use most frequently and develop a communication improvement plan (see sample in Chapter 1) to reduce your use of that vocal interference. See Chapter 4 Handouts for accompanying Vocal Interference Worksheet. 4. 5 Topical Research Touching behavior can be perceived as a sign of comforting, affection, or harassment. Using online resources or your campus library, locate the article â€Å"Just the Right Touch,† Patrick McCormick (June 1999) from U. S. Catholic for a discussion of the use of touch in providing comforting. Under what circumstances is touch most comforting? 4. 6 Researching Periodicals A great deal of research has been done on the importance of touch in healing and health care. Use databases found online or at the campus library to locate this article: â€Å"Studies Give New Meaning to Hands-on Healing†, Psychology Today, March 2000 v33 i2, p. 25. After reading the article, research other articles on the topic and summarize their findings. Were you surprised at what you found? 4. 7 Using Technology As you watch a tape or DVD of a movie or a television program, select a segment where two people are talking with each other for a couple of minutes. The first time you watch, mute the audio (turn off the sound). Based on nonverbal behaviors alone, determine the climate of the conversation (Are the people flirting? In conflict? Discussing an issue? Kidding around? Making small talk? ). What nonverbal behaviors and reactions led you that conclusion? Watch the video a second time, observing nonverbals but also listening to vocal variations in volume, pitch, and rate of speed. Do any of these vocal cues add to your assessment? Then watch it a third time, focusing on what the characters are saying. Now analyze the segment. What percentage of meaning came from nonverbal elements? What did you learn from this exercise? . 8 Using the Internet Using e-mail, chat room, discussion board or online instant messaging software, conduct a running conversation with a friend, classmate or other acquaintance. Do not use videoconferencing software. Be sure to discuss several issues, engaging in both serious and humorous interactions. Analyze the con versation and its outcomes. Were there any ambiguities or misunderstandings? Were there any moments when you could not tell if your partner was being funny, serious, sarcastic, or emotional? Were there any times when your partner could not tell your level of sarcasm, humor, or emotion? Were these problems resolved? If so, how? Would a face-to-face conversation have avoided some or all of these problems? Why? Online Resources http://www. csun. edu/~vcecn006/nonverb. html â€Å"Nonverbal Communication Helps Us Live† A helpful review of the importance of nonverbal communication in everyday life. From California State University Northridge. http://members. aol. com/nonverbal3/eyecon. htm Eye Contact This site that looks at eye contact from a variety of different perspectives, some with photos for examples. From the Center for Nonverbal Studies http://members. aol. com/nonverbal2/index. htm The Center for Nonverbal Studies homepage (Created by David Givens. ) http://www. natcom. org/ctronline/nonverb. tm ComResources Onlines provides information on the various nonverbal behaviors discussed in the textbook including some information on notable nonverbal communication scholars. http://members. aol. com/nonverbal2/center. htm The Center for Nonverbal Studies also includes a nonverbal dictionary. http:/ /www. geocities. com/marvin_hecht/nonverbal. html Nonverbal Communication Research Page http://www3. usal. es/~nonverbal/varios. htm Nonverbal Behavior: Nonverbal Communication Links http://www. free-hugs. com/ Free Hugs Campaign http://featuredreports. monster. com/firstimpression/actions/ Nonverbal Communication Tips for Interviews Supplementary Student Assignments The following activities are additional experiential exercises and assignments that students will not have access to online. Violating Intimate Space Norms Enter a crowded elevator. Get on it and face the back. Make direct eye contact with the person you are standing in front of. When you disembark, record the person’s reactions. On the return trip, introduce yourself to the person who is standing next to you and engage in an animated conversation. Record the reaction of the person and others around you. Get on an empty elevator and stand in the exact center. Do not move when others board. Record their reactions. Be prepared to share what you have observed with your classmates. See Chapter 4 Handouts to find a sheet for recording reactions. Cultural Differences in Self-Presentation Interview or converse with two international students from different countries. Try to select students whose cultures differ from one another and from the culture with which you are most familiar. Write down a list of questions related to the self-presentation behaviors discussed in your text. Try to understand how people in the international student’s country differ from you in their use of nonverbal self-presentation behaviors. Prepare to share what you have learned with your classmates. Essay Assignments 1. Discuss some cultural variations in self-presentation 2. Discuss how vocal interferences can influence the perception you make on others. 3. Describe the four distances of informal space found in Hall’s research. Give an example of when each would be appropriate. 4. What are the elements of paralanguage, and how does each element affect message meaning? Provide examples to illustrate your points. 5. Discuss why effective communicators need to understand cultural and gender differences in the interpretation of nonverbal behaviors. PART I:Self-Review Self-Review materials are designed to help students process and integrate the concepts from multiple chapters.

An analysis of the policies introduced by the Office of the Mayor of Essay

An analysis of the policies introduced by the Office of the Mayor of London - Essay Example The GLA has power deliberated to perform duties in various parts of the city (Greater London Authority 2012). It has four bodies that range from the London Development agency, The Metropolitan police authority, which is in charge of security in the city, The Emergency planning authority that deals with the disaster, and the London fire brigade. The role of the mayor of London The mayor of London`s job basically ranges from developing policies, setting budgets, as well as ensuring that London is well marketed globally. The mayor has powers and duties to ensure that there is absolute promotion of both the economic social and environmental improvement (Greater London Authority 2012). That is perhaps what may be termed as â€Å"improving London for all†. Before putting any of his powers into action, the mayor has to first consult the city dwellers. Consequently, he must ensure that equality for all citizens is achieved. Being a mayor in London, means one is also in charge of all p olicies and plans for city. This covers all aspects ranging from panning, development, housing, health injustices, culture and other environmental issues including climate changes, noise pollution and health quality too. On improving London, the mayor has to set up budgets that must project the visions that improve London; this makes him to come up with the annual budget for the Greater London Authority and the entire GLA group, this includes the metropolitan police, fire brigade, transportation in London and the London Development agency (Great Britain: Parliament House of Commons: Justice Committee 2009). In addition to his duties, he holds executive positions, as well as non-executive ones, in different organizations. The need for reforms in housing policy The mayor argues that London has got the need to have better and quality housing delivered to the citizens. Due to long term housing pressure in London, it is evident that many have failed to meet the increasing demand of the r esidents in London. With this in mind, it is clear that the quality of life for London citizens have been clearly undermined especially for those who cannot afford the high rents for home in the open market. Despite the number of households registering as homeless decreasing over the years, the number of temporary accommodations has been increasing too. This leads to recording of two thirds of the total households in London. Over 150,000 household in London are overcrowded, this is more than half the total number nationwide. This means that overcrowding rates are now higher as compared to the private rented tenancies. The policies put in place would only do more harm than good because the estimated growth of the population would only increase to 80,000 by 2016 thus creating demand for over 300,000 households. Although the current new housing output is around 270000 new homes every year, only half of them can be affordable. Perhaps, that is why the London housing requirement study ha s identified a need to have 35000 increments of new homes yearly so as to meet the needs as per the projected growth (Greater London Authority 2012). According to the London Housing Capacity, there is enough land that can accommodate more than 31000 new homes every year. However, the significant increase in housing investments over the years means

Journalism, Mass Media and Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Journalism, Mass Media and Communication - Essay Example He conducted a number of experiments in an attempt to develop various successful transplantation processes between his subjects and organs from animal. Brinkley was considered one the most persuasive and manipulative individuals in the united states during this period and he used his wit and strategies to succeed in various advertising activities and political endeavors. His ability to gather and appropriately use large amounts of data presented with a number of opportunities and this contributed towards his personal growth in the different activities he was engaged in (Kennedy, 2010). This section of the paper will analyze the various advertising strategies that Brinkley used and how these strategies enabled him to develop into a great business and political personality in the country. As a medical doctor, Brinkley opened a major clinic in Milford to enable him serve the locals who were suffering from male impotency. In this clinic, Brinkley xenotransplanted goat testicles into his patients as a means of curing importance, a practice that was viewed as rogue and out of line according to medical practice guidelines. However, Brinkley was loved and cherished by the locals who frequented his clinics in different parts of Kansas City. As a way of winning over the hearts of the locals, Brinkley adopted to employ a large number of the local residents into his clinics and accord them hefty wages. As a means of caring for his patients after the transplantation and prior to the exercise, Brinkley would personally call his patients and provide assistance from the phone call to enable them recover well. This practice made him more popular especially during the 1918 flu pandemic that affected the Arkansas locals and cost widespread deaths and devastations. At a time when advertising using the public airwaves was minimal and partly restricted, Brinkley decided to construct his own radio station, a means that he used to advertise his products. The idea of using radio airwav es as a means of advertising arose when he visited KHJ radio station in Los Angeles during one of his business and data collection trips. The decision to build a radio station presented Brinkley with a self-controlled media that enabled him to reach a large number of his target clients. He also possessed the ability and power to influence the thinking of people, an act he perfected by using his radio station to act as an opinion shaper in the country (Kennedy, 2010). The radio station created a number advertising opportunities and this allowed his business to grow and extend beyond the boundaries of Milford. The radio also provided a number of opportunities to the different businesses within the state, who would advertise their products at much cheaper prices as compared to other available means. This endeared Brinkley to the people of Milford and other parts of Arkansas and propelled his political ambitions and career. Though he lost two attempts to be the governor, Brinkley was a serious contender, coming second in the two successive elections. Despite the controversy that surrounded his professional and academic credentials, Brinkley was supported by over 30% of the voters in the two successive attempts he made (Lee, 2002). Legislative actions on media freedom The enshrinement of the first amendment into the united states constitution broaden the media space in the country and resulted into the expansion of media freedom and space. This amendment resulted into subsequent barring of the government from interfering with the processes of printing and circulating of media information and opinions in the country. The enshrinement of this amendment into the United States constitution presented the opportunity for the enactment and passage of more laws

Dementia Care. Skills for enabling people with dementia and their Essay

Dementia Care. Skills for enabling people with dementia and their carers - Essay Example But "dementia does not only involve an impairment of intellect and memory, since just about every sphere of psychological functioning can also change or become disrupted in some way. Thus personality, emotional stability, behavior toward others (e.g. becoming aggressive when previously passive and tolerant), speech and communication and self-care may well change for the worse." (Done and Thomas, 1999, p.475) At this age people need empathy and emotional support, so along with the other carers I, rely on a humanistic person centered approach to effectively communicate with these people. This approach has been very fruitful for me in achieving success professionally. The humanistic person centered approach helps in getting the attention of the person, one is dealing with. This is a psychological way of dealing with people suffering from dementia. While applying this approach, I do not believe in doing things instead for adequate effectiveness, I rely on building a high quality interpersonal interaction with my clients. Through this approach my thoughts and feelings get closely involved with my client's thoughts and feelings. ... his socio psycho approach believed that for therapeutic growth, it is very important to give the client unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence. He also believed that a client should not be considered a client but person, an individual. This way it becomes easier for the carer to understand him in a better way. Hence I approach my clients in the following way: I try to build a psychological contact with the person. I understand that they are very vulnerable, anxious and in state of incongruence at this phase of their lives. So I try to be integrated and congruent as much as possible. I try to develop unconditional positive regard for them. Simultaneously, I try to effectively communicate with the client by trying to build an empathic understanding of his internal frame of mind. By doing all this I get successful in communicating unconditional positive regard and empathic understanding to him to some extent. The following are the three important elements of the humanistic person centred approach: Unconditional positive regard: This can be described as a non-possessive warmth, respect, acceptance, prizing and caring for an individual. The person should be made felt that he is significant irrespective of his mental condition. According to Nelson-Jones "unconditional positive regard does not mean that therapists need, from their frame of reference, to approve of all their clients' behaviours. Rather, unconditional positive regard is an attitude and philosophical orientation, reflected in therapist behaviour, that clients are more likely to move forward if they feel prized for their humanity and they experience an emotional climate of safety and freedom in which, without loosing their therapist's acceptance, they can show feelings and relate events."

Understand customer service policies within business and services Assignment

Understand customer service policies within business and services contexts - Assignment Example It provides individual services to every guest in the rooms as well as to conference groups and meetings. Services include navigation of desktop, tablets, T.V, mobiles and other gadgets that require online facility. It offers easy access to hotel services for example meal service, housekeeping service and pick up service without any hold. Spok Inc. is another organization that offers a better communication system to hotels. It is majorly famous for its service-enhancing mobile communication. Along with that it offers smart and reliable solution for individual guests communication to the hotel management. This communication system is very famous in hospitality industries. It helps hotel improve their efficiency and profitability as it connects hotel’s network internally and externally. It offers interfacing systems for example web booking engine, Sales & Catering, PMS and CRS. It offers easy access to hotel services for example meal service, housekeeping service and pick up service without any

Chapter 3 & 19 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chapter 3 & 19 - Assignment Example Offering customized packaging for customers is however an example of a secondary value and may change with financial constraint with the aim of minimizing cost while retaining utility (Kotler and Armstrong, 2012). A company’s microenvironment and macro environment influences the entity’s decision through inducing constraints or opportunities. Factors in both scopes influences an organization’s decisions as it tried to adjust to constraints and opportunities that the environment offers. There are however many differences between macro and microenvironments. Micro environmental factors are limited to an organization or just a few organizations while macroeconomic factors are significant to all organizations in a set up. Examples of macroeconomic environment factors are political and cultural conditions, factors that affect all organizations, while suppliers and competitors are examples of micro environmental factors and their effects are limited to the subject organization (Kotler and Armstrong, 2012). Exporting, joint venture, and direct investments are some of the strategies for adapting products into a global market. Exporting involves production in a country and then moving the products to the target market in a foreign country and may be direct or indirect. Joint venture however involves collaboration with natives from the target market for product delivery while direct investment involves independent ventures in the target market. Joint venture is the best strategy because it helps an entity to manage barriers market entry by ensuring a link between the entity and natives in the target market, challenges that are significant in cases of export and direct investments (Kotler and Armstrong, 2012). Tariffs and quotas are economic policies for regulating international businesses. Both policies can be used either to increase the flow of commodities across

How did the government use its power to create and define the idea of Essay

How did the government use its power to create and define the idea of Canadian - Essay Example On the other hand, the government also applied the concept of suppressing radical ideas majorly through banning and prohibiting public meeting as well as rallies that are held by key activists. In the early 1900s, the government of Canada, specifically the Vancouver Trade and Labor Council, Socialist Party of Canada and other political elites, engaged in a competition to gain the complete trust of workers. That is, those that frequently engaged in public rallies to fight for freedom of speech. Their solidarity was seen as a threat to the prosperity of the elite political class and the federal government. 2 The government of Canada also applied a strategy that basically focused on forming collaboration with business owners to oppose strikes. In the year 1919, during the Winnipeg strike, the three levels of Canadian government opposed a strike, which has been defined as one of the most influential historical strikes in Canada by reducing the supply of basic necessities such as: Food, water and communication as well as replacing the striking Canadian workers with immigrants, who were then referred as aliens.3 Moreover, the government of Canada has also been on the forefront of opposing any act of racism and ideologies directed towards discrimination. Philip Jensen is one person that has been on the frontline; making attempts to ensure that government of Canada legalize racial discrimination in the sense that business owners and other service providers deny services to people based on their races and even ethnic backgrounds.4 Some of the strategies discussed above are still applied by the government of Canada. Most governments currently oppose discrimination and have even implemented laws that hinder discrimination in relation to race, religion et cetera, and an idea that is also greatly applied by the Canadian government. In addition, the government in some cases can also oppose strikes, especially those that are

Security after September 11 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Security after September 11 - Assignment Example Also, following the Cold War with Russia, the U.S. government could conclude almost with a precision that it had contained all its enemies. However, this was far from reality as sooner than later it terrorists struck. From bombings in U.S. embassies found in East Africa to the deadly attacks at World Trade Centre and Twin Towers, it became evident that U.S. security details had to undergo considerable reforms (Bolton, 2008). In this paper, I present some of the security changes that took place following September 11 incident and their impacts on my lifestyle. Immediately after the attack, it was evident that there was a lot of security laxity at the airports. This is because the suicide bombers who hijacked the ill-fated planes successfully manoeuvred the airport security personnel to carry out the attacks. Congress responded to this by passing Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which resulted in the creation of Transportation Security Administration. Before the 9/11 incident, security issues within the airports was handled by respective airports, which also hired the services of private security companies (Pinkowski, 2008). TSA got into action almost immediately by implementing a set of procedures such as stricter guidelines on passenger and luggage screening. As at the moment, only ticketed passengers are allowed to go through security. The latest set of technologies have also been adopted at the airports to screen for weapons and any other object that could be a threat to passengers aboard the plane. Furthermore, liquids were ba nned and everybody is expected to remove their shoes while undergoing screening. Another change that happened involved tightening the immigration procedures. Unlike before the 9/11 incident, it was somehow easier for immigrants from all over the world to gain access to the United States of America. However, following the attacks, Congress responded immediately be demanding that the immigration department limit such immigration.  Ã‚  

Different reactions Essay Example for Free

Different reactions Essay How quickly a reaction happens is called the rate of reaction. Chemical reactions take place when two or more chemicals react with one another by colliding with each other. The increase in temperature increases the amount of collisions between particles, this fastens the reaction. If a reaction has a low rate that means the molecules combine at a slower speed than a reaction with a high rate. Particles need a minimum amount of kinetic movement if they are going to react when they collide. This is known as Activation energy. The collision theory is the idea that different reactions happen at different rates. Reactions that occur slowly have a lower rate of reaction. Fast reactions are due to an increase of collisions; slow reactions are due to decrease in collisions. Reactions that happen quickly have a high rate of reaction (e. g. explosions). Concentration: The concentration of a solution is how strong the solution is. A stronger acid contains more acid particles and less water particles than a weaker acid. Increasing the concentration of a solution leads to more collisions (greater frequency of collisions) so the rate of the reaction goes up. With a more concentrated acid, the number of acid particles is greater, so the number of collisions is greater and the rate of the reaction is higher (faster. ) Changing the concentration of the acid does not change how quickly the particles are moving (i. e. it doesnt increase the amount of energy they have. ) Temperature: When we increase the temperature at which a reaction is taking place, the particles move more quickly. At a lower temperature, the number of collisions is lower because the particles are moving more slowly. Also when a collision occurs, there is less chance of a reaction taking place because the movement energy in the particles is less. At a higher temperature, the number of collisions is greater because the particles are moving more quickly. When a collision occurs, there is more chance of a reaction taking place because the movement energy in the particles is greater. Gas pressure: Pressure affects the rate of reaction, especially when you look at gases. When you increase the pressure, the molecules have less space in which they can move. That greater concentration of molecules increases the number of collisions. When you decrease the pressure, molecules dont hit each other as often. The lower pressure decreases the rate of reaction. (2) Catalyst: Different catalysts speed up different reactions. The table shows some common catalysts: A catalyst provides a surface on which the reaction can take place. This increases the number of collisions between the particles of the substances that are reacting. A catalyst lowers the activation energy (the minimum amount of energy needed for a reaction to take place). This means that the particles can react with less energy than they needed before the catalyst was added. (3) Surface area of particles: By increasing the surface area of the reactants, there are a higher number of reaction sites. Reaction sites are specific sites on molecules at which reactions occur. Increasing the number of reaction sites increases the number of total collisions. The greater the frequency of total collisions, the greater the frequency of e.ffective collisions. If the frequency of effective collisions increases, so does the reaction rate. Introduction/Aim. In this investigation, I am finding out how concentration affects the rate of reaction between Hydrochloric acid and Sodium Thiosulphate. I am going to measure the rate of reaction when hydrochloric acid is added to sodium thiosulfate. When sodium thiosulfate and Hydrochloric Acid are mixed, a yellow precipitate of sulphur is produced. The solution becomes increasingly difficult to see through as more and more sulphur is formed. This is how I plan to measure the rate of reaction. I will place a paper with a black cross underneath the solution and will stop the clock when the cross can no longer be seen. I will find out the answer by doing a preliminary test to experiment this, I will then compare and discuss the results in my evaluation then I will also state how this experiment I done could be improved, in my conclusion. But before doing the real experiment I will carry out a preliminary test. What is a Preliminary test? This is a test that is done before the real test. It gives an idea of the real thing; through the test you can make changes to make sure the real one is fair and reliable e. g. changing equipment or concentration of sodium thiosulfate solution. A preliminary test is more of a trial than an experiment – to find out if the equipment/method or even experiment works. A preliminary test is generally a baseline for further testing and development. It helps you refine ideas and change key concepts of the experiment. Prediction: Knowing the information above, I predict that as the concentration of the Sodium Thiosulphate increases, the rate of reaction will also increase. This means that the rate/concentration graph I compile from my experiments results will have a positive correlation. I believe this will happen because, according to the collision theory, as the concentration of a solution is increased the number of particles inside the solution increases. If the number of particles inside the solution is increased it makes collisions with reacting particles more likely. Also, I believe that the time/concentration graph will have a negative correlation because if my prediction is true, as the concentration increases the time taken for the reaction to take place will decrease. Preliminary Experiment: I did a preliminary experiment to get used to the sequence of events. I got to know all the apparatus and the method. Word Equation for the reaction: Sodium Thiosulfate + Hydrochloric acid Sodium Chloride + Sulphur + sulphur dioxide + water Ionic equation for reaction: 2Na+ + S2O32- + 2H+ + 2Cl- 2Na+ + 2Cl- + SO2 (g) + S + H2O (l) Balanced Symbol Equation for the reaction: Products Reactants Na2S203 (aq) + 2HCl (aq) 2NaCl (aq) + S (s) +SO2 (g) +H20 (l) I only did the experiment one, not three times so I did not get an average time for each concentration. I made sure the volume of Sodium Thiosulfate solution each time equalled to 10cm3 . The one thing I kept consistent was 10cm3 of Hydrochloric acid. I varied the concentration of the Sodium Thiosulfate and water. Below is a results table for my preliminary experiment. Preliminary Table Volume of water (cm3) Volume of Sodium Thiosulfate (cm3) Concentration (M) Volume of Hydrochloric Acid (cm3) Concentration (M) Time taken (seconds)Â   Preliminary method: 1. If you have not already done so, put on your goggles and gloves. 2. Place the paper with an X onto a flat surface and put a conical flask on top. 3. Measure 9 cm3 of sodium thiosulphate using a pipette and put it into a flask. Then measure 1 cm3 of water using a different pipet. 4. Then measure 10 cm3 of hydrochloric acid using a measuring cylinder. 5. Add first the acid then water and place a ball of cotton wool on top of the flask to block the formed gas from getting into the air. When acid and water is added, immediately start the timer. 6. Look down at the cross from above the flask. When the cross disappears, stop the timer and note the time, recording it in the table. 7. Repeat this process using different concentrations of sodium thiosulpahte solution with water as shown in the table above. 8. Carefully pour the solution into the sink straight after each test. Preliminary Safety: Safety is a key aspect to any experiment. There are a lot of safety issues we must abide when performing this experiment. A key safety aspect was that we covered the top of the conical flask with cotton wool, making sure no gas escapes the air we breathe into as sulphur dioxide; one of the products formed from the experiment is a toxic gas. I also decided to wear goggles to protect my eyes from the acid splashing, squirting or any way entering my eye. Also be sure to tie hair back because if the sodium thiosulphate makes contact with my hair it could dye it blonde (bleach it) or if it comes into contact with my skin it would turn white and peel off. Another precaution to take measure of is wearing gloves to protect your skin as hydrochloric acid is corrosive. Afterwards, when you have done your experiment thoroughly wash away all apparatus used and pour the solution down the sink. Apparatus: 1. Sodium Thiosulphate solution – (This is the variable factor being studied in the reaction) 1. Hydrochloric Acid 2. Water 3. Conical Flask – (to put both the hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulphate into. ) 4. 3 Pipettes – (one for the hydrochloric acid and one for the sodium thiosulphate and one for water; this allows you to easily transfer the liquids. ) 5. Cotton – (this blocks the top of the conical flask to make sure sulphur dioxide the toxic gas produced doesn’t escape. ) 6. A paper marked with an x – (to be certain when to stop the timer. ) 7. Stop watch/Timer – (to stop the time when ‘X’ is not visible. ) 8. Goggles – (to protect your eyes from acid entering the eyes – for safety measurements. ) 9. Gloves – (protects your skin from hydrochloric acid; corrosive. ) 10. 2 Measuring cylinders’ (to measure the volume of the acids. ) Prediction: I predict that the greater the concentration of Sodium Thiosulfate Solution, the faster the chemical reaction will take place. Therefore, the cross will disappear more quickly due to the cloudiness of the solution. If solutions of reacting particles are made to be more concentrated, there are a higher number of particles reacting. Meaning collisions between Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Thiosulfate Solution are more likely to occur. All this can be justified by the full understanding of the collision theory itself: For a reaction to occur particles have to collide with each other. Only a small per cent result in a reaction. This is due to the energy barrier to overcome. Only particles with enough energy to overcome the barrier will react after colliding. The minimum energy that a particle must have to overcome the barrier is called the activation energy, or Ea.

Article of Confederation Essay Example for Free

Article of Confederation Essay The first constitution was written in the United States was called the â€Å"Articles of Confederation. † It established a loose league of friendship between thirteen sovereign states and proposed that each state have its sovereignty, freedom, and independence. The Articles of Confederation approve in 1781, which led to a period of crisis between the years 1781 and 1789. This period refer as the Critical Period. The Articles of Confederation was the precursor of the United States Constitution because of the many reasons it had weaknesses and replaced by the United States Constitution. The Constitution of the United States comprises the nations fundamental law, providing the framework for its governance and the principles under which it must operate. When the constitution was written, it was intended to endure for ages, be flexible, and adaptable for future generations. The constitution was intended to be the supreme law of the land. â€Å"To win the required approval from all 13 states, drafters changed the plan and granted the Confederation control of western lands. After four years, the Articles finally won ratification in 1781. † (Created Equal, pg. 77) The Articles of Confederation, which were ratified in 1781, became the first constitution. The Articles of Confederation dealt with three problems: taxation, representation, and the extent of control over western territories. First, the Articles of Confederation weakness was that the central government did not have the power to collect taxes. As the Articles of Confederation illustrate, â€Å"According to the Articles, Congress could not collect taxes or regulate trade; it could only requisition funds from the states. Shares would vary depending on each state’s free population. (Created Equal, pg. 177) Under the Articles of Confederation, the state government can only send its contribution annually to the national government but they cannot be compelled to pay taxes. Due to this huge weakness, many problems arose in the U. S, which were signs of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The trade agreements Congress had made with other nations were not always carried out. Many people soon started importing goods from other countries that they refused to pay for. Consequently, people in other nations soon became reluctant to trade with the U.  S; even Great Britain closed its commerce to it, which resulted in the loss of a lot of money because of lack of trade. There was also competition among the states, as they started levying taxes on goods passing through them to other states. Taxes are the lifeblood of the nation. Without it, no government machinery will function. Thus, the national government could not perform its functions because it did not have the funds. Second weakness was the enactment of laws. Under the Articles of Confederation, the enactment of laws needed the approval of 9 out of 13 states. The voting obligation is quite high. As a result, five states could easily prevent the enactment of laws, which seriously jeopardized the enactment of laws that needed to be passed. The Articles of Confederation note, â€Å"Moreover, the Confederation had no separate executive branch; executive functions fell to various committees of the Confederation Congress. † (Created Equal, pg. 177) There was no executive branch to institute the policies for the entire nation. As a result, the state governments did not have a cohesive policy that every state government should follow. Consequently, the state governments individually created their own policies. Since there was no national judiciary, the state courts were tasked to interpret laws. As George Mason indicates, â€Å"The Judiciary of the United States is so constructed extended, as to absorb and destroy the Judiciarys of the several States; thereby rendering Law as tedious intricate and expensive, Justice as unattainable, by a great Part of the Community, as in England, and enabling the Rich to oppress ruin the Poor. † (Mason, Paragraph 2, pg. 10) It had become clear that it was necessary to abandon the Articles of Confederation in favor of a constitution that provided for a stronger national government, created a national judiciary and strong Congress. Finally, the United States had different issues that they had to deal with. These were foreign affairs, economic conditions, and Western land. The Articles clarify, â€Å"In addition, to the dismay of land speculators, the Congress would not control the western domains that several large states had claimed. † (Created Equal, pg. 77) The government was weak due to poor economic conditions and the people still feared the power of the central government. These weaknesses posed a threat to the effectiveness of the government. Under the Articles of Confederation, there was a unicameral legislature. There was one house and there were no executive or judiciary branches. Each state had the same number of representatives and their own currency. The states taxed each other and affecting the value of money to decrease and posed a threat to the economic stability of the United States, which was already weak and in need of reformation. The Articles of Confederation was the precursor of the United States Constitution because of the many reasons it had weaknesses and replaced by the United States Constitution. It brought the colonies together as a loose confederation with the state’s rights being more important than the power of the federal government. Even though the government under the Articles of Confederation was very weak, it was still more democratic because it gave more rights and power to the states. The Articles unified the states under a loose confederation, which lacked a strong, central government. Although the Articles of Confederation had several successes, it created far more weaknesses and failures. The failures of the Articles had to be addressed, so a new constitution was created and drafted at the Constitutional Convention, which determined the many failures of the Articles, and created a strong central government. A controversial issue has been debated over whether the government under the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution was more democratic. The Articles of Confederation created a more democratic government because it gave power to the individual states and to the people.