The Career of Musical Virtuoso Buckethead Essay Example For Students

The Career of Musical Virtuoso Buckethead Essay Bucketed has performed on more than 90 albums, both solo and in collaboration with many other artists. Bucketed was born Brian Patrick Carroll in 1969. Brian began playing the guitar at the age of twelve. He had stated in an interview with Guitar Magazine in 1996, l did not become serious until the following summer when I moved to Claremont from Huntington Beach, CA. My playing improved with lessons from various teachers, most notably, Paul Gilbert, with whom I studied for over a year. (Guitar Magazine 1996) Brains solo career (as Bucketed) officially began in 1988 when he entered a song called Bravos into a contest for Guitar Player magazine. The song was was placed in second, but received high praise among the editors: An astonishingly killed guitarist and bassist, he demonstrates post-Paul Gilbert speed and accuracy filtered through very kinky harmonic sensibilities. His psychotropic, demonic edge is very, very far removed from the click ©s of classical metal and rock. We will write a custom essay on The Career of Musical Virtuoso Buckethead specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now A real talent to watch, also known as Bucketed. (Guitar Player magazine 1988) In 1989, he entered a second contest a year later with a song called Choose and came out with the same result. Later that year, Bucketed formed his very own band called the Deli Creeps and played lead guitar for the group. But the band proved to be unsuccessful throughout he ass as theyve recorded two demo tapes, but could not find a record label to sign with. However, in 2005, they were able to release their first and only album, Dawn of the Deli Creeps. Other musical projects that Bucketed was involved with include Praxis and various movie soundtracks. Brains solo career also continued throughout the ass, not Just as Bucketed, but also as another character, Death Cube K. Many believe, however, that Death Cube K is a separate entity that looks like a photographic negative version of Bucketed with a black chrome mask, like Dearth Evader. This apparition haunts Bucketed and appears in his nightmares. (Bucketed FAQ v 1. 01) Brian has only released six albums as Death Cube K. And after releasing two solo demo tapes, Bucketed released his very first official studio album in 1992 entitled Backhandedly, a second album in 1994 called Giant Robot, and third in 1998 Calm, dedicated to his mother who was sick with colon cancer at the time. By the time the New Millennia came around, Bucketed became a nation-wide sensation in the underground music scene. In 1999, Bucketed collaborated with world renowned bassist Less Calypso to record Buckwheats currently best selling album to date, Monster and Robots. In the year 2000, Brian Carroll received the chance of a lifetime to play guitar for one of the most famous bands in the world, Guns n Roses. Of course, he still kept the mask and the bucket as he is a very shy Chinese Democracy. During the time that he was with Guns n Roses, he kept the momentum going with his own career by still releasing solo albums and working with his other side projects. Four years after Joining them, Brian sparked a little bit of controversy with Guns n Roses, especially with Axle, by leaving the band because of Guns inability to complete n album or tour. ( Buckwheats Hand Puppet Says Goodbye To Guns N Roses) Since that time, Buckwheats popularity in the independent scene grew steadily. It grew even more so when the popular 2006 video game Guitar Hero II launched, with Buckwheats Jordan being a playable song. Forty-seven studio albums, four special releases, one extended play and fifty-plus recordings with other artists. Brian Carroll continues to inspire tod ays youth with the Bucketed character by constantly releasing new albums every single year. There is no end in sight for the ever expanding musical career of Bucketed.

After the Abuse †Psychology Essay

After the Abuse – Psychology Essay Free Online Research Papers After the Abuse Psychology Essay Standing before the minister, gazing into each other’s eyes with fingers entwined, the bride echoes the line â€Å"for better or for worse,† and ‘till death do us part.† It is not until it is too late that she realizes that the â€Å"till death do us part† is slowly being beaten out of her. If you are one of the survivors of abuse by someone you love as I am, survival comes at a cost to mental and physical health. Many survivors of abuse suffer the same symptoms as people who have survived an event such as a terrorist attack, assault, natural disaster, or as a soldier returning home, and many suffer in silence. There are many who believe that once an abused spouse or significant other leaves the relationship, everything will be fine. With so much already written concerning intimate partner violence, we should be surprised by this belief, but we are not. The reality is that not everyone comes through the abuse unscathed. Most people do manage to cope with life’s stressful events, such as a car wreck, death of a loved one, or an illness; however, the life of a woman repeatedly abused is changed, even if we cannot see it. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is a real, life-alte ring medical diagnosis that can negatively influence lives and families for years. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental-health condition experienced after an emotional trauma, characterized by both an emotional and physical suffering, through flashbacks or nightmares; it affects routine everyday life and health issues (National 1, par. 3). PTSD alters the body’s response to stress by affecting stress hormones and neurotransmitters. Previous exposure to trauma may increase the risk, which suggests that this kind of a reaction may be a learned response (â€Å"Medical† 1, par. 4). This disorder can manifest itself months or years after the abuse and affect the person’s ability to function at home or at work, to form new relationships, or to lead productive lives. The ongoing stress may result in chronic pain and victims of domestic violence are more likely to have arthritis, neck pain and migraine headaches. The September 2006 Harvard Women’s Health Watch reports over forty-seven percent of battered women are depressed, sixty-three percent suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, and almost eight percent committed suicide (â€Å"Recognizing† 7, par 1). Unfortunately, for some, the victim leaves one abusive relationship only to rebound into another, and the cycle continues. Twenty to thirty percent of women in America are physically abused during their adult life (Berkowitz 1, par. 2) with an estimated four million women seriously injured, and at ten times greater risk to be murdered by an intimate partner (Berkowitz 1, par. 3). In 2001, over one hundred thousand men were documented as suffering nonfatal injuries with four-hundred-forty deaths attributed to domestic violence (Pisano 4). Though the numbers of women for that same year was close to six-hundred-thousand nonfatal injuries, with over twelve-hundred fatalities, men are victims also and should not be forgotten (Pisano 4). Statistics concerning male abuse victims are sketchy, as the majority of men do not report abuse from an intimate partner. What causes men, in most cases, to engage in acts of physical or emotional abuse against someone they profess to love? Abuse, emotional and physical, is the abuser’s need to control and â€Å"on gaining and maintaining power over his partner through fear and intimidation† (â€Å"Recognizing† 1, par. 7). The abusive partner may use many different methods to actively control his partner from intimidation, criticizing her, what to wear, where she can go, or whom she can see, isolation from family, friends, and co-workers by limiting contact or removing her physically from contact with them. The isolation of an abuse victim from family, friends, and co-workers cuts her off from the people and services that could help her (Recognizing 1, par. 9). If there is no contact outside of the home, there is no one for her to talk to or ask for help, or so the abuser believes, giving the abuser even more control over his victim’s life. And over time, the woman hersel f may begin to doubt herself and believe the horrible things he says and may feel an obligation to keep herself and those around her convinced that everything is just fine (â€Å"Recognizing† 1, par. 6). This is yet another way to control the victim and continue the abuse, all the while leaving the impression of the perfect relationship for family and friends to see. Earlier in America’s history, women â€Å"were viewed as property of men, much like children or slaves, and could be physically punished for not obeying orders† (Prah 1, par. 2). Even with the changes in laws and education concerning violence against women, in 1964 a young woman in New York City was repeatedly stabbed while neighbors ignored her screams. Witnesses later said they did not want to get involved because they thought it was a man beating his wife and felt it was not any of their business (Prah 1, par 6). The first women’s-rights convention was held in New York in 1848, and by the 1870s, wife beating was becoming unacceptable, at least legally, with Maryland being the first state to outlaw wife beating in 1883. However, it was not until the 1960s and the women’s movement of the 1970s that Americans began to change the way they viewed domestic violence (Prah 1, par 4). Regardless of how many laws are passed, the problem will not magically disappear. The cycle of â€Å"domestic violence follows a recognizable pattern titled Walker’s Cycle of Violence Theory† (Berkowitz 396, par. 9). The phases included in this cycle are tension building, acute battering, and the honeymoon phase. The tension-building phase, the first step, includes â€Å"verbal criticism and a lack of predictability† that may cause the victim to suffer â€Å"headache and abdominal pain† caused by the stress (Berkowitz 396, par. 9). The second phase involves the destruction of property, physical injuries or trauma to the victim, and often at this, the battering phase, neighbors or the victim themselves calls the police. The third phase is called the honeymoon phase because the batterer apologizes, asks for forgiveness, and promises that it will never happen again; unfortunately, the cycle repeats itself and the violence continues unless there is interven tion. The victim may believe, or more appropriately, wants to believe the abuse will stop, but the violence persists (Berkowitz 396, par. 9). Have you ever seen someone lift up his or her arm to wave and the person beside him flinches or cringes? Perhaps she is a survivor of abuse or worse, still a victim. The physical abuse may end when the victim leaves, but many suffer for months or years from the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Unfortunately, there are batterers that follow their victim to continue the abuse whether physical or verbal, in an effort to keep the control and fear alive. The abuse victim varies from the highly educated, affluent, career driven, homemakers, mothers, or daughters. What does not appear to vary from all of the reports and journal articles written is the description of the abuser. There have been countless articles, television specials, and movies made about abusive relationships and what they should show us is that it can happen to anyone. However, with the help and support of family, friends, professionals, and time, there is life after abuse; you just have to decide whether to keep li ving as a victim, or to live. Berkowitz, Carol D. â€Å"Recognizing and Responding to Domestic Violence.† Pediatric Annals 34.5 (2005): 395-401. eLibrary. Gulf Coast Community College Lib., Panama City, FL 7 Oct. 2006 . â€Å"Medical Encyclopedia: Post-traumatic stress disorder.† Medline Plus. 4 Oct. 2006. U.S. National Library of Medicine. 17 Oct. 2006 . National Mental Health Information Center. â€Å"Answers in the Aftermath.† U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2005. 9 Oct. 2006 . Pisano, Marina. No One to Turn to Battered Woman Found Little Help, Even From Church. San Antonio Express-News. 15 Feb. 2005. eLibrary. Gulf Coast Community College Lib., Panama City, FL 9 Oct. 2006 . Prah, Pamela M. Domestic Violence. CQ Researcher 16.1 (2006): 1-24. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Gulf Coast Community College Lib., Panama City, FL 18 Oct. 2006 . â€Å"Recognizing Domestic Partner Abuse.† Harvard Women’s Health Watch 14.1 (2006): 6-7. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Gulf Coast Community College Lib., Panama City, FL 20 Oct 2006. . Works Consulted Corry, Charles E. Domestic Violence Is Not a Serious Problem. Domestic Violence. Ed. David M. Haugen. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Gulf Coast Community College Lib., FL 17 Oct. 2006 . Kilpatrick, Dean G. â€Å"A Special Section on Complex Trauma and A Few Thoughts About the Need for More Rigorous Research on Treatment Efficacy, Effectiveness, and Safety.† Journal of Traumatic Stress 18.5 (2005): 379-84. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Gulf Coast Community College Lib., Panama City, FL 9 Oct 2006. . Vaknin, Sam Dr. Malignant Love. 7th Ed. Macedonia: Narcissus Publications, 2006. 4 Oct. 2006 . Young, Cathy. Feminist Dogma on Partner Abuse. The Boston Globe. 10 Nov. 2004. eLibrary. Gulf Coast Community College Lib., Panama City, FL 9 Oct. 2006 . Word Count: 1246 Research Papers on After the Abuse - Psychology EssayArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Capital PunishmentEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenThree Concepts of PsychodynamicInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married Males19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseGenetic EngineeringQuebec and CanadaPersonal Experience with Teen Pregnancy

Short essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Short - Essay Example Of course students need to know these subjects, if for no other reason than it makes them a well-rounded thinker. However, a better case can be made that teaching them a different language is even more important to their cognitive capacity and their ability to find employment in today’s global economy. Enrollment in foreign language studies today is at its highest level since 1968. Parents and students are realizing the importance of communicating with both allies and adversaries, to interact with them on their terms, not just our own. People in foreign countries appreciate being spoken to in their naà ¯ve language, at least an attempt to and resent the arrogance of some Americans who expect them to speak English. More than half of Europeans speak at least two languages fluently but less than 20 percent of Americans. Until just recently, enrollment in foreign languages classes had been dropping dramatically in public schools reaching a low point in 2008 when only 25 percent of students were taking a foreign language class, only 15 percent of students in rural areas. Only about half of colleges require foreign language credits to graduate, down from two-thirds just a decade previous. This foreign language discrepancy should be concerning. The U.S. needs diplomats, entrepreneurs, b usiness leaders, physicians, technicians, intelligence and military officials, politicians, historians, scientists, artists, managers and writers who can effectively communicate in other languages. Foreign policy experts, vital to the nation’s security, will always be needed and must be able to speak in a variety of languages particularly Farsi (Iran), Mandarin (China) and Arabic, Russian, Bengali (India) among others in emerging economic and military nations. The National Defense Education Act was passed during the height of the Cold war following the launch of Sputnik, the world’s first satellite, by the Russians in 1957. The Act provided federal funds to public schools

Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Assessment - Essay Example There were scaliness and various lumps on the scalp of the patient (Bickley & Szilagyi, 2008). I also performed physical assessment on the patient’s eyes and managed to figure out several normal findings. One of the findings is that the patient had normal vision ability on both eyes. The other finding was that there were no irritations or infections on the eyes. Moreover, the movement and the condition of the pupils were normal. The lining of the inner surface of the patient’s eye depicted to be normal. The pupils were round and had black color as recommended on normal eyes. The abnormal findings I managed to figure out include dryness in the eyes. The eyes also depicted to be red, which is an abnormal issue. The other abnormal finding was that there were changes in visual acuity on the patient’s eyes (Bickley & Szilagyi, 2008). My other obligation was to conduct the physical assessment on the patient’s ears. The normal findings I managed to figure out include presence of the three compartments that make up this particular organ. No deformities I managed to find on the patient’s ear. The other normal finding is that the patient could hear and understand speeches that I made. I managed to conduct this particular assessment while making sure that the patient was not looking at the movement of my lips. The abnormal findings I found on the patients ear include presence of a discharge. There were skin lesions on the ear and the patient complained of feeling pain after making movement to the auricles (Bickley & Szilagyi, 2008). The normal findings that were presence on the patient’s neck included lack of lumps. Moreover, there were no swellings available on the patient’s neck. After moving the patient’s neck, I managed to find out that the neck not limited to active range of motion. The lymph nodes on the patient’s neck were movable and discrete. After making a thorough assessment on the neck, I found out that the alignment of the trachea

The Role of Non-Executive Directors for the Best Work of Corporation Essay

The Role of Non-Executive Directors for the Best Work of Corporation - Essay Example This paper illustrates that corporate governance is mainly concentrated on the problem of a safety mechanism which ensures the interests of shareholders and the interests of the directors managing the company are aligned and observed. In fact, it deals with the ways in which suppliers of finance to the corporations assure themselves of getting a return on their investment. The governance problem arises when managers’ or directors’ interests of maximizing their own wealth, power and prestige and shareholders’ interests of increasing the value shareholders’ equity collide. This misalignment of interests was addressed by the agency theory developed in the West. The theory assumes that interests of managers and principles or owners are not aligned because of the separation of ownership and control and the only mechanism to safeguard shareholder’s interests is to implement appropriate governance structures. The agency problem in the United States and the United Kingdom is between the management/board and outside diverse shareholders while in continental Europe and Japan and East Asian markets with their concentrated ownership structure the main conflict is between the major owners/directors and minority shareholders. Corporate scandals such as notorious Enron, Tyco, WorldCom, Polly Peck, HIH Insurance, and OneTel suggested the need for changes in corporate governance regulations all over the world. As trust towards company insiders as well as to auditors, analysts or regulators was shattered, governments started to think over regulations which would prevent such unfair practices. As the board of directors represents the interests of shareholders and controls\supervises the management, its effective functioning is a strong corporate governance mechanism.  

Approaches To Political Science

Approaches To Political Science During the post- World War II period the predominant impetus that gave augmentation to behaviouralism as an approach to political science was the end of colonialism, and the subsequent birth of many new nation states. There was a general consensus that political science had to get into the game and offer assistance for national development if it was to be relevant to the contemporary world (Pye: 2006, p.799). Kavanagh (1983, p.196) believes that this was driven partly by impatience, growing during the inter-war years, with a perceived preoccupation with formal structures and institutions. Many histories of political science agree that the multi-dimensional and contradictory nature of politics has resulted in relative difficulty in establishing a clear definition of behaviouralism. As Waldo (1975, p. 58) specified whilst writing about the emergence of behaviouralism, what happened wascomplicated and somewhat obscure. Almost all those who endeavour to define behaviouralism acknowledge that every man puts his own emphasis and thereby becomes his own behaviouralist (Easton: 1962 p. 9) and attempts at coming to any complete definition of behaviouralism are probably futile given the diversity of those who followed its banner (Seidelman and Harpham: 1985 p. 151). However, for the purpose of this essay the behaviouralist approach will be defined as an attempt to improve our understanding of politics by seeking to explain the empirical aspects of political life by means of methods, theories, and criteria of proof that are acceptable according to the canons conventions and assumptions of modern empirical science (Dahl: 1961 p.767). The behaviouralistic revolution has had a substantial involvement in the evolution of political science, in which its scientific methodology and value centred approach (Sharma and Sharma: 2003, p.377) has influenced the subject matter and form of political science. Behaviouralism incorporates four foundational assumptions. Firstly, that there are discoverable uniformities in political behaviour commonly referred to as the regularity principle. Attempts to develop generalizations about political behaviour, i.e. to advance hypothesis about the relationships to discover uniformities or regularities or laws (Van Dyke: 1960, p.159). Secondly, behaviouralism dictates that the use empirical data is imperative for the means of maintaining a scientific approach to the study of politics (Brown: 2011). Thirdly, that there is a clear distinction between values and facts. A clear delineation between values and facts as well as, perhaps most importantly, the belief that facts remain neutral between various theories (Brown: 2011, p.2). Lastly, theories should be capable of being tested against observations. Crucially, genuinely explanatory theories must be capable of generating empirical predictions that can be tested against observation (Saunders: 2010, p.52 ). Theoretically at best behavioural research can produce a substantial theoretical and empirical contribution to the understanding and explanation of social behaviour (Sharma and Sharma: 2003, p.380). However, as I will discuss the full application of these assumption is rarely applied. For its advocates, behaviouralism has a number of advantages over other approaches to the study of political science. Possibly the least controversial assertion made on the approachs behalf was that it broadened the scope of political science, loosening previous constraints. Behaviouralism diverted attention away from conventionally legalistic study of constitutions and political institutions towards the political activities of real individuals in all stages of political science perhaps the least controversial claim made on the approchs behalf was that it widened the scope of poltical science. Behaviouralism, argue its champion, focused attention away from traditionally legalistic study of political institutions and consitutions towards the political actions of real people in all levels of political sceience developments in computer hardware and software has enabled the collection and processing of enormous quantities of data a behavioural emphasis is central to teh study of elctions and voting, perhaps the best known and most publiced mainfestation off the study of politics This essay will be split up into 3 parts, critically assessing why behaviouralism is an inadequate approach to the study of political science. Firstly, the essay will argue that an attachment to positivism is an inherent weakness in behaviouralism. Secondly, the essay will argue that both methodological potholes and maintaining subjectivity, challenge the impartiality of data collection, inclusion, and interpretation. Thirdly, the essay will explain why politics is not a natural science, focusing on variations in governance and human behaviour throughout the world. Positivism as a feature of Behaviouralism Positivism is a paradigm which states that all true knowledge is scientific in which all things are ultimately measurable (Brown: 2011, p.3). It is a notion intrinsically related to reductionism, in that both encompass the opinion that entities of one kind () are reducible to entities of another (Kim: 1965, p.318). As positivism is value free it contrasts with normative theory by providing descriptive rather than prescriptive statements. The first major critique of the behaviouralist approach is the opinion that it is inextricably linked to positivism, where it is reasoned that there is little to no room for normative discourse. The cost of the scientific identity to the discipline has been the marginalization of normative political theory (Duvall: 1998, p.1). In fact, positivism calls for an end to normative theory since it did not assist an empirical approach to the study of political science. However, countless scholars regard positivism with disdain, believing it to be adequate reason for the rejection of behaviouralism as a study of political science. Mises (1951) believes that positivism bares three major flaws, which collectively undermine its credibility within any concept, particularly behaviouralism. Behaviouralism complicated link with positivism has meant the political school of thought remains vulnerable to positivist criticisms (Sharma and Sharma: 2003, p.380). Firstly, normative discourse is largely discounted in the behaviouralist approach due to the fact that it cannot be defined by empirical or definitional statements. Similarly, under stringent positivist conditions there is no role for aesthetic and moral arguments, as these are not limited to empirical and definitional statements. Furthermore, there can be no role for the sort of hermeneutic analysis that attempts to understand understand social behaviour through deep reflection about the nature of human perceptions, thought processes and motivations (Sanders: 2010, p.51). If positivism seeks to reject these methods of reflection, the argument runs, it must be at fault. Whilst empiricism results in exactness it also has the additional value of instigating empirically falsifiable hypothesis, therefore it is contented that this dismissal of normative discourse is perilous. Sanders (2010, p.51) explained that the large class of statements that positivism labels as meaningless in fact contain many ideas that can add very significantly to our understanding of social behaviour and the human condition. Although I accept that the rejection of normative theory is paramount to maintaining a neutral inquiry. I believe that the failure to use deductive inquiry discredits the productiveness of behaviouralism in understanding the more subtle workings of the political world. Therefore it is argued that positivists underestimate the intricate relationships between theory and observation, particula rly in separating the effects of phenomena that are interrelated (Sharma and Sharma: 2003, p.379). Secondly, positivism is attacked on the basis of its exclusivity, and the assumption that the study of politics can be emulated by the study of natural science in order to successfully explain social phenomena. For example, one is unable to empirically research the relevant processes that lead to women often failing to ascertain top jobs within business. A positivist would only stick with what can be empirically established, rather than engage in more abstract theoretical reflection. As a direct result positivism fails to acknowledge the spatial trends, processes and intricacies which are involved in socioeconomic and political workings of life (Cloke, Philio and Sadler: 1992 p.15). Kavanagh (1983, p.192) agrees with this stating, normative theory always contains an element of the potential, and its validity is not in any way vitiated by people behaving differently from the pattern lai d down in the theory. Thirdly, positivists are criticised for their autonomy, they argue that science should be neutral, value free and objective. Critics of positivism believe that this creates a false sense of objectivity by artificially separating the observer from the observed, denying the existence of strong correspondence links (ibid, p.14). It is therefore argued that any weakness inherent in positivism must also therefore be inherent in behaviouralism (Sanders: 2010 p.51) and ultimately this acts as a fundamental anchor in the paradigm. Can the study of politics be value free? One of the initial assertions of the early behaviouralists was that hypothetical understanding could only be attained through a process of enquiry that began with theory-free observation of all the facts up to now and which then derived law-like generalizations inductively from the empirical regularities that were observed (Sanders: 2010, p.50). According to behaviouralists researchers take great troubles in order to assert the value free nature of their approach to the study of political science (Bay: 1965) and as result the political analyst is concerned with a scientific study of politics in its functional aspects. As such he has nothing to do with values or morals (Jayapalan: 2002, p.82). Theoretically the scientific methodological approach used in behaviouralism should produce theories and observations which remain unbiased, with a neutral point of view. However, in reality both methodological potholes and pseudo-ethical neutrality compromise the impartiality of empiricism, chal lenging the quality of research and observation. As a result, many critics of behaviouralism have identified numerous problems surrounding the collection, inclusion and interpretation of data, believing them to act as a critical shortcoming of the behaviouralistic approach. Huron (2000, p.3) believes that these fallacies, problems, biases, and effects that scholars have, over the centuries, recognized as confounding the conduct of good research. Although I acknowledge that these problems are not unique to behavioralism, as they affect every study of political science. I believe it is imperative to discuss them as they cause the behaviourists claim of objectivity to be problematic. Ultimately, this weakens the validity of behaviouralism as an approach to the study of political science. Methodological potholes Firstly, a lack of researcher neutrality and objectivity during data collection undermines the consistency and strength of empiricism. Proponents of a perspective may provide asymmetrical (one-sided) information, offering evidence that supports their conclusions while ignoring or suppressing other information (Litman: 2012, p.3). Cloke, Philio and Sadler (1992, p.18) refer to this concept as selective empiricism, in which researchers are able to cherry-pick data in order to obtain favourable outcomes. Questions can be defined, statistics selected and analysis structured to reach a desired outcome (Litman, 2012 p.12). For example, as researchers endeavour to remain policy relevant, this can lead to the production of research that conforms to the priorities of power (Wearing: 2010). Furthermore, the choice of research topics will undoubtedly bare some reflection on the researchers moral and political priorities. Research is framed and conducted is bound to reflect assumptions which wh ether held consciously, semi-consciously or unconsciously remain of a moral and political nature (Wearing: 2010). This selective or crude empiricism negates objectivity and neutrality and results in a lack of uniformity. Therefore, this lack of consistency entirely repudiates the legitimacy of behaviouralism as an adequate approach to the study of political science. Secondly, Sanders (2010) and Easton (1962) have argued that both a tendency towards mindless empiricism (Sanders, 2010, p.52) and a lack of quality empirical data have both undermined the legitimacy of empiricism. Sanders (2010 p.52) has argued that the indiscriminate inclusion of data has caused a situation in which behaviouralist emphasise what can be easily measured rather than what might be theoretically important tending to observe readily observed phenomena (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) rather than the more subtle, and perhaps deeper, structural forces that promote stability and change in social and political systems (Sanders: 2010, p.52-53). Many aspects of political life are subtle and are therefore unquantifiable. For example, the quality of interpersonal relationships between political leaders is not something that one statistically appraise, but yet the extent to which these leaders relate to one another could end up being important as to whether they cooperate. Similarly, Easton (196 2) supports this contention and believes that these more subtle workings of politics coupled with a lack of quality data has resulted in difficultly when using empirically falsifiable methods, and thus it has been suggested that behaviouralists chose their studies based on what is simple to test empirically, and not on the basis of academic worth. Not in light of theoretical or ethical relevance, but largely on grounds of accidental availability of technically adequate means of research (ibid, p.19). Sanders (2010) further supports this contention, asserting that in order to preserve the integrity of behaviouralism, behaviouralists have a tendency to circumvent or reject explanations that cannot be tested empirically. To rectify these issues would necessitate the abandonment of strict empiricism (Easton: 1962, p.19), which in quintessence is the pillar of behaviouralism. Whilst it would undeniable expand the credibility and relevance of the paradigm, abandoning such a fundamental fa cet would act to challenge and circumvent the other criteria that the paradigm necessitates. Ultimately, a deficiency of data combined with gratuitous empiricism suggests that behaviouralism is an incomplete notion; consequently this undermines its credibility as an adequate approach to the study of political science. Different understandings lead to different explanations The initial behaviouralists declared their approach to social enquiry to be both value-free and scientific. They claimed not be seeking to justify any particular ethical or political stance (Sanders: 2010, p.51) but rather sought to uncover the facts through impartial observation and to offer politically-neutral theories that would explain them in the most parsimonious way (ibid). However, as Nietzsche (1880) famously said there are no facts, only interpretations, no more so does this apply than to the interpretation of empirical data. Many critics of behaviouralism believe that different scholars studying the same problem are able to come to different conclusions, this initiated the argument that different understanding leads to different explanations. Be it subconsciously or intentional researchers are able to manipulate observations and theory, this undermines the objectivity of the test. Above all, the researcher himself is influenced to a certain extent, by his value preferences (Jayapalan: 2002, p.83). Many critics adamantly dispute the possibility of researcher neutrality, believing researcher bias to be inevitable. It is contended that objective theory and observation is always impossible, as some level of initial theoretical understanding is needed prior to the researcher deciding what will, and what should be observed. Sibley (1967) concurs with this criticism, and cites that the political investigator, no less than others, must have some notion of his own order of priorities before he proceeds to use the behavioural or any other approach (ibid, p.53). Hollis Smith (1991) support both these statements, explaining that there is no way of relating experience freely of its interpretation There are no brute facts-no facts prior to interpretation (ibid, p.52) Ultimately, it is suggested that researcher impartiality is idealistic and naÃÆ' ¯ve, and even subconsciously researchers are able to influence theory and observation. Marsh and Furlong (2002) sup ports this contention, going further to suggest that this is caused by any knowledge we derive (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) is mediated by the concepts we use to analyse it, so there is no way of classifying, or even describing, experience without interpreting it (ibid, p.23). Ultimately, I believe that a researchers individual experiences and values are inescapable, and thus are inseparable from their research. It this lack of uniformity and neutrality which causes the behaviouralists claims that theory can be objective to be a largely irresolvable weakness. Politics does not emulate the natural sciences In order to theorise the behaviouralist assume generalisations or tendency statements to help study the observed and observable. They believe there to be an expectable pattern in political phenomenon in which the regularity principle can be applied to political behaviour (Jayapalan: 2002). Political scientists operated under the pretence that humankind was perfectible and therefore a dependence on scientific political information would help to solve societal and political troubles indefinitely (Merriam: 1934). To some extent this is true, society and mankind can be predicable. There are many regularities in social life, such as getting out of bed, going to work, or reading a morning paper (Kavanagh: 1983, p.194). However, this is not always the case; both politics and humankind can be highly unpredictable in their nature, encompassing countless unforeseen circumstances and irregularities. Therefore, it is contended that there are no uniformities and laws on human behaviour and political science. . There are no regularities in political reality as it consists largely of unique elements (ibid, p.82). Therefore, it is argued that these unobservable factors and variations in politics throughout the world undermine behaviourism as a study of politics. Behaviouralists exclude the norms of human teleology (Johari: 2006, p.611). Traditionalists believe that as politics and human nature is diverse and complicated, it therefore cannot be generalised by certain pattern and regularities within human behaviour. Thus it is argued that social phenomena are [sic] quite different from natural phenomena and require different strategies of explanation. (Kavanagh: 1983, p.195) Human behaviour is shaped through culture, environment and experiences. It forms unique principles, inspirations and motives which vary from person to person. Thus, I believe that as individualism flourishes, behaviour cannot be categorised and uniformed together as mutuality. It is too easy to speak of a groups or nations behaviour as if it were identical with that of the individual person (Eulau: 1962, p.15). Hindmoor (2006) provides a good example of the unpredictability of human behaviour, finding that large numbers of the electorate, for example, do not vote for parties with policies and strategies that would leave them better off. One explanation for this finding is that voters rationally pursue interests other than their own material wellbeing (ibid, p.52). Yet these ulterior motives are impossible to gauge and quantify, providing yet another shortcoming of behaviouralism. Human ingenuity was always capable of evading them, in which they would lose their validity (Varma: 1979, p. 29). In addition, some aspects are politics are far too complicated and diverse for the use of empiricism. An area where a morally laden approach such as foreign aid is needed causes the behavioural approach to appear inadequate. The behavioural approach is able to deliver reliable knowledge only with regard to political commonplaces or trivia (Easton: 1962 p.19). Johari (2006) goes further, believing that too many inconsistencies and historic contingencies exist within human nature to allow anything but a very general kind of statement of uniformities. Ultimately, modern day politics operates on a global basis encompassing many cultures and forms and styles of government. Therefore, I believe that a major flaw of behaviouralism is that it is too narrow in its approach, ignoring global variations in human behaviour and styles of governance. Behaviouralists are charged with committing crimes of vulgar reductionism (Johari: 2006, p.611), and ultimately this acts as a fundamental a nchor in the paradigm. Conclusion In conclusion, although it is contended by certain scholars that there are some undoubted benefits of a behaviourist approach to the study of political science, the weaknesses contained within the theory are insurmountable. This essay accepts the three key epistemological criticisms of positivism. Firstly, that it marginalises normative and metaphysical discourse; this prevents one from fully understanding the subtle intricacies of politics. Secondly, positivism is challenged on the basis of its exclusivity, which thus fails to recognise the spatial trends, processes and intricacies which are involved in socioeconomic and political workings of life. Thirdly, I reject positivism based upon its autonomy of knowledge, which artificially detaches the observer from the observed. This intrinsic relationship between behaviouralism and positivism has meant that behaviouralism remains susceptible to the criticism of positivism. Therefore on this basis it undermines behaviouralism as an adequa te approach to the study of political science. Furthermore, I reject the regularities principle as a credible feature of behaviourism. Although I have acknowledged that some regularity exists in society, the nature of mankind and politics is largely unpredictable, and cannot be associated with the natural sciences because of this. In addition, although I have accepted that methodological potholes and researcher bias are not unique to just behaviouralism, I believe that they undermine behaviouralisms fundamental aim to remain objective. Ultimately, because of these three reasons I believe behavioralism lacks any real validity as an adequate approach to the study of political science.

Jane Addams Essay -- Biography Biographies essays research papers

The late 1800s was a time when many immigrants were coming to America, social classes were being distinguished, and a great deal of prejudice was sweeping over the United States. The upper and middle classes had extreme advantages over the lower class, which consisted of a large number of immigrants. These lower class individuals were looked down upon by the prestigious upper class, who were brought up with the best of everything for their time period. Despite her family’s honorable place in society, one woman rose above the gap between the classes in order to help individuals, who were less fortunate than she. Her name was Jane Addams and this paper will focus on her life-long contributions to help the poor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jane Addams was born on September 6, 1860, in Illinois. Her mother died when she was only three years old leaving her with only a father and 8 siblings. Her father became her backbone of her life and was responsible for her learning of the harsh conditions that many less fortunate people were forced to live with. He was the first thing that made her want to help others. â€Å"She was devoted to and profoundly influenced by her father, an idealist and philanthropist of Quaker tendencies and a state senator of Illinois for16 years† (Gale 54).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Her determination was seen early in her life. Even though many women were advised not to go to college because they were meant for marriage and not education, at the age of 17, Addams enrolled into a woman college called Rockford Seminary. â€Å"During her 4 years at Rockford, she took courses in German, Latin, Greek, history, literature, algebra, and trigonometry. She also studied science-geology, chemistry, mineralogy, and astronomy-as well as music, philosophy and Bible history† ( Kittredge 34). On top of taking these difficult courses, she scored nearly perfect in almost every class.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Knowing that her goal in life was to benefit others in some form or another, after graduating from Rockford, she went to the Women’s Medical College of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, her stay in this college was short-lived because depression and a back surgery caused her to drop out.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Besides being educated in academics, she wanted to learn about people†¦all types of people. She did this by traveling abroad in Europe for a few years. While in London, she came across a settlement house called Toynbee. Here, she was impress... ...obel Peace Prize. â€Å"Now 71 years old, she had at last received official recognition for her tireless efforts on behalf of peace† (Kittredge 99). Addams was the second woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, however she was not able to accept it in person because she was in the hospital awaiting lung surgery. With her earnings for this honor she divided the money between Hull House and The International League for Peace. On May 21, 1935, cancer consumed the life of Jane Addams. Many were greatly grieved by the loss. â€Å"At Hull House where Addams’s body lay in state a stream of neighbors, friends, and admirers filed past her casket at a rate of 2000 per hour† (Kittredge 105). This showed how powerful this woman was to the lives of many in the American Society. In conclusion, this woman was a pioneer to the wealthy all over the world. Her message was to reach out and help someone who is in need of your help. Although this happened decades ago, the message is still clear in the world today. Many of us should look at the life of this woman and see how we could apply it to everyday life. If everyone exerted as much compassion as this woman did than the world would be a much better place.