Designing With Feng Shui in Mind

Designing With Feng Shui in Mind Feng shui (pronounced fung shway) is a learned and intuitive art of understanding the energy of elements. The goal of this Chinese philosophy is harmony and balance, which some people have compared with the Western Classical ideals of symmetry and proportion. Feng is wind and shui is water. Danish architect Jà ¸rn Utzon combined these two forces of wind (feng) and water (shui) in his Australian masterpiece, the Sydney Opera House. Seen from this angle,  says Feng Shui Master Lam Kam Chuen, the whole structure has the quality of a craft with full sails: when the energy of the Wind and Water move together in certain directions, this ingenious structure draws that power to itself and to the city that surrounds it. Designers and decorators claim that they can feel the surrounding, universal energy called chi. But architects who incorporate the Eastern philosophy are not guided by intuition alone. The ancient art prescribes lengthy and complex rules that may strike modern homeowners as quirky. For example, your home should not be built at the end of a dead-end road. Round pillars are better than square. Ceilings should be high and well-lit. To further confuse the uninitiated, there are several different ways to practice feng shui: Use a compass or Lo-Pan to establish the most beneficial placement of roomsDraw on information from the Chinese horoscopeExamine the surrounding land forms, streets, streams and buildingsUse high-tech equipment to examine environmental health hazards, such as electromagnetic radiation and toxic materialsUse feng shui principles to help sell your houseUse some variation of a tool called the Ba-Gua an octagonal chart outlining the most favorable placement for roomsManipulate surrounding chi with appropriate colors or objects like a spherical sculpture Yet even the most baffling practices have a basis in common sense. For example, feng shui principles warn that a kitchen door should not face the stove. The reason? A person working at the stove may instinctively want to glance back at the door. This creates a feeling of unease, which can lead to accidents. Feng Shui and Architecture: Feng Shui teaches us how to create healthy harmonious environments, says Stanley Bartlett, who has used the centuries-old art to design homes and businesses. The ideas date back at least 3,000 years, yet a growing number of architects and decorators are integrating feng shui ideas with contemporary building design. For new construction, feng shui can be integrated into the design, but what about remodeling? The solution is the creative placement of objects, colors, and reflective materials. When the Trump International Hotel in New York City was remodeled in 1997, feng shui masters Pun-Yin and her father Tin-Sun installed a giant globe sculpture to divert the roundabout traffic energy from Columbus Circle away from the building. In fact, many architects and developers have enlisted the expertise of feng shui masters to add value to their properties. Everything in nature expresses its own energetic force, says Master Lam Kam Chuen. Recognizing this is essential to creating a living environment in which Yin and Yang are balanced. Despite the numerous complicated rules, feng shui adapts to many architectural styles. Indeed, the clean, uncluttered appearance may be your only clue that a home or office building was designed according to feng shui principles. Think of the shape of your house. If its square, a feng shui master may call it Earth, child of Fire and controller of Water. The shape itself expresses the supportive, secure, and stable quality of Earth, says Lam Kam Chuen. Warm tones of yellow and brown are ideal. Fire Shapes Master Lam Kam Chuen describes the famous triangular design of the Sydney Opera House in Australia as a Fire Shape. The irregular triangles of the Sydney Opera House lick the sky like flames, observes Maser Lam. Master Lam also calls St. Basils Cathedral in Moscow a Fire building, filled with an energy that could be as protective as your mother or as fierce as a mighty enemy. Another Fire structure is The Louvre Pyramid designed by Chinese-born architect I.M. Pei. It is a superb Fire structure, writes Master Lam, drawing down intense energy from the heavens- and making this site a prodigious attraction for visitors. It is perfectly balanced with the Water structure of the Louvre. Fire buildings are generally triangular in shape, like flames, while Water buildings are horizontal, like flowing water. Metal and Wood Shapes The architect shapes space with materials. Feng shui integrates and balances both shapes and materials. Round structures, like geodesic domes, have the energetic quality of Metal moving consistently and safely inward- the ideal design for shelters, according to Feng Shui Master Lam Kam Chuen. Rectangular buildings, like most skyscrapers, express growth, expansiveness, and power typical of Wood. Wood energy expands in all directions. In the vocabulary of feng shui, the word wood refers to the shape of the structure, not the building material. The tall, linear  Washington Monument may be described as a wood structure, with energy moving every which way.   Master Lam offers this assessment of the monument: Its spear-like power emanates in all direction, affecting the Capitol building of the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the White house. Like a mighty sword raised in the air, it is a constant, silent presence: those who live and work within its reach will often find themselves subject to internal disturbance and their ability to make decisions blocked. Earth Shapes and the Smudgers The American Southwest is an exciting juxtaposition of historic pueblo architecture and what many people consider tree-hugging modern ideas about ecology. A vibrant, local community of ecothinkers- people whose environmental thoughts direct their behaviors- have been associated with the area for decades. Frank Lloyd Wrights Experiment in Desert Living is perhaps the most famous example. It seems that this region has an unusual number of architects, builders, and designers committed to ecoversity- energy-efficient, earth-friendly, organic, sustainable design. What we call Southwest Desert Design today is known to combine futuristic thinking with a profound respect for ancient Native American concepts- not only building materials, like adobe, but also feng shui-like Native American activities such as smudging being incorporated into everyday life. Bottom Line on Feng Shui: So, if you are stuck in your career or have trouble in your love life, the root of your problems may be in the design of your home and the misguided energy that surrounds you. Professional feng shui design suggestions can only help, say practitioners of this ancient Chinese philosophy. One way to get your life in balance is to get your architecture in balance. Learn More: Feng Shui Handbook: How to Create a Healthier Living and Working Environment by Master Lam Kam Chuen, Holt, 1996The Architecture of Happiness by Alain De Botton, 2006Understanding Architcture by Robert McCarter and Juhani Pallasmaa, Phaidon, 2012 Sources: Feng Shui Handbook by Master Lam Kam Chuen, Holt, 1996, pp. 70-71, 33-37, 79, 90; Meet Donald Trumps feng shui master by Sasha von Oldershausen, The Guardian, September 13, 2016 [accessed January 14, 2017]

How Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Works

How Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Works In the quest for ever-improving fuel efficiency and emissions reduction, an old and very promising idea has found new life. HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) technology has been around for a long time but has recently received renewed attention and enthusiasm. While the early years saw many insurmountable (at the time) obstacles whose answers would only come as sophisticated computer controlled electronics were developed and matured into reliable technologies, progress stalled. Time has, as it always does, worked its magic and nearly every problem has been solved. HCCI is an idea whose time has come with nearly all of the parts and pieces of technology and know-how in place to make a real go of it. What is HCCI? An HCCI engine is a mix of both conventional spark-ignition and diesel compression ignition technology. The blending of these two designs offers diesel-like high efficiency without the difficult- and expensive- to deal with NOx and particulate matter emissions. In its most basic form, it simply means that fuel (gasoline or E85) is homogeneously (thoroughly and completely) mixed with air in the combustion chamber (very similar to a regular spark-ignited gasoline engine), but with a very high proportion of air to fuel (lean mixture). As the engines piston reaches its highest point (top dead center) on the compression stroke, the air/fuel mixture auto-ignites (spontaneously and completely combusts with no spark plug assist) from compression heat, much like a diesel engine. The result is the best of both worlds: low fuel usage and low emissions. How Does HCCI Work? In an HCCI engine (which is based on the four-stroke Otto cycle), fuel delivery control is of paramount importance in controlling the combustion process. On the intake stroke, fuel is injected into each cylinders combustion chamber via fuel injectors mounted directly in the cylinder head. This is achieved independently from air induction which takes place through the intake plenum. By the end of the intake stroke, fuel and air have been fully introduced and mixed in the cylinders combustion chamber. As the piston begins to move back up during the compression stroke, heat begins to build in the combustion chamber. When the piston reaches the end of this stroke, sufficient heat has accumulated to cause the fuel/air mixture to spontaneously combust (no spark is necessary) and force the piston down for the power stroke. Unlike conventional spark engines (and even diesels), the combustion process is a lean, low temperature and flameless release of energy across the entire combustion chamber. The entire fuel mixture is burned simultaneously producing equivalent power, but using much less fuel and releasing far fewer emissions in the process. At the end of the power stroke, the piston reverses direction again and initiates the exhaust stroke, but before all of the exhaust gases can be evacuated, the exhaust valves close early, trapping some of the latent combustion heat. This heat is preserved, and a small quantity of fuel is injected into the combustion chamber for a pre-charge (to help control combustion temperatures and emissions) before the next intake stroke begins. Challenges for HCCI An ongoing developmental problem with HCCI engines is controlling the combustion process. In traditional spark engines, combustion timing is easily adjusted by the engine management control module changing the spark event and perhaps fuel delivery. Its not nearly so easy with HCCIs flameless combustion. Combustion chamber temperature and mixture composition must be tightly controlled within quickly changing and very narrow thresholds that include parameters such as cylinder pressure, engine load and RPMs and throttle position, ambient air temperature extremes and atmospheric pressure changes. Most of these conditions are compensated for with sensors and automatic adjustments to otherwise normally fixed actions. Included are individual cylinder pressure sensors, variable hydraulic valve lift and electromechanical phasers for camshaft timing. The trick isnt so much as getting these systems to work as it is getting them to work together, very quickly, and over many thousands of miles an d years of wear and tear. Perhaps just as challenging though will be the problem of keeping these advanced control systems affordable. Advantages of HCCI Lean combustion returns 15 percent increase in fuel efficiency over a conventional spark ignition engine.Cleaner combustion and lower emissions (especially NOx) than a conventional spark ignition engine.Compatible with gasoline as well as E85 (ethanol) fuel.Fuel is burned quicker and at lower temperatures, reducing heat energy loss compared to a conventional spark engine.Throttleless induction system eliminates frictional pumping losses incurred in traditional (throttle body) spark engines. Disadvantages of HCCI High cylinder pressures require stronger (and more expensive) engine construction.More limited power range than a conventional spark engine.The many phases of combustion characteristics are difficult (and more expensive) to control. It is clear that HCCI technology offers superior fuel efficiency and emissions control compared to the conventional tried-and-true spark ignition gasoline engine. Whats not-so-certain yet is the ability of these engines to deliver these characteristics inexpensively, and, probably more importantly, reliably over the life of the vehicle. Continued advancements in electronic controls have brought HCCI to the precipice of workable reality, and further refinements will be necessary to push it over the edge into everyday production vehicles.

Critical Assessment of Sustainability Policy of EURAC Convention Research Paper

Critical Assessment of Sustainability Policy of EURAC Convention Centre - Research Paper Example Its sustainable mission is to combine the meeting offers with attractive tourist experience that meets international market standards.     The current sustainable policy of the organization requires amendments related reflecting the current changes in lifestyle and technology to guarantee continued advancement. European Academy (EURAC) Convention Centre (ECC) is located at the heart of unspoiled dolomites in one of the most eco-crucial regions of Europe. The facility was designed to curtail the negative environmental impact resulting from events held in the region. ECC is located in a strategic location i.e. city center that can be accessed through eco-friendly transport means such as bikes or through walking. The facility is designed to be a professional conference and seminary facility in local, national or international functions. The 1,250 square meters covered by the facility contains an auditorium with 320 seats, conference hall, five seminar rooms, two foyers, and a computer room. ECC boasts of the highly qualified management team that contributes to the innovativeness; enhances delivery of services. The current growth in the event and leisure industry is due to the enhanced globalization. Industry globalization has led to increased income, intensive use of communication technology and newly developed cheaper means of transport (Paschinger, 2007). Organizational growth and enhanced competitiveness in the event and leisure industry requires the application of enhanced technology and innovativeness. The organization has adopted an effective sustainable policy based on technological innovativeness and focus on environmental improvement.

Introduction to Operating Systems Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Introduction to Operating Systems - Assignment Example While for creating an interface with the software it makes use of the application programs. The elementary function provided by the operating system is that of interface for interaction between the hardware and software, since both are equally important for the suitable working of a computer system (Null & Lobur, 2010). For the hardware that is connected to the system, specific softwares are needed which allow recognition by the operating system. This task is accomplished by the drivers which make it possible for the operating system to interlace the hardware with the application softwares and other components of the system. Drivers also help in ensuring the proper working of hardwares (Andrews, 2009). The best practices for keeping the system current are updating it on regular basis. Downloading of the necessary patches that might be required with new drivers. Best practices also include ensuring the authenticity of downloading material and checking its compatibility with the existing hardware and operating system kernel. Hence operating system is that part of the entire system without which the computer cannot exist. Operating system is like the heart to human body that controls all other components and provides them with necessary

Experienced Negative Life Events

Experienced Negative Life Events Proposition no. 6 which states that A person who experienced negative life events can still be able to attain mental wellbeing relates to axiom 2 Positive and negative life events affect mental wellbeing and axiom 3 (A mentally healthy person functions effectively thus feels happy and satisfied) since it implies that using appropriate coping and adaptation skills against the many negative life events, minor, major or extreme life events, the older person still has a great chance attaining mental wellbeing, to be able to function normally despite physical and cognitive decline therefore making the older person happy and satisfied. During the normal process of aging, the older people encounter stressors or negative life events that may trigger both appropriate and distorted emotional responses. Two of the most stressful unplanned life events include declines in health and loss of loved ones. It may result to distress and a sense of helplessness due to physical deterioration in function, such as blurred vision and hearing difficulty; adjustment and difficulty after retirement, resulting to loss of financial independence, feeling of emptiness for lack of life goal, etc.; social isolation, and feelings of out of touch with the world owing to the rapid changing environment; loss of confidence and self worth; misconception that family members and society no longer respect them; and a sense of loneliness as adult children leave the family. In addition, chronic strains may also impact the older adult; for example, strains within the community, in relationships, or in the older persons immediate environment are all str essors. Most older people are able to adapt to these changes and maintain their well-being by utilizing and organizing their personal and environmental resources. These include coping skills, social support, and maintaining a sense of control. A mentally healthy older adult has the ability to interact positively with internal and external environment, can adapt and cope up from the negative life events. As the World Health Organization (2001) defines mental health as the state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities. He can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community (Tameside and Glossop, 2011). According to Ebersole, et.al (2004), it is difficult to define mental health of an elderly because the differentiation of personality throughout the life span is escalating which may have resulted to idiosyncratic and sometimes eccentric adaptation in late life. As the person grows older, faced with particular situations, it accentuates a certain aspect of personality and appearance which make the person uniquely himself because he is strengthened with the accumulation of life experiences. Such personality characteristics maybe negative like being crusty, disagreeable, grouchy or grumpy which is however considered adaptive. A good example would be a cantankerous old man who utilizes his coping skills against with his severe illness and stoically protecting others from awareness of his pain might be manifesting a mentally healthy person. Therefore, Ebersole, et.al (2004) best described mental health in elderly as being measured by the capacity to cope effectively with relationships an d environment and by the satisfaction experience in doing so. If the environment provides the potential for mental health, then the only criterion for mental health is the persons response to the environment. The same connotation given by Zanden, et.al (2000) as he identified two (2) elements of mental health namely: (1) From a social perspective, mental health involves peoples ability to function effectively in their social roles and to carry out the requirements of group living; (2) From a psychological perspective, mental health involves a subjective sense of well being such as happiness, contentment and satisfaction. Moreover, the qualitative study of Moyle, et.al (2010) about Older people maintaining mental well-being through resilience is a good example of a mentally healthy older adult who is able to manage and cope well with the adversities. The older people in the study identified their negative life changes categorized by the following four themes: 1) Social Isolation and Loneliness, 2) Social worth, 3) Self-determination, and 4) Security. When the researchers asked the older-participants to discuss strategies that they used to maintain well-being through resilience, their responses were categorized under six themes. These are: 1)Keeping active; 2)Relationships; 3)Community connections; 4)Practical coping; 5)Emotional coping; and 6) Spiritual coping. Physical activities, mentally stimulating activities and meaningful activities are the identified activities of the participants inorder to be always active which enhance mental health and well-being. They reported keeping mentally active through continued learning, new interests or novel activities, as well as mentally stimulating games and through volunteering. Older people also identified that the more challenging activities can enhance well-being by giving a sense of accomplishment and achievement. Another approach which the participants expressed is being involved and maintaining healthy family contacts because this relationships could enhance well-being in older people just like the active and frequent presence of grandchildren. In addition, when participants felt able, taking on a caregiving role was another way maintaining well-being through relationships. The other strategy reveals the strength of community connections for maintaining well-being. Older people report that the ir health is maintained through continued and constant contact with all age groups and members of the community. For many participants, the key is to interact as part of the wider community and not isolating oneself according to age group. Another category of approaches used by older people in order to maintain well-being were those which used practical based coping strategies to minimize the effects of aging on well-being. The participants reported using practical focused coping strategies such as setting goals or planning for the future. This also includes financial planning and creating budgets to maintain financial security. While for other participants, actively minimizing responsibilities is one way to maintain well-being. Utilizing emotional coping strategies is another approach to enhance mental wellbeing. While distraction and occupation were considered to be important ways of maintaining wellbeing others reported altering goals or standards according to ones age as a way to maintain well-being. Comments frequently centered on being realistic and reasonable when considering the limitations and expectations of later life. For others not focusing on age and acceptance of older age were key approaches to assist in sustained well-being. However an important aspect of acceptance was not to give up on doing things that are enjoyable because of aging such as to think positively or maintain a sense of humor. The final approach highlights spiritual strategies used by some older people in order to maintain well-being. In a study of quality of life and Jewish older people in South Africa, over half of the participants felt that as they grew older, religion played an increasingly important role in their lives. Self-concept as mentioned in proposition no. 4 is an important factor that would help view the negative life events positively resulting to better coping skills. Self-concept is also evident when older person comments on major events in his life, he was engaging in a special form of reminiscence called life review calling up past experiences with the goal of achieving greater self-understanding. Older adults who participate in counselor-led life review report increased self-esteem, greater sense of purpose in life, and reduced depression. At the same time, when they relate about themselves, elders have accumulated a lifetime of self-knowledge, leading to more secure and complex conceptions of themselves. Their autobiographical selves emphasized coherence and consistency, despite physical, cognitive, and occupational changes. So when an older adult who shows firm and multifaceted self-concept which allowed for self acceptance is a key feature of integrity. Moreover, a flexible, optimistic approach to life, which fosters resilience in the face of adversity, is common in old age. Being resilient, the elderly gain in agreeableness, becoming increasingly generous, acquiescent, and good-natured well into late life. Agreeableness seem to characterize people who have come to terms with life despite its imperfections- greater acceptance of change an attribute the elderly frequently mention as important to psychological well being. When asked about dissatisfactions in their lives, many older adults respond that they are not unhappy about anything. Acceptance of change is also evident in most elders effective coping with the loss of loved ones, including death of a spouse. The capacity to accept lifes twists and turns, many of which are beyond ones control, is vital for adaptive functioning in late adulthood. Most older adults are resilient, bouncing back in the face of adversity especially if they did so earlier in their lives. And older persons heightened capacity for positive emotion contributes greatly to their resilience (Zanden, 2000). Therefore, if the older adults are recalling past positively revealing a lifetime of self-knowledge, leading to more secure and complex conceptions of themselves and is resilient have arrived at a sense of integrity and they would feel whole, complete, and satisfied with their achievements. They have adapted to inevitable triumphs and disappointments and realize that the paths they followed, abandoned, and never selected were necessary for fashioning a meaningful life course. Another measure for the older adult to consider inorder to successfully adapt and manage negative life events is for him to take initiatives in doing activities. This relates from the study of Steverink, Lindenberg and Slaets (2005) who define taking the initiative as the ability to take initiatives or to be agentic (self-organizing, proactive, self-reflecting and self-regulating). This ability, although closely related to self-efficacy, Deci and Ryan (1995) considered taking the initiative to be a separate ability, because the belief in ones competence is not automatically linked to the motivation to use ones competence. Thus it is hypothesized that taking the initiative with regard to important resources, as opposed to being or feeling passive, dependent or fatalistic, is necessary for the achievement and maintenance of wellbeing. With aging, as a consequence of losses in resources, together with decreasing opportunities and challenges, there may be a decline in the rate and range of self initiated behavior and an increase in dependency (Baltes 1996). The general construct that has been the focus of most research on this aspect of adaptive behavior is autonomy vs dependency. For example, it was found that nursing home residents who experienced greater autonomy reported less depression and higher self-esteem, life satisfaction, meaning in life, general health and psychological adjustment (Vallerand and OConnor 1989). Similarly, in nursing home residents, Kasser and Ryan (1999) found out that greater autonomy in daily activities predicted decreased mortality over a 1-year period. The initiative of the elderly to be always active and involved in social activities prevent mental depression. This way, it avoids the elderly population from thinking negatively and becoming pessimistic which contributes to health problems especially mental illness. However, the elderly should not limit itself to social activities, but he should be involved in variety of resources called multifunctionality. Well-being is about being emotionally healthy, feeling able to cope with normal stresses, and living a fulfilled life. It can be affected by things like worries about money, work, your home, the people around, and the environment. Well-being is also affected by a feeling of having control of your life, feeling involved with people and communities, and feelings of anxiety and isolation (Coggins Cooke, 2004). Axiom number 2 stresses then that there are multifunctional resources/factors, internal or external that would influence the person to reach and attain mental wellbeing. Nieboer, A. Lindenberg, S. (n.d.) described multifunctional resources as the resources or activities or factors that serve multiple aspects of wellbeing (e.g. social and physical wellbeing) simultaneously and in a mutually reinforcing way. Because of this mutual reinforcement, multifunctional resources are of special importance for the realization of wellbeing. Therefore, the ability to maintain or regain multifunctional resources is important for wellbeing in ageing. A spouse, for instance, is often a multifunctional resource. Interacting with a spouse fulfills the need for affection, and at the same time fulfills the need for activation. Another example of multifunctionality is having dinner (fulfilling the need for food) with friends (fulfilling the need for affection). With aging added by Riley and Riley (1994), there may be a decline in multifunctional resources and activities, due to the loss of a partner or close friend, and also because of a decrease in opportunities to part icipate in occupational and other formal settings. Such settings often offer opportunities for multifunctionality through interaction with colleagues and by performing tasks that yield reinforcing physical and social rewards. Because multifunctional resources or activities are hypothesized to yield more overall wellbeing than unifunctional activities or resources, the loss of these opportunities is therefore expected to have a particularly negative impact on wellbeing. Moreover, it is often hard to substitute or compensate the loss of a multifunctional resource. For instance, the loss of a spouse and subsequent widowhood, which is a common experience in later life especially for women, often has a broad impact on different aspects of wellbeing, because the loss of the spouse often involves the loss of other relationships as well. Other empirical evidence for the importance of multifunctional resources or activities for overall wellbeing is found in studies that show both higher leve ls of wellbeing and increased longevity in older people who remain socially active and productive (Nieboer Lindenberg, n.d.). However, it is believed that if these multifunctional resources and strategies have been taught and develop at an early stage then obtaining mental wellbeing would not be difficult to attain. An elderly who has a loving, close family relationship and full support from them from childhood to adulthood, the elderly will have a positive outlook in life thus living a fulfilled, happy and contented and complete life will eventually reach the stage of integrity hence attain mental wellbeing. Investment of behavior is another factor inorder to attain mental wellbeing. This relates to the famous adage which states continue doing good because in the end you will reap a harvest full of blessings would also mean doing something good in your life even in the earlier stage of life is an investment behavior which resulted to increase longevity. The investigation made by Steverink, Lindenberg and Slaets (2005), found that the investment of behavior is important for achieving stability in resources and the maintenance of wellbeing in the longer term. Therefore, it is hypothesized that a certain amount of investment behavior is important for the realization and maintenance of wellbeing, even with increasing age and a declining time-horizon. Without investment behavior there will be a decline in resources and wellbeing. With aging, this ability may decline as a consequence of a decreasing time-horizon and the loss of external resources and opportunities. It has, indeed, been found t hat older individuals become ever more present-oriented, and have a less extended future perspective than younger people in general. Yet, when older individuals are able to maintain a certain amount of investment behavior, this clearly will have a positive effect on their overall wellbeing. For example, proactive prevention activities in older people have positive consequences for longevity, as well as for indicators of subjective wellbeing. Although there are only a few studies that have investigated investment behavior in aging individuals, other studies have closely examined related aspects of future orientation and planning in older people. It has been found that older people who maintain a future orientation, and also plan for the future, report higher levels of life satisfaction (Prenda and Lachman 2001). Moreover, Isaacowitz and Seligman (2002) supported that a positive future orientation was found to predict affective adaptation (Nieboer Lindenberg, n.d.). Furthermore, there are more coping and adaptation strategies that can be used inorder to attack negative life events as reflected in axiom 2. The measures/strategies discussed previously were indeed a good tips inorder to maintain mental health more especially if the older adult is optimistic, with positive self-concept and self-esteem, he can easily face the negative life events with confidence, happy and contentment. Axiom no. 3 (A mentally healthy person functions effectively thus feels happy and satisfied) will never be difficult to attain if the elderly views aging positively despites its cognitive and physical decline, this will never be a hindrance inorder to attain happiness and life satisfaction as measurements of mental wellbeing. It was never true that attaining mental wellbeing means having no diagnosed illness nor physical disabilities, what is important is the development of ones potential, work productively and creatively, how strong and positive relationships are built with others, and how to contribute something to the economy. As Baltes Baltes (1990) accentuates that successful aging, is not based on den ial of real losses in functioning in the last stage of life but rather it encourages older people to optimize the capacities that remain while compensating for inevitable losses. A report of Mroczek Kolarz (1998), documented that older adults do not appear unhappier compared to middle-aged or younger persons even though they experienced declines in physical health, deaths of peers and spouses, and other objective rigors that accompany aging (Baltes Baltes, 1990; Brandtstadter Greve, 1994; Filipp, 1996; Staudinger, Fleeson, Baltes, 1998). As a result of hardships in life, it was expected that they would have lower levels of happiness but it was not so. Their well-being seems to be unaffected by the adverse contexts brought on by the aging process (Borgatta Fbss, 1979; Cameron, 1975; Haug, Belkgrave, Gratton, 1984; Herzog, Rodgers, Woodworth, 1982; Larson, 1978; Schulz, 1985). Also, Zanden, et.al (2000) cited that Erikson during his late adulthood, demonstrated a life of ego in tegrity. At age 87, he continued to publish books relating to old age, his last work found out that some older adults live hopeful, productive lives, despite failing health and alertness; while others were relatively robust, although sometimes giving in to loneliness, narcissism, and despair (Woodward, 1994). The Social Production Function (SPF) Theory explains the two (2) types of older adults. According to the theory, success in obtaining the goals of affection, behavioral confirmation and status for social well-being, and comfort and stimulation for physical well-being resulted to subjective wellbeing. People have their own multiple means for achieving these goals by using a variety of means or resources simultaneously, should there be a case in which their goals cannot be achieved, they will build buffers against the loss of subjective wellbeing, although people have differences in buffer formation but people are resourceful in substituting across different life-domains and diff erent forms of well-being. This is confirmed from the study of Steverink (2001) among older adults (Nieboer Lindenberg, n.d.). Relating it to the observation of Erikson some older adults though relatively robust but still give in to loneliness, narcissism and despair, this maybe due to how they deal with their negative life events, how they make use of their coping and adaptation skills, or their buffer system or multifunctionality resources. The implication of the above scenarios portray that the negative life events were never considered as obstacles in attaining mental wellbeing. When appropriate skills are used in attacking adversities in life, there is a great chance of achieving happiness and life satisfaction. As Field (2009) expresses in his words mental wellbeing is not simply as having absence of diagnosed illness, disability or dissatisfaction but the individual must acquire social qualities of confidence, optimism about the future, a sense of influence over ones own destiny, and the social competences that promote satisfying and supportive relationships with other people. It also critically involve the resilience needed to deal with hard times whenever they occur inorder to function effectively so that by then happiness and life satisfaction are possible to reach. Therefore, mental wellbeing involve happiness or contentment, caring for and about others, and the capacity for creative and productive work. Theory Generated As the individuals grow old, people encounter challenges, stresses or adversities in life such as negative life events, it maybe in the form of major, minor or extreme life events. These life events have great impact to the lives of every individual especially on the desire of achieving functioning effectively, happiness and satisfaction or otherwise known as Mental Well being during the late stage of the peoples lives. The theory on Attainment of Mental Wellbeing is being developed because of the belief that despite those negative life events, the individual still manages to adapt and cope from those stressful events thus function effectively and shall have satisfied and happy lives. However, there is no best formula in attaining mental well being because it is believed that there are factors that will act as a barrier in attaining mental wellbeing and at the same time there are also factors that would help mold the individual to have good mental health in order for the person to be fully develop in combating against those negative life events. The study is anchored on the Social Production Function (SPF) Theory which will explain why people is still fairly satisfied with their lives even when they lack important resources such as a paid job or a spouse (Nieboer Lindenberg, n.d.). The same observations made by Erikson when he interviewed older Americans because he found out that some older adults opted to be lonely, narcissistic and desperate though they are relatively in good health. SPF theory asserts subjective wellbeing is ordered hierarchically. The general universal goals which are at the top: Overall subjective wellbeing consists of physical and social wellbeing; then followed by universal instrumental goals (for social well-being, three universal instrumental goals are specified: status, behavioral confirmation, and affection and for the production of physical well-being, two universal instrumental goals have been distinguished: comfort and stimulation (Wippler 1990)) and the lowest level is the layers of means cal led resources. In achieving the overall subjective being, one has to work on it, starting from the lowest level inorder to attain the universal goal. If an older person lacks the necessary resources like work, due to retirement, this doesnt mean its the end of the world. The theory suggests that the older person should make use of a buffer system or multifunctionality resources as their coping and adaptation skills. There is still a big chance to achieve the higher goal which is the attainment of mental wellbeing, hence the theory on Attainment of Mental Wellbeing is being developed. The proposed theory on Attainment of Mental Wellbeing is applicable to all individuals across several lifespan, specifically, among the institutionalized older adults in Por Cristo and in the city and provincial jails (elderly inmates) of Butuan City. The theory suggests basing on the SPF theory, that inorder to battle against their negative life events will make use first of the lowest level of resources before going up to the next level until they will be able to attain mental wellbeing. The theory further suggests that these resources are factors that would affect or influence the person on the extent of his effort, belief, perceptions, coping and adaptation skills towards the attainment of his mental wellbeing. This theory will be tested to determine if the following propositions are true among the institutionalized older adults in Por Cristo and in the city and provincial jails (elderly inmates) of Butuan City: Proposition 1: Mental wellbeing is an optimistic person. Proposition 2: Parents and families have important role in the early initiation of secure attachment to the life of a child influences in the attainment of mental wellbeing across life span. Proposition 3: Several factors and/or resources that work collaboratively inorder to help promote in the attainment of mental well being. Proposition 4: A person with healthy self-concept and positive self-esteem towards life events can attain mental wellbeing. Proposition 5: A person who fully understands the meaning of life with strong sense of spirituality has attained mental wellbeing. Proposition 6: A person experienced negative life events can still be able to attain mental wellbeing using better coping skills and adaptation Conceptual Framework The proposed theory on attainment of mental wellbeing is taken from the idea related to the effect of life events towards the attainment of mental wellbeing and in which there are several factors that will influence the process in the attainment of the goal. Figure 1 illustrates the schematic diagram on the proposed theory called the theory of attainment of mental wellbeing. It shows the independent and dependent variables. Life events surrounded with the influencing factors signify the independent variables, while the effect called the dependent variable is the attainment of mental wellbeing. Mental wellbeing or wellbeing is defined as a dynamic state, in which the individual is able to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others, and contribute to their economy (Foresight Report, 2008) while mental health is a state of wellbeing in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work ATTAINMENT OF MENTAL WELLBEING productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community (Word Health Organization, 2007). Both mental health and wellbeing is the core elements of the over-all health which means if his health condition is marked with alteration in thinking, mood or behavior resulting to either distress, impairs ability to function or both (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) is a manifestation that the older person has not attained mental wellbeing which might result to mental health problems such as depression, suicide, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ There are two (2) elements of mental health namely: (1) From a social perspective, mental health involves peoples ability to function effectively in their social roles and to carry out the requirements of group living; (2) From a psychological perspective, mental health involves a subjective sense of well being such as happiness, contentment and satisfaction. Therefore, mental wellbeing is measured in terms of functioning effectively, happiness and contentment or life satisfaction. However, attaining mental wellbeing is not an easy journey because all of us will always encounter different life events. Life events are described as a significant occurrence involving a relatively abrupt change that may produce serious and long-lasting effects. It is considered as stressor in the life of a person because the demands on the person exceed the resources available to meet those demands (Schwarzer, Schulz Berlin, 2001). For older adults, it will be in a form of retirement, death of a spouse or children or friends, lost of income, change of living environment, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ These life events can threaten the wellbeing of an individual thats why life events are most often considered as obstacles in reaching the goals. However, depends on the persons capability to face the different life events. The influencing factors that will help attain mental wellbeing can be in form of intrinsic and extrinsic or promotive and preventive factors. Intrinsic factors are the core characteristics needed inorder to easily attain mental wellbeing, such as optimism, self-concept, self-esteem, meaning of life and spirituality. These core characteristics help the individual views the life events positively and produce a direct effect on the attainment of mental wellbeing such as optimism, self-concept, self-esteem, meaning in life spirituality. While the promotive and preventive factors refer to the environmental factors which has indirect effect in the attainment of mental wellbeing, this includes: parental care, like exercise, healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ These factors influenced the individual on the proper choice of coping and adaptation skills when faced with life events especially the negative ones. Older adults must continue to engage in activities, socialize, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ despite their health condition right now. Problem Generated The study aimed to determine the life stories of institutionalized older adults relating to the essence of mental well being in relation to the different life events they encountered. Specifically, it sought answers from the following problems: To identify the significant life events they encountered from childhood up to the present and how they cope up and adapt with that experiences. To determine the different factors that influence their mental wellbeing causing them to be able to surpassed their negative life events. To explore the essence of mental well being and if they have attained it despite the condition/situation of their life right now.

Cultural Influences Essay

How does an individual’s cultural experience influence his or her personality? Explain why or why not. Provide examples. Every person that is born in any family, in any part of the world is subjected to an upbringing that is surrounded by different sets of values, ethics and morals. These values in turn form the basis of a culture. The important point to note is that these values are never the same; they differ from culture to culture. A culture defines a society, the society in turn defines its norms and those norms and principles influence a personality(Reynolds , 2006). A personality is something that one cannot inherit. But it has a lot of power to be influenced by the atmosphere it is placed in. The question that rises in minds is how? Well let’s just say its human nature to adopt something that a person faces again and again repeatedly. To prove this we can see the example that the oldest of norms and values survive the most in any culture and thus are found to be a vital part of every person’s personality especially if they are from the same culture. This is why we note that people who migrate to different societies have problems in adjusting to the new culture. This is because their own native culture is so much ingrained in their personalities that it is difficult to eliminate it and replace it with new morals of the new society. The best example can be that of students who migrate to foreign countries for education. If a student who has been brought up in an eastern culture of the sub-continent will definitely have problems in adjusting to the new western culture that he has switched to. This is because that person has been brought up in a society that teaches him values completely opposite to the values of the western society that he has migrated to. And the old values are deep-rooted in his personality. He is greatly influenced by them therefore it results in problems regarding an adjustment in the culture. References Book Reynolds. J. (2006). Celebrate Connections among Cultures. Lee and Low Books.

Domestic Violence A Social And Legal Problem - 1344 Words

Literature Review Historically, domestic violence has been viewed as a private issue to be dealt with between partners. It wasn’t until the 1970s that intimate partner violence (IPV), also known as domestic violence, became recognized as both a social and legal problem. Policy and lawmakers have been avidly defining the roles of the criminal justice system and communities in responding to domestic violence since its official acknowledgements as a public issue. Male Victims’ Experiences with Domestic Violence Our societal norms in the United States indicate that men are significantly stronger than women, and therefore are the more dominating of the two genders. Because of this, men are more commonly displayed as being the perpetrators†¦show more content†¦Both men and women were surveyed by means of a questionnaire that assessed sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence over the individual’s lifetime and during the 12 months prior to their interviews. The results of the study concluded that women are more often victims of domestic violence, while men are more frequently the perpetrators of said violence. However, the results do show that men are still frequently victims of domestic violence, as are women the perpetrators. The study also showed that when victims of any type of IPV, both men and women experience health consequences such as; headaches, chronic pain, difficulty with sleeping, activity limit ations, poor physical health and poor mental health. The Perception of Male Victims by the Public and the Criminal Justice System For some time, a double standard has existed in our society regarding domestic violence. This double standard holds that male on female violence is the most serious type of violence there is. To-date, there have been several studies done that have proven that males are just as likely as women to find themselves victims of domestic violence. 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