Self

Table of Contents Purpose of the Study Methodology Results of the Study Conclusion References There is a lack of information regarding the importance of motivation in self-regulation theories. Thus, the proponents of this study attempts to understand the role of motivation in the context of â€Å"strength, or limited-resource, model of self-control in several domains† (Baumeister Vohs, 2007, p.1).Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Self-Regulation, Depletion, and Motivation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The proponents of this research discovered that a reduction in resources can be overcome by motivation even if ego depletion is not the direct consequence of a lack of motivation. Interestingly, the study also discovered that self-regulation is linked to physical fuel specifically glucose-rich foods. Previous research has indicated that self-regulation is affected by at least three factors: a) standard; b) monitoring; c) self-regulatory strength (Baumeister Vohs, 2007). Self-regulation must be linked to a particular standard because self-regulation at its core is altering behavioral response on account of a particular need or goal. Thus, a person desiring food must satisfy that need and there is no inner-conflict that prevents the individual from seeking and consuming viable food resources. However, if eating food at a particular time and particular quantities can endanger the person’s health, then, self-regulation is needed. Purpose of the Study The ability to self-regulate becomes weaker over time as the need to satisfy a particular urge grows stronger. This is countered by a monitoring scheme. For example, an accountability group helps a sex addict cope with his/her addiction knowing that there is a group of people monitoring his/her progress and interested in his/her success. On the other hand all of these things are useless to the individual if he/she has no self-regulatory strength. Previous research has uncovered that â€Å"after making many choices, the chooser is less able to engage in good self-control, suggesting that making choices exhausts the self over time† (Baumeister Vohs, 2007, p.9). This phenomenon is also known as ego depletion. Previous research also pointed out that â€Å"physically tired people generally perform worse than others at strenuous tasks, but if the incentive is high enough, they can perform well despite their tiredness† (Baumeister Vohs, 2007, p.10).Advertising Looking for critical writing on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There is also the added revelation that â€Å"effective self-regulation seems to involve utilizing the glucose in the bloodstream to achieve what is a psychologically difficult and biologically costly task, such as stifling one’s behavioral impulses or making difficult choices †¦ when glu cose – the primary source of fuel for all brain processes – has been depleted, the person is temporarily less able to function at optimal levels† (Baumeister Vohs, 2007, p.11). It has been made clear that a person must not allow the self to reach a point of ego depletion and this means that the body must have continuous access to glucose-rich foods. The proponents of this study wanted to add another factor to the self-regulation process and they asserted that motivation plays a vital role in helping the individual self-regulate. However, they were unable to develop an empirical study that would clearly explain the connection between motivation and self-regulation. The proponent of the study spent a great deal of time explaining the significance of access to glucose-rich foods to help a person self-regulate rather than the ability of motivation to counteract the negative impact of ego depletion or fatigue. Methodology The weakness of the argument can be seen in t he experiment that they had cited to support their claim. It has to be pointed out that the proponents of this study did not bother to develop their own empirical research and instead used the research results of studies made by Muraven, Shmueli and Burkley. Even so, the chosen studies did not seem to demonstrate the ability of motivation to significantly affect self-regulation. In one particular study the participants were asked to perform a depleting task. Afterwards they were asked to perform a second task with the added information that they would perform a third task. The study showed that the participants performed poorly on the second task. Baumeister and Vohs (2007) interpreted the depleted state of the participants as the effect of a conservation process – they were conserving their energy while performing the second task in anticipation of the third task. Baumeister and Vohs (2007) went on to conclude that the participants were motivated to perform the third task an d thus explaining the significant change in their efforts for the second task.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Self-Regulation, Depletion, and Motivation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Results of the Study Baumeister and Vohs (2007) concluded that motivation plays a key role in self-regulation arguing that if the second task was deemed more important, then, the participants would have expended more resources. This is based on the assumption that the participants were highly motivated to perform the third task but there was no information given to support that view. The argument made in the beginning of the study was that motivation should be an important factor in self-regulation. This may be true but Baumeister and Vohs did not perform a well-designed empirical research that would have proven their point. Instead, they tried to use the results of another study made by different group of researchers to fit their own assumptions. For instance, Baumeister and Vohs could not establish the fact that the participants in their cited study were motivated to perform the third task. There was also no measurement made with regards to the degree of motivation whether the participants were simply motivated or highly-motivated to complete the tasks given them. Baumeister and Vohs had a clear understanding of the problem but they were unable to show evidence that would support their hypothesis. The weakness of the research is its overreliance on previous experiments without going through the process of conducting a valid empirical study to validate their hypothesis. There is a need to clearly define what motivation means and how it can be measured. Baumeister and Vohs must develop a control group and they must isolate the effect of physical strength and access to food as the main source of self-regulation. Nevertheless, the value of this study is in the realization that not much is known re garding the impact of motivation to self-regulation. Conclusion Baumeister and Vohs were unable to show evidence to support their argument that motivation is an important factor when it comes to self-regulation. Nevertheless, their study has provided excellent background information regarding self and personality. The most important information that can be gleaned from the study is the impact of three factors: standard; monitoring; and self-regulatory strength, to achieve effective self-regulation. Another important piece of information is the linkage between energy from glucose-rich foods and the ability of the person to self-regulate.Advertising Looking for critical writing on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Baumeister and Vohs have laid the foundation for an interesting research; they simply have to develop their own empirical research to clearly demonstrate that motivation can help boost a person’s ability to self-regulate in conjunction with the other three important factors mentioned earlier. References Baumeister, R. K. Vohs. (2007). Self-regulation, ego depletion, and motivation. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1. Retrieved from http://assets.csom.umn.edu/assets/90559.pdf This critical writing on Self-Regulation, Depletion, and Motivation was written and submitted by user Zion Roth to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Self Introduction What is self-injury? Self-injury is defined as an act of causing injury to ones own body with the use of an object like knife and laser, arrows and panga among others. Self-injury is in other words referred to as self-abuse, self-mutilation, self-inflicted violence and Para suicide.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Self-Injury Discussion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Self-injury behavior include burning, cutting, hair pulling, scratching, biting, hitting, self-poisoning, wound interference and branding.. Self-harm is a global issue because its incidences have grown with a blistering pace. Many people all over the world indulge in activities that result to self-harm. Psychologists have evidence that self-harm is many individuals in the society do not diagnose a relational disorder thought it. It has been evident that self-injury forms 40% of every suicide. 80% of the youth are victims of se lf-injury disorder and it is common in developing nations. People have raised concerns about whether self-harm is a disorder or a habit. Scientists say a habit is next to nature. Therefore, for those considering self-harm as habit, it should have originated from the nature or their ways of living (Eagen, 2010). Theories of self-injury There are two theories that are considered critical because they explain the causes of self-injury among the individuals and there implication in the society. These theories include the psychodynamic and behavioral theories. Psychodynamic theory This theory perceives self-injury as an attempt to distinguish between ego boundaries. According to this theory, many people embark into the use of self-injury as a mechanism of defense. Victims of self-injury consider it as a rational disorder that plays a key role in their lives because it acts as a source of relief. They consider cutting, hair pulling, burning branding and scratching among others as viable a venues through which they could relief from pain that has been caused by painful memories or stressful situations in their lives. In this regard, psychodynamic theory argues that people who self-mutilate do it in the notion that they are overcoming sexual conflicts.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Thus why psychodynamic theorists describe self-mutilation as a resourceful mechanism mainly made to deal with sexual conflicts in people lives (Eagen, 2010). Behavioral theory Its purpose is to focus on the maintenance of self-injury rather than its cause or origin. Under behavioral theory, there are two types of theories associated with self-injury. For instance, the positive reinforcement theory that suggests that self-injury is maintained by social reinforcements that are positive. For example if a person is faced by painful situation, he or she must develop means through which he or she could cope with the situation rather than indulging into self-injury activities. Negative reinforcement theory which is a crucial theory suggests that people self-injurer them in order to avoid stressful situations in their lives. For instance, a police officer may hit his or her eye to avoid being allocated duty. Child may decide to hit his or her head against the crib wall in order to avoid sleeping in the crib. Child’s head banging behavior in this case will play key role in child’s live since it allow him or her from sleeping in the crib. Behavioral theory argues that self-injury disorder is learnt by the individual but not inherent because it is not linked to individual genetic make-up. Is self-injury a rational disorder? Victims of self-injury may argue that it is a rational disorder but this is not the case. It is quite unreasonable to practice self-injury as a way to avoid stressful situations in life. People should learn how to adapt to whichever sit uation in their lives. There is no reason why some people should indulge into the practice of self-injury. Those people who fall victims of self-injury are therefore considered unable to regulate their feelings or emotions. Normal person should learn how to overcome such weird situations by taking control of their emotions and this states why self-injury is not a rational disorder because it interferes with individuals’ well being (Babiker Arnold, 1997). Several studies are evident that self-injury emanates from individuals belief system. Victims of self-harm consider it as a viable means through which they could express their deep distress and adapt with the painful memories in their lives. Some examples of self-harm include cutting one’s self, taking poison, committing suicide such as jumping from top buildings among others.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Self-Injury Discussion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More People believes that, when they harm themselves they will open new avenues into which they could mouth out or express their deep distress hence are being able to cope with painful memories prevailing in their lives. Is self-injury addiction? Self-harm is addictive because those people who have attempted it before would later fall victims. The implication is that those people who have attempted self-harm are more prone to it compared to those who never practiced it. The fact with self-injury is that many people die of self-injury although intention of self-harmers is not directed at death. The society considers self-injury as an accident in the general sense but professionals have gone further to perceive self-injury as a disorder. Psychiatrics argue that every individual is prone to self-injury because they can experience harsh or tough situations that may lead to trauma among other (Gratz Chapman, 2009). According to Gratz Chapman (2009), psychiatrics be lieve that although self-injury is a disorder, it is very different from a mental disorder meaning that those people who indulge in self-harm are not mentally disabled. The point is people with trauma are said to be the victims of self-injury. Who is it that lives with self-injury? Psychological trauma has been regarded as the fertile ground for self-injury disorder mostly evident among the youth. Any psychological or emotional injury emanating from a life situation that is more threatening or extremely stressful is considered to give rise to self-injury among individuals in the society. For instance, accident, external attacks, failures to achieve ones goals in life among others are some of the factors that contributes to self-injury. Youth as mentioned are more prone to self-injury because they lack the aspect of patience in their lives. They are too emotional compared to the elderly and thus why they find it difficult to cope with stressful situations in their lives (Gratz Chapm an, 2009). Terminal illness such as Aids has been considered resourceful in the emergence of self-injury disorder to many people in the society. HIV/Aids are one of the painful moments an individual can experience in life. Many individuals who are HIV positive believe that their lives have no value hence self-injury would bring meaning their life.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is quite difficult to detect self-injurers because they tend to hide their shames and guilt by keeping their injuries secret. Scars from bruises, cigarette burns and cuts on the chest, wrists, thighs and arms can simply portray an act of self-injury among individuals. Form several researchers conducted based on self-injury issue it has been evident that many drunkards are more prone to self-injury because the drugs alter their emotions. They can act out of emotions hence resulting to the practice of self-injuries (D’Onofrio, 2007). Why do people turn to self-injury? There are different ways through which people could injure themselves. One of such ways include when people are unable of managing their emotions. Another way is when a person found it difficult to cope with the painful moments using healthier means. People turn into self-injury because they are incapable of figuring out the role of function served by the self-injury. People who live with self-injurers found it difficult to accommodate them because they do not actually understand what motivates self-injurers to harm themselves. It is a merciful incidence to witness someone harming him or her in your presence. It is quite ambiguous to seduce a person to change his or her ways of reactions to certain situations because u cannot trace in fully what accompanies his or her reactions and thus why self-injurers are neglected or ignored in the society. Only psychologists would play key role in saving the lives of self-injurers. There are different ways through which self-injury disorder can be treated. Some people thought that it is impossible to get out of self-injury cycle but there couple of ways though which an individual can stop from being a victim of self-harming (Walsh, 2008). Home treatment/ personal treatment The road to recovery can sometimes be perceived as being bumpy but with one’s reflections and assistance from friends, relatives and professionals, an individual can overcom e the disorder. The first step involves one’s decision to stop self-injury. An individual in this case is responsible for his or her own health by deciding to change his or her life. A person should ask him/herself why he/she wants to stop self-injury. This would be made easier by examining one’s motivations for quitting self-injury. By so doing an individual will be able to understand the importance of stopping self-injury through the healing process. A person should set time for quitting such behavior because this will help him or her prepare the mind prior to the actual treatment. The other thing involves confiding in someone about your problem although it will not sound better to many people who have kept the injuries for long. It is so much haunting to mouth to others what ones have been hiding for quiet long period. One should find out a trust worth person who can never spread the information to others people because it is more personal than public. It is importa nt for self-injurers to recognize their problems because this is the only way they can fight it to the end. The problem with self-injurers is that they have the mentality that other people are against their actions or behavior. Through such beliefs, it has become extremely difficult to save dear friends from self-injury disorder. Studies have showed that the best way to approach self-injury disorder is by regulation of emotions. Some people are emotionally challenged, an act that makes them victims of self-injury. They are too emotional hence being unable to regulate them emotions when faced by painful moments or stressful situations in their minds (Hyman, 1999). Professional treatment of self-injury Professional treatment of self-injury involves the intervention of trained therapists who are responsible in enabling the victims to get to the root of why they self-injure. Other treatments include family therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, hypnosis and group therapy. Counseling psych ologists are very critical professionals when it comes to the treatment of traumas (Hyman, 1999). The self-injurers will be counseled and advise on how to deal with stressful situations rather than turning into self-injury as means to cope with such situations. Psychologists’ counselors introduce the victim into other viable means of fighting trauma. Some people thought that psychologists’ counselors use medicine to treat self-injury disorder. There are steps involved in fighting self-injury disorder by psychologists’ counselors. The first step involves examining the origin of the disorder, second the frequency of the disorder to the victim, thirdly what motivates the victim to indulge into self-injury, what triggers the memory of the incidence. For instance, an accident survivor screeching of breaks by a vehicle would trigger the memory and remind him or her of the accident then he or she would embark on cutting him or her as a way to cope with the accident sce ne. Conclusion Self-injury as discussed within the context of the study is not a mental disorder but a disorder by itself. Many people became victims of self-injury disorder because they cannot regulate their emotions. They are too emotional such that when something weird occurred in their lives they cannot bear the pain hence the developed other awkward behavior that include self-injury. This disorder does not require a medicine to cure it because it emanates from psychological trauma. People themselves can be professional doctors in curing the disorder. It only depends on ones decision to stop it or to continue practicing it. Psychologists’ counselors are the only professionals known in the treatment of self-injury disorders. They counsel self-injurers thus changing their ways of life (D’Onofrio 2007). References Babiker, G. Arnold, L. (1997). The Language of Injury: Comprehending Self-Mutilation. London: Wiley-Blackwell. D’Onofrio, A. (2007). Adolescent self -injury: a comprehensive guide for counselors and health care professionals. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Eagen, R. (2010). Cutting and Self-injury, Volume 4. Washington. Dc: Crabtree Publishing Company. Gratz, K. Chapman, A. (2009). Freedom from Self-Harm: Overcoming Self-Injury with Skills from DBT and Other Treatments. Mary land: New Harbinger Publications. Hyman, J. (1999). Women living with self-injury. United Kingdom: PublisherTemple University Press Walsh, W.B. (2008). Treating Self-Injury: A Practical Guide. London: Guilford Press. This research paper on Self-Injury Discussion was written and submitted by user Gloria F. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Self Self-Help Group A self-help group consists of people with similar problems, who wish to provide mutual support for each other. Self-help groups share a common problem in the sense that they suffer from a psychological or physical condition. The condition might be a result of a disease or a human condition. The main aim of the self-help group is to achieve common goals.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Self-help Groups and Treatment Groups Comparison specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For instance, the main aim of an addicted group is to recover fully from drug addiction whereas the aim of a group suffering from a disease is to heal. Self-help groups emerged in the modern society to replace the nature of cooperation witnessed in the traditional society. In other words, traditional societies cared for the sick and the physically challenged in society. However, the case is different in the modern society. Se lf-help groups have replaced the traditional care provided to the disabled and other special groups in the modern society. Social change and mobility are two aspects that have disrupted the family unit in the modern society. It is not surprising to find a family member being taken to a care home yet family members are available. In the care homes, those with similar problems join hands to air their views (Miquez, Vazquez, Becona, 2002). Treatment Group On the other hand, treatment groups are clinical in nature meaning that they are used as control groups in experiments. Those suffering from a particular problem are taken to a safe place whereby they can access basic needs such as food, medication, water, housing, and care. They are very different from self-help groups because they have no control over policy formulation. They simply follow the laid down regulations and rules. In the society, some groups are vulnerable than others implying that social institutions have the responsib ility of ensuring that they protect the weak. For instance, those suffering from serious diseases such as HIV/AIDS might be isolated because of their health conditions. Such a group might not access basic needs because their families discriminate against them. The researcher might be interested in knowing their plight. In this regard, the facilitator may want to establish some of the reasons why they are discriminated. Moreover, the facilitator might be interested in identifying the consequences of discrimination on minorities. In this case, the treatment group is used as a sample because the researcher will be interested in testing some variables.Advertising Looking for critical writing on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Through the research, the affected stand to benefit because their solutions to their problems would be provided. However, they do not have any power and authority over their own groups. Since problems are ever increasing in the modern society, the researcher is always faced with the challenge of ensuring that he or she comes up with valid results, which could be tested empirically. In this sense, the researcher decides to use some individuals as specimens in the laboratory. Those under laboratory test are referred to as the control group or the treatment group. The treatment group is not much different from the self-help group because members of both groups suffer from certain problems. The major difference is that self-help groups have authority over their groups yet treatment groups have no power over their own lives (Biscof, 2002). Comparison There are various differences between self-help groups and treatment groups. However, the two groups share several aspects. In the treatment group, the researcher or the facilitator has a great responsibility over the behavior of the individual members. The person who took the group member to a group determines the social welfar e of the individual group member. Therefore, the individual cannot claim to be independent meaning that his or her decision is not considered whenever the project is over. The results of the group or the goals of the group do not benefit individual members, but instead they benefit all individuals with similar conditions or problems. In the contrary, self-help groups come up with policies that aim at benefiting individual members. This means that the group member is responsible for his or her own welfare in society. In some instances, the group might be too large to an extent that it does not benefit the individual member. Under such scenarios, the individual group member has the right to seek external treatment. This is not the case in the treatment group because group members have no rights to make their own decisions. Another difference is that treatment groups do not provide much help to individual group members as compared to self-help groups. Under treatment groups, members ca n only expect help through active participation and constructive contribution. However, members are allowed to go through the information provided by other group members.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Self-help Groups and Treatment Groups Comparison specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Through this, they are in position to identify the causes of their conditions or problems. In this case, communication among group members plays a critical role in enhancing participation. In the self-help support groups, members benefit a lot because they can access information and participate in policy formulation. Moreover, they can take part in strategy application. In other words, each member has a role to play in the self-help support groups. Members are encouraged to come up with strategies that would enhance awareness among other members. Peer support is guaranteed in self-help groups, unlike in the treatment grou ps whereby support depends on the willingness of the facilitator to cooperate (Nims, 1998). The main aim of the self-help support groups is to convene the needs of members through consultation and participation. Treatment groups have different aims because people who do not have similar problems as those of the group members control them. This implies that the main aim of treatment groups is to come up with general solutions to problems affecting members. For instance, the group might focus on eradicating stigmatization among people living with aids yet it does not have the aim of improving their standards of living. This means that their aim is narrow focused, unlike the self-help groups, which have the aim of solving all problems affecting group members. The self-help groups are not limited to particular themes. Furthermore, information obtained by the facilitator or the researcher under the treatment groups is sacred and confidential. The facilitator rarely conveys the informatio n to individual members. The case is different in the self-help group because information sharing is highly encouraged. Systems Theory Systems theory is one of the theories that explain the formation of groups in counseling. Tubbs, who noted that groups develop in four major stages, created the systems theory. Tubbs noted that the first stage is orientation, which is a critical stage in development of groups. At this stage, the scholar noted that members know each other and they start negotiating as regards to the common problem affecting them. Before they proceed to the next stage, members conduct a SWOT analysis to establish their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Each group in society has strengths, as well as opportunities. In case the group is to develop well, it must identify the available opportunities before proceeding to figure out the threats. The second stage is referred to as the conflict stage.Advertising Looking for critical writing on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More At this stage, members are conflicts because of conflicting interests. Scholars note that conflicts play a critical role in the development of the group. Through conflicts, a group is able to evaluate each other’s ideas and viewpoints. Members will argue until they come up with priorities. Without conflicts, members cannot differentiate between conformity and behavior regulation. Conflicts allow members to keep off from groupthink (Cohen, Levite, 2012). The third stage pertains to consensus whereby members agree to end conflicts and come up with strategies that will help them to achieve their goals in society. It is a stage whereby members are encouraged to compromise in order to benefit the group. In this regard, members will be forced to select ideas and agree on some of the contentious issues. Arriving at a consensus is the most difficult part of any group development process because some members might be unwilling to back down their views. Group members are encouraged to seek the services of experts whenever they experience a problem at this stage. Finally, systems theory suggests that the last stage of group development is the closure stage. At the closure stage, the final decision is announced to all members. Group members are expected to show their support by confirming that they support the resolutions. References Biscof, G. (2002). Remission from alcohol dependence without help: How restrictive should our definition of treatment be? Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 63(2), 229-236. Cohen, O., Levite, Z. (2012). High-conflict divorced couples: combining systemic and psychodynamic perspectives. Journal of Family Therapy, 34(4), 387-402. Miquez, M. C., Vazquez, F. L., Becona, E. (2002). Effectiveness of telephone contact as an adjunct to a self-help program for smoking cessation: A randomized controlled trial in Spanish smokers. Addictive Behaviors, 27(1), 139-144. Nims, D. R. (1998). Searching for self: A theoretical model for applying family sys tems to adolescent group work. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 23(2), 133-144. This critical writing on Self-help Groups and Treatment Groups Comparison was written and submitted by user Kiera Christensen to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Self The ability to forgive one’s own faults has never been valued on par with forgiveness towards the others’ failures, which is rather unfortunate, as the recent research shows.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Self-Forgiveness as the Path to Learning to Forgive the Others specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to the article titled â€Å"Self-Forgiveness: The Stepchild of Forgiveness Research† conducted by Julie H. Hall and Frank D. Fincham, people’s attitude towards the others is in most cases defined by their standards for their own behavior and personality. In their paper, the authors explain the link between forgiveness and self-forgiveness, as well as define various offence-related factors. It is important to stress that the researches of that kind have never been undertaken on a scholarly scale before, since the issue in question has never been considered worthy of a scholarly r esearch. However, Hall and Fincham have successfully proved the opposite. The key issues that the given research responds to or, at least, attempts to solve, are the definition of self-forgiveness, the relation between self-forgiveness and interpersonal forgiveness, and the means to differentiate between self-forgiveness and pseudo self-forgiveness. As for the results of the research, it must be admitted that the latter proved rather unexpected. It turned out that the forgiveness of others is closely related to self-forgiveness; moreover, the latter often predetermines the former. In addition, the authors have come up with a model of self-forgiveness that encompasses the stages of the forgiveness process, explaining the specifics of human behavior in the process of forgiving. According to the authors, self-forgiving people tend to compromise in the process of conflict solving, as well as admit that they are guilty, in most cases. Hence, it can Ð ¸ concluded that self-forgiveness de fines forgiveness.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The issue seems to be beyond exciting. Even though the idea that forgiveness stems from the ability to forgive one’s own faults is not quite new, the research offers a new vision of the problem. Hence, it seems that the paper by Hall and Fincham provides a foil for the further research. In addition, the paper raises a number of questions that are yet to be answered. For instance, Hall and Fincham claim that at present, there are no measures for forgiveness, which makes the assessment process rather complicated according to the results of Hall and Fincham’s research (Hall Fincham, 2005, 635). Moreover, the paper by Hall and Fincham raises a number of questions concerning people’s standards and the necessity to follow them. For example, the fact that forgiveness stems from self-forgiveness presupposes that one sho uld have certain standards to evaluate his/her own behavior. Projecting these standards on others, people often forget that not only the rest of the humankind, but they as well cannot live up to high standards all the time; hence stem a number of misunderstandings and misconceptions. The research results also give a lot of food for thoughts. It was more than obvious that the way in which people assess the others’ actions and decide whether the other people deserve being forgiven are much more complicated than the idea of relationship between forgiveness and self-forgiveness. Hence, the fact that Hall and Fincham came with the description of relationship-level factors and personality-level factors is quite important. In addition, the two aforementioned factors remind of the gap between an individual and the society. Hence, it can be considered that self-forgiveness and, therefore, forgiveness is predetermined not only by the specifics of one’s temper, but also by the mo ods and morals of the society that an individual lives in.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Self-Forgiveness as the Path to Learning to Forgive the Others specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Like any other idea, the theory concerning forgiveness and self-forgiveness needs a thorough practical testing. To consider Hall and Fincham’s assumptions closer, it will be a good idea to use the theories suggested by the authors in the counseling setting. For instance, the following case can be a good example of how Hall and Fincham’s ideas of forgiveness and self-forgiveness should be applied. Supposing, in counseling setting, a client has asked me as a clinician for help. After a short session, it has turned out that the client, Mr. Brown, has issues with forgiving. However, he has not considered the given feature a flaw until recently. To be more particular, Mr. Brown has constant conflicts with his stepson, w hom he is still blaming for failing at the tests and not going for higher education. In the course of the therapy session, it became obvious that Mr. Brown has very high standards, and not everyone in the neighborhood can live up to them. To make the situation even more complicated, Mr. Brown confessed that even he could not live up to these standards all the time, which makes him feel extremely guilty. As a result, not only he, but also the people who live with him suffer. To solve the given situation, it will be necessary to make Mr. Brown realize the inevitability of making mistakes, as well as the importance of being able to admit that he has the right to make these mistakes. Reference List Hall, J. Fincham, F. (2005). Self-forgiveness: The stepchild of forgiveness  research. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 24(5), 621-637. This essay on Self-Forgiveness as the Path to Learning to Forgive the Others was written and submitted by user Abb1ga1l to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Self Can it be too late to see and understand the real nature or real value of definite things and relations? Different people can experience a kind of awakening or catharsis as a result of the external factors’ impact or as a result of the long spiritual journey toward the self-awareness.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Self-Awareness and Awakening in Raymond Carver’s â€Å"Cathedral† and Joyce Carol Oates’s â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The narrator of Raymond Carver’s â€Å"Cathedral† published in 1983 is a self-centered man who is inclined to see the world in a way which is convenient for him that is why his world is limited and framed because of his lack of sensitiveness and ability to feel and learn. Thus, the story’s narrator is focused on himself, he does not understand his wife and her feelings , and he does not want to see the wife’s blind friend in his house because this man is associated with the wife’s past life, however, this blind man helps the main character ‘see’ and understand himself or to awake. Carver’s character receives the chance to awake in time, when something can be changed. However, Connie as the main character of Joyce Carol Oates’s â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† (1966) seems to receive the chance to understand the values in the life too late, while facing the threat of being abused by the cruel men. Although both Raymond Carver and Joyce Carol Oates focus on the topic of self-awareness and awakening in their stories, the authors choose different approaches to emphasize the significance of these actions; Carver demonstrates the possibilities to awake through the understanding and learning when Oates shows the negative effects of not being awakened in time. In his short story â€Å"Cathed ral†, Raymond Carver uses the first person narrative point of view in order to represent the situations and events through the eyes of the main character who interacts with his wife and the blind man. The important role of this approach is in the fact that the reader receives the opportunity to understand that the narrator lacks self-awareness, and he is rather ‘blind’ while discussing himself and other people with the focus on the narrator’s own words and descriptions. From this point, the narrator’s narrow-mindedness and impossibility to see the deeper meaning is emphasized with references to his thoughts about the blind man’s visit. Thus, the narrator states, â€Å"I wasn’t enthusiastic about his [the blind man’s] visit. He was no one I knew. And his being blind bothered me. My idea of blindness came from the movies.Advertising Looking for research paper on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your firs t paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the movies, the blind moved slowly and never laughed† (Carver 1). Thinking over the visit, the narrator is focused only on his own feelings and negative associations related to the ‘idea of blindness’, without paying much attention to the wife’s expectations, although the wife discusses this blind man as the closest friend, thus, the first person narrative point of view serves successfully to accentuate the narrator’s true emotions. According to Clark, â€Å"Carver’s laconic speakers often narrate in a reportorial, self-effacing manner. They objectively document subjective sensory experiences, requiring a heightened degree of interpretive synthesis† (Clark 106). To demonstrate his perception of the situation, the narrator describes his emotions in short abrupt sentences, using words with negative connotation. However, in spite of the worst expectations, the narrator’s meeting with the b lind man provides the main character with the opportunity to experience the self-awareness and become awakened in order to understand himself, the other persons, and the real sense of life. Being unable to see beyond the surface, the narrator does not want to learn how to grow spiritually and how to awake. From this perspective, Carver refers to contrasting the narrator who does not want to act to understand himself and his wife and the blind man for whom â€Å"learning never ends† because he â€Å"got ears† (Carver 9). Although the narrator can use eyes and ears, he cannot use them appropriately in order to examine the external world and his inner world of feelings. Clark explains Carver’s approach to depict the main character while stating that â€Å"the narrator is emotionally close to the actions he describes, yet maintains a detached stance†, thus, the suggestion about the author’s intention is that â€Å"he wants his audience to form their o wn conclusion† (Clark 108). The narrator is even detached from the life he lives because he cannot open his eyes and learn the deeper meanings or examine the hidden emotions and feelings expressed by his wife. Nevertheless, the main difference of Carver’s story from Oates’s one is in the fact that the main character receives the chance to learn the truth, to experience catharsis, and to awake with the help of the blind man’s words. Trying to describe a cathedral, the narrator follows the blind man’s words and closes his eyes in order to draw the cathedral and to feel it. Following the blind man’s advice, the narrator experiences the true awakening, and he says, â€Å"I was in my house †¦ But I didn’t feel like I was inside anything. â€Å"It’s really something,† I said† (Carver 13).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Self-Awareness and Awakening in Raymond Carver’s â€Å"Ca thedral† and Joyce Carol Oates’s â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Carver ends his story with these words, and the reader can assume that the life of the narrator can change significantly because of the experience and these new feelings. It is possible to refer to Clark’s discussion of this ending because the researcher states that for the first time, the narrator â€Å"has wrestled with matters of â€Å"truth and illusion† and become more aware of a world outside of himself† (Clark 110). Self-awareness becomes the result of the interactions with the blind man, and it is possible to expect that the narrator can use his chance to learn how to see beyond the surface, while changing his arrogance and ignorance directed toward his wife and the blind man because of the spiritual awakening. If Carver provides the main character with the opportunity to e xperience self-awareness and to learn the importance of awakening in order to change the life, Oates demonstrates the significance of self-awareness and awakening though presenting the possible outcomes of not following the right path. Connie, a 15-year-old main character of Oates’s â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?†, is described as a person who intends to present herself as a mature woman while being a teenager who ignores the parents’ rules. Describing Connie, Oates states that â€Å"she was fifteen and she had a quick, nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right† (Oates 1). The author accentuates the girl’s lack of self-awareness while emphasizing Connie’s extreme focus on herself, on her appearance, and on the other people’s vision of the girl. To give the readers an opportunity to conclude about Connie’s actions and the story’s ending independently, Oates uses the third person narrative point of view in contrast to the first person narrative used by Carver. That is why, Connie’s considerations and thoughts are presented in a rather ironical manner. The girl is described as rejecting to follow the right path from the teenager’s maximalist visions and naà ¯ve discussion of the world around to the spiritual awakening. Thus, for instance, Oates draws the reader’s attention to the fact that â€Å"her [Connie’s] mother was so simple, Connie thought† (Oates 2). Connie is inclined to judge the people round her as ‘simple’ without understanding that she lacks the real vision of the mature life. While discussing Connie’s abilities in understanding herself and the real world, Cruise states that â€Å"Connie lacks interest in what either lies outside her orbit or does not bear directly upon the urgencies of her life† (Cruise 97). Tha t is why, Connie needs to experience the awakening from her illusory reality in which she is the mature woman who can have the sexual relations with men or act as women who have the significant background.Advertising Looking for research paper on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Describing Connie’s thoughts and ideas in detail and developing a lot of dialogues, Oates focuses on the fact that Connie used to live in the world of her fantasy. Nevertheless, the author does not provide the young girl with the real chance to change her life and attitude to it with the help of awakening because Connie’s way to self-awareness is too long in spite of her young age, and the author makes the reader assume that, finally, Connie experiences awakening, but there is no time to change something in her life. The approaches used by Oates and Carver to discuss the topic of awakening and the necessity of self-awareness are similar in relation to the fact that both authors provide the hints to understand the main characters’ significant experience in the final words of the stories. Thus, following the cruel men, Connie focuses on much land which is observed everywhere, â€Å"so much land that Connie had never seen before and did not recognize except to kno w that she was going to it† (Oates 9). In this case, Connie develops â€Å"the capacity to define herself actively or consciously† (Cruise 102). Although these final words can be discussed as the culmination of Connie’s spiritual awakening, the reader can assume that this experience cannot provide Connie with a chance to change the life for better. In their short stories, Carver and Oates discuss the topic of self-awareness and awakening while using similar methods of presenting the important experience of awakening in the final words of the stories. However, the authors’ approaches to the presentation of the topic are different because Carver and Oates are inclined to use to contrasting variants to demonstrate the importance of the discussed experience. Thus, if Carver’s narrator receives the chance to change his life and to grow spiritually, Oates’s Connie has few chances to change any thing in her life because it is too late to analyze the weaknesses in her attitudes and behaviours. From this perspective, in spite of the fact that the authors focus on the same topic of self-awareness, Carver and Oates’s approaches to discussing the topic are quite opposite and rather intriguing. Works Cited Carver, Raymond. Cathedral. n.d. Web. Clark, Robert. â€Å"Keeping the Reader in the House: American Minimalism, Literary Impressionism, and Raymond Carver’s â€Å"Cathedral†. Journal of Modern Literature36.1 (2012): 104-118. Print. Cruise, James. â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† and Cold War Hermeneutics†. South Central Review 22.2 (2005): 95-109. Print. Oates, Joyce Carol. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? 2003. Web. This research paper on Self-Awareness and Awakening in Raymond Carver’s â€Å"Cathedral† and Joyce Carol Oates’s â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† was written and submitted by user Reuben Frazier to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Self Introduction According to Gitman and McDaniel (2009), organizations work well when employees form functional teams. These scholars say that it is important to make people work as a group. Human being by nature needs constant motivation and a reminder of the aim that should be achieved after a specified period.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Self-managed Teams vs. Cross-functional Teams specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The top management may not be able to maintain a constant presence within the firm that would help ensure that employees remain motivated. For this reason, it is important to ensure that another way of maintaining this motivation is found. These scholars say that the best way of doing this is to ensure that employees are in a position to motivate themselves. This can only be possible if these employees are made to work as a team. Employees should be allowed to form small manageable teams f ocused on achieving specific objectives within the firm. Plunkett, Attner and Allen (2008) say that a number of teams can be formed within an organization. The most common form of teams in a firm comprises the cross-functional teams and self-managed teams (Parker, 2003). Other forms of teams that may exist within an organization include virtual teams, functional teams, and problem solving teams. All these teams are defined based on the reason for their development, the way they operate, and their management structure. Cross-functional teams and self-managed teams share a number of factors. For instance, both teams mainly focus on knowledge and skill sharing, teamwork and increased commitment towards tasks within the organization. The scholars also acknowledge that these two types of teams have a number of differences. Cross-functional teams According to Parker (2003), cross-functional teams within an organization are important, and their relevance in motivating employees should not be ignored. According to this scholar, cross-functional teams are formed when members from different departments within an organization come together to achieve a specific goal.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These members may come from marketing department, production unit, finance department, customer care, or any other unit within an organization. The main aim of these individuals to come together is to share knowledge and skills from their departments that would make them perform better in their respective departments. According to Parker (2003), cross-functional groups work in unidirectional manner when compared to self-managed groups. Team members in this group come together with the focus of obtaining general success of the organization other than specific objective. The team members will be aiming at finding the best ways in which they can share information from their various departments to make operations of other members from other departments better (Plunkett, Attner Allen, 2008). Based on its definition, two to twenty team members can form Cross-functional teams. However, the optimal number of members in such a group should be eight or nine members. This is the right number that is easily manageable and able to share skills and information for the betterment of the organization. Self-managed teams Plunkett, Attner, and Allen (2008) talk about self-managed teams and how they are important in an organization. These scholars appreciate the fact that in an organizational setting, it is important to have people work in teams. Working as a team does not only improve morale of employees, but also help in making employees understand each other. Some employees take long before they can socialize with their workmates. Other employees may take longer than normal to socialize with workmates. People work well when in a team of people they und erstand well (Plunkett, Attner Allen, 2008). It is not possible for the management to wait for the time new employees will get to socialize with others. This process can be sped up by making employees form teams tasked with a specific project. This forces employees to come together as a unit in order to realize the intended goals. In such a scenario, the involved team members will have no choice but to get to know each other better.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Self-managed Teams vs. Cross-functional Teams specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More When dealing with employees who are skilled in their area of duties, it is best when they form self-managed teams (Denhardt, Aristigueta Denhardt, 2002). For instance, when the group consists of engineers or architects, it is important to allow them to run their groups without direct interference from the top management. This will help avoid cases where the team i s stopped from undertaking tasks that can transform the firm positively. The management would be briefed occasionally on the progress of the firm. This is how self-managed teams work. Importance of teams within an organization According to Denhardt, Aristigueta and Denhardt (2002), business world has become increasingly competitive, and firms must come up with ways through which they can manage this competition. The scholars say that in any organization, employees are the most important asset that can help a firm to achieve its intended objectives. When the top management set goals and objectives that should be achieved after a given period of time, the employees will be responsible for the implementation of strategies. The employees will work together in order to realize the goals through by following the set goals and objectives. The employees must have good management in order to be able to work appropriately to achieve the intended goals. In managing employees, it is important t o ensure that they work in teams. This applies to both the profit and nonprofit making organizations. According to Parker (2003), employees always work best when they are in teams. They feel that they are supported, and that their effort plays a role in ensuring the general success of a firm. When organized into small teams, employees feel that they are kept away from the watchful eyes of their superiors. This creates an environment of creativity among employees. However, these scholars say that it is important to specify the type of teams formed in the organization. The way a self-managed team will operate within an organization is different from the way cross-functional team will be run. Each of the groups has different approaches of undertaking duties that may be assigned to them (Denhardt, Aristigueta Denhardt, 2002). The management should be able to understand the needs of the firm at a particular time. The needs and condition of a firm will determine whether self-managed team s or cross-functional teams are necessary.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More When dealing with highly skilled labor assigned to undertake a given project, the team should be considered as self-managed. This is because the involved team members have the right skills and expertise and are trusted to make the right decision. On the other hand, cross-functional teams would be needed in cases where departments need to share information in order to achieve specific objectives. Comparing leadership structure in cross-functional teams and self-managed teams According to Lussier and Achua (2010), one of the main difference between self-managed teams and cross-functional teams is their management structure. As the name suggests, self-managed teams work more independently without any form of direct interference from the top management unit of an organization. On the other hand, the top management unit of a firm always monitors cross-functional teams closely. This is because of the difference in composition of the two teams. Cross-functional teams can consist of any mem ber of different departments irrespective of their skills or experience in their fields. They come together to achieve an overall goal of the organization. On the other hand, self-managed teams involve members who are highly skilled and experienced in their various fields. Self-managed teams can be formed under two contexts. The management can either decide to bring together skilled labor in one line of expertise such as engineers or architectures to undertake a specific task. This is common when a firm is dealing with an issue within that particular area where these team members have the needed skills. Alternatively, self-managed teams can also be formed when skilled and experienced employees are drawn from various departments to deal with an issue that affects the firm from various departments. This would involve bringing lawyers, marketers, accountants, engineers, and architectures to address an issue concerning the overall management of the firm (Lussier Achua, 2010). The diffe rence between the self-managed team from cross-functional teams is that the top management closely manages cross-functional teams while the self-managed teams work with minimal supervision. It is therefore; clear that, although self-managed and cross-functional teams share a number of factors, a number of factors that make them different. References Denhardt, R. B., Aristigueta, M. P., Denhardt, J. V. (2002). Managing human behavior in public nonprofit organizations. Thousand Oaks: Sage. Gitman, L. J., McDaniel, C. D. (2009). The future of business: The essentials. Mason: South-Western Cenage Learning. Lussier, R. N., Achua, C. F. (2010). Leadership: Theory, application, skill development. Australia: SouthWestern Cengage Learning. Parker, G. M. (2003). Cross-functional teams: Working with allies, enemies, and other strangers. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Plunkett, W. R., Attner, R. F., Allen, G. (2008). Management: Meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Australia: Thomson S outh-Western. This research paper on Self-managed Teams vs. Cross-functional Teams was written and submitted by user Coen Carrillo to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Self Self