Abstract
This paper focuses on two theoretical approaches of psychopathology concerning abnormal behavior in humans, the behavioral approach and the cognitive approach. These two approaches are compared and contrasted. The paper considers their effectiveness in both explaining the origins of, and treating mental disorders. The paper's explanation of the behavioral approach includes a look at modeling, operant conditioning and classical conditioning. The cognitive model is portrayed as an evolved behaviorist model. The paper explains that cognitive psychologists believe that cognitive processes, such as thoughts and emotions, drive behavior. The conclusion drawn by the paper is that the therapies that work best are ones that use combinations and treatments of these models, such as the cognitive-behaviorist model.

From the Paper
"The first theoretical approach that shall be focused on is behaviorism. The underlying connotations of this approach is that all human behavior, whether it being internal (mental) or external (observable), is determined by the experiences a person has undergone, and how they have learned from them. One of the positive aspects of behaviorism is that it can be tested, observed and measured easily, unlike most psychological theories and models. Behaviorists have come to the conclusion that all human behavior has been conditioned. This belief originated in the 1950's where psychologists performed experiments on the behavior of organisms and through conditioning they could be taught how to act or behave in certain predicted ways. Through this method they applied several of these methods as being the cause of human functioning and if done incorrectly then could be the cause for abnormal functioning."

Tags:psychology, cognitive, behaviorism, bandura, beck

Abstract
This paper provides insight into anorexia nervosa, a mental illness where individuals refuse to eat in pursuit of losing weight due to their intense fear of being fat. It looks at the two types of anorexia nervosa, the primary and secondary form and examines some of the physical symptoms that patients incur such as pallor, emaciation, weakness, muscle fatigue, lanugo (a growth of fine body hair) and amenorrhoea as well as heart complications. It looks at how there are several psychological models which can describe anorexia and focuses on the cognitive model and the behaviorist model. It shows how behavioral therapies are based on the assumption that mental disorders are maladaptive behaviors which have resulted from faulty learning and how the cognitive model concerns itself with the internal processes of thought and the role played by expectations, attitudes and the interpretation of events.

From the Paper
"Anorexia nervosa is not the result of an overnight decision. This is why it is so difficult to become aware of until it has advanced to a substantial degree. It generally starts off as a harmless diet, usually without the intentions to starve oneself. In spite of that, if a person has certain predispositions, it may gradually result in anorexia. This is because as the diet progresses, the individual may experience some kind of "dieting euphoria" because this kind of lifestyle provides them with a sense of control for two reasons; an external and an internal. The external reason is that it provides a sense of "mastery and euphoria to a person who previously not only felt weak but depressed and empty" (Richard A. Gordon). And the internal reason is the accomplishment of a thin body is appraised by today's society. However the feeling of euphoria that is experienced is relatively short-lived. In fact, the longer the fasting lasts, a sense of depression gradually takes over to the degree where it becomes a dominant mood. Eventually, the anorexic will go to any extremes in order to conceal and defend her low weight and minimum appetite."

Tags:disorders, psychology, treatments, diet, mental

Abstract
This paper reviews Henry James' novel "The Turn of the Screw", a pure and simple ghost story in which the depraved pair Quint and Miss Jessel have a passion to possess the souls of the innocent children by returning to their old haunts after death and infecting them with their evil. It shows how by analyzing the novel using different approaches, it can offer the reader other ways of looking at the story, providing alternative explanations for many of the events. It analyzes the structure of the novel and attempts to interpret it using a psychoanalytic approach, focusing on the train of thought associated with Lacan and Freud. It also discusses the concept of male homosocial desire and applies this to the prologue which precedes the story.

From the Paper
"Letters in The Turn of the Screw become an important dramatic element in the narrative plot and can be related to the unconscious. The narrative written by the governess has to be sent to the narrator. The text is addressed so the story itself is essentially a letter. The first event in the narrative plot is a letter telling of Mile's dismissal from school. It fails to disclose the precise reasons for his expulsion thus the suspense within the narrative arises from what the letter does not include. Other letters within the plot are intercepted; the governess does not allow the children to contact their uncle by writing, she becomes troubled when Mrs Grose wants to send a letter to the Master and finally the governess? letter to the Master is destroyed by Miles. The story then is structured and set in motion by a chain of letters which are unreadable, and like the unconscious, they govern a course of action yet are impenetrable and inaccessible to the reader."

Tags:freud, lacan, horror, letters, ghost, death, evil

Abstract
The paper analyses the novella "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" first as a straightforward "shilling shocker" horror story and then discusses it as a Gothic work for the Victorian era. Finally, a large proportion of the paper deals with Freudian readings of the text as a conflict between the superego, ego and id and the duality of man.

From the Paper
"The story includes many of the signature characteristics of Gothic fiction, such as supernatural events, horror and stylistic, complex narrative. Usually in works of Gothic fiction, the supernatural elements are subtly intermingled with realistic aspects of the story, and this text is no exception. The fantastical idea that a drug could transform a person into the physical form of the pure evil in their soul is juxtaposed with the everyday actions of Utterson, such as his walks and dinner parties. This is very similar to the method Shelley uses in Frankenstein to develop the plot : the creating of a creature from dead tissue in a lab is utterly fantastical but necessary for the plot to progress. Another way in which supernatural forces are brought into the plot is the constant references by everyone to Mr Hyde as Satanic, such as Enfield describes him "really like Satan". This gives a sense that Hyde is allied with the devil, a strong supernatural force."

Tags:ego, freud, gothic, horror

Abstract
This paper examines how the presence of others affects our performance and behavior. The author argues that the presence of others effects simple/practiced tasks and complex ones differently. Included is an analysis of group consensus and conformity, social impact theory, and a look at possible outcomes such as: diffusion of responsibility and pluralistic ignorance.

From the paper:

"Our behavior is influenced in many ways by the actions, views and mere presence of those around us. Many studies in Social Psychology have been carried out on how this influence effects us and how much. It seems that the presence of an audience is beneficial only when the task at hand is simple or well practiced. If not, the audience causes performance to get worse. When acting as part of a group, individuals tend to conform to a common group consensus. This is especially the case when such a consensus in unanimous. However, minorities do have the ability to change group norms or perceptions. Individuals are less likely to help those who maybe in trouble when there are other potential helpers around. This is mainly due to pluralistic ignorance and diffusion of responsibility. Social impact theory states that the level of influence on an individual depends on the number, status and proximity of the observers as well as on whether he is acting alone or with others."

Tags:asch, baron, bystander, conformity, cottrell, diffusion, fright, ignorance, impact, intervention, pluralistic, responsibility, sherif, social, stage, theory, zajonc

Abstract
The media has a large effect on society as a whole and there has been an increase in media exposure over the years. The thin, waif-like look is seen as the ideal, a standard for women to be measured against. The paper shows that women are under lots of pressure to conform to the ideals of society and the majority of women are on diets or have dieted at some point in their life. This leads to low self esteem and poor body image, which is a precipitating factor in eating disorders. This essay discusses whether the media is the catalyst for preoccupation with slimness and a major contributor to eating disorders in young women.

From the Paper
"The media is often quoted as a scapegoat for the increase in eating disorders. Linda Grant's opinion is that: "Women don't set out to become anorexic, they begin by thinking they're too fat because everywhere they go the media is telling them that they are right" (Barrett, 1997). This assumes that the causes of eating disorders are simply triggered by an individual feeling overweight, which is not the case. Eating disorders have many causes, some evidence suggests that an eating disorder can exist without this pathological fear of being overweight (Lai, 2000). If these effects of the media are obvious then why is it that only 1-3% of women suffer from an eating disorder? "

Tags:anorexia, bulimia

Abstract
This paper discusses how a great number of students with learning disabilities are at high risk for educational failure because they often have difficulty remembering materials covered in school and how their teachers can help these students improve their performance and their long term success through mnemonic instruction. It examines various studies on the topic and reviews relevant literature. It evaluates how the majority of research indicates that using basic phonetic instruction alone is insufficient, especially for students with learning disabilities. When basic skills are taught in conjunction with mnemonic strategies, memory improves because well established pictures in the memory bank to link new information and trigger a strong electrical impulse to help recall the new information. The research studies have consistently shown that mnemonic strategies can be taught to students of all ages and of all levels of learning disabilities. Studies have also shown that when students are taught mnemonics to help them study, they begin to use mnemonics on a regular basis and also begin to make up their own memorization techniques.

From the Paper
"The traditional theory of learning, which has been used in the past as a supplement to the mass schooling approach of the early 19th century, is that in order for a student to learn complex skills such as reading, he must first become adept at making sense of the smallest components of the language (for example letters) and then advancing to larger components (for example sounds, words, and sentences). Phonics supporters generally agree that by employing "the direct approach" in regards to instruction, as well as providing an undeviating focus on logical sequencing, students will effectively learn to identify words quickly and consistently, as well as improving their spelling, vocabulary, handwriting, listening, and thinking skills (Share and Stanovich, 1995)."

Tags:children, memory, bank, teachers, phonetic, language, skills

Abstract
This paper provides a detailed evaluation of Chomsky's theory of Universal Grammar and innate Language Acquisition Device, which is central to the field of linguistics and psycholinguistics. It reviews the controversies surrounding Chomsky's theory and discusses alternative theories.

From the Paper
"Language acquisition is undeniably biologically programmed as children all over the world, from varying cultures and linguistic environments produce the same levels of language at the same stages. Chomsky proposes that this is a direct result of Universal Grammar, which is an inherent part of every human mind. However, his theory of an innate Language Acquisition Device provokes controversy on two grounds. First is the debate between nature and nurture, with many theorists criticizing Chomsky for dismissing any environmental factors. Second, is the dispute as to whether language acquisition is an independent innate faculty as Chomsky claims, or part of the child's wider cognitive development. Such disagreements demonstrate the enormous impact Chomsky's theory has had on the field of linguistics and reflects how "the Universal Grammar theory is for many the central pillar in our understanding of language." (Cook, V. Inside Language. Arnold. 1997, p249)"

Tags:acquisition, behaviorism, chomsky, development, grammar, lad, language, linguistics, nativist, psycholinguistics, universal

Abstract
This paper studies the critical period hypothesis which suggests that languages cannot be learned after the age of twelve. However, an evaluation of evidence from many different sources suggests that this is not accurate. It examines sources such as: Studies of second language learning methods, wild children studies and the theories of Noam Chomsky and Stephen Krashen. Factors which make it easier for children to learn language, such as parentheses, are also discussed.

From the Paper
"The "critical period" hypothesis cites a commonly observable phenomenon, the fact that children find language learning much easier than adults, and learn language remarkably quickly, to claim that language learning is more difficult, or impossible after puberty. The concept of "critical periods" was initially introduced in the study of animal behavior, where it was noticed that certain behavioral responses only emerged when stimulus was given within a particular time frame. This concept has been applied to many species, including humans, with regard to the development of specific emotional responses such as stress. In 1967 Lenneberg proposed that this concept also applied to human linguistic development, seeing language as a response, and exposure to language as the stimulus. There are two versions of this hypothesis: the "strong" version, which claims that no language acquisition is possible after puberty, and the "weak" version, which maintains that language learning will be much more difficult. A distinction is often made between "language acquisition", the way in which children unconsciously learn their native tongue, and "language learning" which implies formal instruction, and Lenneberg maintains this distinction himself."

Tags:chomsky, immersion, krashen, language, learning, linguistics, pinker, second, teaching

Abstract
Many sexual predators have admitted that they cannot control their urges to sexually and violently abuse women and children. This paper advocates that more strict legislative measures are needed that would prevent vulnerable individuals from being raped, abused and possibly killed by essentially "incurable" predators. It puts forward the proposal that if people were assured a harsh punishment if they were to commit a crime, they would be less likely to be able to justify their criminal actions as being "worth the risk". It discusses the holes in current legislation and how offenders are often not required to undergo sex offender treatment or evaluation and they are released into the community without being forced to adhere to sex offender registration laws and evaluates Megan's law. Megan's Law refers to the series of laws introduced in New Jersey following the murder of seven year-old Megan Kanka who was kidnapped, raped and murdered by her neighbor, a twice convicted sex offender who had committed a similar crime only months before. It analyzes the increasing public awareness and concern about crime together with intense media focus on the issue.

From the Paper
"According to Princeton University professor John DeIulio, "almost half of the country's 671,000 parolees and probationers are caught committing serious new offenses within three years" (Feinsilber, 1997). Many sexual predators have admitted that they cannot control their urges to sexually and violently abuse women and children. For this reason we should not allow these dangerous criminals to terrorize our neighborhoods, schools and homes. It is therefore my contention that more strict legislative measures are needed that would prevent vulnerable individuals from being raped, abused and possibly killed by these essentially "incurable" predators."

Tags:child, deviants, law, legal, molesters, rapists, sexual, megan, criminals