NLP

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a way of organizing and understanding the structure of subjective experience and is concerned with the ways in which people process information but not necessarily with the specific content of that information. Information is processed primarily in three modes: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The sensory modalities used in a given task and their sequence are critical to the performance of that task. Persons who are extremely skilled at a task will have radically different processing sequences than those who perform poorly on that same task. Understanding the structure by which the skilled person processes information, through the observation of eye scanning patterns and linguistic patterns, allows programs (similar to computer programs) to be codified, which can be taught to other persons (Andreas, 1996). Developed in 1975 by Richard Bandler, a mathematician, and John Grinder, a linguist, NLP has been clinically demonstrated as a powerful technology for engendering change. From their studies Bandler and Grinder developed skills of modeling that allow one person to identify in a specific fashion the structural elements of another's behavior and to teach that structure to yet a third person (Andreas, 1996). Gregory Bateson postulated four logical levels of learning. The first level is the level of content, and this is the level at which most people spend their lives. Here one learns how to tie one's shoes, cook a meal, drive a car, and so on. Some people become acquainted with second-level learning: the learning of context, or learning how to learn. People who operate at the second logical level of learning may rapidly learn any new content-specific area, because they are capable of moving through the learning process in an efficient, effective manner. In rare cases, persons may rise to the third logical level of learning, the learning of how to learn context. In this case one is operating at a level of contextual pattern recognition; one is able to easily identify and operate on the structure of any experience. It is at this level that Bandler and Grinder operate when they are modeling (or teaching modeling to) some one. Bateson reserved his fourth class of learning for those accomplished persons like yogis and Zen masters. One NLP technique is anchoring which is used to describe a process by which memory and its responses become associated with some stimulus. This happens when the anchor leads by reflex to the anchored response occurring. The stimulus can be neutral or out of conscious awareness. The response may be either negative or positive. Anchors are similar to classical conditioning (Ready, 2004). The process of disrupting a pattern of thought from one that leads to an unwanted behavior to one that leads to a desired behavior is known as swishing. Another process is reframing in which an element of communication is presented so as to shift an individual’s perception of the meanings associated with words. Reframing is defined as a process where an element of communication is presented to shift the individual’s perception of meanings or frames. A six-step reframe distinguishes between an underlying intention and consequent behavior to achieve intentions by different and successful behavior. Ecology is concerned with the relationship between a client and their environments. It also is concerned how a proposed goal or change might relate to their relationships and their environment (Ready, 2004). NLP offers many methods for getting rid of addictions. An effective technique is called the â€Å"swish† pattern. Using this method, a person’s unconscious will automatically use negative, addiction producing mental pictures, to create relaxing mental pictures. Addictions can be cured in NLP because it is a form of ‘near waking state' hypnosis. In NLP we can ‘adjust' our internal sensory representations making them more powerful. NLP also helps us to model good behavior. Anchoring is a powerful method of fighting addictions. In this especially one takes the long, deep breath and to touch the tongue to the roof of the mouth at the same time. This sets up a connection between the sensorised mental icon and the physical act of touching the roof of your mouth with the tongue as well as taking that deep breath (Lankton, 2004). In NLP it is recognized that human beings all code time in different ways. Each person has his own mental timelines. The past is represented in some right-handers represent at some point way towards their left. It is possible to use NLP techniques to manipulate internal sensory representations. Negative internal sensory representations like addictions. Addictions can also be removed by being moved further back into the past along the timeline. This helps change the present and future mindset of the client in relation to the original internal sensory representation. This results in past traumas being reduced. Addictions can be treated by providing the customer with a response option that is more powerful, accessible and immediate than the drug itself. Another method is the compulsion blow-out which solves cravings. Another method is the guilt resolution process which is used for clean up of motivations and secondary gain (Lankton, 2004). One of the most successful methods is the six step reframe which works by using assistance from the unconscious mind. The process has been criticized for fragmenting the personality (Sterman, 2004). This approach reaches down to access a level of experience that is helpful to redirect conscious and unconscious energies in a central direction. If a positive experience is structured it will compete successfully against a problem state. The competing experiences must have value and indicate towards a better positive future. The brain consists of a maze of circuits. Positive and negative affect are mutually dependant on each other. In order for a positive affect to have maximum effect, it must be developed for dealing with a problem. A crucial program is the process of anchoring. Participants are taught to anchor states that are without content. During the process of creating and anchoring the state all types of contextual information is reduced. In recent years science has given us insight on the problems of addiction and substance abuse. These researches have discovered a close relationship between drug addictions, behavioral addictions, compulsions and more normal patterns of reward and motivation. Drug and behavioral addictions are problems related to craving. The mechanism of craving is mediated by neurons in the midbrain that produce dopamine on to be placed on a trance. NLP is a great technique to fight addictions and behavior. There are many examples of NLP helping out people suffering from substance abuse and addictions. References: Andreas, Steve (1996). NLP: The New Technology of Achievement. US: Harper Paperbacks. Ready, Romilla (2004). Neuro-Linguistic Programming for Dummies. US: For Dummies . Lankton, Stephen R. (2004). Practical Magic:: A Translation of Basic Neuro-Linguistic Programming Into Clinical Psychotherapy . US: Crown House Publishing. Sterman, Chelly M., Ed. (2004). Neuro-Linguistic Programming in Alcoholism Treatment. US: Haworth Press.                                                                           

North American History Essay

In the words of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, two great rivals in American History, were not only their honor and image, but the principles and ideals that would lead the legislation of a country in the frustrated process of amalgamation and integration. As Abraham Lincoln proposed in his Republican State Convention of 1858 speech, there were two American clashing ideologies in debate, ideologies that could not coexist forever within a â€Å"House Divided†. Moreover, he emphasizes his beliefs when he states: â€Å"Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction, or its advocates will push it forward till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new, North as well as South† (Lincoln) By his immediate rhetorical question of â€Å"Have we no tendency to the latter condition?† (Lincoln) it is obvious that he, as a republican and abolitionist, is against the prevailing of the institution of slavery, something that is put into doubt by the accusations made to him by his opponent who adheres himself to prove the lack of congruence in Lincoln’s speeches. This accusation can be tangible to a point, for the speeches were more emphatic towards certain ideas in the north, than in the south and vice versa, but the main principles of Lincoln’s ideas tend to show his point of view as aligned with that of the Abolitionists, in quite a particular way. Taking into account certain confusing ambivalence in Lincoln’s speech, although he proposed equality when he invited Americans to â€Å"†¦unite as one people throughout this land until we shall once more stand up declaring that all men are created equal.† (Douglas, quoting Lincoln), he also encouraged certain division and differentiated whites from blacks when he said â€Å"†¦I am not nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way, the social and political equality of the white and black races†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Douglas, quoting Lincoln), referring to certain ways of life and the position to be held by African Americans in his opinion. A difference in these quotations is evident, but it is taken as a cautious step towards safekeeping his political career, and expressing a certain opinion that supported the abolition of slavery, but not intend to radically change the position of hegemony of the white men. A great conflict can come out of this ideology, b ut it was a great step forward in the emancipation of the black people. Although Abraham Lincoln’s idea of the condition of humans as slaves is left idle for a moment, the fact that he takes it to be an evil that must be stopped is clear when â€Å"†¦we think it is a moral, a social and a political wrong.† (Lincoln) is stated, but the fact that it should be dealt with â€Å"†¦as with any other wrong, in so far as we can prevent its growing any larger, and so deal with it that in the run of time there may be some promise of an end to it.† (Lincoln) also makes clear that although intervention in the south is not within his policy, it is his intention to stop its growth and contain it within its boundaries until, as stated in another occasion, it would perish. In our opinion, Lincoln’s plan is very difficult thing to attain, for how could one oppress an institution such as slavery, and promote openly pro north policies, supposedly leaving the south to their ideals until the times and abolitionist movement created such a situation where the institution would collapse by itself? This is what Judge Douglas questions the most, making Lincoln seem as incoherent. To a point he was, but the great tension created between both ideologies had separated the country to a point in which Lincoln had to have great care. The Missouri compromise dividing free and slave states in the latitude parallel 36à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½30†² and the later Kansas Nebraska act only temporally detained the and smoothed the tension that existed in the fight for power and representation between North and South, abolitionists and slave supporters. The Dred Scott versus Stanford case only augmented the tension, making the questions of its constitutionality and rightfulness be debated across the nation. While Douglas’s position tends to favor a patched agreement between south and north, one of â€Å"mutual non intervention† (Douglas) that could lead to further separation as we think, Lincoln’s policy, ambiguous as it might be in certain respects, was very clear in one thing: the separation that up to now had existed dividing the country in two could not continue much further. For him, apart of his abolitionist principles, above all was the union of the Federation, he could not permit each part of the nation to take its own course, something that would change the fate of the United States forever. A pivotal period would come out of his later governance that would lean the countries future northwards, until again unity would rise much later. This intention would not be clear since the beginning of Lincoln’s political career, despite his clear ideals regarding slavery. This is obvious in the difference in his â€Å"House Divided† speech, and his Sixth Joint Debate with Douglas, at Quincy. Even in the different speeches mentioned in the second paper, where the words of this leader can be confusing, there is certain continuity in his thought. The Dred Scott case is very important in both of his situations. In the first one he addresses it as if the slave policies were â€Å"tending† (Lincoln) the nation towards them, in the second one he is reassuring the possibilities this interpretation of the constitution of the United States by the Supreme Court opens, such as â€Å"†¦slavery would be established in all the States as well as in the Territories.† (Lincoln) Within these lines, the point of view of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas is made clear. While the first clearly wants to avoid the spreading of slavery, for the moment being, and eventually eradicate it, Douglas, claiming to have a â€Å"care-not† (Lincoln) policy as stated by Lincoln, endorsed the popular sovereignty doctrine. It is Douglas who previously had proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, giving power of decision on the free or slave state issue to the inhabitants of the area, not based on the moral and ethical consequences of this, for he was not concerned with these but more so in â€Å"expansion of settlement and commerce† (Divine, Robert, et al. 271). Both politicians have a diverging speech and line of thought, for Abraham Lincoln concentrates more on repudiating the idea of slavery itself, while Douglas is not focuses on this, but rather on another scheme: one which was more pleasing to draw support from both sides, one that was in the middle of supporting and fighting slavery, one which proved a failure as the book just cited comments, for the two currents of thought, the one supporting and the other rejecting slavery are very difficult to unite as a whole. It can be said that all these ideological questions surge between attacks and allegations against each other. The first â€Å"House Divided† speech is more of a uplifting, but challenging and persuasive speech in which Lincoln confronts the problems of the nation, the second speech, or debate between Lincoln and Douglas is more of a defensive and offensive one in which one politician is going to enhance his reputation, beneficial for a further political career and the other is going to worsen it. This is obvious for most of the speech is consumed in correcting fallacies said by the other or accusations of perjuries. Between lines is when the true nature of the politicians though reveals itself with clarity. â€Å"It is precisely no other than the putting of that most unphilosophical proposition, that two bodies can occupy the same space at the same time.† (Lincoln) is the quotation that convinces the readers of the Lincoln-Douglas debate of America’s strain, the point of view of slavery cannot coexist with abolitionism, not even Douglas’s view of giving the choice to the inhabitants of the place is viable. Of course Lincoln has to be careful with such a topic, and he is, sounding flexible when he states that â€Å"Judge Douglas understands the Constitution according to the Dred Scott decision, and he is bound to support it as he understands it. I understand it another way, and therefore I am bound to support it in the way in which I understand it.† (Lincoln), yet firm in his convictions. In conclusion, it can be said that the rivalry of these men and ideals they stand for are representative of a nation, a nation that is divided by many issues, of which slavery is a crucial one in understanding the different semi spheres that were being created within what was supposed to be a federation. Although the role of it as such had not yet been clearly defined, it was up for Abraham Lincoln, after he was elected leader, to define with these speeches and hints were making more evident. The American Civil War was just a step away, and Lincoln, Douglas and the slave owners could not agree on the topic that could free a large proportion of the population, the African slaves. Based on what we see, it is clear that what was to come would shape America into what it is now, a united, slave free nation. Yet these are the roots of what is taken for granted today. This antagonism fueled some of the fiercest and defining battles fought in U.S. continental grounds. Bibliography * Divine, Robert A., Breen, T.H., Fredrickson, George M., Williams, R. Hal, Gross, Ariela J., Brands, H.W. and Roberts, Randy † America: Past and Present† United States, Pearson Longman, 2005. * Lincoln, Abraham â€Å"House Divided Address† Republican State Convention, Springfield, Illinois, June 17th, 1858. * Lincoln, Abraham and Douglas, Stephen A. â€Å"Sixth Joint Debate† Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Quincy, Illinois, October 13th, 1858.

One page analysis of news article provided Essay

One page analysis of news article provided - Essay Example While the Catholic Church claims that such incidents are reflective of society at large and not merely the Catholic Church, opponents argue that when Pope Benedict XVI was still functioning as a Cardinal he made frequent actions to impede the prosecution of the accused clergy members, including preventing the prosecution in the Wisconsin incidents, as well as transferring an accused sex offender in Munich to another church in 1980. While I was familiar with these scandals through the news media, the article brought my attention to the severity of the problem. The article states that, â€Å"One victim, Alessandro Vantini, told the AP last year that priests sodomized him so relentlessly he came to feel ‘as if I were dead.’† In addition, the high number of children the article indicates (200 and 67) is astonishing. The article does a solid job of presenting both sides of the controversy as the church indicates that a formal complaint was never issued and that they didn’t have a means to contact the molested children to interview them about the incidents. However, in totality it seems that there is some misconduct that has occurred and that it might be best if an outside entity was able to step in and investigate. I also seems imperative that the Papacy take immediate measures to prevent similar occurrences in the

Gambling Casinos Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gambling Casinos - Research Paper Example The city attracted more and more people looking for work, and jobs were plentiful. It became a place where divorce could be obtained very quickly, which added to the lure of the economy. It also became a major tourist attraction of people interested in watching the construction progress of a massive dam. It was a way for the city to raise tax revenue. The first casino/resort to be built was the El Rancho in 1941, which started a booming industry that replaced mining and farming as the number one industry by 1950. Looking at Las Vegas today, it is still a thriving economic marvel. Residents are lured by the No State Income Taxes, increasingly newer homes, great climate year round, easy access to highways and good roads, great public schools, and state-of-the-art hospitals. The allure of a good job market, hiking and water sports, and just the prospect of a better life bring approximately 5,000 new people a month. It also loses 1,000 people a month, however, these numbers are based on vacationers. The growth of the city has been from legalized gambling and casinos. Gambling, wagering and betting bring in millions of dollars to Las Vegas and it’s one of the major reasons people migrate there. Other major Casinos are in New Jersey, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania. New Jersey was the second state to legalize casino gambling in 1978. This move helped to revitalize the resort area known as Atlantic City, and it was a success. Gambling has always been a subjective issue in the United States. Supporters argue that it increases revenues to the state and local economies in addition to promoting jobs and recreational benefits. History shows that the economic benefits greatly outweigh the detrimental side of casino gambling People who are opposed to casino gambling cite higher crime rates, gambling addiction and moral issues. Other less mentioned arguments are erosion of work ethics and traffic congestion. Some of these points can be measured in dollars lost in the for m of more police, increased legal and prison costs, the cost of social services for compulsive gambling, lost job production, and costs for traffic control. However, the damage that is done to persons and families cannot be measured. According to Terry Rephann with the Allegany College of Maryland casino gaming is more popular among older and more affluent people. Using Minnesota as an example, gamblers are drawn mostly from within the state to the Indian Casinos. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 made if possible for the Native American Tribes to negotiate Class III gaming compacts within their own states. They are allowed to operate full-scale casinos. Thus, in the last decade it has become a viable means of stimulating the economy, lowering unemployment and increasing tax revenues to local and state governments. Among other benefits, it has allowed Native Americans to greatly improve the quality of their lives. It has improved their schools, housing, jobs and income. Casin os attract tourism, increase business to other businesses in the area as well as lift the tax burden on the residents of the community. In economically depressed areas, casinos are seen as a sure way to draw tourists and create new jobs. Native Americans also have misgivings about the social ills that come with gambling. Chris Pearson, who is a member of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe says, â€Å"Native Americans are very spiritual people, and we don’

Internal Controls Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Internal Controls - Assignment Example The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was passed generally for the purpose of restoring investor trust and confidence. The demand of the government, investors and the American public sought a standard and guarantee on the accuracy of financial reports. So, Section 404 of the mentioned law was strictly devoted in requiring management to assess and report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting or ICFR. Bergen (2005) reported that â€Å"the concerns through making executive more responsible for company accounting statements, redefining the relationships between corporations and their auditors, and restructuring the internal audit systems of public corporations.† Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has also been experiencing issues regarding its implementation. The legislation of the law â€Å"has been subject to furious debate amongst corporations, auditors, regulators and others.† The internal control policy has cause extremely high costs especia lly for smaller companies and early results left the benefits unclear. A number of academic and professional researches have grown to support the lack of transparency in accounting and corporate governance is growing larger. The researches show the significant cost attached to the internal controls. One â€Å"concludes that corporations with Internal Control Deficiencies (ICDs) as defined by section 404 – companies which are naturally more susceptible to accounting irregularities – pay the price through higher cost of capital and lower stock price returns.† Ockree and Martin (2009) investigated on the internal and external impacts of the financial reporting requirements in internal control. Stock price was one of the external reactions their study had put focused on. In their study, stock prices were tracked for the three years following the announcement. They compared the data to a broader market measure of comparable companies. The results were surprising thou gh a bit expected; the average return for the study group during that period was only 1.68%, while the broader market had a 17.28% return. There was a higher rick in that period of relative growth. Ockree and Martin also studied the insiders who traded stock during 2007 to be able to measure the risk in that particular sector. Two years after the announcement, it was found that there were three times inside buyers than seller compared to the broader market. Further, the size of the insider’s sales was over eight times larger compared to the buys. With the effect of internal controls to the company’s stock price, we can say internal controls do have inherent limitations and the risk can’t easily be foreseen or eliminated. On the other hand, there is a risk of weakening internal controls if we modify the existing system. Internal controls can result to various limitations to the organization functionality and economy. Its limits can affect the effectiveness of int ernal controls and may result to system omission human factors, resource constraints, or lack of system flexibility. For example, internal control processes in an organization may not reflect changed operating conditions, specific agency activities or potential new risks. It can cause collusion of staff members to be able to achieve their own personal gains. And in

Specifics of the Banking System of Spain Article

Specifics of the Banking System of Spain - Article Example At the beginning of 1990th as a result of a series of merges and absorption two leading savings banks accumulating over 90 % of personal savings of the Spanish citizens have been created. Bank system of Spain is one of the most stable and liquid financial systems in Europe. Its distinctive features are a significant level of foreign currency (13,9 billion euro), the branched out the network of branches of private banks and the state savings banks. The dominating role is played by the banks with 100 % of the Spanish capital. The leader at cost of market actives is the financial group "Banco Santander Central Hispano" formed at the beginning of 1999 as a result of a merger of two largest banks of the country. Now the strongest bank group is Banco de Bilbao Vizcaya (BBV). However recently it had strong contender Central Hispano, the group formed as a result of merges of two banks - Banco Central and Banco Hispano Americano. Despite a plenty of local savings banks (cajas de ahorros), they make operations very slowly. In general, the bank system of Spain is strongly bureaucratized and not especially cares for the convenience of clients (Altman).   Some banks and other financial institutions of Spain: Banco de Espana - the Central bank of Spain; Banco Sabadell - the bank specializing on granting of services to private clients, and also small and average business. Has more than 400 branches in Spain and abroad; Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa (BBK) - the largest savings bank in Basque Provinces and the fourth on size in Spain; Banco Santander - the bank which is carrying out the financial operations in Spain and in 31 countries abroad, including the USA; Kutxa - savings bank; Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona - the financial group including savings bank and some of the other financial institutions; Caja San Fernando - the savings bank having operations in Western Andalusia; Caixa Catalunya – the Catalan savings bank; BBVA – the financial group; Open Bank - the open bank; Ibercaja - the Spanish savings bank.

What is enterprise infrastructure Research Paper

What is enterprise infrastructure - Research Paper Example Enterprise infrastructure is stated to be the technology backbone of modern business (IT World Canada, 2011). According to Camp (2004), a blueprint of the enterprise infrastructure, known as enterprise architecture, forms the basis of an organisation’s Information Technology planning. A complex infrastructure is usually found in an e-business environment. Web services are being increasingly used for putting e-businesses on the Web, as well as enabling users: either humans or other Web services to use them. â€Å"Web service refers to a business or computational function delivered using standard web technology such as HTTP (Hypertext transfer protocol), XML (Extensible markup language), and SOAP (Simple object access protocol)† (Sahai & Graupner, 2005, p.5). Web services have to be interfaced with the internal business processes to receive, fulfill and deliver orders. IT World Canada (2011) states that business process improvement software, business performance management and other enterprise infrastructure software are essential for Thus, the logical business processes, the Web services and the operation of enterprise infrastructure require the support of hardware, software, as well as humans. For example, an e-business infrastructure would include â€Å"web sites, web server farms, applications servers (J2EE, .Net) and business processes execution platforms such as Process Manager, MQSeries, and Web Method (Sahai & Graupner, 2005, p.44). Further, management of enterprise infrastructure includes desktop, data storage systems, networks, and the reduction of complexity and costs including minimizing the number of people required to efficiently operate the enterprise IT sytems. This paper has higlighted enterprise infrastructure and its components; and examined the need for its management, for achieving best outcomes in e-businesses. With the transformation of information technology from