Tuesday, January 28, 2020

The power of music

The power of music The Power of Music Music surrounds us in our everyday lives. We hear it when we are in the car, at work, when we are shopping, at restaurants, at doctors offices, and many more places. The music serves a purpose other than entertainment at many of these places.   Music has the power to influence mood and behavior in people and it is no secret that it is used at every available opportunity. We are introduced to music in our mothers womb even before we are born. It is used to sooth, to hype up, to educate, for entertainment, as a medium to remember information, for medical purposes, and so much more. Music is used in many ways to improve and enhance the lives of people. It is meant to be consumed, whether it is by the listener, performer, or composer. It is a way to translate feelings and desires that are sometimes difficult to express using language. The style of music has changed dramatically throughout the ages. For instance, there are six main eras in music history. The Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century. The music in these eras reflects the time period. Music has been and always will be a popular form of entertainment for many. The dictionary defines music as an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color(Dictionary). Music has the ability and power to influence human thoughts and behaviors. Employers and retail stores use the power of music to produce a desired behavior from their employees and customers. For example, according to The Journal of Marketing, background music is thought to improve the stores image, make employees happier, reduce employee turnover rate, and to stimulate customer purchasing (Milliman). Does music actually influence mood and behavior? What is it about music that affects mood? According to an article in the Music Educators Journal, volume, tempo, consonance, dissonance, tone color and form all may have an effect on a persons mood (Gaston). It is not just the music itself that has an effect on people; the lyrics of a song can also have an effect. Many people are concerned that music with violent or derogatory lyrics may have a negative effect on youth and provoke violent behavior. Many researchers have examined the effects of how music provokes violent behavior. In a study conducted at Western Connecticut State University researchers examined whether or not watching a violent music video would provoke the participants to answer questions with violent responses. There were thirty-three participants, eleven in each of three groups; one group watched violent music videos, another group watched non-violent music videos, and the last group did not watch any videos. Afterw ard, the participants were given a questionnaire. The study found that the violent music videos did provoke participants to react more violently when answering questions about hypothetical scenarios (Tropeano). People are introduced to music even before they are born. According to an article in Pregnancy Today, by the fifth month of pregnancy the babys hearing is completely developed and they are able to hear noises that are outside the womb. Prenatal stimulation through music may provide some babies with a sense of confidence and relaxation when they are born (Lacey). In 1993 a study was conducted in Irvine, California by Dr. Francis Raucher, Dr. Gordon L. Shaw, and their colleagues on a group of thirty-six undergraduate college students it was found that they improved their spatial-temporal intelligence (the ability to mentally manipulate objects in three-dimensional space) after listening to 10 minutes of a Mozart sonata. The results of the study showed that student IQ scores improved by 8-9 points and lasted for 10-15 minutes. This study was coined the Mozart effect (Jones). Music is sometimes used to relax and soothe people. After a stressful event, listening to calming or classical music relaxes the body and mind. Music can also induce a more positive state of mind. It has long been believed that music can also act as an aphrodisiac (an element, either natural or chemical, that stimulates a sexual desire). Human senses are powerful and can trigger emotion. The type of music depends on the person. Music triggers different emotions in different people. What one person enjoys and is stimulated by could disgust and upset someone else. Many people use music as a way to get pumped up. Gyms usually play music with a faster tempo to increase speed and motivation. According to a study on musical tempo an increased tempo increased the speed in which people preformed simple tasks. It also affected the participants in the study by acting as a stressor and increasing their heart rate. When the tempo of the music was reduced the heart rate decreased (Mayfield). Music with a fast tempo and stimulates and demands physical activity. Music therapy is growing in the field of medicine. Its calming effects can help reduce anxiety and ward off the negative effects of stress (Stress and the Environment). This can help by reducing the negative effect t the stress response has on the body and mind. Music is used for medical purposes such as lowering blood pressure and autism. In an Italian study twenty-eight peoples blood pressure was monitored for twenty-four hours. They were then given a CD of classical, Celtic, or Indian music to listen to for thirty minutes per day for one month. After the month the patients blood pressure was monitored once again. The patients blood pressure did in fact drop. Their average systolic blood pressure (the first number in a blood pressure reading) had dropped three points, and their average diastolic blood pressure (the second number in a blood pressure reading) had dropped four points. There were twenty other patients who did not listen to music and after monitoring their blood pressu re, there was no change (Hitti). Children who have been diagnosed with autism receive many benefits from music therapy. Depending on where children are placed on the autism spectrum music can assist with communication and provide structural regularity that the children need (downey). We have seen that music is used for healing but what about as a weapon of war? In 1989, music used as a weapon to torture first came into light. U.S. Troops blared loud music in an effort to induce the surrender of Manual Norriega, the Panamanian president. According to an article written by Suzanne G. Cusick this form of torture, called acoustic bombardment went mainstream after the cold war and is a common practice on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom (Cusick). The US also used this acoustic bombardment during interrogations in Guantanamo (Rapp). What is it about music that has such a profound effect on the human mind and body? Research has shown that music with a strong beat can stimulate brain waves to sync with the beat. The fast beat encourages sharper thinking and better concentration whereas the slower beat creates a relaxed almost meditative state. Music can also stimulate the brain to change gears easier. It effects remain evident even when you are done listening (Saarman). Using music to advertise is a good way to for a company to get the attention of a potential client or customer and for them to purchase the product or service that they are offering. Jingles are often easier for people to remember than just plain information. Many companies use popular artists or songs as a medium to advertise their products. One such company is Dr. Pepper. Their advertisements feature popular songs in hopes of getting the attention and marketing to the specific demographic associated with the song. By using music in advertising the company wants the listener to associate the song or tune with the product or service so when they hear the song they will think of the product or service. This is a great way for people to remember what they are selling. Religion uses music as a means to express ones faith and devotion. Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the worlds most famous and influential composers, wrote most of his music for the Lutheran church. Modern Christian songs are derived from popular music tunes and uses religious lyrics. According to an article written by Lorenzo Candelaria who is an assistant music professor at the University of Texas at Austin, Sacred music and art allow us to touch the face of God, through our perception of the world around us.' He believes that music is a way for people to understand their faith and spirituality and is a direct way for people to try to make sense of life and the afterlife (Moini). Music is sometimes used solely for entertainment purposes and accompanies many group and individual activities. Must is played in places such as dance clubs and skating rinks and produces a feeling of power. Faster music will control the speed at which you skate or dance or put you in the mood to do any of these activities.   Music is almost always used in movies. It can used to produce the feeling of suspense or excitement. It is used in tear-jerkers to solicit an emotional response of empathy. As you can see music has been and will always be woven into the fabric of our society. There are many uses for music and it has many hidden meaning and uses. Who knew that music was such a powerful tool and could have so many effects on the human body and mind? Its power spans from entertainment and fun to the ability to heal, reducing stress, creating a desired atmosphere for shoppers and employees, and so much more. What does the future of music hold for us?

Monday, January 20, 2020

Comparing James Dickeys Deliverance and Fog envelops the Animals :: Compare Contrast Comparison

Comparing James Dickey's Deliverance and "Fog envelops the Animals" Deliverance and "Fog envelops the Animals" by James Dickey are closely associated to each other in their themes. In pages 93-99 of Deliverance, Ed is in the midst of a heavy fog and decides to go hunting. At first one can easily point out that Ed is not really into the whole idea of hunting, as we might say Lewis is, yet, in a matter of moments, hunting becomes very serious to him. He has trouble walking through this fog, which is blinding him from anything within arm's reach. Still, he is able to perceive a small deer, feel its presence, and make out its figure. Since Ed now has a newfound asset to himself --invisibility by fog-- he feels more secure of himself and feels that he can kill if the chance arises. He concentrates on getting as close as possible without being noticed. Ed then decides he is ready as he will ever be. Yet, the moment he shoots his arrow he feels that he jerks upward. He immediately realizes that he is going to miss. Indeed, he does miss the shot, yet he wastes another arrow, knowing the second shot is pointless for the deer is now running. "Fog Envelops the Animals" is similar to this particular scene in Deliverance. The fog is the center of focus in both of these passages, the deciding variable that will either protect and envelop the animal from its predator, or expose it, and leave it open to the hunter. If there were no fog, it is likely that Ed would have successfully shot the deer. One can argue that Ed missing the shot is a result of his lack of seriousness towards hunting or the fact that he isn't well prepared or experienced in this field, but then the idea of including the fog would have no importance. In this case the fog becomes the only means of salvation of Ed's manly pride, of proving that he could also be a hunter as Lewis is. The fog also happens to be a means of protection by chance. It is luck that Ed wakes up and there is fog that urges him to hunt. "Fog Envelops the Animals" explores the same idea that fog hides. Fog envelops the animals. Not one can be seen, and they live.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

‘I Am Not That Woman’ by ‘Kishwar Naheed’ and ‘The Bridegroom’ by Liz Lochead Essay

The two poems I will be comparing and contrasting the two poems called ‘I Am Not That Woman’ by ‘Kishwar Naheed’ and ‘The Bridegroom’ by ‘Liz Lochead’. I will be comparing the themes used and the poetic devices with the similarities and differences both writers use in these similar but not so similar poems. Both these poems have been written in the 21st century which are new but they talk about customs and traditions which are dated very old. In ‘The Bridegroom’ ‘Liz Lochead’ writes in a traditional humorous style. She talks about her wedding and how it should be laid out. She describes the perfect bridegroom that’s fit for her. She thinks that the bridegroom spoils the look in the wedding but after the marriage it he is the most important thing for the woman. In ‘I Am Not That Woman’ ‘Kishwar Naheed’ looks at a more cultural and serious issue on the poem. She writes a much longer poem and has a set pattern/ structure all throughout the verses. She talks about her past and how she was used into thinking that her husband loved her and how suddenly she got bounded off by the weight of custom and traditions. Her chastity, her motherhood, her loyalty was bought and sold like a product in the market. ‘Kishwar Naheed’ uses the past tense to write her poem so it shows that she was talking about the past as if it just happened a while ago. There are a lot of similarities between ‘I Am Not That Woman’ and ‘The Bridegroom’ the two traditional and cultural themes which have been used. Both the writers ‘Kishwar Naheed’ and ‘Liz Lochead’ are females so the impression you get in both the poems is that the man in not the important person and the poem is slightly biased. When they talk about their husbands in both poems they criticise them a lot. ‘The Bridegroom is a necessary accessory if often irrelevant’ from ‘The Bridegroom’ and ‘I am the one you crushed with the weight of customs and traditions’ from ‘I Am Not That Woman’. They criticise their husbands because in both poems it seem that the man had the control over the women and he is the dominant one. ‘tower over her in her highest high heels’ from ‘The Bridegroom’. This infers that the woman is the victim and is treated badly ‘you picked flowers and planted thorns’ in ‘The Bridegroom’. Both the women in the poems speak out for themselves in defence for what is going on. ‘Kishwar Naheed’ uses ‘not knowing that I can walk on water when I am drowning.’ This is an oxymoron which is used at the end of the verse showing she is defending and is also speaking out for herself. ‘-the brides the star’ she says as if the husband does not matter because she says the bridegroom always take over the wedding in ‘The Bridegroom’. Both ‘Liz Lochead’ and ‘Kishwar Naheed’ use the poetic devices metaphors and similes to describe things. The writer’s use of objects and nature makes you picture the scene very well. ‘The Bridegroom †¦ a bit of a white elephant’ is a metaphor in ‘The Bridegroom’ meaning the bridegroom is an expensive burden at the marriage and in ‘I Am Not That Woman’ uses similes to describe how her husband roamed ‘free as the breeze’. They both use repetition and alliteration to make the poem even more interesting not dull. In ‘The Bridegroom’ she uses ‘tall’ and ‘highest high heels’ to emphasise the meaning of things. In ‘I Am Not That Woman’ she uses ‘flower free’ and ‘I am not that woman selling you socks and shoes’ as repetition through out the poem. Both ‘Liz Locked’ and ‘Kishwar Naheed’ use objects and nature to describe things in similes, alliteration, metaphors, repetition and rhyme. ‘Liz Locked’ uses ‘more than a penny stick of liquorice’ to show that the bridegroom is not worth anything. Here she uses a metaphor. ‘Kishwar Naheed’ ‘†¦ you hid in your walls of stone while you roamed as free as the breeze†¦ smothered by stone’. Here she uses alliteration. She means that the man is free whilst he has confined her from the outside world. When is comes to the end of both the poems they are both outspoken and end with an exclamation mark (!) to show their feelings. ‘Liz Locked’ uses ‘don’t forget is ha! another matter and ‘Kishwar Naheed’ uses ‘No, No, I am not that woman!.’ There are many differences in these two poems firstly the main theme looks at marriages at two different angles. ‘The Bridegroom’ looks at a more hysterical and funny side to Marriage which is more positive. This is shown by her saying ‘to her sixpence worth of candy floss’ ‘I Am Not That Woman’ looks at a more sober and emotional side to marriage which is negative which is shown to us by her saying ‘whom you bought and sold of my own chastity’ Because the poem ‘I Am Not That Woman’ has been translated from Urdu so there is no rhyme where as in ‘The Bridegroom’ there is lots of rhyme but that rhyme does not have a pattern eg: ABAB but instead it had been placed anywhere thought the poem. This has a rhyme pattern because it has been written in English and not in any other language. ‘Liz Locked’ writes in a formal style throughout most of the poem ‘He should, at the risk of being banal’ but at the end she writes in informal language ‘the role of the bridegroom as they scatter the confetti’s’ and ‘Kishwar Naheed’ keeps her writing formal all the time ‘I am not that woman selling you socks and shoes’. In ‘The Bridegroom’ ‘Liz Locked’ writes her poem so it is set out on the day of the wedding because it says ‘The Bridegroom is a necessary accessory-†¦ a bit of a white elephant after the event.’ where as in ‘I Am Not That Woman’ it is after the wedding but we do not know how long it has been. ‘I am the woman you married off’ ‘Liz Locked’ uses a whole range of poetic devices, more that ‘Kishwar Naheed’ uses. This makes ‘The Bridegroom’ seem more lively and funny. ‘He should be tall, but not too tall- the ideal’s tall enough†¦ tower over her in her highest high heels,’ here there lots of use of alliteration and repetition. ‘I Am Not That Woman’ uses ‘that I can walk on water when I am drowning’ here she cleverly uses an oxymoron to show that even though she is in trouble in a difficult situation she still has her head up high and will not let her down. In ‘I Am Not That Woman’ she gets treated like an outcast ‘I am the commodity you traded in, my chastity, my mother hood, my loyalty’ where as in ‘The Bridegroom, she doesn’t get treated like an outcast ‘- the bride’s the star!’ In my opinion I think that I liked ‘The Bridegroom’ better because the way ‘Liz Locked’ writes her poem. It is very amusing and it makes a marriage sound like a joke. ‘Kishwar Naheed’s’ poem was also good which made me see the more serious side to traditional marriages in an Asian background. This poem was more difficult to understand because there were many ways you could put the poem. She could have been talking about her past because it uses the past tense ‘whom you’ or you could adapt it as she is saying it in the present tense where she has just been married and thrown out of her house on to the streets ‘The woman on that poster, half- naked, selling socks and shoes- No, no, I am not that woman’ Overall I think that she is talking about her long gone past and that she is a beggar woman at the present time. She doesn’t want to tell anyone because she is too ashamed of herself and keeps on saying ‘I am not that woman selling you socks and shoes’ which again uses repetition.

Friday, January 3, 2020

The Factors Of Teenage Pregnancy - 1558 Words

Teenage pregnancy is normally identified as a deprived life choice, for example, tasks of teenage parenting have long-term impact on the mental health of the mother and children (Statistics New Zealand, 2003). It is important to identify the socioeconomic factors of teenage pregnancy to lower the chances of mental health problems in young mothers. In this paper the aim is to analyse the main socioeconomic factors of teenage pregnancy and discuss how it affects the mental health of an adolescent mother in New Zealand. This essay will commence by identifying how a lack of education is considered as a socioeconomic factor associated with teenage pregnancy, followed by the second theme which will consist of economic circumstances such as, parental unemployment and welfare dependency. Lastly, this essay will discuss how deficiency of support from family and friends leads to unstable relationships, which has a huge impact on a teenage mother’s mental health. A lack of education is o ne of the main socioeconomic factors which impact the mental health of an adolescent mother. Studies show a number of negative outcomes that are linked with dropping out of school at an early age. For example, youth that tends to gain fewer educational qualifications are more likely to be in unstable relationships resulting in a lack of knowledge regarding contraceptive use which leaves them to deal with economic circumstances (Breheny Stephens, 2008; Friesen, Woodward, Fergusson, Horwood, Show MoreRelatedThe Socio Economic Factors Of Teenage Pregnancy1517 Words   |  7 PagesTeenage pregnancy is normally identified as deprived life choice, for example, tasks of teenage parenting have long-term impact on the mental health of the mother and children (Statistics New Zealand, 2003). It is important to identify the socio economic factors of teenage pregnancy to lower the chances of mental health problems in young mothers. In this paper the aim is to analyse the main socio economic fa ctors of teenage pregnancy and discuss how it affects the mental health of an adolescent motherRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy Essay1400 Words   |  6 Pagesadolescent fertility across nations has proven to be a major contributing factor to a cycle of dependency which deteriorates economic growth. Evidently, the younger generation represents the larger population of Belize and as suggested by a report, commissioned by the United Nations, Belize encompasses the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the Caribbean followed by Guyana and Jamaica. Based on the media perspective, teenage pregnancy is a rising issue in Belize that should be taken more seriously. It’sRead MoreHealth Education Reduction Of Teenage Pregnancy1647 Words   |  7 PagesHEALTH EDUCATION REDUCTION OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (2010-2015) Introduction Teenage pregnancy (known as under-18 conception) negatively affects the health and wellbeing of both the young mothers and their children. Early parenthood is prone to the risk of postnatal depression, poor health (including mental health), social exclusion and by the age of thirty (30) there are more likely to live in poverty, have limited education, career and economic prospect. There is high risk ofRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy : A Social Issue1551 Words   |  7 PagesTeenage pregnancy rates have been declining in the United States, but when compared to pregnancy rates in other industrial countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom they are still relatively high. (Office of Adolescent Health, 2016). Teenage pregnancy is defined by UNICEF, as an adolescent between the ages of thirteen to nineteen becoming pregnant. (UNICEF Malaysia Communications). Teenage pregnancy is viewed as a social issue because of the way it affects a country’s economy, the mother andRead MoreEssay on British Pregnancy and Condoms799 Words   |  4 Pages The number of pregnancies across England and Wales, conceptions compared with 896,466 in 2009. An increase of this group with the exception of women aged under twenty. The teenage pregnancy rate in England and Wales has reached its lowest level since 1969,men and women of these countries hold a similar opinion, â€Å" Family may also be valued more highly during to be out of work, they may have more time to spend on a child due to financial concerns cause by recession.† According to most of BritainRead MoreThe Effect Of Teenage Pregnancy On Children1636 Words   |  7 PagesThis study examined the effect of teenage pregnancy on children by exploring the results of an ADHD survey, ASRS-v1.1. The study sampled 100 kindergarten students, 50 had teenage mothers and 50 had mothers who gave birth during adulthood. A quantitative research method was utilized along with the difference-oriented research strategy approach. The independent variable is identified as the age of pregnancy and the two variant levels are: pregnant teens, ages 13-19, and pregnant women in adulthoodRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy Essay772 Words   |  4 Pagesadverse childhood experiences create risk factors that can impact teenage pregnancy? The answer is multifaceted and complex, but an important consequence of teenage pregnancy is to the baby itself. Children of teenage mothers have more health issues, are more likely to be abused, be less educated, and more likely to become crim inals (Hillis, et al., 2004, p. 2). Moreover, because teenage mothers are poorer and have less emotional support, children of teenage mothers are more likely to be abused bothRead MoreEssay about Sample Research Proposal on Teenage Pregnancy1172 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Sample Research Proposal on Teenage Pregnancy    Introduction This research proposal implies on teenage pregnancy and its effect on academic progression. There will be association between teenage pregnancy and academic progression places evidence that education should put weight on reality adhering to teenage pregnancy. Understanding teenage pregnancy within UK context is adamant to the purpose of study. Thus, the expectation that teenage pregnancy will be reduced by proper academic programsRead MoreThe Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy1720 Words   |  7 Pages Like Amy and Loeber (2009), when it comes to the ecological paradigm of teenage pregnancy, Corcoran, Franklin, and Bennett (2000) also believe one’s socioeconomic status is a huge factor that contributes to this problem. A person’s socioeconomic status a lot of times determines â€Å"education, expanded family size, single-parent household structure, and lessened resources in terms of employment and income.† These three authors claim that educational performance and goals â€Å"dictate the potential costsRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy Is A Public Health Issue1637 Words   |  7 PagesTeenage birth rates, defined as live births per one thousand 15-19-year-old US females, declined by 10% from 2012 to 2013 from 29.4 to 26.5. In fact, the birth rate has been on a steady decline over the past 20 years, from 61.8 in 1991 to 26.5 in 2013. Teenage pregnancy represents both a health and social inequality in our society. Specifically, teenage childbearing is a public healt h issue because teenage mothers are more likely to experience negative social outcomes such as dropping out of school