The Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection - 1027 Words

Part A: Evolution of Polar Bears Introduction The theory of evolution by natural selection (Darwinism), first formulated in Darwin s book On the Origin of Species in 1859, is the process by which organisms change over time as a result of changes in heritable physical or behavioural traits. Changes that allow an organism to better adapt to its environment will help it survive and that have more offspring. The first three ideas were already under discussion among earlier and contemporaneous naturalists working on the â€Å"species problem† as Darwin began his research. Darwin’s first contributions were the mechanism of natural selection and numerous amounts of evidence for evolutionary change from many sources. He also provided thoughtful explanations of the consequences of evolution for our understanding of the history of life and modern biological diversity. ïÆ'Ëœ Species (populations of interbreeding organisms) change over time and space. The representatives of species living today differ from those that lived in the recent past, and populations in different geographic regions today differ slightly in form or behaviour (Evolution Berkeley) ïÆ'Ëœ All organisms share common ancestors with other organisms. Over time, populations may divide into different species, which share a common ancestral population. Far enough back in time, any pair of organisms shares a common ancestor. (Evolution Berkeley) ïÆ'Ëœ Evolutionary change is gradual and slow in Darwin’s view. This claim wasShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection1329 Words   |  6 PagesThe theory of evolution by natural selection proposes that all species are related (Eade, S. and profile, V. 2014). There is estimated to be between 6 million and 100 million different species in the world, with more species undiscovered than those discovered; this is all owing to the concept of evolution (Borenstein, S. 2014). Evolution is defined as the â€Å"change in the characteristics of a species over many generations (Linstead, 2012).† The most widely accepted theory of evolution is natural selectionRead MoreNatural Selection And The Theory Of Evolution1536 Words   |  7 PagesNatural selection and The Theory of Evolution were just two of the things that Charles Darwin conquered through the exploration of The Galapagos Island. Darwin was born on February 12, 1809, in Shrewsbury, England. While Darwin was still in high school, his main interest was nature, he was especially interested in beetles. Darwin’s father, Robert Darwin, who was best known as the father of the naturalist Charles Darwin, wanted Charles to become a doctor. Due to lack on interest in the medicine fieldRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection965 Words   |  4 Pages The beginning of life on earth was always thought out as Gods creation and evolution was just a mystery in itself. Many people have always been interested in their origins and have found explanations using evidence that validates the story, but where is the proof? In 1859 a man by the name of Charles Darwin wrote a novel called the Origin of Species basically expressing the theory of evolution by natural selection. An extremely complicated story, but a very effective explanation of life as weRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection1726 Wo rds   |  7 PagesDiscussing Darwinian and Modern Evidence in Support to The Theory of Evolution by Natural selection Evolution is the gradual development of life on Earth. It is responsible for the unusual carnivorous plants (species such as Dionaea muscipula), the beautiful coloured plume of the male peacock, even the possibility of cells adapting to protect against continual low exposure to radiation (Russo, GL. et al 2012). Without it, the lavish diversity of organic life we interact with every day would be non-existentRead MoreTheory Of Evolution By Natural Selection896 Words   |  4 PagesSummary Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. According to history, Charles Darwin is the first scientist to frame the theory of evolution by natural selection. It was publish in his book title On the Origin of Species 1859†. Darwin express the theory of evolution by natural selection as a process by which species change over a period of time. This change take place because of the changes in genetic and behavioral traits. The ability of the organisms to change over time or adjust to fit environmentalRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection926 Words   |  4 Pages Charles Darwin was the creator of Darwinism which is, â€Å"the theory of evolution by natural selection† (Junker 1). In school we are often taught that natural selection is survival of the fittest or the strongest wins. What seems to be a simple topic is actually one of the leading theories on the side of evolution in the highly controversial debate on Darwinism vs. Creationism. Darwinism states that certain genes in a population change thro ugh individuals. These â€Å"strong† genes are then produced moreRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection1692 Words   |  7 PagesDarwinian Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection Background information Even though evolution is an ancient concept, Charles Darwin brought up a new idea focusing on naturalistic modification of a population over time. He believed that species differ over time and space. In other words, after a period of time creatures undergo genetic mutations in their genetic code in which the beneficial mutations are preserved and the disadvantage mutations are eliminated. This concept he termed as natural selectionRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection Essay1774 Words   |  8 Pagesinvariance and stability. Darwinism rejects all supernatural phenomena and causations. The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the adaptedness and diversity of the world solely materialistically. It no longer requires God as the creator or designer .Darwin pointed out that creation, as described in the bible and the origin accounts of other cultures, was contradicted by almost any aspect of the natural world. Randolph M. Nesse George C. Williams. Mayr believed that Lamarck did not holdRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection1692 Words   |  7 PagesDarwinian Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection Background information Even though evolution is an ancient concept, Charles Darwin brought up a new idea focusing on naturalistic modification of a population over time. He believed that species differ over time and space. In other words, after a period of time creatures undergo genetic mutations in their genetic code in which the beneficial mutations are preserved and the disadvantage mutations are eliminated. This concept he termed as natural selectionRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection1486 Words   |  6 Pagesexplain the evolution of the word, where you may or may not find altruistic behaviours and most importantly it’s like to evolutionary theory. Evolutionary theory was developed by Charles Darwin and documented in his book ‘On the Origin of Species’ (1859). In it’s most simplistic terms it explains how and why animals, including humans, have changed and evolved over time to become the way they are. One of his more well known and supported theories illustrated in his book is the theory of evolution by natural

The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe - 854 Words

â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† was written by Edgar Allan Poe and was published in 1846. In the short story the narrator, Montresor, executes his friend Fortunato because he feels like he insulted him. For this, he seeks revenge. Fortunato is known to be very knowledgeable about all types of wine. Montresor uses this to his advantage to take him down to his family crypt during the carnival celebration. He tells him that he has a unique wine, and believes it is an Amontillado. After Montresor and Fortunato go deeper and deeper into the crypt, Montresor chains Fortunato and builds a wall around him. At first Fortunato thinks it is a joke, but he soon realizes that he will be dying in the crypt. Montresor goes on to boast about his crime and how he has never been caught. This shows that Montresor is a sinister, mentally insane, and a narcissist. Throughout the short story, Montresor appears to be murderous and mentally insane. As Montresor continues to tell his story, the reader learns that Montresor is not only a murder and insane, but he is a narcissist as well. Montresor displays the characteristics for this to be true. When Montresor decided to take revenge on Fortunato, he was persistent in doing it himself for his own satisfaction. As his plan began to go along perfectly, he was very pleased with himself. In addition, the cause for Montresor’s revenge plan was because of an insult. The death of Fortunato was not justifiable by his actions. It was merely a prize for MontresorShow MoreRelatedThe Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe888 Words   |  4 PagesThe Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe In ?The Cask of Amontillado?, Edgar Allan Poe takes us on a trip into the mind of a mad man. Poe uses certain elements to convey an emotional impact. He utilizes irony, descriptive detail of setting, and dark character traits to create the search of sinful deceit. Poe also uses first person, where the narrator is the protagonist who is deeply involved. The purpose is to get the reader to no longer be the observer. He wants them to see with MontressorRead MoreThe Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe836 Words   |  3 Pagesqualities in the story. In the story many things are used as symbols such as the actual cask of amontillado, the trowel, the jester costume and the setting in which there is two in the story. Another literary technique used significantly in the story is irony. Irony is the expression of ones meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite. In the short story â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† Montresor a very troubled man who plans to seek revenge on another man named FortunatoRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe And The Cask Of Amontillado1384 Words   |  6 PagesWhat makes Edgar Allan Poe work unique? Other than being a strange individual, Poe has become a remarkable literature writer. The Raven, Annabel Lee, and The Cask of Amontillado are just a few of Poe’s work that staples the theme of gothic literature. This essay will allow you to see the gothic elements Edgar Allan Poe uses through his most common poems. Gothic literature has many elements which play into its definition. The actual definition is a style of writing that is characterized by elementsRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe906 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† was written in 1846, by Edgar Allan Poe. Born in 1809, Poe never knew any of his parents. At the age of three, his mother died of tuberculosis, and his father deserted the family before he was born. Taking care of him was his foster parents in Richmond, Virginia. They loved Poe, but were not supportive of his decisions and kept Poe poor. Having debt and not being able to provide food and clothes for himself caused Poe to quit school. Later, heRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe920 Words   |  4 Pageswhen that trust no longer exists? In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† written by Edgar Allan Poe, Fortunato is about to find the answer to this question. On the surface, Montresor seems friendly with Fortunato, but deep down he feels nothing but hate for him. Could this hatred have an irrationality that only Montresor understands? In different ways, both of these men are proud and affluent, yet both have downfalls that will l ead to a tragic ending. Edgar Allan Poe’s use of language contributes to the understandingRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe1555 Words   |  7 PagesIn his writing, Edgar Allan Poe has multiple uses of direct and indirect characterization. In The Cask of Amontillado, Montresor had rules such as â€Å"I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong† (Poe, 2). Poe used indirect characterization to show the reader that Montresor is an unreliable narrator because he justified hisRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe1303 Words   |  6 PagesIn Edgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† the narrator recalls an extremely significant time in his life, and takes the reader along with him. Throughout the story, one experiences a perfectly planned murder which took place over fifty years ago, and still no one has discovered what truly happened to poor Fortunato as he was chained to a wall in a room that was then closed off, and torched to death due to all the nitre in the walls. As the story goes on, the reader can see some of Poe’s unfortunateRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe1076 Words   |  5 PagesThe short story, The Cask of Amontillado, written by Edgar Allan Poe is a story of terror and betrayal. Like many of Poe’s literary works, the story has a dark undertone with a theme of terror and depression. More than half a century ago, Marshall McLuhan argued that though Poe was fascinated by evil, the evil that he had in mind was not that of Calvinism, but that of the split man and the split civilization. In general, McLuhan was right, but in this instance Calvinism, and its God, provided a darkRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe707 Words   |  3 PagesIn the short story of The Ca sk of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe writes in first person point of view from the perspective of Montresor who seeks revenge against Fortunato. Montresor began to develop the perfect plan for revenge. During the carnival season, Montresor meets with Fortunato and decides to implement his plan carefully through irony. Poe s story describes the murderer s mind which has lived as a memory of Fortunato s death for fifty years. Poe uses different types of irony and symbolismRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe985 Words   |  4 PagesEdgar Allen Poe is a well known author of short stories and poetry from the 19th century. He is known especially for his stories of horror and suspense. The Cask of Amontillado is one of his more famous pieces. The story follows the narrator, Montresor, as he exacts revenge on Fortunato. Montressor draws Fortunato into the wine cellar where eventually he chains Fortunato to the wall and encloses him inside it. Throughout the story the narrator continually proves that he is not the most reliable source

Globalization and Natural Resources Development for Governance

Question: Discuss about theGlobalization and Natural Resources Development for Governance. Answer: Project Title The impacts of globalization and natural resources development on the Singapore communities. Date of application 30th September 2017 Short title The impacts of global developments on Singapore communities. Project summary The broad objective of the project is to identify impacts of the globalization and natural resources development on the Asian-Pacific (Singapore) communities. To find out the influences of the globalization policies and processes on the communities cultures and social life. To identify the role of anthropology on globalization. To find out the theoretical and the ideological issues on globalization. Globalization has positive impacts on these communities as they have economically developed. There is industrialization, urbanization, development of infrastructure. With all this health and quality of life has been improved. Poverty eradication has been done. All this benefits has come with repercussions. There is a lot of environmental pollution. This raises an alarm as sustainability development is being threatened. There has been a lot of developing insecurities/ warfare in the communities. Project period Intended start date 1st January 2018 Intended end date 1st May 2018 Research alignment and James Cook University Strategic limit No Research Aims Alignment explanation 1 Acquire the ability to assess the sociocultural impacts of the processes and policies which are associated with natural resource development and globalization. There has been a lot of changes since globalization started. The sociocultural aspect has adversely been affected. The life and work of people has been affected. The families and societies setting. The social justice has changes a lot. It is viewed as a way of having equality, solidarity, values and respect to both human rights and dignity. The culture has changed. The language, norms, dressing, foods. All this has changed as a result of advances on technology. 2 Acquire the ability to have critical evaluations on case studies from the Asia-pacific regions pertaining developmental issues and the engagement of the community. To find out globalization and natural resources development state in Asia-Pacific (Singapore) regions. How developed are these communities. 3 Identify the key ideological issues and theoretical issues concerning development. The current state of development in Singapore, what are the ideological and the theoretical issues behind it. 4 Acquire a broad understanding of the contemporary anthropology in relation to the development issues and the Singapore context Analyze and establish a relationship between the anthropology of the Singapore communities and their past and present development. Research Training and Experience Subject/project Type of training James Cook University, AN1001: An introduction to Anthropology The basics on the cultural and social anthropology. The anthropological methods of research and ideas. With this knowledge I will be able to get information on the influence of anthropology on globalization and its effects on the social and culture of the Asia-Pacific. James Cook University AN3100: Asian cities Have been impacted with the knowledge on the Asian cities. Its development, urbanization, infrastructure, pollution. With this it is possible to assess the impacts of the above on the communities. James Cook University, AN3006: Anthropology and development. With this I have a better understanding of the globalization. The research is all about the impacts of globalization on the Singapore regions. A member of green forest This is an environmental friendly association that tries to curb environmental pollution. Globalization is a major cause of environmental pollution and it is discussed on every meeting. With this I already have information on the impacts of globalization on the environment. Residents in Singapore This gives me an added advantage as I have firsthand information on the globalization and its impacts. Attends in James Cook University It is a university in Asia-pacific region. It is a center for research. I have been a participant in researches that are closely related to this one. This will make my work easy. I already have the baseline information. Applicants Name Signature Date Project title: The impacts of globalization and natural resources on the Singapore communities. Research project. Introduction and background Singapore Department of statistics, (2013), Singapore is one of the tropical state cities in the South East of the Asian Regions. Malay, Indians, Chinese, Eurasian and others makes the population of Singapore. It is a multicultural and diverse community. Globalization guide, (2012), Globalization is a process in which there is integration and interaction among people, governments, and companies of different nations. This interaction is brought about by international investments, trade. It is facilitated by information technology. This globalization has effects on culture, environment, economic development, political systems, prosperity and the human-physical well-being. Singapore is a highly developed in the sector of economy and politics. Singapore is number two in the Youngs and Ernst Globalization Index (2012). Hong Kong is leading and the third country is Ireland. With globalization, Singapore, has been able to attain growth in its economy by have an increase in international tra de. There has been a huge amount in the foreign direct investment (FDI). This has helped Singapore to be able to achieve its potentials in the economic growth. It has also benefited on labor influx. It has an access of laborers across the international borders. It has been able to import labor. This has increased on its production. With globalization Singapore has been able to keep the inflations low. It imports her raw materials making production cost low which translates to low prices in the market. Globalization has ensured there is low unemployment (Bergh and Nilsson 2014). This affects the way of living of the community. There are negative impacts on the economy for example: vulnerability to external stocks, competition, employment woes, and inflations. It has an impact on the socio-culture of this communities. The influences on their lifestyles, education and interactions. There being westernized. Background Singapore was a small village whose economic activity was fishing. It has developed over the last two decades. It has developed socially, politically and economically (Amaldas, 2009). With globalization it has led to rapid changes in financial flows, trade relations and morbidity of labor in the whole world. Globalization has propounded effects on the sociocultural in Singapore. This research aims at finding out the impacts of globalization in Singapore. Literature review Chien-chiang, (2015), in most of the previous works globalization focused on the economic developments/impacts. This study was different as it viewed globalization in three sub dimensions; the social, economic and the political integrations. Mah, (2013) expounds that according to economist globalization is sword that is double wedged. It has positive and negative impacts on the economy. Low autocracy (high democracy) had a positive effect on the economic development. The government should formulate policies that supports globalization. Sunyoung, et al (2016). The study explains how modernization has influenced and brought about culture change among the Northeast Thailand people. Over 10 million of the population living in Southern Vietnam and Northeast Thailand were infected with a fish borne parasite. This was as a result of eating raw or undercooked fish. This was a longstanding culture among the communities. With modernization, it led to formulation of new policies and practices this has led to correction of the beliefs on the cyprinid fish which is usually infected. The fishermen distributes other species of fish which are less likely to be infected. Jharathri and Shermaine, (2015) the ecosystem is an important framework that is useful when assessing and conserving the habitats that are at a threat. The cultural ecosystem is the benefits a community gets from nature. For example recreation, spiritual enrichment, education, inspiration, aesthetic experiences and cultural ecosystem (MEA 2005; Hernandez-Morcillo et al., 2013). To have an understanding on the cultural ecosystem, one has to have understood the actions and perceptions that the local people holds (Bryan et al., 2010; Plieninger et al., 2013; Pleasant et al., 2014). The cultural values are not static. People experiences and utilizes the habitats in different was as they degrade and convert (Selim et al., 2014). Singapore had a lot of changes on its cultural ecosystem as it transformed from the rural to urban. The urbanization as a result of globalization. Mangrove forests were aesthetic, spiritual and recreational habitats for the communities. Due to tourism this has rea lly changed. The mangrove are part of national parks. Public interaction is restricted. Significance and innovation Most of the research done on the impacts of globalization focused on economic development. The positive and negative impacts of globalization on the economy. This study targets to find out the impacts of globalization and natural resource development on Singapore. In this study it will focus on the political, economic and socio-cultural aspects that globalization has affected. This study/project is important as it can be used in policy formulations. It is also important as it can be used in coming up with strategies on cultural conservation. The findings will not only reflect the information about Singapore but can be used by the Asian-Pacific region. Approach Research objectives The broad objective is to find out the impacts of globalization and natural resource development on the Singapore community. The specific objectives are: to assess the influence of globalization on the socio-culture of the Singapore community. To determine the ideologies and the theoretical issues revolving around development. To evaluate contemporary anthropology on the issue of development in Singapore. All this should be evaluated in 2018. 1st January to 1st May 2018. Participants The participants will be residents in Singapore. Preferably Students at James Cook University. This is the easiest sample to access as they are in one collective area. It is also easier to approach the population. They also have knowledge on globalization there the survey will not be a new subject. Researchers Considering the size of the population to be evaluated. I will recruit one more researcher to aid me in data collection and data evaluation/ result analysis. The researcher has to be informed on the issues pertaining globalization. Have experience and knowledge on anthropology and research. Research methodology This is a very basic research that will apply the phenomenological experiences of the respondents on the problem statement. It will utilize both questionnaires, focus group discussion and interviews. The questionnaires will have both open ended questions and close ended questions. Open ended makes the bigger percentage. The interviews will be semi-structured with open ended questions. Communication of results The results to the project is to be directed to the community itself, the government and the non-governmental organizations (NGOs). For this to be possible I will publish the result for it to circulate as an electronic article. I will also ensure it gets to different social Medias so that it can reach the Singaporean public. There will be social awareness campaigns. The social media platforms will be of great help to create awareness. It will be spread on twitter and Facebook. There will be a video explaining the results that will be uploaded on you tube. Proposed Plan of Research Activities Timeline Project plan 2018 S. No Description January 1 2 3 4 February 1 2 3 4 March 1 2 3 4 April 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1. Phase 1 Gather the preconceived notions Survey the area Pilot the research and familiarize with target area. 1 2 3 Phase 2 Create awareness on the importance of the survey. Get the inclusion population To group the target population into three distinct groups. The ones to answer questions, ones to do the interviews and lastly the focus group discussions 1 2 Phase 3 The actual data collection via questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. 1 Phase 4 To analyze the study. 1 Phase 5 Presenting the end products (results). The actual dates for the article publication on the results of the project, the social media awareness and the exhibitions are to be confirmed. The article on this study is to be complied by the end of the end of May 2018. The exhibition of this study is to be done in July 2018. The media campaign on the awareness is targeted to start on by the end of 2018. Budget Item Cost (SGD) Printouts a) The printouts describing the study(200) b) The informed consents(200) $ 80 The audio recorders 100 Payment to the research assistant $400 Transport cost to the research centers $300 Creating awareness $300 Publishing the article $500 Risk Management The biggest and potential risk is lack of target population in the pool of James Cook University. This could be as a result of them being so busy hence cannot be committed to the study. If this happens an alternative population will be obtained. Probably the alumni or residents in Singapore. The second potential problem is lack of support by the school and the NGOs concern with impacts of globalization. Incase this happens alternative sources of support especially financially will be sorted. The participants identities will be concealed and also the social awareness campaign will be legal to avoid committing an offense. Conclusion With this study the finding will enlighten the community on the impacts of the globalization and natural resource development on their economy, politics and socio-cultural. There will be an understanding of the ideologies and theoretical issues on globalization. There will also be an explanation of the relationship between anthropology and development. With this, enlighten, the government can be able to formulate policies on how to preserve the culture of the community. How to ensure globalization does not affect its people social life negatively. Will be able come up with policies to ensure economic development is maintained. Will ensure politics affects globalization positively. References Aldershot, UK: Ashgate. Norris, P. (2011). Global governance cosmopolitan citizens. Governance in a globalizing world. pp. 155-177. Washington DC: Brookings Institution Press Bergh, A., and T. Nilsson. (2014). Is globalization reducing absolute poverty? World Development, 62, pp. 4261. Chang, C. P., and C. C Lee. (2010) Globalization and growth: A political economy analysis for OECD countries, Global Economic Review, 39(2), pp. 151173. Chang, C. P., and C. C. Lee. (2011). The effect of globalization and political party on economic growth: Panel data analysis of former communist countries and European OECD members, Eastern European Economics, 49(6), pp. 526. Chang, C. P., C. C. Lee, and M. C. Hsieh. (2011) Globalization, real output and multiple structural breaks, Global Economic Review, 40(4), pp. 421444 Christiansen, et al (2014). The relativity in perspective in the culture theories. University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Glencoe, I., Mlinar, Z. (2012). Individuation and globalization: The transformation of territorial social organization. Globalization and territorial identities. Ed 4. pp. 15-34. Globalization guide (2012). What is globalization? Retrieved September 30t , 2017 from https://www.globalizationguide.org Hernandez-Morcillo, M., (2013).An Empirical review of cultural ecosystem service indicators. Edition 29. Pg. 434-444 Jharyathri, T., et al., (2015). Histological and contemporary cultural ecosystem service values in the rapidly urbanizing city state of Singapore. Vol, 44(7) pg. 666-677 Mah, J. S. (2013) Globalization, decentralization and income inequality: The case of China, Economic Modelling, 31, pp. 653658. Merton, R. (2011). Social theory and social structure, (2nd ed.). Pleasant, M., (2014). Managing cultural ecosystem services. Ecosystem services. Vol. 8 pg. 141-147 Plieninger, T., et al., (2013). Assessing, mapping and quantifying cultural ecosystem services at a community level. Vol. 33 pg. 118-129 Selim, S., et al., (2014) Direct and indirect effects of climate and fishing on changes in the coastal ecosystem. Regional Environmental Change. Singapore Department of statistics, 2013. Singapore in brief. Sonyoung, C., et al., (2017). The role of the socio-cultural and economic factors in cyprinid fish distribution network and consumption in Northeast Thailand. Acta Tropica. Vol. 170, pg. 85-94 Vlad, R et al., (2017). The role of tourism in local economy development. Urbanism. Ed. 8(3) pg. 265-274

The Quest Essays - Social Psychology, Identity,

The Quest The Quest Introduction Adolescence is a period of life in which critical psychological and physiological changes occur. It is also the time when identity, ?a unified sense of self characterized by attitudes, beliefs, and ways of acting that are genuinely one's own ?(Insel, 1994), forms. The theory of Eric Erikson describes the psychological development of identity as a developmental stage in which ?individuals are faced with finding out who they are, what they are all about, and where they are going in life.?(Santrock, 1997) During this stage, adolescents are trying to find an answer to the question ?Who am I and making important life choices, such as career, intimate commitments, or morality. The identity formation period is very critical and it will affect the individual throughout the adulthood. ?If adolescent arrives at a positive path to follow in life, then a positive identity will be achieved; but if a positive future path is not defined, then identity confusion reigns.? (Santrock, 1997) Methods I interviewed a 13 year old girl from a well educated family. The interview was done in the privacy of her house in her own room and took about 40 minutes. During the interview, the teen was asked to answer a list of questions and encouraged to use as much details as possible. Each answer was carefully recorded and evaluated. The questions I asked her targeted fundamental self aspects that build the feeling of identity. The interview examined the following aspects: role experimentation, self certainty, peer relationships, family relationships, sexual orientation, career, and leadership. Results The girl I interviewed had a strong sense of uniqueness-she wants to be different and expresses herself colorfully. I found that appearance is very important, such as adoption of different fashions and ?in? hair styles. Girls are very conscious of how they look. While admitting that appearance is crucial, the teen made a point that ?maintaining a sense of confidence and self-esteem is important for your future.? Also, I was informed that it is substantial to ?try everything and put your butt here and there.? It appears that teenagers think they should experiment with smoking, drinking, sexual activity, and other ?adult's stuff.? In addition, the significance of the ?successful? role model, a father in this case, was emphasized. Furthermore, the teen stressed that she considers herself a ?very sociable individual who likes to mix with different groups.? She also feels that she is ?the woman of the 90s? and plans to depend on herself. She also claimed to possess some leadership qualiti es in her nature, which will become ?more and more evident as she will mature.? I also found that it is ?crucial? to have a sense of direction in one's own life. Together with that, she indicated that she feels that the involvement in the intimate relationship, ?having a boyfriend?, means ?a big deal? to her. She added that it is important to have ?someone to talk to and do stuff with.? Discussion Adolescents are obsessed with their looks and they are expected to do that because it is through these symbols, wearing the right clothes and having cool sunglasses, that their identities are formed. Adolescents are expected to view self-esteem as crucial; after all, it plays a big role in their quest for identity. As teenagers begin their quests for identity, they experiment with different roles, various social postures, and self-images (this is what Erikson would call a search for identity). Teens often feel that appearing mature will bring recognition and acceptance, so they begin to engage in behavior associated with adults, such as smoking, drinking, and sexual activity. Experimenting with different roles is expected in Erikson stage and having a role model is not uncommon. During the early adolescence, a role model is usually one of the parents. ( Insel, 1994) Teens often are very social at this stage and that is expected because socialization contributes a lot to a teen's sear ch for identity. Some teens have already developed a strong sense of self-worth and it is not uncommon, although it is not necessarily expected for them to develop a sense of self worth at such a young age. Today, the percentage of teens who engage in sexual activities is increasing every year together with the