Global Warming- is a process of rising tempatures and explained to be occuring as a result of contaminants that are contributing to the thinning of the Ozone Layer. The ozone layer is a natutally occuring shield that prevents us from burning from the Suns heat and is essential in maintaining the Earth’s equilibrium. Certain types of pollution are argued to be accelerating the problem. Scientist predict that unless we reduce Ozone thinning pollutants or develop a way to help counter the negative effects, that global temperatures will continue to rise. It has been estimated that a few degree change could drastically speed the melting of Ice caps in the North Pole and change the coastlines and bread basket which in turn will impact population and species movements and conditions. While the exact sequence, intensity, and speed of the change is uncertain, it is fair to say that taking actions to prepare and minimize the harmful impacts to the thinning Ozone are in our interests. While the U.S. has taken some measures to institute controls such as the adoption of the Clean Air Act (1970) and reduce the production of certain types of pollution, the problem rests with enforcement, raising the awareness of producers and consumers globally, and defining and banning most classes of pollutants that are largely unnecessary hazards that contribute to environmental illnesses, and crises such as extinction. * See National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Union of Concerned Scientists, EarthWatch Institute, EarthSave Foundation, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Nuclear Information Resource Service and Rainforest Action Network for more information.
Galton F. suggested the higher the sensory function the higher the intelligence, but that premise is challenged by Gorias 55 B.C. “The senses are notorius liars and Bogner. S. “people are error prone 2004.” . *See Gardner, H. Multiple intelligences. Mayrhauser (1989 p.61) defines intelligence in terms such as judgement, quickness, accuracy- the characteristics needed to perform a job well. Binet, A suggested assessment of memory, attention, imagination, and comprehension would provide a better measure of intelligence. Einstien suggested intelligence derives from diversity and that differences should not only be tolerated, but be celebrated. While some aspects of intelligence are consciously expressed, intelligence can have negative or positive known and unknown results depending on how it operates, or is applied. If leadership considerations involve the ability to make reasonable decisions and responses in a time of crisis as suggested by Walter Dill Scott ( ), judgement or the quality of discriminations are not only a reflection of intelligence, but indications of readiness and adaptability.
Constructive empowerment- Constructive empowerment requires an evaluation of tools, clear operational definitions, and verifiable outcomes. When an individual exceeds in the ability to care for oneself and is able and willing to direct resources to help others directly or indirectly, empowerment is evident. The end product of constructive empowerment is positive. Methods used for attaining positive results in constructive empowerment processes are the least harmful ones available. Constructive empowerment= thriving. Constructive empowerment is learned. Empowerment needs opportunity, will and practice to be successful.
B.F. Skinner, and Dr. Van Potter were instrumental in introducing Bio-Ethics as a serious interdisciplinary field of study. Ethology is the science of character formation in human behavior and personality the
Life depends upon a continuum of harmony and is subject to constant flux. From apparent motions of the stars in the distance, the universe and everything in it is in motion-- the rivers, the earth, the seasons, the growth and decay of life -all seem to confirm this state of constant change. Learning to work in harmony with natural motions, forces and elements while maintaining a balance individually is pertinent to issues raised here concerning the quality of life. The practice and understanding of how to apply knowledge to achieve sustainable goals is essential to personal and global affairs. Observations show that life as a whole system, is undergoing some tremendous consequences that stem from the impacts of our individual and collective behaviors such as global warming, deforestation and war. In reviewing the history of slavery, toxic waste, the concentration of wealth, 3 mile island, Easter Island, the Chenobyl disaster, the Crusades, the conquest of the Americas, witch hunts, hate crimes and common unfair discriminations the question is not if we shall act, but how, when, and to what effect.
Is striving for progress a necessity or an instinctual part of human nature or are such assumptions the bi-product of the creative wishes of visionary thinkers?
While it is a part of some peoples nature to be caring and empathic, those skills are lacking in others. The capacity or ability to possess empathy and positive self-esteem is partially biologically determined and partially socially reinforced because both self esteem and empathy are reliant on cognitive function including sociological influences such as adapting to cultural norms and peer-pressure. Empathy and self-esteem are strong indicators of health. Just as health status and lifestyles are indicators of predictable behavior.
An Educators Role
The role of the educator is to provide methods to help the individual learner define and meet his or her own interests or needs and assist in the exploration and assessment process to help the person fit into or create an industrious nitch. Helping the individual balance between the ideal and the practical in meeting the realistic needs of themselves and the society in which they live, is a duty all educators and primary caregivers face.
Instilling values that encourage sharing, equality, mutual respect and appreciation for the diversity of life will help combat hoarding, inequality, supreme-ism and wasteful and or destructive behaviors.
The attitudes of being willing, open or flexible, and the ability to cope with fear are crucial to growth through learning. Presenting critical information in ways audiences can better cope with is essential to reducing barriers and maximizing understanding. For example, if you shock someone with information, a person could resort to denial or flee the situation in an effort to preserve themselves. Confronting your own beliefs and shifting is sometimes an uncomfortable process. However, an education that does not empower students with
the necessary skills to evaluate and respond to the changing world around them is grossly inadequate. Thus, critical thinking skills versus route memory learning should be emphasized.
Bio-ethics: Defining Successful Behaviors
Being successful and having a supportive environment are dependent upon one another. Successful people impact their community in positive ways. Being productive in industry and engaging in nonviolent interests and social activities are essential indicators of being healthy and successful.
Sustainable Ethics aim to empower individuals with skills that improve informed risk taking and advance optimal mental and physical health opportunities. The cause/effect relationship of modeling sustainable ethics and/or behavior is pertinent to creating a more harmonized and sustainable world (Van Potter.)
The danger of ethics is that they can be designed to sustain even the most corrupt agendas and the developers are usually convinced they are correct despite resistance or evidences presented that shows the falsehoods of their claims. This is one reason why science developed as a checks and balance system to address tyrrany and hearsay.
Modeling and Behavior
Psychologists Dr. Carl Rogers and others before him may have been overly generous and hopeful to assume people generally strive to improve. In any given moment multiple variables act on an individual to influence his or her thinking and selective behaviors, which can be positive, negative, or a mixture through the process. However, having positive goals and providing opportunities for people to make practical plans and formulate or adopt healthy purposes and outcomes is important to encourage because goals that don’t account for social environment or personal capacities are impractical and are a common reason for failure. Taking into account that young people are often asked or expected to project into the future, there are situations when being imaginative and unrealistic and even failing is appropriate.
Informed, rational, goal setting and decision making, when it is possible, can facilitate better selections. Mentors can help establish practical and achievable milestones likely to increase self-esteem, which is partially determined by the accomplishment of tangible goals and adequate social support. Planning can help reduce failing and aid skill development. Planning and design (Der Ryn & Cowan, 1996) to advance long and short term well-being are crucial steps in the prevention of harm, identification of need, or readiness for meeting the critical needs of life. * See Exhibit B Life-Planning chart.
Behavior Modification as a Solution
Destructive uses of power or energy can be observed, explained, prevented, or modified thanks to more objective tools for analysis, raising awareness, innovation, and timely and effective interventions.
Healthy individual and social development is re-enforceable and observable (Maag on Skinner, 1999). Expanding one’s awareness of choices can potentially channel destructive human behavior into more productive outlets.
The factors listed here influence behavioral responses which can help or hinder adaptation or optimal development. Those factors include; awareness, associations from prior experiences and attitudes that impact learning, selective attention and memory function, adaptive skills including stress coping styles, primary needs (perceived or not) rate, intensity, frequency and type of stimuli, personal beliefs, and decision-making skills, and biological determinants such as nutrients, or toxins.
On Empowerment
In the U.S. enviroment, location and socio-economic status- are common denominators that impact the quality of life and opportunities for skill development or job placement. The methods of increasing ability, or maximizing the development of potentials is impacted by bio-status, social opportunity and pressures and personality traits, such as attitudes or social expectations and self-motivations. However, individual intelligence capacities do exist and can be impeded or expanded by the quality of nurturing or care. It is also clear that the quality of intelligence changes as people age.
Recommendation: Good survival/ parenting skills are essential and should begin to be developed in the first years of high school due to high drop-out rates in the U.S. Social and personal wellness covering physical and mental health i.e drugs, nutrition, sexuality, exercise, and the impacts of caring or neglecting ourselves should be mandatory and regular. Where parental guidance is weak, such education could improve the welfare of students and or generally reinforce care providers.
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