Describe the influence of biological studies on our understanding of Essay

Describe the influence of biological studies on our understanding of personality - Essay Example This essay considers the biological basis of personality through an examination of the major structural frameworks, as well as genetic factors. Behaviorism contends that all personality is a biologically rooted in experience. Behavioral therapy contends that since behavior is learned through such experience, it can similarly be unlearned. The behaviorist therapeutic approach then functions by examining specifically the individual behaviors of the patient, identifying instances that might be problematic, and then developing means of correcting these behaviors through objective goal setting. It is predominantly rooted in the theories of B.F. Skinner who identified this process of learned behavior as classical conditioning, and outlined a number of means that such behavior can be reinforced and altered through stimulus and reward. (George & Cristiani 1995) The behavioral approach identifies psychic problems as rooted in experience and action. The behavioral model understands human actio ns as in part an element out of conscious control. While the behaviorists aren’t reliant on unconscious impulses that motivate human action, they acknowledge that merely consciously acknowledging that one has a problem is not enough to fix it. Instead, the behavioral model encourages reinforcement techniques designed to condition the mind and impulses to adopt more rational and functional behavior. As the behavioral model is rooted in the highly testable scientific foundations that B.F. Skinner outlines, it has the benefit of objectivity where other therapeutic processes, namely psychodynamic, have been deemed pseudo-science. For example, when attempting to treat insomnia the psychodynamic would focus on the unconscious problems underlining the occurrences, whereas the behavioral therapeutic model would attempt to modify the behavior of sleeplessness. Specific behavior approaches to insomnia has incorporated implementing conscious relaxation (Jacobson in Cormier & Hackney 199 3), as well as positive visualization, where the client envisions instances that put them in past sleep inducing states. Such techniques have documented effectiveness and have been determined to lower oxygen use, and decrease heart rate and blood pressure (American Medical Association 1996). One can also consider the positive outcome the behavioral model could have when implemented to counter-attack addictive behavior, such as drug abuse or alcoholism, and realize that merely cognitively acknowledging that one has a drug abuse problem is not enough to prevent one from using drugs. In these instances, the direct connection between behavior and the individual’s problems is clearly distinguishable. Another example would consider the individual’s aggressive behavior patterns. While in some instances these patterns may be deemed socially beneficial, oftentimes such behavior patters are not conducive to adequate social functioning. In these instances, the individual’s biological rooted nature can function to behaviorally alter these behavior patterns. In these respects, through behavioral condition the individual’s neurological programming is altered so that the aggressive behavior is curbed to more functional states of existence. It’s this malleability of the human brain that is essential to understanding the biological basis of behavioral thought, and attests to this crucial element of human personality

Change mangement Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Change mangement - Case Study Example This identified the country among the best countries with air airline facilities until after the Second World War. Airline industry in the country started operating in the year 1910 and offered diversified services such as transporting passengers, commodities, parcels and even medical supplies. Development in the industry however begun with construction of aircraft models in the late 19th century but the models were only constructed in the 20th century and approved in the year 1909 before the first flight occurred in the year 1910. Military application of airlines followed two years later and the services were used in many European countries. A number of aviation colleges were also established in the same decade. In the following decade, flight trials were conducted across international airlines before diversified airline services were offered. The country’s airline industry has however continued to experience changes in its internal and external environments to warrant notabl e changes. Qantas is one of the significant developments in the industry (Australian Government, 2008). Competition within the industry is partially regulated by the country’s political environment. The Trade Practice Act is an example. The industry however allows for market forces’ effects, in competition, such as â€Å"predatory pricing† that offers large firms an advantage over small firms in the industry (Parliament of Australia, n.d., p. 1). The industry’s competitive environment has also shifted from its previous duopoly system to a competitive market system. Some of the major players are Qantas, virgin Blue, and Ansett group among others and the firms use product differentiation as the major tool to attracting and retaining their customers. Qantas however remains the largest controller of the industry’s market in Australia (Parliament of Australia, n.d.). Qantas, one of the major players in the Australian airline industry, has a rich history that extends