Developmental theories Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Developmental theories - Term Paper Example Researchers assert that developmental theories give answers that open important ways or depths into human behaviors in studying causes of different experiences that human beings face. Developmental theories emanate from different schools of thought. From studies, there are various schools of thought that resulted to the developmental theories. They include Humanism, Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Gestalt. Piaget’s Cognitive Development theory handles matters of human thinking. According to Piaget, the difference between children’s and adult’s thinking is qualitative other than being quantitative, as some people may have thought. In this theory we get to know that development occurs in distinct observable and more so measurable stages. The theory enlightens us that developmental growth is not affected by experience. According to Piaget, development is viewed to be unidirectional (Fletcher, 2005). Furthermore, according to Kohlberg, the theory of morality has several stages which include preconventional, conventional, and post conventional. He states that the degree of responsibility goes, with age where in middle childhood, children perceive themselves to be responsible for others around them. To this end it is seen that the theories do not cover all possible areas of human development and as a result, sub-divisions like those of Kohlberg will help clarify so many issues or answers (Sigelman, 2011). From many researchers, it is evident that the developmental theories are not original and base their roots deep down in different schools of thought. These schools include Gestalt, Psychoanalysis, Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Humanism. Therefore, a few factors seem to have been put together to make up the theories in meeting the need to answer some of the questions or explain some experiences in human development (Fletcher, 2005). Research shows that the stages in developmental theories are accurate and

The Internet and assurance services Essay Example for Free

The Internet and assurance services Essay 1. 0 Introduction The Internet is the greatest business tool ever invented. Merchant, trading partners and Online retail shoppers can find greater selection, convenience, and lower prices on the Internet. Online businesses can reach millions of shoppers and business partners, provide 24 hours seven days a week of products and services, and better meet their customers individual needs. For these reasons, E-Commerce over the Internet has been growing. According to ActivMedia, e-commerce activity for 2000 will be $132 billion worldwide, which is twice as much as estimated for 1999. This figure includes revenues from B2C, B2B and Internet services. According to a study by eMarketer in April 2000, almost 34 million US households were actively using the Internet, and of that number 23. 5 million or 69% have made a purchase. (http://www. cpawebtrust. org/online. htm) However, despite the Internets many advantages and opportunities, it also raises some new risks for businesses and has some customers worried. The risks are fraud, poor sales conversion rates, detrimental effects of negative PR due to privacy breaches and security problems. A recent study by the Internet Fraud Complaint Centre (IFCC) showed that online auctions accounted for 48. 8% of fraud complaints. Non-delivery of goods ordered online came in second, at 19. 2%. Other top fraud complaints to the centre involved: securities and commodities (16. 9%), credit cards (4. 8%) and identity theft (2. 9%). The IFCC, which is jointly run by the FBI and the Justice Departments National White Collar Crime Centre, received an average of 1,000 complaints per week after opening in May 2000. (http://www. cpawebtrust. org/online. htm) In order to reduce risks, many technological solutions have been developed such as Firewalls, encryption, and digital signatures, etc. Despite these available solutions, most of Internet users still lack confidence in the medium. Therefore, third-party assurance service is needed to ensure secure transaction. 2. 0 The Third-Party Role of Assurance Service According to AICPA, Assurance Services are defined as independent professional services that improve the quality or context of information for decision-makers. Assurance services might involve any type of information. The goal of assurance services is information improvement, not the issuance of a report on it. (http://www. aicpa. org/assurance/about/comstud/defncom. htm) More in detail, AICPA has been categorised its assurance service into two areas. Those are integrity assurance systems and security assurance systems. According to the textbook (Greenstein, et. al. 2000), integrity assurance systems ensure that the data elements captured in an electronic transaction are the agreed upon elements, and the processing and storage procedures maintain the integrity of the data elements and do not alter them in any unauthorised fashion. Security assurance system ensures the authentication of the transacting parties, and that electronic data are protected from unauthorised disclosure. There are four areas that assurance service provider has to concern. Those are:   Security of data   Privacy of data   Business policy Transaction processing integrity Above categories are the most important area that the assurance service provider has to satisfy. And those will be applied to analyse travel. com. au. 3. 0 Difference and Similarity between B2B andB2C The web has evolved as a great medium for running business. Traditional B2B transaction used EDI, phone and fax for transaction. Also, B2C was just relied on bricks and mortar outlet. However, evolution of technology enables business entity to expand its business to new area, and provides more opportunities. Despite of Internets advantages for business entity, the risk has been arisen along with development of technology. According to recent survey of Computer Security Institute and the FBI, not surprisingly, computer-related crimes are up, as are the costs related to such crimes. This year, the survey included results from 538 respondents from a number of industries corporations, government agencies, financial institutions, and universities. This year, total losses, based on the 186 respondents willing to provide details on actual losses, totalled approximately US$378 million. Thats up from the US$265 million reported last year by 249 respondents. Based on this data, on average, each of the 186 companies lost more than US$2 million dollars in security breaches. (http://www. advisor. com/Articles. nsf/aid/HARTB15) In this section, similarity and differences existing between two models will be analysed. Based on the result of analysis, our assurance team provides desirable solution for B2B and B2C transaction B2C Perspective B2C is relationship is considered very vulnerable, because the party involved in transaction or interactions have no prior knowledge, they are completely strangers. Many risks involve during B2C transaction such as transmission of sensitive data (ie credit card number). In B2C e-commerce, the customers are the general public. Therefore, its transaction can be easily exposed. It is the one reason that consumers reluctant to shop over the Online. To decrease the risk and increase positive consumer perception, most of e-tailers employ security system, and state their privacy and security policy in its Web site. B2B Perspective B2B are interacting in more secure environment with respect to assurance of the electronic business environment. The nature of B2B e-commerce is that operator just interact with its business customer. Thus, the main concern for B2B is lying in their intellectual property. Many of the intellectual property are stored online in intangible form. Also many confidential information and trade secret is transmitted online. The reason they are safer is because B2B transactions are conducted usually through companies that have an existing relationship with each other or trading contractual agreements. So it can be said that they have mutual relationship. These existing relationships have evolved from the days of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to the fully functioning web sites on the World Wide Web or on company extranets. Due to evolution, the transaction has been completed within VAN (Value-Added Networks). Although, the evolution enable business entity to interact with its partner more efficient, the risk related in transaction has been increased.

Health Benefits Of Probiotics Biology Essay

Health Benefits Of Probiotics Biology Essay During the past two decades probiotic micro-organisms have been widely applied in different types of products either as pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements or foods. Among the latter group fermented dairy products such as probiotic yoghurt are becoming popular in the market and the range of such products continues to expand commercially (Manojlovi , Nedovi , Kailasapathy Zuidam, 2010). An increasing demand for probiotic functional foods is mainly due to the plenty of evidence that exists on the positive effects of probiotics on human health. Together with prebiotics, probiotics are often showed to be effective for the treatment or control of several diseases while the enhancement of the immune system and prevention of diarrhea are the main promising health benefits (Roberfroid, 2000). In developing functional dairy products with probiotics several aspects must be taken into consideration. The main issue is the functional characteristics of probiotics. In order to exert their proposed health effects probiotic bacteria should be present at a certain level in the products therefore; manufacturers must ensure their viability and survival under industrial conditions, during storage and into the final food products. Moreover probiotic bacteria must survive intestinal bile acids and withstand gastric pH of the gastrointestinal tract (Saarela, Mogensen, Fonden, Mà ¤ttà ¶ Mattila-Sandholm, 2000). A number of so-called probiotic yoghurt products are sold however studies have shown that very few meet the FAO/WHO guidelines and their viability is not guaranteed thus several microencapsulation techniques have been developed in order to retain the presence of these organisms into yoghurt matrix and the GI tract. Among these methods, spray coating and gel-particle technologie s are more often used (Champagne Fustier, 2007). Furthermore, a new technology called co-encapsulation which refers to encapsulation of both probiotic bacteria and prebiotics together has also shown to have potential in improving viability of probiotics in yoghurt. The overall objective of this presentation is to look at some of the common microencapsulation techniques that are used in production of probiotic yoghurt and to address some challenges in this high-tech method. Food Science mcgill logo.jpg 2. Probiotics: As defined by FAO and WHO Probiotics are: live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host (World Health Organization, 2001). This definition shows two significant characteristics of a probiotic product .The first one is that these products should contain live microorganisms and secondly the live microorganisms must be in an accurate amount to exert their health benefits (Yildez, 2009). Micro-organisms must have a number of characteristics before they can be considered as probiotics. These include the ability to survive the gastric acid and bile salts of the gastrointestinal tract, colonising in the intestinal mucosa, lack of pathogenicity and the capacity to exert a health improvement on the host. It is unlikely that any one probiotic strain possesses all of these characteristics however, some beneficial effect on human health must have been demonstrated (Tamime, 2005). Élie Metchnikoff was the first person who reported a correlation between the long life of the Bulgarian peasants and the consumption of fermented dairy products, he mainly related to lactic acid bacteria. Nowadays, the probiotic bacteria used in functional dairy products mainly belong to Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria genera (Heller, 2001). These bacteria have the ability to improve the microbial balance of the human gut, they antagonize pathogens by making antibacterial compounds and compete for pathogen binding. Their other functions are changing gut pH, simulating immunomodulatory cells and producing lactase (Kopp-Hoolihan, 2001). 2.1. Health Benefits of Probiotics: Probiotics have been at the forefront of the development of functional dairy products due to a wide range of desirable health benefits that they promote. Some of these health claims have been supported by research such as improving intestinal tract health, enhancing the immune system, synthesizing and enhancing the bioavailability of nutrients, reducing symptoms of lactose intolerance, decreasing the prevalence of allergy in susceptible individuals, and reducing risk of certain cancers (Kopp-Hoolihan, 2001; Virender Gill, 2009). Most of the current studies mainly focus on the following areas; inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBS and IBD), allergy and diarrhea. Food Science mcgill logo.jpg Table 1: Health benefits of probiotics established in human studies (Apajalahti, Bech Hansen, Friedrich, Schlothauer, Schmid Staudt, 2005) Health Benefits References Improvement of the immune system K Arunachalam et al.(2000), BL Chiang et.al. (2000) Prevention of allergies L Pelto et al. (1998),E.Isolauri et.al. (2000), M Kalliomaki et.al.(2001), M Kalliomaki et.al.(2003) Promotion of lactose digestion ME Sanders (2000) , P Marteau (2002) , M de Vrese et al. (2001) Regulation of gut mobility(constipation and irritable bowel syndrome) P Marteau et al.(2002), JA Madden et al. (2002) , AS Naidu et al.(1999) , C Koebnick et al. (2001) , T Ogata et al. (1997), M Seki et al.(1978) Protection against gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections M de Vrese (2002) , K Hatakka (2001) Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBS and IBD) P Marteau et al.(2002), JA Madden et al. (2002) ,Nobaek et al.(2000),McFarland et al. 2006, McFarland Dublin 2008, Nikfar et al. 2008 Prevention and treatment of urogenital tract infections M de Vrese (2002), T Kontiokari et al. (2003), G Reid (2001), ME Sanders (2000) Reduction of high cholesterol levels ME Sanders (1999), MC Bertolami et al. (1999), B Richelsen et al. (1996), G Kiessling et al. (2002) Effectiveness against Helicobacter pylori infection LJ Fooks et al. (2002), P Marteau et al.(2002), ME Sanders (1999), M de Vrese et al. (2002) Reducing risk of certain cancers Y Aso et al. (1992,1995) Y Ohashi et al.(2002) 2.2. Probiotics in fermented dairy products: 2.2.1. Yoghurt: The consumption of fermented dairy products containing bacterial cultures has long been related to various beneficial health effects, and probiotic cultures have had a long association with these types of products. Yoghurt defined as the product of milk fermentation by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, has a long history of beneficial impact on the well-being of humans (Elli et al., 2006) which makes it a suitable carrier of Food Science mcgill logo.jpg probiotic strains. There has been a disagreement in considering classical yoghurt as a probiotic product. This disagreement is raised due to the fact that the starter bacteria of yoghurt do not colonize and live in the gastrointestinal system. These bacteria are called transient which means that they do not remain in the GIT for a sufficient time to show probiotic activities; however, they have some beneficial activities. All Streptococcus thermophilus and most Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus have a high ÃŽÂ ²-galactosidase activity thus yoghurt consumption improves lactose digestion in people with lactose intolerance disorder; furthermore, yoghurt has high numbers of live starters (Guarner, Perdigon, Corthier, Salminen, Koletzko Morelli, 2007). For these reasons the National Yoghurt Association (NYA) has published a position statement for probiotics in September 2006 that Live and active yoghurt that contains Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococ cus thermophilus is probiotic food as it provides a beneficial effect related to lactose digestion.(NYA, 2006 ) 2.2.2. Bio-yoghurt: Food industries have been quick to recognize the huge market potential of probiotic bacteria due to the several health benefits provided by them. Adding probiotics as dietary adjuncts to various foods and beverages such as cereal bars, juices, cheese, chocolates and frozen yoghurts is becoming an attractive option for companies that are interested in healthy products (Champagne, Gardner Roy, 2005b). However, the inclusion of probiotics in fermented dairy products plays a principle role as the best carriers of these microorganisms. This is mainly because of the high consumer acceptance of these foods as being healthy and natural carriers of living bacteria. Currently, dairy products especially yoghurtlike products are the largest part of the probiotic market. Around 30% of the global population buys into the probiotic dairy products regularly. Fermented dairy products promote the healthy image of probiotics for three reasons: Fermented dairy products such as yoghurt already have a positive health image. Consumers are familiar with the fact that fermented products contain viable microorganisms. The image of yoghurtlike products as healthful foods makes the recommendation of daily consumption of probiotics easier. Food Science mcgill logo.jpg In recent years one of the most popular dairy products for the delivery of probiotics is bio-yoghurts. This product contains species of Bifidobacterium most commonly Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus casei among lactobacilli in addition to classical yoghurt culture (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) (Talwalkar Kailasapathy, 2004).The probiotic bacteria can be added prior to fermentation, simultaneously with the traditional yoghurt cultures, or after fermentation to the cooled product before packaging. 3. Challenges in the development of probiotic yoghurt: In order to exert their health effects, the Intl. Dairy Federation has recommended that the probiotic bacteria should be at a certain level of at least CFU of live microorganisms per millilitre or gram of product at the time of consumption (Chà ¡varri, Mara à ³n, Ares, Ibà ¡ ez, Marzo Villarà ¡n, 2010; Ding Shah, 2007; Organization, 2001; Shah Ravula, 2000; Sultana, Godward, Reynolds, Arumugaswamy, Peiris Kailasapathy, 2000). However, many studies have shown low viability of probiotics in yoghurt. (Table 3) shows some previous reports on the low viability of probiotics in yoghurt. Table 2: Various studies on poor viability of probiotics in yoghurt Low viability of probiotics in yoghurt

United Airline’s Employees Pension Plans Essays -- Economy Economics E

United Airline’s Employees Pension Plans   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An event in the headlines today that will require human resource involvement is United Airline’s decision to most likely terminate all of its employees pension plans due to bankruptcy and turn them over to the PBGC or Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The PBGC is a federal agency that insures traditional pensions in case companies go â€Å"belly up†. Basically what this amounts to is that United Airlines worker’s retirement plans could be cut by up to 75 percent. The decision to end the pension plans by United Airlines is stated as â€Å"creating the biggest default in U.S. history and forcing a possible bailout† (The Christian Science Monitor, Alexandra Marks).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This issue is not exclusive to United Airlines workers but to any employee who works for a company suffering from financial troubles. If United goes through with ending the pension plans, it is feared that the other airlines currently suffering financial troubles will soon follow suit. Because of globalization and competition from low-wage companies that do not offer company paid pension plans, the responsibility for retirement security may shift from the airlines to the individual workers to take care of. Advice from Brad Belt, executive director of the PBGC is that â€Å"It’s incumbent on individuals to be well informed, prudent about their investments, and to save accordingly.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Union members are angry because United Airlines went behind their backs and reached...

The Underground Railroad in North Carolina Essay -- Slavery American H

The Underground Railroad in North Carolina The Underground Railroad was perhaps the most active and dramatic protest action against slavery in United States history and as we look at the Underground Railroad in North Carolina we will focus on the Quakers, Levi Coffin’s early years, and the accounts of escaped slaves from North Carolina. The unique blend of southern slave holder and northern abolitionist influences in the formation of North Carolina served to make the state an important link in the efforts to end slavery inside and outside of North Carolina borders. Although not "underground" nor a "railroad," this informal system became a loosely constructed network of escape routes that originated in the South, intertwined throughout the North, and eventually ended in Canada and other places where runaways were safe from being recaptured. From 1830 to 1865, the Underground Railroad reached its peak as abolitionists who condemned human bondage aided large numbers of slaves to freedom. They not only called for an end to slavery, but acted to assist its victims in securing freedom. Unlike other organized activities of the abolition movement that primarily denounced human bondage, the Underground Railroad secretly resisted slavery by aiding runaways. Because the Underground Railroad had a lack of formal organization, its existence often relied on the efforts of many people from many different aspects of life in North Carolina who helped slaves to escape. Accounts are limited of individuals who actually participated in its activities. Usually conductors hid or destroyed their personal journals to protect themselves and the runaways. However some first hand accounts from runaway slaves were recorded. The shortage of evid... ...nd courage of the black North Carolinians that had to flee along the Underground Railroad for their lives and freedom. Bibliography Levi Coffin(1789-1877) , Reminiscences of Levi Coffin (New York: Arno Press, 1968) Curtis, Anna Louise (1882-) Stories of the underground railroad, by Anna L. Curtis; foreword [by] Rufus M. Jones, illustrated by William Brooks Publisher New York, The Island Workshop Press Co-op, 1941 The Underground railroad, official map and guide [Washington, D.C.?] : National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, [1996] William Still(1821-1902) , The Underground Railroad (New York, Arno Press, 1968) The Fugitive Slave Law ,US Congress, 1793 US Historical Documents Archive, http://w3.one.net/~mweiler/ushda/fugslave.htm Fugitive Slave Act 1850 ,The Avalon Project, Yale Law School http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/fugitive.htm

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Essay -- essays research papers

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) One of the leading causes of mental retardation in the United States is fetal alcohol syndrome or FAS. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance by pregnant women because it's legal and socially acceptable. A greater majority of young women are not aware of the complications that are involved with pregnancy. They see pregnancy as a way of bringing a life into the world but do not use the necessary safety measure in their dietary habits to prevent such damage or inhibitions of such a life. By continuing on their drinking binge throughout their pregnancy, they can cause an inexplicable damage to herself and the fetus she is carrying. In my opinion, any amount of alcohol combined with pregnancy can cause devastating effects to the fetus. "Neurobehavioral deficits have been found in infants whose mothers reported fewer than seven standard drinks a week, and the effects of drinking in early pregnancy (the first trimester) are among the more severe of alcohol's effects on the fetus, causing irreversible facial malformations and neurological damage" (Kaskutas & Graves, 2001). Lee Ann Kaskutas and Karen Graves believes that the precision of measurement of how much a woman drinks throughout pregnancy is very important to the assessment of fetal risk (2001). The title of their study, "Pre-pregnancy drinking: How drink size affects risk assessment", can help us conclude that the independent variables are the drink sizes and the dependent variable is the risk assessment. From the introduction section, I have learned that in the United States, American Indians and African Americans are at the highest risk for FAS. Even though there have been advances in research methodology, people can have a misconception on the concept of what is a standard drink. When asked how much they drank on previous surveys, previous participants had a misconception on the drink sizes. "This has implications for FAS risk assessment, as underestimates of alcohol consumptions could lead researchers to conclude that increasingly lower safe thresholds of consumption are called for" (Kaskutas & Graves, 2001). The authors found that half of the subjects under study have underestimated the amount of alcohol in their various drinks. The authors believed that most women ... ...ance on standard drinks results in considerable underestimation of alcohol consumption, especially among the heavier drinkers and those consuming higher alcohol content beverages" (Kaskutas & Graves, 2001). It is concluded in this research that standard drink sizes assume a much smaller size than self-defined drink sizes. The authors did note that this study has several limitations. First, their sample included only few white subjects with no Hispanics, Asians and other ethnic groups. Also, "the vessels methodology should be used with expanded samples to determine whether large drink sizes are represented among other groups of pregnant women" (Kaskutas & Graves, 2001). Future research could include specifications of standard drink size for different types of alcohol when assessing risk for FAS. "Consideration of drink size represents a promising avenue both for alcohol research and for alcohol prevention and education, with pregnant women and more broa dly with the general population" (Kaskutas & Graves, 2001). Reference Kaskutas, L.A., Graves, K. (2001). Pre-pregnancy: How drink sizes affects risk assessment. Addiction, Vol 96(8), 1199-1209.

Nature Based Therapy

Introduction Nature based therapy is not a new concept, our well – being and association with nature is part of the never-ending human quest of who were are and just where is our place in this vast environment which surrounds us. In order to better grasp the topic of nature based therapy or ecotherapy, studies consulted were those pertaining to our connection with nature and our wellbeing. Just how does nature connectedness affect our experiencing of a good life is the subject of the first paper reviewed, by Howell, J. A. , Dopko, R. L. , Passmore, H. , Buro, K. (2011).The second paper by Jordan & Marshall (2010) describes a the changes to the traditional therapy frame in a the uncertain environment of the outdoors. In taking therapy outside, we work with nature as one of the variables in the therapeutic relationship. The integrative, often experiential approach of nature- based therapy or ecotherapy, is gaining rapid ground in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. My fi nal research paper aims at looking further into this growing field and how it can help those suffering from anxiety, burnout and depression. Article Review A Howell, J. A. , Dopko,R. L. Passmore, H. , Buro, K. (2011). Nature connectedness: Associations with well- being and mindfulness. Personality and Individual Differences, 51 (2), 166-171. Howell, Dopko, Passmore and Buro (2011) delve deeply into the question of our connectedness with nature and how it can be measured as a reflection of our mental well- being. The authors, all from the Grant MacEwen University in Edmonton Alberta conducted two empirical studies evidencing this association with data demonstrating that connection to nature may be more beneficial to our emotional and social well- being that previously realized.Drawing from the Biophilia hypothesis argued by Harvard evolutionary biologist E. O Wilson in 1984, that human beings have an instinctive, emotional and genetic need to be in contact with nature, Howell et al. , thus hypothesize that â€Å"higher levels of nature connectedness would be associated with higher levels of well-being and with greater mindfulness. † Many studies have been conducted on the subject with various results. Howell et al. , describe a study conducted by Mayer and Franz in 2004 which showed a â€Å"significant correlation between trait nature connectedness and life satisfaction† (p. 66). They are careful to define the word trait and provide a seemingly through review of the qualitative variables in current literature, discussing the changes in definition of well- being by various theorists (Nisbert, Zelenski and Murphy, 2011). The team from Alberta builds upon current research by probing further into the question of the â€Å"whether trait nature connectedness was associated with feeling well †¦ and with functioning well †¦ as well as the relations among nature connectedness and a second index of positive mental health, mindfulness† (p. 6 7). Howell et al. , review a large amount of research, define terminology and uncover new holes in the theories, they then go on to pose the hypotheses: â€Å"are higher levels of nature connectedness associated both with higher levels of well being and with greater mindfulness? † Methodology Howell et al. , conducted two studies using quantitative methods. In the first study, data was collected from 452 university students, primarily female, with â€Å"81. 1% identifying Canada as their country of birth† (p. 167).Using a variety of questionnaires including Mayer and Franz (2004) 14- item Connectedness to Nature Scale, Keyes' (2005) 40- item, measure of well being and Brown ; Ryan's (2003) Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MASS). In order to ensure objectivity of results, Howell et al. , balanced these scales by using Paulhus's (1994) Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding which serves to filter out â€Å"unintentionally inflated self-descriptions and impression management† (p 168). In the second study 275 students participated, all students of similar age and demographic as thefirst study.Howell et al. , used a few of the same questionnaires adding the Allo-Inclusive Identity Scale (Leary, Tipsord ; Tate, 2008) as well as the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PMS) (Cardaciotto, Herbert, Forman, Moitra, Farrow, 2008). In an attempt to provide consistency and validity to the results, Howell et al. , provide succinct definitions and examples for some of the questions on these scales in order that the reader better understand the subtle differences in the descriptive statistics of the variables.Results Variables such as connectedness to nature, nature relatedness, allo inclusive identity, emotional well being, psychological well being, social well being, MAAS, PMS awareness and PMS acceptance showed correlations between nature connectedness and well being. Descriptive statistics were measured and then correlated among variables using confi rmatory factor analysis (CFA). Howell et al. , also provided models with hypothesized correlations between nature connectedness, well -being and mindfulness.In the first study â€Å"associations between nature connectedness and well- being and between well- being and mindfulness were significant; however, the association between nature connectedness and mindfulness was not† (p. 168). In the second study , correlations were significant with respect to psychological and social and emotional well being and with the added test scores added to the soup, nature connectedness was found to be significantly correlated to mindfulness. Discussion Howell et al. are satisfied with their consistent findings and that most results of their two studies support their hypothesis and suggest that † nature connectedness is associated with the extent to which people are flourishing in their private, personal lives† (p. 170). Howell et al. do admit that some of the findings were inconsi stent with their hypothesis and that future research could examine â€Å"moderators and mediators of the relationship between nature connectedness and mental health† (p. 170).They go onto discuss future research possibilities and challenges, including how nature could be incorporated into other activities to produce maximum therapeutic results. Howell et al. , produced convincing research into the relationship between connectedness to nature and well being. They took into account multiple scales of affect in order to collect their results and carefully described their differences and their impact on the final results. I feel their downfall is in their sample size and demographic and suspect results may be different depending on age and culture.Perhaps new rating scales would need to be developed in order to reflect these differences. Essentially, nature can benefit us all and regardless of the outcome being present within a natural environment will help you learn to experienc e the moment and perhaps even a renewed vitality in life. Article Review B Jordan, M. , ; Marshall, H. , (2010). Taking counselling and psychotherapy outside: Destruction or enrichment of the therapeutic frame? European Journal of Psychotherapy and Counselling, 12 (4), 345-359We all know that nature can help us feel better, but just how can we take a traditional therapeutic frame outdoors? What would be the challenges and what is the potential of this upcoming field of ecotherapy? Ecotherapy represents â€Å"a new form of psychotherapy that acknowledges the vital role of nature and addresses the human nature relationship† (p. 354) Martin Jordan and Hayley Marshall use relational therapy concepts in order to investigate mutuality and asymmetry and how they may be experienced differently in the great outdoors.Both Jordan ;Marshall are practicing registered psychotherapists and by using their own experiences, they explore both the successes and challenges to the traditional fram ework of a therapeutic session. Jordan ; Marshall address many fundamental questions including how confidentiality would be addressed in public settings and how timing or the therapeutic session is affected by practicing counselling and psychotherapy outside. They believe that the challenges to the traditional framework could be sorted out between client and therapist and in fact become part of the process .A flexible contract could be drawn up, one open to change. Jordan ; Marshall are careful to provide several definitions of a therapeutic frame, from eh uber- conservative â€Å"Psychotherapy should be carried out in a soundproof consulting room, in a private office in a professional building† (Langs 1982), to â€Å"being seen as a transgression or a dual relationship for the therapist† (Zur 2001). But there are others who believe that the therapeutic boundary should be a dynamic process (Hermansson, 1997) or that the flexibility in the frame is an opportunity for â €Å"deepening the therapeutic work and relationship† (Bridges, 1999).Jordan ; Marshall seem to be covering all bases with their own summary of a therapeutic boundaries,† Working outdoors can throw new light on these traditionally more fixed ideas concerning boundaries and invite an increasingly flexible perspective on issues concerning power and mutuality within the therapeutic relationship† (p. 347). They examine the changes in client therapist relationships and how mutuality must not be equated with equality in terms of the therapeutic relationship. Jordan ; Marshall are not prescribing a recipe for therapy outdoors nor are they saying therapy is better outdoors.Their goal with this paper is to present their experiential findings and observations regarding the challenges various forms of outdoor therapy impart on the traditional therapeutic frame as well as on the relationship between therapist and client. Methodology The qualitative method devised to learn more about the impacts of taking the therapeutic frame outdoors was simple. Jordan ; Marshall began to hold sessions outdoors with their existing clients. They used two types of interactions outdoors: 1. taking the traditional therapeutic frame of one hour into ‘ nearby nature' and 2. aking clients on excursions where the frame is extended to over a weekend or more. Relational theory concepts were used in order to better understand how the traditional frame of psychotherapy elements such as â€Å"confidentiality and timing of therapeutic work, weather, containment and power dynamics† (p. 347), would be challenged by unpredictable natural environment. The variables of mutuality and asymmetry were also studied in terms of the expanding boundaries in the client – therapist relationship. One case study (in two parts) is presented in order to better grasp the challenges and potential of nature – based therapy.Results Jordan ; Marshall found many potential challenge s in taking the therapeutic frame outdoors. In particular, they found that the boundaries between client and therapist, could become challenged. The outdoors provided a neutral environment which fostered mutuality but maintaining some asymmetry in the relationship could be difficult. In taking this frame outdoors, Jordan ; Marshall also found that the structure of the frame itself may need to be reshaped and become more flexible; perhaps the frame becomes an open process, rather than an ultimate set of rules.They also found that sometimes the unpredictability of the environment created more anxiety, both in the client and the therapist and that the establishment of a therapeutic container or the ‘building of a home in nature' (Berger, 2006) was successful in overcoming some of these obstacles. Discussion The purpose of Jordan ; Marshall's paper was to provide information on the potential and challenges of taking traditional therapy practice outdoors. Jordan & Marshall consulte d a vast reference list including one of the founders of nature- based therapy, Ronen Berger and this provided interesting insight into this emerging field.At times the paper felt disorganized and the case presentation split in two halves was confusing. Results were scattered throughout the paper and the methodology was vague and seemingly structureless. Nevertheless, Jordan & Marshall got to the gist of the subject and were honest with their results, reporting their own struggles with mutuality and asymmetry when taking clients outside of the traditional hour long frame; â€Å"both clients and therapists can experience a blurring of the boundaries between what is therapy and what is social space† (p357).Jordan & Marshall did not however, provide much data as to how many clients they had seen and under what circumstances. Their observations are keen and easily related to when thinking about the traditional therapeutic frame, nevertheless a concrete chart or model, using the r elational as well as other theories or approaches, would have been welcome and interesting. ConclusionOverall I found both these articles fascinating and extremely pertinent to my final research paper. Simply being present within a natural environment can help us feel better. Perhaps when taking therapy outdoors and as nature becomes a dynamic third in the therapeutic relationship, the traditional frame will come alive with an emergent creativity and mindfulness nudging us all towards our own true nature.