MAIN POST

Please share here the thoughts or feelings you are having about the assigned readings and videos. You are being presented with a variety of lenses through which to view the experience of bi-polar and the depressive disorders. Please link literature to practice as you offer examples, thoughts, quotes and citations.

STEVENS RESPOND

Bipolar Disorder is characterized by swings in feelings and behavior, the high highs and the low lows. Individuals with Bipolar will shift between manic episodes of high activity and then depressive episodes, and these swings can often be distinguished by days or weeks between swings. There deserves to be the distinction between Bipolar I & II; depressive episodes are more common with Bipolar I (but are not required for diagnosis).

With 25-50% of people with Bipolar attempting suicide, its a disease that deserves a great sense of care during diagnosis and treatment (Klein, 2014). With the negative impacts of medication so widely known and documented, its often the case where one might ask if modern psychiatry isnt doing more harm than good with medical treatments (Frances, 2013; Up/Down). In order to remedy the misdiagnosis of Bipolar the DSM has recently made changes to try and distinguish Bipolar from depression or schizophrenia (Craighead, 2014). With Bipolar I Disorder does not necessitate the depressive disorders that Bipolar II Disorder does, it is clear why one might be misdiagnosed with MDD or Borderline Personality Disorder (Craighead, 2014).

Both Laura Bain and Klein (2014) discuss the feeling of lacking control, being on a wave, being swept into the mood swings that are characteristic of Bipolar Disorder (TEDxTerryTalks; Klein, 2014). A close family member of mine similarly describes the feeling of helplessness in his swings. I employed my cousin for a number of years, and it was always clear upon his walking onto the job site how where he was in his experiences. It was not uncommon for him to work an 8 hour shift during his depressive episodes and not say a single word. It was utter darkness for him, and all I could do was let him know it was ok.

Over the years there has been advancements in both the diagnosis and treatment of Bipolar disorder, and this brings some optimism for people that are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. For one, Bipolar is one of the most heritable psychological disorders (Craighead, 2014), so acknowledging a biological correlate is important. With new understandings some individuals are experiencing improvements in their quality of life, and while they might still experience swings, they are often reported as being less severe without being necessarily cured (Up/Down). There is also reports of the side-effects being worse than being non-medicated sufferer of Bipolar (Up/Down). In the end, it should be respected that everyones response to treatments are as varied as the individuals that seek treatment. In truth science still doesnt truly know the cause of the disease (Craighead, 2014). With a history rife with misdiagnosis for a great many psychological disorders, it is a great relief to not only the sufferers and their loved ones, but also psychologists and psychiatrists that advancements are showing glimmers of hope for many that suffer from the disease.

REFERENCES:

Craighead, E. W., Miklowitz, D. J., & Craighead, L. W. (2013).  Psychopathology: History, diagnosis and empirical foundations (2nd ed.).  Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. (2013). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Frances, A. (2013) Saving normal: An insider’s revolt against out-of-control psychiatric diagnosis, DSM-5, Big Pharma, and the medicalization of ordinary life. New York, NY: William Morrow.

Klein, S. (2014). What Bipolar Disorder Really Feels Like. HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bipolar-disorder-ellen-forney_n_5823138

TEDxTerryTalksLaura BainLiving with Bipolar Type II. (2011). from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ki9dgG3P5M&feature=youtu.be

Up/Down Bipolar Disorder Documentary FULL MOVIE (2011). (n.d.). Arpi-Revo Productions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyiZfzbgaW4&feature=youtu.be

With the growth of the Hard Rock Caf franchisefrom one pub in London in 1971 to more than 129 restaurants in more than 40 countries todaycame a corporate-wide demand for better forecasting. Hard Rock Caf uses long-range forecasting in setting a capacity plan and intermediate-term forecasting for locking in contracts for leather goods (used in jackets) and for such food items as beef, chicken, and pork. Its short-term sales forecasts are conducted each month, by cafe, and then aggregated for a headquarters view.

The heart of the sales forecasting system is the point-of-sale system (POS), which, in effect, captures transaction data on nearly every person who walks through a cafes door. The sale of each entre represents one customer; the entre sales data are transmitted daily to the Orlando corporate headquarters database. There, the financial team, headed by Todd Lindsey, begins the forecast process. Lindsey forecasts monthly guest counts, retail sales, banquet sales, and concert sales (if applicable) at each cafe. The general managers of individual cafes tap into the same database to prepare a daily forecast for their sites. A cafe manager pulls up prior years sales for that day, adding information from the local Chamber of Commerce or Tourist Board on upcoming events such as a major convention, sporting event, or concert in the city where the cafe is located. The daily forecast is further broken into hourly sales, which drives employee scheduling. An hourly forecast of $5500 in sales, for example, translates into 19 workstations, which are further broken down into a specific number of wait staff, hosts, bartenders, and kitchen staff. Computerized scheduling software plugs in people based on their availability. Variances between forecast and actual sales are then examined to see why errors occurred.

Hard Rock Caf doesnt limit its use of forecasting tools to sales. To evaluate managers and set bonuses, a three-year weighted moving average is applied to cafe sales. If cafe general managers exceed their targets, a bonus is computed. Todd Lindsey, at corporate headquarters, applies weights of 40% to the most recent years sales, 40% to the year before, and 20% to sales two years ago in reaching his moving average.

An even more sophisticated application of statistics is found in Hard Rock Cafs menu planning. Using multiple regression, managers can compute the impact on demand of other menu items if the price of one item is changed. For example, if the price of a cheeseburger increases from $7.99 to $8.99, they can predict the effect this will have on sales of chicken sandwiches, pork sandwiches, and salads. Managers do the same analysis on menu placement, with the centre section driving higher sales volumes. When an item such as a hamburger is moved off the centre to one of the side flaps, the corresponding effect on related items, say French fries, is determined.

Hard Rock’s Moscow Cafe

Requirement

Using the information about Hard Rock Caf provided, write a report that addresses the following areas:

Describe three different forecasting applications at Hard Rock Cafe, and why you think they are used the way they are. Name three other areas in which you think Hard Rock could use forecasting models.
The role of the POS system in forecasting at Hard Rock Cafe.
Justify the use of the weighting system used for evaluating managers for annual bonuses.
Name several variables besides those mentioned in the case that could be used as good predictors of daily sales in each cafe.
At Hard Rock Cafes Moscow location, the manager is trying to evaluate how a new advertising campaign affects guest counts. Using data for the past 10 months (see the table), develop a least squares regression relationship and then forecast the expected guest count when advertising is $65 000.
Instructions

Your paper should be 2,000 words (+ 200 words), double spaced, 12 point font (not including cover page and references). Your paper must follow APA style format.

This report requires more information to support your conclusions than are provided in the case itself. You may, in some cases need to use data, charts, illustrations, photos, or more to make/support your point turn to the text and external sources to properly support your positions. Reference the text, other books, peer-reviewed articles, and sound corporate websites (minimum of 5 references expected). Critical thinking is important look for more than one way of addressing a problem and choose the best solution.

Finding the Animus, Shadow, and Self in The Erlenmeyer Flask
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Applying a Jungian analysis to characters gives us an opportunity to probe more deeply into various myths. The main elements found in a Jungian analysis of myths include the animus, the shadow, and the self. In this discussion, we are seeking to find and identify the characters of the animus, the shadow, and the self in the X-Files episode The Erlenmeyer Flask.

Scully is identified as a negative anima for the character of Mulder. For this discussion question, analyze the episode from Scullys point of view, rather than from Mulders.

In your initial post, identify which characters in The Erlenmeyer Flask fill the role of the self, the animus, and the shadow for the character of Scully. Explain your choices and the purpose of each of these character types in this myth. Be sure to discuss why they are important

MAIN POST

Please share here the thoughts or feelings you are having about the assigned readings and videos. You are being presented with a variety of lenses through which to view the experience of bi-polar and the depressive disorders. Please link literature to practice as you offer examples, thoughts, quotes and citations.

CHRYSTAPHORS RESPOND

According to the DSM-5 (2013), bipolar disorder may be diagnosed when a person has extreme mood shifts from depressive to mania (which is noted by an inflated self-esteem and excessive involvement in dangerous activities).  Craighead, Miklowitz, & Craighead (2013) mentioned that the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin may be at play when someone is suffering from bipolar disorder.  I wonder if bipolar disorder is the body’s natural attempt to find a balance.  For example, someone goes through a period of major depression, then the body kicks up the production of dopamine and serotonin in order to bring the individual out of his/her depression and sends the individual into a manic state.  I feel like the body is naturally guided to bring itself back to homeostasis, and perhaps bipolar is a consequence of something the body normally does.

I am not attempting to downplay the debilitating effects of the disorder, simply hypothesizing that it may be more normal than mainstream science has described.  I like how Laura Bain, the woman living with bipolar disorder, mentions that she is a scientist who seeks formulas but believes “wellness is more like art” (TEDx Talks, 2011).  Yes, there is a science behind treating people with bipolar and certain “formulas” have been proven successful.  However, I don’t believe the simple diminishing of symptoms means a person is getting well.  The symptoms are an expression of an underlying problem.  Bain mentioned that she didn’t have anything externally going on in her life that may have caused her to enter her first depressive state (TEDx Talks, 2011).  I would argue that there must have been some kind of problem, either one that was festering in her memory or some kind of dissatisfaction with her current life.  It’s hard for me to believe that her brain was just wired to take her through bipolar states.  There may be some kind of genetic hardwiring that would make one more vulnerable to bipolar disorder, but I believe there is a multifaceted reason people develop a disorder like bipolar.  This is where the art (not the science) of therapy plays a role.

Rankian Analysis of Harry Potter
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In this discussion, you will examine and discuss the classification process of finding the archetype of the hero in Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone using the elements of Rankian analysis found in your textbook. You will examine the ideas and values presented in Harry Potter and what these elements reveal about our modern society.

After you complete the reading and view the film, please answer the following question about whether Potter fulfills (or does not fulfill) the 10 elements of the hero as presented by Otto Rank. Within your examination, discuss:

Whether or not you think Harry Potter fits all 10 of Ranks categories for a hero. The text says Harry fulfills 8 of the 10. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
How Harry Potter fits the archetype of the hero.
What values are revealed about Harry Potter as he develops through the course of the film?
Why you think so many people became fans of Harry Potter, the boy who lived, and cheered for him to defeat Voldemort? What draws us to this story? How do we identify with it?
This should be your own original analysis and use only the film and the assigned readings as the basis for your analysis.

Harry Potters Negative Father Figures
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Negative father figures abound in the Harry Potter films. According to Katherine Grimes (in Thury and Devinney, p. 761-762), the father figure is the most important person in a traditional Rankian analysis. Almost all Rankian heroes are threatened by their fathers or other father figures who have power over them.

Begin by reviewing Grimes perspective on father figures on pages 761-765 in the text, and view Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone before composing your response. In your initial post, describe how the film illustrates Grimes ideas about the significance of negative father figures in myth. Be sure to include Vernon Dursley and Severus Snape in your response.

Argue how ANTI-IMMIGRANT sentiment energized the Temperance movement

First page should be a summary of the origins of the Temperance movement and what it was, ending in Thesis Statement with reasons which are the different approaches to coping with concerns (Explain how at first it was a religious revival movement about morals and then after it went dormant during the civil war, it was revived with an anti-immigrant sentiment that gave it its energy)

Different Approaches to Coping with Concerns:

-Violent Incidents: Chicago Lager Beer Riot, Carrie Nation, and Ku Klan Klan (because immigrants a threat to white Anglo Saxon vision of America)

-State and local lobbying: Womans Christian Temperance Union (Frances Willard and Mary Hunt), Anti-Saloon League (Wayne Wheeler)

-Political Action: Know-Nothing Party, Maine Laws (Neal Dow) and other states following, and World War One and the move toward Prohibition (Hostility towards German Americans)

Last PARAGRAPH should be a connection from this era to the modern day rhetoric being used by President Trump about immigrants

Tips: Consider the influx of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe (largely Catholic that came from drinking cultures), urbanization of the late nineteenth century, and the industrialization that left the middle class behind (these possibly contributed to Temperance supporters scapegoating immigrants)

In light of your readings and interactions in Modules 3, 4 and 5, please write a Response Paper on the following question:

How has Arab identity been constructed over the past century, and which role does it play today for the people living in Arab states?

Instructions:

The word count is 500-700 words.

It is worth 10% of your overall grade for the course.

The deadline is Thursday, February 20th, by the end of the day.

You are required to use 3 additional external academic references. Please note that this paper is NOT a reflection about your personal identifications, but should be based on thorough evidence from the literature.

Pretend you are a tour guide giving a tour of the human brain. In a 1-2 page paper written in APA format using proper spelling/grammar, describe the tour you would give. Be sure to highlight the major parts of the brain, the control centers and their functions, and the importance of the brain as part of the central nervous system. Conclude your tour with a description of what happens to a person when damage occurs to a part of the brain.