What Is Decision Fatigue Definition and Examples

Decision fatigue occurs when people feel exhausted from making too many choices. Psychologists have found that, even though we generally like having choices, having to make too many decisions in a short amount of time may lead us to make decisions that are less than optimal. Key Takeaways: Decision Fatigue Although having choices is good for our well-being, psychologists have found that having to make too many choices can have detrimental consequences.When we have to make too many choices in a short span of time, we may experience a type of mental fatigue known as ego depletion.By limiting how many inconsequential decisions we need to make and scheduling decision-making for times when we feel most alert, we may be able to make better decisions. The Downside of Too Many Choices Imagine you’re at the grocery store, trying to quickly pick up a few things for dinner that night. For each ingredient, would you rather choose from several different options, or would you prefer having dozens of options available to choose from? Many of us would probably guess that we’d be happier with more options in scenarios like this. However, researchers have found that this isn’t necessarily the case—in some scenarios, we actually seem to do better when we have a more limited set of options. In one research paper, psychologists Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper looked at the consequences of being given either many or few choices. Researchers set up displays at a supermarket where shoppers could sample different flavors of jam. Crucially, sometimes the display was set up to give participants a relatively limited set of options (6 flavors) and other times it was set up to give participants a wider range of options (24 flavors). While more people stopped by the display when there were more choices, the people who stopped weren’t very likely to actually purchase the jam. The researchers found that participants who had seen the display with more choices were much less likely to actually buy a jar of jam, compared to participants who saw the more limited display—suggesting that having too many choices may have been overwhelming for consumers. In a follow-up study, the researchers found that participants given more choices (i.e. choosing from 30 chocolates instead of 6 chocolates) found the decision-making process more enjoyable—but also more difficult and frustrating. Moreover, the researchers found that participants who were given more options (those who had chosen from 30 chocolates) were, overall, less satisfied with the choice they made than participants who had been given fewer options. However, participants who had a choice of which chocolate they received (whether they had 6 or 30 options) were more satisfied with the chocolate they picked than participants who had no choice about which chocolate they were given. In other words, we like to have choices, but having too many choices may not necessarily be optimal. While choosing jams or chocolates may seem like a relatively trivial choice, it turns out that being overloaded with too many choices can have real-life consequences. As John Tierney wrote for the New York Times, people who have been overloaded with too many decisions may make poorly thought-out decisions—or even put off making a decision. In fact, researchers have found that prisoners are more likely to be granted parole if their case is heard earlier in the day (or right after a meal break). Exhausted, fatigued judges (who have spent an entire day making decisions) seem to be less likely to grant parole. In another study, people were less likely to participate in a retirement savings plan when they were given more types of funds they could choose to contribute to. Why Does Decision Fatigue Occur? Why do we sometimes find it so surprisingly difficult to make choices, and why do we feel exhausted after choosing? One theory puts forward that making choices causes us to experience a state known as ego depletion. Essentially, the idea behind ego depletion is that we have a certain amount of willpower available to us, and using up energy for one task means that we’re not able to do as well on a subsequent task. In one test of this idea, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers looked at how making choices might affect people’s actions on subsequent tasks that also required self-control. In one study, college students were asked to make choices (choosing college courses). Other students were asked to look at the list of courses available, but they were not asked to actually choose which courses they wanted to take. In the next part of the study, participants were given the opportunity to study for a math test—but the researchers also made magazines and a video game available to students. The crucial question was whether the students would spend their time studying (an activity requiring self-discipline), or whether they would procrastinate (for example, by reading the magazines or playing the video game). If making choices caused ego depletion, participants who made choices would be expected to procrastinate more. The researchers found that the ir hypothesis was confirmed: participants who made choices spent less time studying math problems, compared to the participants who hadn’t been required to make choices. In a follow-up study, the researchers found that even making enjoyable decisions can cause this type of fatigue, if one is tasked with making decision after decision. In this study, participants were asked to choose items for a hypothetical wedding registry. The participants who thought this activity would be enjoyable didn’t experience ego depletion if they made fewer choices (working on the task for 4 minutes), but they experienced ego depletion if they were asked to work on the task for longer (12 minutes). In other words, even fun and enjoyable choices can become depleting over time—it seems that it indeed is possible to have â€Å"too much of a good thing.† Does Decision Fatigue Always Happen? Since the original research on decision fatigue and ego depletion was published, newer research has called some of its findings into question. For example, a 2016 paper published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science was unable to replicate one of the classic findings from ego depletion research, which means that some psychologists aren’t as confident about studies on ego depletion as they once were. Similarly, psychologists studying choice have found that the â€Å"choice overload† studied by Iyengar and Lepper doesn’t necessarily always occur. Instead, it seems that having too many choices can be paralyzing and overwhelming in some circumstances, but not others. In particular, researchers have found that choice overload seems to occur when the decisions we have to make are especially complicated or difficult. What Can We Do About Decision Fatigue? Virtually everyone would agree that having choices is important. People want to have a feeling of control over their environment, and research has shown that being in uncontrollable situations—where our choices are more limited—has negative consequences for well-being. However, sometimes we have so many choices available to us that choosing among them can be a daunting prospect. In cases like these, researchers have found that the sheer number of choices we make may actually leave us feeling exhausted or worn out. One way to avoid decision fatigue can be to streamline the choices we make and find habits and routines that work for us—instead of making new choices from scratch each day. For example, Matilda Kahl writes in Harper’s Bazaar about selecting a work uniform: every day, she wears essentially the same outfit to work. By not having to choose what to wear, she explains, she’s able to avoid expending the mental energy that goes into picking out an outfit. Of course, not everyone wants to wear the same thing every day, but the principle here is to limit how much of our day is spent making choices that aren’t personally important to us. Other suggestions for managing decision fatigue include making key decisions earlier in the day (before fatigue sets in) and knowing when you might need to take a nap and revisit a problem with fresh eyes. It’s also important to remember that it’s completely normal to feel depleted after working on an activity that requires lots of decisions—even if it’s an activity you like. When we find ourselves facing lots of important decisions in a short period of time, it can be especially important to practice self-care (that is, activities that promote our mental and physical well-being). Sources: Engber, Daniel. â€Å"Everything Is Crumbling.† Slate (2016, Mar. 6). http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/cover_story/2016/03/ego_depletion_an_influential_theory_in_psychology_may_have_just_been_debunked.htmlIyengar, Sheena S. â€Å"How To Make Choosing Easier.† TEDSalon NY2011 (2011, Nov.) https://www.ted.com/talks/sheena_iyengar_choosing_what_to_chooseIyengar, Sheena S., and Mark R. Lepper. When Choice Is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology  79.6 (2000): 995-1006. https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2000-16701-012Kahl, Matilda. â€Å"Why I Wear The Exact Same Thing to Work Every Day.† Harper’s Bazaar (2015, Apr. 3). https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a10441/why-i-wear-the-same-thing-to-work-everday/MacKay, Jory. â€Å"5 Ways To Prevent Decision Fatigue From Ruining Your Productivity.† Fast Company (2018, Feb 21). https://www.fastcompany.com/40533263/5-ways-to-pr event-decision-fatigue-from-ruining-your-productivityTierney, John. â€Å"Do You Suffer From Decision Fatigue?† New York Times (2011, Aug. 17). https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-from-decision-fatigue.htmlWaikar, Sachin. â€Å"When Are Consumers Most Likely to Feel Overwhelmed by Their Options?† Kellogg Insight (2017, Oct. 3). https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/what-predicts-consumer-choice-overloadVohs, Kathleen D., et al. Making Choices Impairs Subsequent Self-Control: A Limited-Resource Account of Decision Making, Self-Regulation, and Active Initiative.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology  94.5 (2008): 883-898. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2008-04567-010

Lion King Movie Simbas Heroic Journey - 1229 Words

Simba’s Heroic Journey The Lion King is a true hero s journey that takes place in the savannas of Africa. The title The Lion King emphasizes that a lion is king, referring to the main character, Simba. Simba is the hero in the story because he regains his kingdom and defeats evil. He takes responsibility for his actions and his kingdom, and regains order and control. Simba takes part in a hero s journey by being a part of the departure, initiation, and the return. After Simba’s father, the ruler of the kingdom is killed while trying to save Simba caught in a heard of wilder beasts; is where Simba’s departure begins, he is banished from his homeland by his evil uncle Scar. Scar tells Simba â€Å"to leave and never return.† (The Lion†¦show more content†¦Simba then leaps up and attacks Scar and holds him down by the neck and makes him admit what he did in front of the hyena’s and other lions. Every one then begins to attack one another. Scar and Simba once again are face to face. As Simba is coming toward Scar, he begs for Simba’s mercy. And then blames everything he did on the hyenas calling them â€Å"the enemy† (The Lion King). The hyenas end upShow MoreRelatedAn American Classic Children s Movie, The Lion King Essay1674 Words   |  7 PagesAn American classic children’s movie, The Lion King, is a musical film produced by Walt Disney. The original story focuses on a young lion who spirits into a self-imposed exile after believing he was at fault for his father’s death. Although the film targets a younger audience, it contains a substantial amount of symbolism that only adults would understand. In order to examine The Lion King, I will employ â€Å"The Hero’s Journey† established by Joseph Campbell’s book â€Å"The Hero with a Thousand Faces†Read MoreSupernatural Elements In The Lion King717 Words   |  3 Pagesproduction of The Lion King. The Lion King follows the arduous journey of a young lion named Simba in claiming his rightful kingship of Pride Rock. Through its vast setting, the heroic protagonist, and its supernatural aspects, this movie encapsulates the essence of an epic. An epic requires a vast setting: although Roberts never explicitly states it, one can infer that the setting of The Lion King covers much of Sub-Saharan Africa, but it also includes many supernatural locations. The movie begins by exhibitingRead MoreReaction Paper On The Lion King1620 Words   |  7 Pagesto analyze the movie The Lion King. Nearly everyone across the world has seen The Lion King, and when I was younger it was one of my personal favorite movies. However, I have never thought about this movie in a spiritual or religious way before this assignment. While watching this movie again I tried to relate the story, events, and characters to aspects of different religions and different aspects of the sacred. While writing this paper I will explain how the movie The Lion King explores the conceptRead MoreA Heros Journey3224 Words   |  13 PagesA Hero’s Journey: Hamlet and Simba What images come to mind as you reflect on your childhood? Playgrounds, blackboards, and soccer balls may be among the warmest of memories. Yet for many mermaids swim their thoughts, princesses get swept of their feet, and lions roar to their loyal place in the animal kingdom. There is no doubt that today’s entertainment has most of its touch using classical influences. Walt Disney has produced animated films that have captured the heart and imagination of audiencesRead MoreCharismatic And Transformational Theory : The Lion King2838 Words   |  12 PagesReferring to the movie â€Å"The Lion King† a young prince was born in the Pride Lands of Africa by the name of Simba, he was a curious little one, which led to numerous problems for himself, his father and the land. Simba was the son of a prodigious King named Mufasa and together they made a wonderful team, nevertheless all does not follow well for Simba and Mufasa. King Mufasa had perished in a massive stampede and Simba was left to believe that he was the reason for his father’s death, thanks to hisRead MoreCharismatic Leadership And Transformational Leadership2011 Words   |  9 Pages(Conger, n.d.) and Karl Emil Maximilian Max Weber the founder of Charismatic leadership (Transformational, n.d.). Over the course of time, movies have been made, demonstrating these theories, for example an old classic â€Å"The Lion King† (Leadership Movies, 2008). This movie coveys both MacGregor Burns and Karl Emil Maximilian Max Weber’s theories. On August 3, 1918 MacGregor Burns was born in Melrose, Massachusetts (â€Å"James MacGregor,† 2014). Mr. Burns was raised in Burlington and underwent his

Child Poverty Free Essays

Why should we care about child poverty in the UK The term poverty Is used to describe people, Individuals or families who do not have as much money as other people in the society they live In. Poverty and child poverty go hand In hand, looking at the bigger picture If the parent’s are living In poverty so will the children, with lots of different elements possibly causing this. They may have a poor diet due to the fact that fruit, vegetables, meat and fish can be expensive especially when you have very little money. We will write a custom essay sample on Child Poverty or any similar topic only for you Order Now They cannot afford to live in the customs society feels are normal for example sky television or the latest clothes or trainers. However it is not always just money that can affect someone living in poverty it can also be having little or no education. Often children who live in poverty will leave school, at sixteen with bad GEESE results or none at all, resulting in no Job or a low paid Job, leaving them unable to provide for their family. Child poverty is not Just famine or children dying In the developing world as television images would have us believe, It Is a big problem in the united Kingdom too (End child poverty,2013). Its time our eyes were opened to the fact that â€Å"at least one out of every six children In the united Kingdom lives In relative poverty’ (BBC News, 2013). Child poverty can occur from many different elements â€Å"Is the single greatest threat to the well-being of children and families† (Bombards, 2013). A two parent family with two children needs to earn IEEE. O per week to stay above the poverty line, many families fall under this figure. Unemployment , low paid jobs, uneducated or poorly educated people contributed with high child care costs all attribute to the problem. As does inadequate benefits, the set levels of benefits can leave people below the poverty line (Save the children). Poverty can mean being cold or hungry often they are not able to enjoy a simple holiday as a family. Many miss out on clubs at school or after school and activities because they simply do not have the money. There are two ways to measure poverty, relative; net income that Is below sixty per cent of median net disposable Income and absolute; which Is adjusted to Inflation (BBC News, 2013). Slung relative the governments preferred measure of poverty, figures show here is no change in child poverty. However using absolute measure it shows poverty is a big problem for one in every six children (BBC News, 201 3). Living in poverty can affect the child’s goals, expectations and achievements, this also tends to repeat from generation to generation. Resulting in a cycle of poverty (End child poverty, 2013). The consciences of poverty continue through the generations, as adults the children are more likely to be unemployed because they are not qualified to gain a decent Job to earn money for themselves or their families, be homeless, buffer ill health both physically and mentally. Many struggle with social interaction often feeling excluded from society. It affects the child/children, the parent’s, family and the society around them. It can affect every area of a child’s development, social, educational and personal. Many become Involved In drug abuse, alcohol abuse and abusive relationships as they reach adulthood (Barnyards, 2013). The Issue of child poverty and the reoccurring cycle can be tackled by better education to help them achieve more skills and aim tort higher goals. Investing in nigh quality education and hillside for young children and offering support to parent’s, could help break the link between being poor and not doing well. The work and pensions secretary lain Duncan smith said â€Å"the government’s aim was to get children out of poverty by getting more people into wore( BBC News, 2013). Unemployed parent’s should be given every possible bit of help to get a Job, a good well paid one, with flexibility offered and help with childcare costs ( Child poverty action group,2000-2013). People in work should not be paid below the poverty line, increasing the minimum wage would help. The child poverty act legislation ensures action must be taken to tackle child poverty by this and the future governments, by the devolved administrations and by local government and their partners. The act sets out four United Kingdom targets which are to be met by 2020. They are that relative low income will be less than ten per cent. That combined low income and material deprivation (living standards) will be less than five per cent. Absolute low income will be less than five per cent and that persistent poverty (the length of time) will be set in regulations by 2015. The government is required to produce child poverty strategies that run through to 2020 and are refreshed every three years. These strategies will set out what action is needed to meet the targets in the child poverty act (Department for education, 2012). Child poverty is a big issue in the I-J and should be tackled appropriately so that less children in families with low income or no income suffer, decreasing the long term effects such as no Jobs or low paid Jobs, ill health, mentally and physically, homelessness, poor education, poor diet, being cold because there’s to enough money for heating and food. Making sure there is adequate education available to children and encouraging them to achieve good GASES to enable them to gain a well-paid good Job to support their family, support should be offered along the way. More awareness of the issues could help the government in their plight to uphold the targets in the child poverty act. As many people are not aware of the seriousness of the situation partly because of the media and their constant coverage of famine and dying children in the developing world (End child poverty, 2013). How to cite Child Poverty, Papers

Communism In 50s Essay Example For Students

Communism In 50s Essay Thesis: The Red Scare of the 1950s caused a massive movement forthe people of that time period. I. Introduction II. The Basis of Communisim A. Communisim: Defined B. Political Aspects 1. Communist associations 2.Communistfears C. Physical Aspects 1. Incidents 2. Blacklisting III. Propaganda A. Recruitment B. The Red Scare 1. Communist propaganda 2. Anti-communist defenses IV. Leaders in the movement-McCarthy A. Obsessions 1. The conspiracy 2. Focus on his campaign B. Accusations 1. Alger Hiss 2. OwenLattimore V. The Cold War A. Conflict with Russia 1. Destruction of atomicweapons 2. War in Greece 3. Failure to adopt Marshall Plan B. European Recovery1. European Recovery Program 2. Increase in trade VI. Protection A. U.S. Defenses 1. New Weapons 2. New Technology B. Punishments VII. What was LearnedA. More tolerance B. Less hate C. Comparisons between the Fifties and now 1. Understanding 2. Lessons VIII. Conclusions America: Land of the free, and thehome of the brave. This famous expression has been used numerous timesthroughout history, even scoring a line in our countrys national anthem. But inour high-tech socety, many Americans can not even understand what ourforefathers went through to achieve this American dream. People do not evengrasp the concept of what it has taken to keep the freedom of this countryringing. Place youself in the footsteps of the average American of the 1950s,dealing with the Russian threat of communist rule and the fear of being takenover an opposite world power. Post World War II struggles make it hard foranyone to get by, and each coming day leads to another unpredictable twist forthe country in which you reside. The powerful threat of communisim, which cameto be known as the Red Scare, is the basis of all of the nationsproblems. This Red Scare of the 1950s was a powerful, radical, andcontroversial issue for nearly everyone in that time period, and whats more isthe propaganda that was used to sell communist leadership to the Americanpeople, who were deathly afraid of what the future might hold. This Red Scarelasted throughout the Fifties and beyond. The Fabulous Fifties well, werethey really so fabulous, after all? First of all, for total understanding of theRed Scare of the fifties, one must become acquainted with the term communisim. Communisim can be defined as: a type of government in which a small group ofleaders dictates a country or nation by distributing goods and money equallyamong the countrys citizens (Websters, 1994). As of today, nations such asRussia and China are run by communist authority. Although this system ofgovernment works in theory, it requires the sacrifice of freedom of the peoplewho are being ruled. Other aspects of communist rule include communistassociations, which during the 1950s had 10,000 members across the UnitedStates of America, dedicated to making communist rule in the United States areality (Miller, 1954). Incidents in which communisim was a serious matter inthe 1950s include the jailing of an American couple for reportedlytalking communisim. A later report indicated that the couple wasmerely discussing American relations with Japan, but it was around the time thatthis event occured that people began to really began to fear communists andtheir beliefs (Miller, 1954). Communists, or people suspected of beingcommunists, were also blacklisted, making them unable to get jobs, insurance,and loans, among other things (Salem Press, 1992). Recruitment for memebers ofthe communist political party was, during the 1950s, based solely onpropaganda. This false advertising glorified the things that communist rule wassupposed to offer, such as jobs, money, and food for everyone. This especiallyappealed to Americas lower-class society, with dreams of brighter futures andlifestyles for themselves and generations to come. Of course, communistactivists never mentioned anything about the freedoms that our nation, undercommunist rule, would stand to lose. On the contrary, though, anti-communistsstartled Americans by leveling their defense by making it seem like all membersof communist parties were murderers and terrorists, which is where the termRed Scare was generated from (Associated Press, 1995). Thesedefenses were used primarily to keep communist beliefs away from our Amer icandemocracy, but frightened Americans into believing that all communists andpeople from countries such as Russia, which had communist leadership, were evil. It is always a mystery about how the universe bega Analysis EssayBibliographyAssociated Press. (1995). Twentieth Century America: The Cold War at Home andAbroad 1945-1953. Los Angeles: Combined Books Borstien and Kelly. (1992). AHistory of the United States. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc. Layman, Richard. (1994). American Decades: 1950-1959. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc. Miller,Douglass T. and Newak, Marion. (1954). The Fifties: The Way We Really Were. NewYork: Doubleday and Company, Inc. Rich, Candace. (2000). Fifties Web. Online. Availiable: http://www.fiftiesweb.com/fifties.htm 2000, Feb. 7 Salem Press. (1982). Great Events: The Twentieth Century. California: Salem Press, Inc. Sherlock, Joe. (1997). Welcome to the Fifties. Online. Availiable: http://www.joesherlock.com/fifties.htmlVintron-Shellburg. (1999). Traveling Through the Fifties. Online. Availiable:http://www.vintron-shellsburg.k12.id.us/tws/seventh/group/fifties/50toc.html1999, Feb. 7 (1998). The Fifties. Online. Availiable: www.ornl.gov/swords/fifties.html(2000). Rewind the Fifties. Online. Availiable: www.loti.com/clip.html 2000,Feb. 4

History Of Art Essays - Visual Arts, Painting, Egyptian Hieroglyphs

History Of Art The body has been used as a sign or symbol in art for centuries. The body was used to symbolize perfection in ancient Greece, and in Egypt, to give a precise image for the God of the After-life. Not to mention their colossal monuments which promote power and glory, and are used to intimidate. However contemporary artists use the body as a symbol which conveys a whole range of different kinds of layered meaning, although the simple symbol of power has not been lost over the centuries. Ancient Greek sculptures of the body are a medium between man and the gods, they are an ideal of physical perfection. The female figure of c.650-625 B.C. (fig. 123) and a nude male youth of c.600 B.C. (fig. 124) are perfect examples of the use of symbols to convey meaning. These statues, Kore (maiden) and Kouros (youth) were produced in large numbers, all being virtually the same in outline. Their general names emphasised the need for the statues to remain unidentified and the lack of personal character. Some were placed on graves only to be viewed as representations of the deceased in the broadest sense (completely impersonal). And some were used as offerings, for example: for a favoured person like the victor in an athletic competition.The strange lack of differentiation seems to be part of the character of these figures. They are neither gods nor men, but rather somewhere in between, a symbol of physical perfection, an ideal shared by not only humans but also immortals, the gods. Moreover, statues of the body in Ancient Greek art were also used to capture the image of the gods themselves. Nine of Samothrace (fig. 181)has a dramatic impact on the viewer. It is the image of the goddess descending upon the prow of a ship. The beauty of the shapes that the body creates, glorifies and beautifies the goddess. It is a symbol of the power and immortality of the gods and the sole purpose of the artist is to convey this beauty and power to the people of Ancient Greece. Ancient Egypt is also another place in which the body was used as a symbol or sign. Colossal monuments such as The Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel was a symbol of great power and wealth, as only pharaohs were able to create these monuments. Size was everything to the Egyptian pharaohs, it was the primary key to emphasise and increase their power and worshipers. The wonderful inscriptions and hieroglyphs found on temple walls were of great importance. The use of the body in the relief work on the temple walls were used to convey a perfect image of the deceased to the God of the After life. The detail and intricacy of the body was to insure that they could be recreated to perfection in their life after death. Contemporary works that use the body as a sign or symbol, are found in abundance. Works as simple as a portrait can have a great impact on people. Portraits such as that of Hitler, during World War, I had enormous effects on the people of the Jewish religion. To have these huge portraits of Hitler's face all over the country insured his control and power over the turn of events and the Jews. Victims by Jose Clemente Orozco is of the Symbolist art movement. The name of this movement is indicative of the precise purpose of the artists of that time. Orozco had a deep humanitarian sympathy with silent suffering masses and in Victims he illustrates his powerful trait. The bony bodies of the unidentified people in Victims is a symbol of the problems that were afoot in the world in 1936. Vast numbers of people were starving, suffering and dying. Orozco used the bodies in his artworks as a symbol of this suffering and successfully draws the focus and the emotions of the viewer. Thus, the artwork has fulfilled its primary purpose. The use of the body in Les Demoiselles d' Avignon by Pablo Picasso symbolizes the change of the way we view art and the body in art. Picasso introduced Cubism to the world. His brave abandonment of the Blue Period for a different and more robust style is seen and conveyed through his art. When Picasso started this picture, it was supposed to be a temptation scene in a brothel. However, he ended up with five nudes and a still life. This artwork was Picasso's own counterpart to Matisse's The Joy of

Defence Mechanism and Soldiers Essay

Defence Mechanism and Soldiers Essay Defence Mechanism and Soldiers Essay Alexis Roberson Ms. Dye AP Literature 3rd Block Coping Mechanisms in The Things They Carried The Things They Carried withstands one of the central themes of soldiers in the war carrying physical and unwanted emotional baggage. Consequently, it is questionable how the soldiers cope with the horrors of war. Throughout the novel it is shown that the soldiers use many mechanisms to manage this emotional baggage. This includes, but is not limited to, storytelling, humor and denial. Majority of the novel is a recollection of stories from the war. O’Brien states at the end of the novel that the stories are â€Å"Tim trying to save Tim’s life with a story.† (O’Brien 233). Yet, not all of the stories are entirely factual. The storyteller tends to exaggerate or obliterate parts of the stories. This is so that the soldiers can forget things that they do not want to remember, keep in mind things they do want to remember and focus on more positive aspects of the war. In doing so, this helps the soldiers cope with t he horrors of war by neglecting negative aspects. For example, in â€Å"The Man I Killed†, O’Brien goes into detail on the man’s physical characteristics and possible life story, and neglects his presence in the actual situation. By doing so, he isn’t focusing on the fact that he feels guilty for killing the man or the fact that he killed the man in general. Also, in â€Å"Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong†, it is unknown whether that story is true or not but it isn’t a horror war story or death war story. It is a story that took focus off the negative things in war, and put focus on a lighter subject. Another coping mechanism that is seen in The Things They Carried is humor. Whenever a tragic incident occurs, jokes are always made in order to make light of the circumstances. For example, when the soldiers go looking for Kiowa’s body, Azar makes jokes of the irony within the situation. He says â€Å"Man, talk about irony. I bet if Kio wa was here, I bet he’d just laugh. Eating shit- it’s your classic irony.† (158). Azar is focusing more on the irony of the situation rather than the fact that he lost yet another friend. If they didn’t find a way to cope with these frequent horrors they would go mad and most likely become suicidal. The soldiers have to make light of situations in order to prevent themselves from going insane. Humor essentially functions as the means of their emotional stability during their time in Vietnam. Instead of the soldiers grieving on the deaths of their fellow men, they find the humor in the situation and laugh it off so they can continue on their journey. Denial is another big coping mechanism when it comes to the horrors of war. Throughout the soldier’s journey in Vietnam all the coping mechanisms they use cause them to be in denial of reality. Using humor to cover up horrors, and

Explain the differences between a group and a team Assignment

Explain the differences between a group and a team - Assignment Example The formation of group is easy than a team. If an auditorium is filled with medical professionals, they could be grouped according to gender, expertise, experience, age, specialty etc. The effectiveness is a different issue. In the group total comparability is only the ideal, it rarely occurs. When points view of the group members differ, achieving consensus is a difficult task for a leader. A team is a responsive unit and formed to achieve a particular goal or group of functions. A team leader is seized of the final goal of the team, in advance. Though the process of forming a them is difficult, may involve much spadework, deliberations and consultations, once the profess is accomplished, the working is smooth. There is not much room for differences as the final objective is the same. Take for example a construction team. It may consist of an architect, an accountant, an engineer, a supervisor, a sales manager and a secretary. A collection of people and counseling them for a cause does not evolve them into a team. Teams have definite features that set them apart from group. Generally, a team consists of a small number of individuals, with complimentary skills and all of them are committed for a common purpose, they have target-oriented performance goals. They have a common approach and as such they consider themselves mutually accountable. They are a responsive and responsible unit. The membership of a team is definable, generally not more than twelve. Their functioning is mutually dependent and they can be compared to the steps of a ladder. They know the import and importance of the term â€Å"we† than the syllable â€Å"I.† The working of the team is dynamic, the performance is measured directly and the collective work products are linked to financial performance of the business. The results can be quantified, everyday, when necessary. The team meetings are held often, the problem-solving is taken up