Abstract
The paper discusses that while it is true that grief is a universal experience, the problem is that modern society has largely separated the concept of grief from the everyday experience of life. The paper points out that profound loss also has profound and varied effects upon the bereaved individual. The author, after reviewing many definitions and case studies, establishes a definition for grief: Grief is an emotion experienced during the event of bereavement; mourning is the action through which grief is expressed.

Table of Contents
Aims
Grief: Definitions and Attributes
Case Studies
Model Case: My Brother
Borderline Case: Deciding to Die
Related Case: The Decision to Change
Contrary Case: The Decision to Maintain the Status Quo
Conclusions from Case Studies
Grief: A Definition

From the Paper
"The aim of this concept analysis is therefore to understand grief from a number of viewpoints. This will be done by means of an analysis of grief through the stages of the process a bereaved person is expected to go through. These stages include physical and psychological processes. This is followed by a consideration of the social and religious support a bereaved person needs to work through the grieving process in a healthy way. Furthermore, case studies will be considered in terms of the established theories. Finally, conclusions are drawn in terms of the nursing profession and caring for a person going through the process of bereavement."

Tags:religion, support, physical, mourning, bereavement

Abstract
This paper attempts to define and describe the concept of strategy. The paper begins by explaining that few theories actually define the subject, but one of the main ones is Mintzberg's theories or school's of thought on the topic of strategy. The paper explains what the ten theories are and then shows how they apply to the organization.

Contents:
Mintzberg's ten schools of thought
Strategy as a process
Strategy in content
Strategy in context
References

From the Paper
"In Mintzberg's ten schools of thought Mintzberg classifies strategy into 10 schools of thought. These schools are grouped into either prescriptive and practitioner-focused or descriptive and research-focused. Prescriptive schools aim to control strategy process through analysis and are interested in how strategies should be formulated (Minzberg, p35, 1990). Whereas descriptive schools are more about how strategies arise and emerge (Minzberg, Ahlstrand, & Lampel. 1998). The first of the prescriptive school's is the design school. The design school seeks to establish a fit between internal capabilities and external possibilities by using a SWOT analysis (Bennigson, 1999). The next prescriptive school, the planning school, views that specialists and professional planners should develop strategy."

Tags:descriptive, prescriptive, business, organization

Abstract
This essay examines how the composition of a group, whether for therapeutic or business reasons, affects the outcomes and group goals that can eventuate. The essay contends that group composition needs to be both homogeneous and heterogeneous enough to allow for group processes to occur, i.e. group stages, for the group dynamic to progress and group goals to be achieved.

From the Paper
"While it is true that a group is made up of individuals, and without those individuals there would be no group, it is quite impossible to judge the "sort of group" that will eventuate from merely examining the "sorts of people" that constitute it. Doing so would be like "explain[ing] the shifting pattern of a kaleidoscope by taking the tube to pieces and listing the fragments found inside" (Thompson and Kahn, 1970: 12). Systems theorists have long posited, in opposition to individual psychological explanations of group behavior, that when individuals "merge into a group" something new is created" (Lewin, 1951: 57). This new entity, although comprised of individuals, is believed to be "greater than the sum of its parts" and thus the dynamic that is created within the group is not directly attributed to any one individual but rather the unique interrelationship between those individuals and the force that this interrelationship has on group functioning."

Tags:heterogeneity, homogeneity, process, psychology, therapeutic, therapy

Abstract
After defining 'consciousness' in this paper, the author shows that the very fact that we all have privileged access to our consciousness and cannot analyze it from an outsider's point-of-view is a major reason why consciousness remains so mysterious. In addition, he puts forward his view that inevitably, a scientific explanation of consciousness will be possible.

From the Paper
"It is very hard to find an analogy to describe consciousness. We know nothing in the scientific world that draws a parallel with it. Consciousness is unable to be measured or analyzed because at present we know of no connection between itself and the physical body, even if there happens to be a portion of the brain where consciousness is localized. We all experience privileged access to our own consciousness, yet how can we determine for sure that other people and creatures are also conscious beings when there is no sure-fire way to prove this? How do chemical reactions and neural processes in the body trigger conscious events? This is what makes consciousness so mysterious. We take it for granted and all regard ourselves as conscious beings, yet very rarely do we actually stop to think about what it is and how it came to be."

Tags:brain, dennett, flanagan, mind, nagel, science, scientific, thinking

Abstract
This paper deals with workplace stress from many perspectives. It starts with the modern definition of stress using stimulus and response. It also examines the various causes and consequences of stress. The consequences, measured in both quantitative and qualitative terms, are analyzed from the viewpoint of employers and employees. Lastly, the paper explains why managers are concerned with workplace stress.

From the Paper
"Stress is an everyday occurrence in one s life. It is the wear and tear on one s body caused by pressures and problems one experiences in day-to-day life. In general, stress is perceived to be an unpleasant effect that has a negative impact on performance. However, research showed that stress is not entirely bad (Hellriegel, Slocum & Woodman, 1995). In fact, depending on an individual s ability and method of coping, certain degree of stress is essential for survival in life. As such, stress can mean different things to different people."

Tags:absenteeism, anxiety, apathy, compensation, conflict, depression, disease, frustration, health, heart, illness, lawsuits, mental, overload, physiology, politics, pressures, psychology, relationship, security, stress, workplace

Abstract
This paper discusses how group dynamics are central to the effective functioning of the work group. It shows how by understanding the group processes which affect people's roles in their place of work, is an understanding of the three major aspects of groups: managing conflict, communication and trust linked with social interdependence. It reviews these three concepts in turn and shows how although some groups struggle with a new structure, the future lies in achieving good communication, managing conflicts (including the hidden agenda) and developing healthy relationships, which will lead to trust and social interdependence. The success of a group rests not only with these but also with the group members as individuals and their ability to achieve a fuller harmony and healthy balance on the physical, psychological, spiritual and social level.

From the Paper
"A conflict situation within groups can be seen as an opportunity to grow, however it can also contain risks to the healthy state of a group. It is not the presence of conflicts but the way they are managed, which determines whether they are a positive or a negative force within a group (Johnson & Johnson, 2000, p.381). Martin Luther King postulated in 1964 (and the sentiment applies to small groups as much as large): "Mankind [sic] must evolve for all human conflict a method, which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love." Many groups spend considerable time trying to reach agreement which "satisfies our needs and meets our goals" (Johnson & Johnson, 2000, p.383). Conflicts arise in groups over the relevance of agenda. One group member may comment that he/ she is not interested in a specific program being organized by someone else."

Tags:communication, conflict, dynamics, interdependence, trust

Abstract
This paper discusses how a great number of students with learning disabilities are at high risk for educational failure because they often have difficulty remembering materials covered in school and how their teachers can help these students improve their performance and their long term success through mnemonic instruction. It examines various studies on the topic and reviews relevant literature. It evaluates how the majority of research indicates that using basic phonetic instruction alone is insufficient, especially for students with learning disabilities. When basic skills are taught in conjunction with mnemonic strategies, memory improves because well established pictures in the memory bank to link new information and trigger a strong electrical impulse to help recall the new information. The research studies have consistently shown that mnemonic strategies can be taught to students of all ages and of all levels of learning disabilities. Studies have also shown that when students are taught mnemonics to help them study, they begin to use mnemonics on a regular basis and also begin to make up their own memorization techniques.

From the Paper
"The traditional theory of learning, which has been used in the past as a supplement to the mass schooling approach of the early 19th century, is that in order for a student to learn complex skills such as reading, he must first become adept at making sense of the smallest components of the language (for example letters) and then advancing to larger components (for example sounds, words, and sentences). Phonics supporters generally agree that by employing "the direct approach" in regards to instruction, as well as providing an undeviating focus on logical sequencing, students will effectively learn to identify words quickly and consistently, as well as improving their spelling, vocabulary, handwriting, listening, and thinking skills (Share and Stanovich, 1995)."

Tags:children, memory, bank, teachers, phonetic, language, skills

Abstract
This essay critically examines Kurt Lewin's three step change process: "Unfreeze, Change, Refreeze". Strengths and weaknesses of the model are analyzed and finally, suggestions for improving the model are made. The paper shows the different types of change experienced by an organization and how management must deal with them in order to grow.

From the Paper
"UNFREEZING In this first stage, a company must be awakened to a new reality and must disengage from the past, recognizing that the old way of doing things is no longer acceptable (Kanter, R. et al. 1992). Disengaging from the past is critical to the "unfreezing" process because it is difficult for an organization to embrace change until it has isolated the structures and routines that no longer work and has vowed to move beyond them (Kanter, R. et al. 1992). Unfreezing is initiated by recognizing the need for change by identifying driving and restraining forces."

Tags:planned, process, refreezing, step, unfreezing

Abstract
This paper discusses how we are constantly communicating and how silence and other methods of non-verbal communication are no more random than words. It analyzes how these are systematic expressions of meaning, which are often quite unconsciously used, in interpersonal contacts and how relationships in business and in social situations can be made and broken simply by the non verbals. It illustrates through a literature review and various diagrams, how the effective reading of body language can do much to avoid or defuse conflict situation and provides strategies which can assist in resolving these conflicts.

From the Paper
"Good communication requires that the communicators spend special or quality time together. Quality time involves that there is no time crunch and there is no crush of a crowd around you. In quality time we can search for just the right words that express what we are thinking and feeling. (Powell: 1987, 344). It follows also that in such ideal situations the non-verbal aspects of the communication will also be positive. A common attitude about silence or the absence of verbalized communication is that communication can be turned on and off, when we talk and when we do not. The reality is that we are constantly communicating, silence and other methods of non-verbal communication are no more random than words. These are systematic expressions of meaning, which are often quite unconsciously used, in interpersonal contacts (Myers: 1985, 217). Relationships in business and in social situations can be made and broken simply by the non verbals."

Tags:gestures, interpersonal, language, signals, tension

Abstract
Many sexual predators have admitted that they cannot control their urges to sexually and violently abuse women and children. This paper advocates that more strict legislative measures are needed that would prevent vulnerable individuals from being raped, abused and possibly killed by essentially "incurable" predators. It puts forward the proposal that if people were assured a harsh punishment if they were to commit a crime, they would be less likely to be able to justify their criminal actions as being "worth the risk". It discusses the holes in current legislation and how offenders are often not required to undergo sex offender treatment or evaluation and they are released into the community without being forced to adhere to sex offender registration laws and evaluates Megan's law. Megan's Law refers to the series of laws introduced in New Jersey following the murder of seven year-old Megan Kanka who was kidnapped, raped and murdered by her neighbor, a twice convicted sex offender who had committed a similar crime only months before. It analyzes the increasing public awareness and concern about crime together with intense media focus on the issue.

From the Paper
"According to Princeton University professor John DeIulio, "almost half of the country's 671,000 parolees and probationers are caught committing serious new offenses within three years" (Feinsilber, 1997). Many sexual predators have admitted that they cannot control their urges to sexually and violently abuse women and children. For this reason we should not allow these dangerous criminals to terrorize our neighborhoods, schools and homes. It is therefore my contention that more strict legislative measures are needed that would prevent vulnerable individuals from being raped, abused and possibly killed by these essentially "incurable" predators."

Tags:child, deviants, law, legal, molesters, rapists, sexual, megan, criminals