Abstract
This study utilized Rapee's (2001) model for the development of anxiety, in order to test whether there are factors, which protect children against anxiety. The study specifically suggests that anxious children should have a withdrawn and negative reactivity temperament, having experienced more negative life events than non anxious children and in response to these events, implementing an avoidant coping style. The study was conducted on 143 mother and child pairs. The study uses self-report questionnaires for both the mother and the child and the participants were instructed to complete these anonymously. The data obtained suggests that temperament is not a salient construct in regard to anxiety, with there being no significant differences in temperamental behaviour between high and low anxious children. The study also found that there was evidence of both negative life events and an avoidant coping style in highly anxious children.

From the Paper
"Anxiety is suggested to be the most common form of psychopathology in children, affecting around 10% of the population and is often severe enough to "interfere in daily functioning" (Spence, 1998 p 545; Rapee, 2002). Due to the debilitating effects of anxiety, it is important to identify the factors, which may increase a person's vulnerability to developing an anxiety disorder."

Tags:events, life, negative, temperament, parent, school

Abstract
This essay explores the possibilities of the varying factors that might affect the probability of one disclosing personal information and thoughts to another.

From the Paper
"Not revealing personal information reduces the chances of others using that information against oneself but inevitably, people still reveal information about themselves on a day to day basis, especially to family and friends, and sometimes even strangers or acquaintances for various reasons. Derlega (1987) describes self-disclosure as the process of telling another person about oneself; honestly sharing thoughts and feelings that may be personal or private. To a large extent, having different personalities, gender and age does affect one's reason to self-disclose. However, this does not exclude the considerations that obligation may take the form of other situational factors, such as the studies by Gouldner in 1960, Bradac, Hosman, & Tardy in 1978 and Chaikin & Derlega, in 1974a (cf. Bradac, Hosman & Tardy, 1980), which show that if one were to disclose intimate information about oneself to another, the recipient is obliged to respond in a similar manner or they might run the risk of being negatively judged. Derlega and Grzelak (1979) offered a list of five different categories of possible purposes of self-disclosure, namely self-expression, self-clarification, social control, social validation and relationship development (cf. Prager, Fuller, & Gonzalez, 1989) which it will be discussed in relation to personality, gender and age factors in this essay."

Tags:behavior, extravert, extrovert, introvert, jung, personality, psychology, social, theories, theory

Abstract
This paper explains that there are differing viewpoints in mind when attempting to ascertain what the sole cause of aggressive behavior actually is. It discusses that this is due to the fact that aggressive behavior is a complex relationship between chemical, structural and behavioural factors. This paper tries to define the causes of aggressive behavior.

From the Paper
'Aggression is behaviour motivated by the intent to harm or injure another human being, animal or inanimate object through physical or psychological means (Klein, 2000). From a behavioural perspective aggression is hypothesised to be learned and maintained through social experiences. Learned behaviour through social experiences is identified as social learning theory and can take the form of exposure to direct or vicarious experiences (Bandura, 1973). A competing hypothesis to Bandura's social learning theory is social cognition in which the development of aggressive styles of behaviour is acquired early in the lifespan in the form of scripts (internal representations of how to behave in particular situations). Scripts are maintained through rehearsal in which the individual assesses later situations and determines whether the previously learnt script fits the presented situation (Huesmann, 1994). Biologically speaking there are many hypothesised explanations such as a reduction in serotonin (Klein, 1992), increase in testosterone (Rosenweig, Breedlove & Leiman, 2001), structural or metabolic differences in the prefrontal cortex (Raine, 2002) and structural differences in the amygdala (Barrett, Dunbar & Lycett, 2002). However a sole definitive origin for aggressive behaviour either biologically or behaviourally remains unknown."

Tags:cortex, prefrontal

Abstract
A practical essay about the two-factor theory of motivation hygiene with implications for management and their role. The paper also includes a general comparison between this theory and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Finally, it analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of Hertzberg's theory. The paper explains that the motivation hygiene theory implies that management must design the job for employees so that there are avenues for job enrichment. Some examples of ways to provide job enrichment include increasing accountability while removing controls, making periodic reports available to workers as well as supervisors (open book), management granting job freedom, introducing new and challenging tasks, and assigning specific or specialized tasks.

From the Paper
"Psychologist, Fredrick Herzberg, introduced the motivation-hygiene theory (also know as the "two-factor theory"). Herzberg rejected Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of needs" and decided to carefully study and research key factors affecting a worker's performance. Following this research, Herzberg developed the motivation-hygiene theory, which which was published in "The Motivation to Work". Under this theory, Herzberg forwarded the idea that there are satisfiers (motivation-factors) and dissatisfiers (hygiene-factors) (Vroom, 1975: 87). Satisfiers include recognition and achievement, the presence of these factors, under Herzberg's theory, has a positive effect on motivation and satisfaction where as the absence of these factors have no negative effect on motivation or satisfaction."

Tags:management, human, resource, hygiene, motivate, satisfy

Abstract
This paper defines the nuclear family and discusses its role within society. The author also discusses how the breakdown of the nuclear family is blamed for social dysfunction. The stability and structure of society is examined in the light of the declining prevalence of the nuclear family.

From the paper:

"The nuclear family consisting of two adults, 1 male, 1 female, and children is the most common form of family in Australia according to 1996 census figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Talcott Parson?s cited in Jureidini & Poole, recognizes the nuclear family as the ?normal? family structure. While statistics show the nuclear family still being the most common family form in Australia they also show a decline in it?s predominance of approximately 10% over the last 20 years. It is for this reason that the functions and benefits of the nuclear family must be recognized before dysfunction alters the stability and structure of society."

Tags:adult, dysfunction, society, children, personality, relationships, parsons, bales, australia

Abstract
This paper defines performance appraisal and comments on its value to any organization. Various methods of performance appraisal are described in detail and common errors made by appraisers are also discussed.

From the paper:

?In an increasingly competitive global market place, organizations are dedicated to continual individual and organisational improvement. Performance appraisal is considered to be an important tool in accomplishing this improvement. In a study conducted by the American Productivity and Quality Center and Linkage Incorporated several organizations declined to participate in performance appraisal research as they believed their performance appraisal system to be a source of competitive advantage. One executive compared the revealing of his organization?s performance management strategies to Coca-Cola supplying their recipe.?

Tags:human, management, resource, organization, research, behavior

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
This paper explores the disorder known as Multiple Personality Disorder. The paper attempts to define this illness and takes into account the different meaning of personality as well. Skeptical views are explored and argued against the fact that many cases of MPD have arisen only in the past three decades. Small changes in character traits are explored across time and due to certain instances which affect a person, resulting in a change of personality. Cases of more than two personalities are explored and deemed extremely rare cases, not comparing in any way to the subtle changes suspect to the culturally conditioned iatrogenic theory of MPD. The childhood traumatic theory of MPD is also explored and compared to the culturally conditioned theory.

From the Paper
"Many people have argued the topic of personality and what it is to be a person over the centuries. Exploring the different meanings is very complex and to say that Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) involves multiple persons depends on what we define to be a person. If there are simply changes in attitude in a person over a given time, is it classified as MPD or "excessively moody"? Taylor and Martin (1944) stated that MPD is the presence in one patient of two or more personalities each of which is so well defined as to have a relatively stable mental life of its own (as cited in Gillett 1986). Usually in MPD, the character traits of the other "person" are the opposite of the real person, for example, happy and withheld to hot-tempered and open."

Tags:psychology, patient, psychotic, mental, illness

Abstract
This essay analyzes human behavior through biological, learning, and cognitive theories to assess whether prison-based rehabilitation programs should be abolished in times of financial cutbacks. Research evidence is provided which indicates that although much of human behavior has biological roots, it does not necessarily mean behavior cannot be changed. The author argues that although only certain types of rehab programs are effective in changing criminal behavior, it nevertheless implies that behavior is more nurture than nature.

Outline:
Rehabilitation: The Key in Changing Offender Behavior
Biological Accounts of Behavior
Behavior Through Learning
Cognitive Approach
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In recent decades, incarceration rates (ABS) have displayed an upward trend across Australia. This, along with an increasing rate of recidivism(ABS) has contributed to a growing amount of criticism on the effectiveness of prison based rehabilitation programs.
According to Vennard, Sugg and Hedderman (1997) prison based programs designed to rehabilitate offenders have been criticised on two main grounds. Firstly, that they over simplify the roots of offending behavior by not considering other determinants of crime and secondly, that they are ineffective at changing criminal behavior. This "nothing works" (Martinson, 1974) attitude has changed in recent years to a cautious optimism, supported by growing research that some types of intervention can be effective at reducing re-offending. It is therefore paramount that some, if not most rehabilitation programs continue to operate despite financial cutbacks."

Tags:rehab, biological, cognitive, behavioral

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