Philosophy of Education :: Philosophy of Education Teaching Essays

Philosophy of Education Educating children profoundly affects their lives and influences the life of anyone who comes into contact with those children. Education provides a foundation for a child to base the rest of his or her life on. Without a solid education, it becomes impossible for an individual to provide for themselves and their family. Also, well-educated people can make decisions that benefit both their own interests and the interests of society as a whole. In this paper, I will address my personal opinions and philosophy about education. First, I will address the nature of the student. Next, I will examine the nature of knowledge, followed by the purpose of public education, and method. Finally, my paper will conclude with a discussion of the curriculum areas that are most important in elementary school. Additionally, I will relate my views to pragmatism and progressivism, and to Plato?s teaching, three valuable theories regarding education. No two students are exactly alike. Nevertheless, they do share one fundamental characteristic -- every student has the ability to learn. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato believed that a student?s learning ability is determined entirely by genetics. According to Plato, people are either golds, silvers, or bronzes. The golds are the smartest and the bronzes are the slower learners. I don?t really agree with this philosophy. Yes, some children are naturally intelligent and others are not. But natural ability is not the only factor to consider. Students differ on their level of motivation regarding learning. Some students will settle for a ?C? while others push themselves to get an ?A.? Others are perfectly happy with failing grades. Motivation, or lack of it, can be blamed on one of two causes: environment and genetics. Some feel that a child?s desire to learn is most influenced by their home environment. Genes have also been blamed for a child?s longing to l earn. I feel that both factors play a role in how a child approaches education. In a home where education is strongly emphasized, a child is probably going to want to learn. However, this is not always true.

Outline and comment on the two schools Essay

â€Å"Outline and comment on the two schools of thought involved in the study of the nature-nurture debate in development. Explain, using examples, why this debate gives rise to so much controversy†.  The debate concerning the two schools of thought involved in the study of the â€Å"nature versus nurture† is one of the most controversial and long-lasting debates in psychology. Psychologists disagree whether a particular part of behaviour had taken place through genetic and heredity factors or through experience in their environment and learning. Psychologists are trying to answer, â€Å"What makes us who we are?† and consider two main influences. Firstly nature which is involved in genes and heredity, and their influences on our development, and secondly nurture which is involved in external influences on our development such as the environment and nurturing. Psychologists were divided into two schools of thought, firstly the nativists, who are concerned with the nature side of the debate. In 1943 Gesell argued that genes and chromosomes that are inherited are the main influence in child development (Hayes and Orrell 1996, pg 2). For example: Gesell found that the development of physical coordination in a baby seemed to follow an orderly sequence, beginning with its head, and gradually moved down the body. Gesell regarded these sequences of development as being fixed and genetically determined (Hayes N 1993, pg 31). See more: what is essay format Genes are lengths of DNA, which carry instructions that control everything that happens inside a cell. They are passed onto the next generation in order to avoid extinction. Each body cell contains two sets of 23 chromosomes and each chromosome contains up to 4000 genes. (Barber M et al 2000, pg 480). Every newborn baby has around 60,000 genes; they have two copies of each gene and inherit one set from the mother and one set from the father. (Barber M et al 2000,pg 504). We portray some of these genes in our similarities in appearance to our parents or other members of our immediate family, or when generations have been skipped. For example our eye and hair colour is similar or our height, build and weight is similar to our parents. Genes can be recessive or dominant. For example: The gene that gives the colour in brown eyes is a dominant gene and the blue gene that results in blue eyes is a recessive gene. A child will have brown eyes if one of its parents had brown eyes even if the other parent had blue eyes. That child will still have the blue-eyed gene and may pass it on to the next generation (Hayes and Orrell 1996, pg 5). Some diseases are inherited mainly because of faulty genes. For example: Huntingdon disease is caused by a faulty gene and causes premature degeneration of the brain (Barber M et al 2000,pg 504). Down’s syndrome is another example of a genetic disorder, which has resulted from the presence of an extra chromosome and causes physical and mental handicaps to different degrees of severity (Hayes and Orrell 1996, pg 4).  As well as inherited characteristics and features there is also evidence of inherited behaviour. This was shown in 1938 in Lorenz and Tinbergens 4 characteristics in animal behaviour: Stereotyped – this behaviour happens the same way every time.  Species specific – this behaviour is specific to a certain type of animal.  Isolation – this behaviour is the same as others of their species, even if they have been isolated.  No practice – this behaviour appears as a complete unit even if the animal has had no chance to practice it. (Hayes and Orrell 1996 pg 9 & Class notes)  Imprinting is a type of behaviour that can form rapid attachments and is also believed to be genetically influenced. For example: Ducklings had become imprinted on a human being. Lorenz found that ducklings would adopt him if he were the first moving thing they saw. He believed this would only take place in the critical period, up to 25 hours after hatching. This was questioned by, (W Slucking in 1964.) After his own study of the same experiment, he found the period was extended if the ducklings were isolated from one another, and hadn’t been able to imprint on each other (Hayes N 1993, pg 39). Behaviours we inherit don’t show up all at once. Certain forms of behaviour emerge when the individual is mature enough. This is known as maturation, for example, the physiological changes that take place in puberty (Hayes & Orrell 1996 pg 7). There are disagreements between the nativists and behaviourists about whether or not maturation is purely genetic. (Hayes N 1993, pg 32).  This brings the debate to the other side of the disagreement and behaviourists also known, as empiricists, believe nurture is the main influence in development. In 1913, J.B. Watson attempted to make psychology `Scientific`. Previously psychology had concentrated on the study of the mind, Watson argued that the mind was not suitable for valid scientific research, so instead he studied behaviour (Hayes N 1995, pg 3). Watson was a total empiricist believing the environment was the only important factor in an individual’s development. He considered that a child was born as tabula rasa – a blank slate, which experience would write upon to produce the person (Hayes & Orrell 1996, pg 2.

Hitlers Foreign Policy - 2683 Words

History – Hitler’s Foreign Policy The Revival of Germany January 1933 – Hitler becomes Chancellor Hitler’s Foreign Policy Aims 1. Destroy Treaty of Versailles (Versailles had limited Germany’s armed forces, taken away her colonies, forced Germany to give land to her neighbours which meant there were Germans under foreign rule) and impose German control in Europe. This involved rearmament the destruction of French alliance system. 2. Union of German-Speaking people → Hitler was an Austrian, he longed for Union 3. Getting â€Å"living Space† from â€Å"sub-human† Slavs USSR (according to Mein Kampf Hitler’s real enemy not the West) Poland. He argued Germans were the master race who needed living space as Germany was†¦show more content†¦Agreement: German limited to 35% of the tonnage of British fleet 100% submarines. Results: o British approval of Germany’s right to rearm (disapproval of Versailles) → France and Italy were angered o Stresa front broken Reoccupation of Rhineland 1936 While the League was busy dealing with the Ethiopian affair, German troops reoccupied Rhineland defying Locarno treaties treaty of Versailles Hitler tried to reassure France Belgium with offers to sign peace pacts Gamble: German army was still weak → Enemies could have easily defeated them Generals were nervous ready to withdraw at first sign of trouble Humiliating for Hitler and generals → coup d’etat Reaction: Britain France distracted by Ethiopia Britain: sympathetic (believed Germans were only moving back to their own back garden → appeasement, they were impressed by Hitler’s 25-year peace offer. France: Didn’t mobilise. France wasn’t willing to take action without British support. France was divided, there had been riots. The French as the British were ready to see how Hitler would behave in the future. Results: Hitler was encouraged to take further gambles → he underestimated allies Hitler was popular → almost impossible to move against him Secure strategic position in any future war against France→ Germany started building â€Å"Siegfried line†Show MoreRelatedEssay on Hitlers Foreign Policy3193 Words   |  13 Pages_THE PATH TO DESTRUCTION: HITLER S FOREIGN POLICY_ _ï ¿ ½_ _It is not truth that matters, but victory._ Adolf Hitler No one was aware at the time of the impending tragedy with an international system busy recovering from the previous war. A League of Nations established at the Treaty of Versailles was halfheartedly trying to keep international peace in tact. However, it failed to do so. Not only did the Treaty of Versailles leave countries in economic despair but it also brought resentment toRead MoreHitlers Foreign Policy and the Treaty of Versailles1052 Words   |  5 PagesHitler s Foreign Policy and the Treaty of Versailles Treaty of Versailles, signed with Germany in 1919 had one main purpose – to protect the planet from another world war. Germany, the country guilty for the World War One had to accept a number of unfavorable conditions: 1. Enormous reparations (6,6 billion pounds) were implied 2. The army was limited to 100  000 soldiers 3. Tanks, fleet and aircraft were banned However, the main ideas concerned the foreign policy: 1. PoznanRead MoreAssess How Hitlers Ideology Affected Nazi Foreign Policy Between 1933-391528 Words   |  7 Pagesas the catalyst for Hitler’s foreign policy. A.J.P. Taylor even goes on to argue that Hitler was not only continuing a policy of previous German governments but he also believes Hitler can not be directly implemented in the events which unleashed WW2. However, to attribute Hitler’s foreign policy purely to his opportunistic characteristics would be to ignore his personal motivations and both racist and expansionist ideology. This facile explanation also fails to look at Hitler’s intentions echoed fearlesslyRead MoreActors of Foreign Policy1857 Words   |  7 Pagesthan type of government, the situations at hand in every state, the foreign policies that each state considers and the political culture of a particular state, there is also one very important aspect of foreign policy ,the actors. Political leaders and especially the heads of states such as a President, Prime Minister or King/ queen are fundamental actors in foreign policy and their ideals also reflect on how their foreign policies are structured and implemented in their states. This is mainly becauseRead MoreThe Holocaust and Nazi Germany1477 Words   |  6 Pageslink can be made between Nazi racial ideologies and Hitler’s foreign policy. Firstly, Nazi ideologies were a fundamental facet to the Holocaust, as it included the philosophies of who constituted as a Jew, and the consequent treatment of those diagnosed as Jews. Secondly, Hitler’s foreign policies were another significant aspect of the holocaust, as it was a fundamental part in the construction of Hitler’s ultimate goal. Thirdly, the foreign policy and racial ideologies are revealed to be inextricablyRead MoreHitler Essay1204 Words   |  5 Pagesregards to Hitler’s foreign policy. In September 1938, during the Czechoslovakian crisis, the appeasers appeased to Hitler’s taking of the Sudetenland due to the threat of war. On October first 1938 in the Daily Herald Newspaper, the headline stated that Mr. Chamberlain declared that â€Å"It is peace for our timeâ₠¬ . Some people say that the appeasers, such as Neville Chamberlain, were the indirect cause of World War two. b) The main point that Mein Kampf reveals about Hitler’s foreign policy in the 1920’sRead MoreEssay On Hitlers Responsibility For War870 Words   |  4 Pagesproof of Hitler’s responsibility for War in Europe. It is true to say, with hindsight that the Memorandum was used at the Nuremberg trials to . It has, however, limited credibility as the minutes were drawn up many days after the event, therefore he was recalling from his memory, and not by his secretary directly at the meeting, as was usually done. On the other hand, it still give a rare glimpse into the order of procession for no minutes of this meeting were meant to be taken as Hitler’s closestRead MoreSignificance of the Nazi Soviet Non Aggression Pact1124 Words   |  5 Pagessignificant in regards to the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939, however there were several other factors that also led to the outbreak of WWII. These factors include; the allied policy of appeasement, the failure the Leag ue of Nations and Collective Security and the aggressive nature of Nazi and Italian foreign policy. The signing of the 1939 Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was extremely significant in regards to the outbreak of war in Europe. Both Germany and Russia possessed considerable motivesRead MoreWorld War Two Was the Result of the Aggression and Ambition of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party991 Words   |  4 Pagesseizure of Power, Hitler gave his first speech on foreign policy. He admitted that Germany had reason to be dissatisfied with the Versailles Peace Treaty, but did not mention the Possibility of war. Hitler claimed that his government stood for stability and peace in Europe and he denied any territorial ambitions. As we all know this did not happen. It is essential in Nazi foreign policy not to lose sight in the key elements of Hitlers ideas, which were based on his belief ofRead MoreHitlers Domestic Policies and Their Popularity Essay953 Words   |  4 PagesHitlers Domestic Policies and Their Popularity Hitlers domestic policies enjoyed differing levels of support. Policies such as the economy and anti-semitism may have been popular and increased Nazi support. Alteratively, they may have been unpopular and repressive. When Hitler first came to power in 1933, the Nazi Party did not have majority support. Hitler aimed to strengthen their position further and increase support. When The Reichstag erupted into flames in

The Republic Essay - 1514 Words

The Republic Plato was born around the year 428 BCE into an established Athenian household with a history of political connections -- including distant relations to both Solon and Pisistratus. Platos parents were Ariston and Perictone, his older brothers were Adeimantus and Glaucon, and his younger sister was Potone. In keeping with his family heritage, Plato was destined for the political life. But the Peloponnesian War, which began a couple of years before he was born and continued until well after he was twenty, led to the decline of the Athenian Empire. The war was followed by religious movement that led to the execution of Platos mentor, Socrates. Together these events forever altered the course of Platos life. Plato†¦show more content†¦Two of Platos relatives, Critias (his mothers uncle) and Charmides (his mothers brother) played roles in politics. Critias was identified as one of the more extreme members and chief advocate of the government, while Charmides played a smaller role as one of the Eleven, a customs/police force which oversaw the Piraeus. The government made a practice of confiscating the estates of wealthy Athenians and resident aliens and of putting many individuals to death. In an effort to implicate Socrates in their actions, the government ordered him to arrest Leon of Salamis. Socrates, however, resisted and was spared punishment only because a civil war eventually replaced the corrupt government with a new and most radical democracy. A general amnesty, the first in history, was issued absolving those who participated in the reign of terror and other crimes committed during the war. But because many of Socrates associates were involved with the corrupt government, public sentiment had turned against him, and he now had the reputation of being anti-democratic. In what appears to be a matter of guilt-by-association, a general prejudice was ultimately responsible for bringing Socrates to trial in 399 on the charges of corrupting the youth, introducing new gods into the city, atheism, and engaging in unusual religious practices. During his trial,Show MoreRelatedThe Republic Of Plato s Republic865 Words   |  4 Pagesgovernments, ideal cities and even ideal rulers over the course of the semester, from Aristotle’s Politics to the city described in the Melian dialogue, there is one that undoubtedly left a greater on me than the other- the city described in Plato’s Republic. From Plato’s remarkably feminist ideals and vague sense of barebones socialism, there’s a lot in this city that I hypothetically would throw my support behind. This is not to say that I think that this is the â€Å"best† option of the cities that weRead MoreThe Republic Of Haiti Versus The French Republic1963 Words   |  8 PagesKamal Mo hamed, Sanford H. Calhoun High School Introduction: The court will be hearing the case of the Republic of Haiti versus the French Republic. The mannor of the case will be concerning the Independence debt of 1825 in which the French Republic issued a tax amount of 90 million gold Francs in the year 1825 due to the Republic of Haiti s desire to leave the French Empire. The French Republic calculated the amount after the former slave owners totalled the loss after the former slaves revoltedRead MoreThe Republic Of The Dominican Republic Essay1186 Words   |  5 PagesThe dominican Republic is known as the breadbasket of the Caribbean because it grows, farms, and catches almost everything that’s served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Dominican Republic was the first colony founded by Christopher Columbus. It used to go by â€Å"La Hispaniola† in colonial times. Also the flag of the Dominican Republic is the only national flag in the world to feature the image of a bible. My country is the Dominican Republic. I learn ed about the culture, food, religion, importsRead MoreCzech Republic And The Republic2518 Words   |  11 PagesThe Czech Republic is located nearly in the center of Europe and was recently known as Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic is bordered by Slovakia, Germany, Poland, and Austria. The Czech Republic was a part of Czechoslovakia until 1993 when it split into both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. With it being a fairly new country, one would assume that it is struggling to catch up to society economically, this is simply untrue, because the Czech Republic is one of the most economically stable countriesRead MoreWeimar Republic And Its Effect On The Republic732 Words   |  3 Pages The Weimar republic by:Efren Camacho, World History, pd 1 Weimar republic weaknesses were important because, the Weimar republic was elected for a new republic of Germany later on,that did not turn on well. First, the weimar republic was elected for new government Jan,1919. The Nazis came to power in the 1930’s, and manich to establish a dictatorship.why were the Weimar republic weaknesses significant? The origins of the Weimar republic, weaknesses, how did Hitler come toRead MoreMonarchy vs Republic1907 Words   |  8 PagesEssay # 1 The question of monarchy versus republic is mostly discussed from a highly emotional rather than a rational point of view. A few undignified occupants of royal thrones are enumerated, and are then presented as examples of monarchy as such. The defenders of monarchy are no better. They point to corrupt professional politicians, of whom there exist a sufficient number, and claim that this is the necessary consequence of a republican constitution. Neither is a rational argument. There haveRead MoreLarge Vs. Small Republic1001 Words   |  5 Pages#1, Question 2 Large vs. Small Republic America is an incredibly vast, diverse country, and has been this way for hundreds of years. The sheer size of America, even when it was only composed of thirteen states with a total population of nearly three million people (Brutus, essay 1, p. 64), concerned many Americans in the 1780s, due to this inquiry: was America simply too large for a republican style government to work? Many anti-federalists claimed that republics could only work on a small scaleRead More Platos Republic Essay1892 Words   |  8 Pages Platos Republic nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Critics of The Republic, Platos contribution to the history of political theory, have formed two distinct opinions on the reasoning behind the work. The first group believes that The Republic is truly a model for a political society, while the other strongly objects to that, stating it as being far too fantastic for any society to operate successfully by these suggested methods. In an exchange between Crito and Dionysius, this argument is first introducedRead MoreLegend By Marie Lu : The Republic1053 Words   |  5 PagesLegend by Marie Lu is a, post-apocalyptic future Los Angeles dystopia ruled by the Republic. In Legend, there are two main characters; Day a fifteen year old boy, also, the Republics most wanted criminal. He is also homeless, because he had failed his trial that he had taken when he was ten that determines his social class and his job. His brother is affected by a new kind of plague, which is â€Å"attacking† the sectors. His other brother’s name is John and he has a mother. He lives with his friend TessRead MoreEssay on Machiavellis Advice to Republics570 Words   |  3 PagesMachiavellis Advice to Republics In secular democracies, power is necessarily derived from the will of the governed. That power is then entrusted to a leader, who Machiavelli would understand to be a prince. Inherently, his book, The Prince, has been close at hand for most politicians for centuries, as it provides general, historically proven advice for principalities and republics on how to govern and maintain relations with their most important resource and the very core of their power

Graphic Warnings as a Crucial Way of Passing Medication Information to Essay

Essays on Graphic Warnings as a Crucial Way of Passing Medication Information to Consumers Essay The paper "Graphic Warnings as a Crucial Way of Passing Medication Information to Consumers" is an outstanding example of an essay on medical science.  It is important for drug manufacturers to include graphic warnings in their advertisements because some drugs have got special problems, especially the ones that may cause serious injury or even death. Such drugs with boxed warnings usually have a brief summary which basically is a technical name for the comprehensive information which appears in advertisements for most prescription drugs. It is also a requirement by the law that advertisements for most prescription drugs be printed or made known to the customers so as to alert them of any risks associated with the taking of such drugs. The brief summary ought to include guidelines on individuals who are not supposed to take the drug, times when the drug should not be taken, any serious, potential drug side effects ,if known, as well as measures that can be taken to minimise the pos sibility of having them and finally constantly occurring, though not essentially severe side effects. The other reasons include drugs that interact negatively with other drugs that should be indicated together with low health literacy amongst patients; which basically involves struggling with understanding as well as acting on health information(Shinyabola, et al,2014). Graphic warnings are a crucial way of passing medication information to consumers, as long as patients can easily comprehend them. In addition to using graphic warnings while doing drug adverts, health caregivers should offer guidance to underserved people on medication warnings; particularly persons with low health literacy and currently not on prescription medication. Generally, these endeavors benefit consumers a great deal.

Economics Market Advantage

Questions: 1. You are the only supplier of a product and you are seeking to increase your revenue. Under what conditions would you (a) take the decision to lower the price of your product or (b) take the decision to raise the price of your product in order to achieve your goal of increased revenue.2.A country that can produce all goods more efficiently than any other country has no need to engage in trade. Discuss. Answers: 1. A single supplier will employ the price discrimination with an aim of acquiring market advantage. Decreasing the price upsurges demand but downscale supply whereas upscaling the prices decrease the demand. Increasing price, nevertheless, will hike supply on the basis of economic forces of demand and supply. Consequently, in case a single supplier wishes to hike the demand for a product, she might downscale the price to discriminatively charge dissimilar price say on the basis of persons, locations and usage of a product (Ricci, 1999). Conversely, the single supplier will hike the price by providing fewer of the product but still get hiked revenue as a result of the high prices charged. An example in which price personal discrimination is applied is whereby the seller charges different price for the same product to individuals with dissimilar degree of wealth endowment. The single seller will downscale the price for individual perceived as underprivileged. In so doing, the single supplier will sell more product at lower price (Weder, 2015). However, the single supplier will hike the price to the wealthier individuals and still achieve hiked revenue goal. 2. An economy is well placed to specialize in the production of a product it can efficiently produce and trade to get other goods. Economies have fluctuating levels of natural, human, and capital resources. They also have different strategies of resources combination in production of goods and services. In a nutshell, economies are never equally efficient at the production of products required by their respective residents (Brecher, Chen Choudhri, 2002). There is constantly an opportunity committed to every decision a country makes to produce a good. It explains that amount of alternative good forgone. Given a choice of producing one product or another, specialization holds that a nation is more efficient to produce that product with the downscale opportunity cost. The country should produce that product to trade for the commodity with the greater opportunity cost. In case an economy can produce more of product with the same resources that another economy can, it is said to have an absolute advantage in the production of that specific product. Conversely, where the second nation has absolute advantage in the production of a product which the first economy wishes to import, the two economies will be both better placed specializing and trading. Trade remains advantageous to both economies even when one enjoys absolute advantage in producing both products for trade (Bain, 2011). Given any two products, an economy has a comparative advantage in the good that has inferior opportunity cost. The two economies need to ensure that the terms of trade are designed in a manner that both economies decrease the opportunity cost of the commodities being drawn from the exchange. References Bain, J. S. (2011). A note on pricing in monopoly and oligopoly. The American Economic Review, 448-464. Brecher, R. A., Chen, Z., Choudhri, E. U. (2002). Absolute and comparative advantage, reconsidered: the pattern of international trade with optimal saving. Review of International Economics, 10(4), 645-656. Ricci, L. A. (1999). Economic geography and comparative advantage:: Agglomeration versus specialization. European Economic Review, 43(2), 357-377. Weder, R. (2015). Linking Absolute and Comparative Advantage to Intra?Industry Trade Theory. Review of International Economics, 3(3), pp.342-354.

The four stage nursing process assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation Essay Example

The four stage nursing process assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation Paper This assignment is a client-focused study based on the four stage nursing process- assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. After a brief introduction to the client and clinical setting I shall provide evidence of a comprehensive mental health assessment, discussing both the formal and informal techniques employed. Through this assessment and in collaboration with the client a specific need was identified and highlighted for intervention. After justifying my choice of intervention, based on the current evidence available, I shall move on to the application of the intervention itself, paying particular emphasis to the skills needed by the nurse for an effective working. The principle area covered by this assignment is the use and efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) when applied to the positive symptoms of psychosis. In particular I shall be concentrating on coping strategies aimed at reducing the negative impact that some of the clients auditory hallucinations created. Finally I shall evaluate the intervention discussing whether it was efficacious or not. Throughout the assignment I have placed particular emphasis on collaborative working with the client, and have as far as possible attempted to respect and incorporate their views and opinions. Confidentiality has been maintained at all times in deference to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2002). The Client The client is a forty-two year old male with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. We will write a custom essay sample on The four stage nursing process assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The four stage nursing process assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The four stage nursing process assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Schizophrenia is a condition characterised by both positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech/thought, and grossly disorganised behaviour. Negative symptoms include affective flattening, alogia and avolition (Fortinash Holoday Worret 2003). The DSM IV Diagnostic criteria for Schizophrenia states that two (or more) of the above must be present for a significant period of time during a one month period for a diagnosis to be made. The client under study experiences auditory hallucinations, hearing both benevolent and malevolent voices at differing times, and possesses little insight into the nature of his condition, Im not ill its just chemicals in my brain. As a consequence his compliance with taking his medication is poor. His current admission is due to an increase in symptomology caused principally by a reduction in the effectiveness of his prescribed medication. As a result he has been started on a regime of the anti-psychotic drug Clozapine. The client has been known to local services for around six years when he was forced to leave his job due to the increasing severity of his illness. Apart from an initial assessment on admission the client had recently undergone a KGVM assessment by the Psychology department, and was awaiting the results. The Environment The ward on which the client is based is a twenty-one bedded all male acute psychiatric unit converted some years previously from its initial function as a ward for the elderly. It consists of three dormitories- two six bedded and one seven, and two single bedded side-rooms, primarily used by clients who are deemed most unwell. The dormitories and side-rooms occupy three sides of a wide communal area which also doubles as the dining room. A television room and smoking lounge complete the picture along with a small quiet room for therapeutic usage. Along with the physical environment it is also important to understand the milieu or social surroundings that impact on staff and clients alike. The unit in question has a full complement of staff of varying degrees of experience from D to H grades. The clients themselves also have a mix of illnesses, bi-polar disorder, depression, personality disorder and schizophrenia. The atmosphere is generally pleasant and clients are allowed the freedom to express themselves openly within certain boundaries concerning safety, both their own and that of others. I shall discuss the environment and its possible impact on therapy more fully in the section on evaluation. Assessment During this section of the assignment I shall be addressing the following: What is assessment and what is its purpose? How do we assess and what tools do we use? I shall then provide evidence of a comprehensive mental health assessment of a client in practice before prioritising and highlighting a specific need and giving my rationale for this. Due to constrictions of space I have not gone too deeply into the evidence base behind the formal assessment tools used in practice. I am however fully aware of the importance of a tool being valid and reliable in order for it to be of any real use. The client had already undergone a complete bio/psycho/social assessment on admission and his physical health in particular was being closely monitored due to the possible unpleasant side-effects of Clozapine i. e. a destruction of white blood cells resulting in possible death. As a matter of Trust policy all clients on the unit undergo a weekly risk assessment review along with continuing informal daily assessment and as such I have concentrated almost exclusively in this section on the psychological and social aspects affecting the clients condition. What then, is assessment? Mosbys Nurses Pocket Dictionary defines it as 1. An appraisal or judgement made about a particular situation or circumstances. A stage of the nursing process involving the collection of information and data relating to patients and their healthcare needs. 2. A test of measurement or competence (Mosby 2002,p. 31). Thompson and Mathias (2000) confirm this definition and add that assessment must not be seen as just the initial stage of a process but should be an ongoing and integral part of its entirety. Fortinash and Holoday Worret (2003) see assessment as the means by which the nurse gathers the relevant information from a myriad of sources. The most important source of all being the client themselves (Wilson Kneisl, 1996). Why though, do we assess? The purpose of assessment is manifold but is essentially undertaken to identify risk and highlight general problem areas in order to provide a platform for possible future intervention (Hinchliff et al, 1998). Assessment should be comprehensive and cover the biological, psychological and social spheres of an individuals life. Apart from identifying negative areas such as problem and risk, a good assessment should also highlight a clients strengths and motivation. This knowledge is of particular importance when applying cognitive and behavioural interventions (Thompson Mathias, 2000). The therapist can utilise the clients strengths to motivate them and increase their self-worth. Ultimately, assessment allows us to determine appropriate intervention strategies to meet the clients needs and provide a baseline against which future assessment may be gauged (Wilson Kneisl, 1996). Perhaps a more cynical but nevertheless very real reason for assessing clients is that the nurse is obligated to. Mental Health Trusts unquestionably view assessment as a legal requirement, and at all costs wish to avoid any litigation. The government through the NHS have also emphasised the importance of assessment in Mental Health services. Consequently, assessment forms an integral part of Standards four and five of the National Service Framework: Mental Health (1999), that deals with people with severe mental illness. How then do we assess? There are a number of ways in which the nurse may assess the client. Formal assessment tools are widely used and can range from a Trusts and wide in scope admission form to more specific and highly detailed tools which may only cover a particular symptom or aspect of a clients illness e. g. PSYRATS Psychotic Rating Symptom Scale (Haddock et al 1999), which focuses on the delusions and hallucinations of people experiencing psychosis. Why use these standardised assessment tools? Apart from the more general reasons for assessment outlined above standardised tools provide additional aid to those connected with the process. Thompson and Mathias (2000) state that assessment tools may be used for a variety of reasons and it is important for both the nurse and client to be aware of there usage in order to make the process effective. Apart from clinical audit and quality monitoring the tools can also be useful in the collection of research data and as a focal point for therapeutic interaction, providing the client and members of the MDT with a base reference useful to both (Thompson Mathias 2000). Assessment tools provide a structure for both questioning/interviews for the nurse and the client. This can often be helpful where difficult or awkward questions may be embarrassing for either the client or nurse e. g. questions around the issue of sexuality. Also the fact that the questions are written down gives the client some indication that this is standard procedure and not something personalised (Fortinash Holoday Worret 2003). On an equally practicable level standardised tools also assist the nurse by acting as a reminder to ask all the relevant questions, some of which, if there are many, they might otherwise forget. The omission of an important question at this stage of a clients care could have serious ramifications further down the line when an intervention package is being formulated (Wilson Kneisl 1996). Formal interviews are another useful method of assessment. This type of interview usually takes place when the client is first admitted to the unit and is comprehensively broad in scope. Hinchliff et al (1998) claims that the inherent flexibility of this type of assessment is more meaningful and useful to both the client and nurse than is often the case with standardised tools. Through the therapeutic use of self and interpersonal techniques the nurse may be able to encourage the client to discuss areas that a more formal tool might miss. An equally important area of assessment is the constant day-to-day, minute-by-minute assessment that takes place on an informal basis. This includes such things as simply observing the client, their posture, gait, speech etc, but always in an unobtrusive manner so as to respect the clients privacy.