Friday, July 24, 2020

Social Psychologist and Philosopher Erich Fromm

Social Psychologist and Philosopher Erich Fromm History and Biographies Print Biography of Social Psychologist Erich Fromm Fromm Was Known for Challenging the Theories of Sigmund Freud By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on January 16, 2020 Verlagsgruppe Random House / Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons More in Psychology History and Biographies Psychotherapy Basics Student Resources Theories Phobias Emotions Sleep and Dreaming Erich Fromm was a German social psychologist and psychoanalyst, who was associated with the Frankfurt School of critical theory. He was known for developing the concept that freedom was a fundamental part of human nature, and for challenging the theories of Sigmund Freud. Fromm was an only child born to Orthodox Jewish parents in Frankfurt on March 23, 1900. He would later describe his childhood as highly neurotic. At the age of 14, Fromm was heavily influenced by the start of World War I and developed a strong interest in the behavior of groups. He began looking for answers to his questions in the writings of thinkers including Sigmund Freud and Karl Marx. He went on to study sociology at the University of Heidelberg, earning his doctorate in 1922 under the supervision of Alfred Weber. In 1924, he began studying psychoanalysis at the University of Frankfurt before moving to the Berlin Institute of Psychoanalysis. In 1926, he married Freida Reichmann, a woman ten years his senior who had once been Fromms own psychoanalyst. The marriage dissolved after four years. Fromms Career Throughout his life, Fromm maintained a busy career that included numerous teaching positions in addition to publishing a number of books and running his own clinical practice. Fromm helped found the Frankfurt Psychoanalytic Institute, where he lectured from 1929 to 1932. After the Nazis rose to power, the Institute was moved to Geneva, Switzerland and later to Columbia University in New York. After moving to the United States, Fromm taught at a number of schools including the New School for Social Research, Columbia, and Yale. Fromms criticisms of Sigmund Freuds theories began to put him at odds with other psychoanalysts, and in 1944 the New York Psychoanalytic Institute suspended him from supervising students. Fromm remarried in 1944, became a U.S. citizen and moved to Mexico in hopes of alleviating his second wifes illness. He began teaching at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 1949 and continued to work there until he retired in 1965. After his wifes death in 1952, Fromm founded the Mexican Institute of Psychoanalysis and continued to serve as its director until 1976. He remarried again in 1953 and continued to teach in Mexico. He also taught at other schools including Michigan State University and New York University. Fromm moved from Mexico City to Muralto, Switzerland in 1974, where he lived until his death in 1980. Sigmund Freuds Theories in Psychology Contributions to Psychology Today, Erich Fromm is widely regarded as one of the most important psychoanalysts of the 20th century. While Freud had an early influence on him, Fromm later became part of a group known as the neo-Freudians which included Karen Horney and Carl Jung. Fromm was critical of many of Freuds ideas including the Oedipus complex, the life and death instincts, and the libido theory. Fromm believed that society and culture also played a significant role in individual human development. Man’s main task in life is to give birth to himself, to become what he potentially is. The most important product of his effort is his own personality. â€" Man for Himself, 1947. Fromm had a major influence on humanistic psychology. He believed life was a contradiction since humans are both part of nature and separate from it. From this conflict arises basic existential needs including relatedness, creativity, rootedness, identity and a frame of orientation, according to Fromm. Of his own work, Fromm would later explain, I wanted to understand the laws that govern the life of the individual man, and the laws of society â€" that is, of men in their social existence. I tried to see the lasting truth in Freuds concepts as against those assumptions which were in need of revision. I tried to do the same with Marxs theory, and finally, I tried to arrive at a synthesis which followed from the understanding and the criticism of both thinkers. Who Were the Neo-Freudians? Selected Publications Escape from Freedom, 1941Man for Himself, 1947Psychoanalysis and Religion, 1950The Sane Society, 1955The Art of Loving, 1956The Heart of Man, 1964The Nature of Man, 1968The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, 1979The Art of Being, 1993On Being Human, 1997

Friday, May 22, 2020

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - 819 Words

Cathi Williams 9/10/2012 Informative Speech: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Has anybody in this class know anybody or themselves that have went through a traumatic event in their life, such as abuse, war, witnessing a murder, and so on? Well if you do you or that person are at risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a relatively new psychological diagnosis, but it is a kind of anxiety disorder. For example after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 has caused PTSD in some of the people that were involved in first response to the Twin Towers, people who saw the disaster occur, and even people who have lost relatives and friends in that tragic event. Some symptoms that occur are†¦show more content†¦Most times that person needs treatment which can vary from behavioral therapy, medication, and in some cases when it becomes too bad hospitalization is needed. Don’t let this prolong for too long because there has been cases where the person suffer ing from PTSD killed somebody or themselves because they couldn’t handle the memories or the memories and flashbacks caused them to do it. Now that you know what the statistics, symptoms, and diagnoses are for PTSD, ask yourself again is there somebody that you know that can be suffering from this? Well if your answer is yes I recommend you be there to support that person no matter what and get them the best help that they can receive, because I know you don’t want to see that person harm themselves orShow MoreRelatedPost Traumatic Stress Disorder980 Words   |  4 PagesToday we are here to figure out why is it that past events are the triggers that cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or undergoing a dangerous event. There are various symptoms that begin to show or actions that can give a clear answer whether one may be diagnosed with this disorder. One of the many problems is t hat no age range is safe from suffering PTSD. One must ask themselves what set of events happenedRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder851 Words   |  3 PagesPost Traumatic Stress Disorder Introduction â€Å"There are currently over 400,000 Veterans in treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and it is estimated that with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars there is an additional 33% increase in our returning soldiers.† Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has become a severe issue for veterans returning from overseas. One of the most effective, yet unused resources given to veterans to help them cope with their disorder is specially trained dogs. TheseRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder884 Words   |  4 Pagesof traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.† (NIMH) Families of veterans struggle to help their loved ones. â€Å"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by a person’s exposure to life-threatening or otherwise traumatic circumstances.† (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affectsRead MorePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder1630 Words   |  7 Pagesare now accessing mental health services for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) defined by DSM-IV-TR is â€Å"characterised by the re-experiencing of an extremely traumatic event accompanied by symptoms of increased arousal and by avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma† (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 2000). There are many impacts and effects this disorder has on refugees requiring treatment, interventions, education andRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder1004 Words   |  5 Pagescurrent criteria of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has changed since the DSM-IV. In the DSM-V, the diagnostic criteria draws a clearer line when detailing what establishes a traumatic event. The DSM-V pays more attention to the behavioral symptoms that accompany PTSD and proposes four distinct diagnostic cluster s instead of three. They are described as re-experiencing, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, and arousal. Re-experiencing is the spontaneous memories of the traumatic event, recurrentRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder1086 Words   |  5 Pagesfirst hand the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder. It is not possible to respond to emergency after emergency and not be subject to some of PTSD’s effects. When I saw this topic in the list I felt compelled to use this opportunity to learn more. My hope is by increasing my knowledge, of a disorder so prevalent in my career field; I can recognize the symptoms in others and myself before there effect becomes devastating. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD as it is more commonly referredRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )944 Words   |  4 Pageswith Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD Stats). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental disorder common found in veterans who came back from war. We can express our appreciation to our veterans by creating more support programs, help them go back to what they enjoy the most, and let them know we view them as a human not a disgrace. According to the National Care of PTSD, a government created program, published an article and provides the basic definition and common symptoms of PTSD. Post-traumaticRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1550 Words   |  7 PagesPost Traumatic Stress Disorder â€Å"PTSD is a disorder that develops in certain people who have experienced a shocking, traumatic, or dangerous event† (National Institute of Mental Health). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has always existed, PTSD was once considered a psychological condition of combat veterans who were â€Å"shocked† by and unable to face their experiences on the battlefield. Much of the general public and many mental health professionals doubted whether PTSD was a true disorder (NIMH)Read MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1401 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to the Mayo-Clinic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly known as PTSD is defined as â€Å"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event† (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Post Trau matic Stress disorder can prevent one from living a normal, healthy life. In 2014, Chris Kyle playedRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1453 Words   |  6 Pages84.8% of those diagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder still show moderate impairment of symptoms, even 30 plus years after the war (Glover 2014). As of today, the Unites States has 2.8 million veterans who served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, of those it is estimated that 11 to 20% currently suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. As of 2013, a total of 12,632 veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are currently diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Glover 2014). Of course it

Thursday, May 7, 2020

The Ethics Of The School Dress Code - 1505 Words

Maddie Allen, from Belleville East High School, reached out to Facebook to reiterate an encounter she had with a police officer before school over a dress code related issue. She stated that she was wearing a pair of black jeggings, similar in look to leggings which are banned in the school dress code policy. She explains that the officer stopped her and asked for her name because she would be reported for dress code violation. As Maddie tried to explain herself that she was, in fact, wearing a valid item of clothing, the officer told her to â€Å"lift up the back of her shirt† to check for pockets. Maddie described in her post that she felt violated and disrespected. It was because she was a female, she tells Facebook, that she was pointed out for wearing tight clothing. Ms. Allen goes on to explain why she felt the officer, as well as the school dress code, was wrong. Objectification is the physical or mental response toward a person, usually a woman, as an object. T he core of objectification in the sexual class is known as sexual objectification. Women are suffering the most from objectification, as they are viewed either as an object or as an insult due to the way society associates female dress and then faulted for it. Society is assembled in a way that downgrades the role of a female and her purpose. Starting in the 1800’s, domestic spheres created a rule to be understood, without actually being a rule. Women were subjected to the roles of housekeeping,Show MoreRelatedHow Does Sports Dress Codes Shame Girls And Perpetuate Rape Culture?1142 Words   |  5 Pagesarticle written by Laura Bates called, â€Å"How School Dress Codes Shame Girls and Perpetuate Rape Culture†. The problem is that women are expected to dress in a way that is socially acceptable. Socially acceptable means that, females must dress in a way that protects and covers the female anatomy. This argument that Bates explains, expresses a pathos appeal because you are allowed to understand the point of view of those who have been victimized by dress codes. The article also gives an ethos appeal becauseRead MoreDefinition Of Ethical Leadership : School Uniform Code And Should All Schools Implement Students Dress Code990 Words   |  4 Pagestopics in schools. This paper will touch on dress code and should all schools implement students wearing school uniform. A dress code reduces stress, forms unification, and boost morale. Wearing a uniform creates unity. According to an article in the DailyMail, students â€Å"Having a uniform helps to reduce bullying in school, makes children better behaved outside the school gates and even aids concentration in class, researchers said.† (1) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-467353/School-uniform-improves-pupils-behaviour-schoolRead MoreSchool Dress Codes814 Words   |  4 PagesSchool dress codes have been a prominent topic of discussion the past few years. Largely, young girls and some school board members are fighting against these sexist codes that govern schools across the world today. Dress codes target young women by stating they should dress appropriately so they do not distract the male students. This leads to men thinking it’s acceptable to disrespect women, and also women feeling like what they wear is more important than their academics. This results in a numberRead MoreA Code Of Ethics For Teachers1334 Words   |  6 Pages The Need for a Code of Ethics for Teachers and How Positive and Professional Dispositions Must Be Exhibited Prior to and During Student Teaching Aliesha R. Phillips The University of Southern Mississippi Ethics falls under a broad definition that can be defined in many ways: â€Å"The term ethics is defined as the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation; 2a) a set of moral principles; 2b) the principles of conduct governing an individual or a groupRead MoreSchool Uniforms : Educating Students Dress Safely Essay1511 Words   |  7 PagesSchool Uniforms: Educating students dress safely In today’s era society is forgetting the importance of dressing with ethics when it comes to education. Back in the days it was imperative to wear properly clothing to go to school, the elderly just to say that it was a representation of oneself and it showed how important the studies were for the individual. Therefore, school uniforms, must increase academics, improve behavior, safety and prevent thefts. To begin with, a diminutive history about thisRead MoreDress Code And Uniforms Code956 Words   |  4 Pageswhy we have dress code and not uniform for the schools? In the current society, all you see in the schools is a dress code. School that I attend has numerous problems dealing with the dress code for the reason that particular students decided not to acknowledge it. Couple of teachers has to take some time out of their teaching time to send the students to the office for dressing inappropriately. Although they have various problems with the policy, schools remain to enforce the dress code policy. ConsideringRead MoreUniforms Code And Not Uniforms939 Words   |  4 Pageswondered why the schools have dress code and not uniforms? In the current society, all you notice in the schools is a dress code. School that I attend has numerous problems dealing with the dress code for the reason that particular students decided not to acknowledge it. A couple of teachers have to take precio us teaching time to send the students to the office for dressing inappropriately. Although they have various problems with the policy, schools remain to enforce the dress code policy. ConsideringRead MoreThe Legal Stance Of School Uniform797 Words   |  4 Pagessurrounding contemporary educational ethical topics in the school system. This paper will touch on dress code and should all school implement their students wearing school uniform. A dress code reduce stress; everyone has on the same thing. Wearing a uniform creates unity. It tells the students we can look the same and still be different, and it helps reduce bullying. Dress codes is not a new article; schools have always had dress codes. Some rules were made for safety measures, others simply toRead MoreThe Dress Code At School913 Words   |  4 PagesHave you ever had a problem with the dress code at your school? School that I attend has numerous problems dealing with the dress code considering some of the students decided not to follow it. Teachers have to take some time out of their class time to send the students to the office for dressing inappropriately. Since students cannot follow the simple dress code, schools should require students to wear uniforms. Few public schools in the Tennessee require students to wear uniforms. In the currentRead MoreEssay about Legal and Ethical Leadership in Management1549 Words   |  7 Pagesor not, state or federal laws in relation to intellectual property, and if Mathis has incurred any damages. The paper will also cover social responsibility, implementation of ethical codes, and personal and criminal l iabilities. Ethical Behavior Ethics is the study of good and bad behavior; while business ethics takes it further to include the good and bad behavior of a business (Kubasek, Breenan, amp; Browne, 2009). Knock off products are defined as â€Å"Identical (and usually unauthorized but

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Blockade Runners Free Essays

Blockade Runners. A blockade runner is usually a lighter-weight ship used for evading a naval port. Often blockade running is done in order to transport cargo, for example to bring food or arms to blockade a city. We will write a custom essay sample on Blockade Runners or any similar topic only for you Order Now Other times blockade runners would carry mail in an attempt to communicate with the outside world. The blockade runners during the American civil war were seagoing steam ships that were used to make it through the union blockade that extended some 3,500 miles along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines and the lower Mississippi River. These ships had to go undetected they sually traveled at night. If any of the runners were detected by union ships they would simply try to outmaneuver or outrun the union ships. The typical blockade runners were privately owned vessels often operating with a letter of marque issued by the Confederate States. Inbound ships usually brought things that were badly needed supplies and mail, they often carried things like cotton, tobacco and other goods for trade. If a blockade was detected they would either be captured or destroyed. There were an estimated 2500-2900 attempts to run the blockade with at east 80% success. Some of the famous blockade runners were; The Bat, The Britannia, The chameleon, The Condor, The Falcon, The Hansa, The Lizzie, The Stag, and The ptarmigan. The Steamer Denbigh. – We are glad to learn that this steamer, reported to be ashore and a wreck in her late attempt to run out of this port in a fog, is not damaged to the extent supposed. She has been relieved of her cargo and is now afloat, and is expected up to-day. The enemy’s fleet discovering her unfortunate position tried to vent their spite upon her. They succeeded in hitting her but once in her wheelhouse, doing her no damage. She was defended by the guns of Fort Morgan, which succeeded in putting three shots in one of the blockaders and driving the rest off. The enemy’s ship that was struck was sent off in the direction of Pensacola, supposed to be disabled. The energy of Gen. Higgins and his command in defending the unfortunate ship is highly commended. Word count: 363 Bibliography: Wikipedia, famous blockade runners, newspaper article Mobile Register February 4, 1864. Denbigh runs around near Fort Morgan. How to cite Blockade Runners, Papers

Monday, April 27, 2020

Macbeth - Fatal Flaws Essays - Characters In Macbeth,

Macbeth - Fatal Flaws Anyone who is not a god, is not perfect. Everyone has a weakness or a flaw. Some flaws are more deadly than others. Some are addicted to heroin while others are unable to remember where they put their keys. Every major flaw in this story though, comes back to haunt them. The reason why anybody fails in this story is because of their ?flaw?. Not everyone dies though, that is because their flaw is not fatal. Following will be an explanation of how the major flaws of the characters lead to their downfall. Macbeth will be the first one discussed, since he was the main character. The play's problems start when he kills Duncan. This is done because he has a flaw; he is too determined. He doesn't let anything in his way of the goal, to be king, proven here: The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires: The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be 2 which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.(Act I, Scene vii, lines 1-28) If he had not been so determined to be king, then Duncan would never have had to die. Consequently, if Macbeth had not killed Duncan, this story would not have any murders in it at all. Macbeth is driven by greed and violence proven by William Hazlitt: Macbeth himself appears driven along by the violence of his fate like a vessel drifting before a storm: he reels to and fro like a drunken man; he staggers under the weight of his own purposes and the suggestions of others; he stands at bay with his situation; and from the superstitious awe and breathless suspense into which the communications of the Weird Sisters throw him, is hurried on with daring impatience to verify their predictions, and with impious and bloody hand to tear aside the veil which hides the uncertainty of the future. (Hazlitt, pg. 28) 3 Macbeth's fate was more deserving than any others since he killed so many people; Duncan, Banquo, and MacDuff's family. Macbeth never did feel sorry for what he did until his deeds came back to haunt him. If Macbeth would have been patient and had waited, then he probably would have become king and enjoyed it. Lady Macbeth had a very prominent flaw that was her undoing. She was partners with Macbeth in the killing of Duncan. She was willing to convince Macbeth to kill Duncan but she could not do it herself. Proven by Samuel Taylor: Lady Macbeth merely endeavours to reconcile his and her own sinkings of heart by anticipations of the worst and an affected bravado in confronting them. (Taylor, pg. 32) This is the reason she was not as strong as she portrayed. This was why she could not take it and Macbeth could. In the end, it finally got to her so badly that she committed suicide. She could not take the pressure and went insane. Here is an example from the play: Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One: two: why, then ?tis time to do't. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What 4 need we fear who knows it, when none can call our pow'r to accompt? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him? (V, i, 34-39) She probably deserved her fate, for she contributed to the bloodshed. Banquo, who at one time was Macbeth's best friend, was killed by Macbeth. Being Macbeth's friend was not his fatal flaw, but it led to it. His fatal flaw was knowing about the murder of Duncan. He could not have done anything about it. If he had told anyone about it, no one would have believed him; and Macbeth still would have killed him. Obviously, if he did what he did (be still), he would have been killed. He really did not deserve this death, he was probably most deserving of staying alive. Duncan, who was King of England, was killed by Macbeth because he stood in the way of the throne. This was not his fatal flaw, but because he was so naive he did not realize that anyone would want to overthrow him as king. For example, he stayed at Macbeth's

Thursday, March 19, 2020

The Legacy and Works of Lu Xun

The Legacy and Works of Lu Xun Lu Xun (é ² Ã¨ ¿â€¦) was the pen name of Zhou Shuren (å‘ ¨Ã¦  â€˜Ã¤ º º), one of China’s most famous fiction authors, poets, and essayists. He is considered by many to be the father of modern Chinese literature because he was the first serious author to write using modern colloquial language. Lu Xun  died on October 19, 1936, but his works have remained prominent over the years in Chinese culture. Early Life Born on September 25,  1881, in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, Lu Xun was born into a wealthy and well-educated family. However, his grandfather was caught and nearly executed for bribery when Lu Xun was still a child, which sent his family tumbling down the social ladder. This fall from grace and the way once-friendly neighbors treated his family after they had lost their status had a profound effect on the young Lu Xun. When traditional Chinese remedies failed to save his fathers life from an illness, most likely tuberculosis, Lu Xun vowed to study Western medicine and become a doctor. His studies took him to Japan, where one day after class he saw a slide of a Chinese prisoner being executed by Japanese soldiers while other Chinese people were gathered around happily taking in the spectacle. Appalled at his countrymen’s apparent callousness, Lu Xun abandoned his study of medicine and vowed to take up writing with the idea that was no point in curing diseases in Chinese people’s bodies if there was a more fundamental problem in their minds that needed curing. Socio-Political Beliefs The beginning of Lu Xun’s writing career coincided with the beginning of the May 4th Movement, a social and political movement of mostly young intellectuals who were determined to modernize China by importing and adapting Western ideas, literary theories, and medical practices. Through his writing, which was extremely critical of Chinese tradition and strongly advocated modernization, Lu Xun became one of the leaders of this movement. Impact on the Communist Party Lu Xun’s work has been embraced and to a certain extent co-opted by  China’s Communist Party. Mao Zedong held him in very high esteem, although Mao also worked hard to prevent people from taking Lu Xun’s sharp-tongued critical approach when it came to writing about the Party. Lu Xun himself died well before the communist revolution and it’s difficult to say what he would have thought of it. National and International Influence Widely recognized as one of China’s best and most influential authors, Lu Xun remains strikingly relevant to modern China. His socially-critical work is still widely read and discussed in China and references to his stories, characters, and essays abound in everyday speech as well as academia. Many Chinese people can quote from several of his stories verbatim, as they are still taught as part of China’s national curriculum. His work also continues to influence modern Chinese authors  and writers around the world.  Nobel-prize-winning author KenzaburÃ…  Ã…Å'e  reportedly called him the greatest writer Asia produced in the twentieth century. Noted Works His first short story, â€Å"A Madman’s Diary†, made a huge splash in China’s literary world when it was published in 1918 for its clever use of colloquial language juxtaposed with the stilted, hard-to-read classical language that â€Å"serious† authors were meant to write in at the time. The story also turned heads for its extremely critical take on Chinas dependence on tradition, which Lu Xun uses metaphors to compare to cannibalism. A short, satirical novella called â€Å"The True Story of Ah-Q† was published a few years later. In this work, Lu Xun condemns the Chinese psyche through the titular character Ah-Q, a bumbling peasant who constantly considers himself superior to others even as he is relentlessly humiliated and ultimately executed by them. This characterization was on-the-nose enough that the phrase â€Å"the Ah-Q spirit† remains widely used even today, nearly 100 years after the story was first published. Although his early short fiction is among his most memorable work, Lu Xun was a prolific writer and he produced a wide variety of pieces including a large number of translations of Western works, many significant critical essays, and even a number of poems. Though he only lived to be 55, his complete collected works  fill 20 volumes and weigh over 60 pounds. Selected Translated Works The two works mentioned above,  A Madman’s Diary† (ç‹‚ä º ºÃ¦â€" ¥Ã¨ ® °)  and â€Å"The True Story of Ah-Q† (é˜ ¿Qæ ­ £Ã¤ ¼  )  are available to read as translated works.   Other translated works include  The New Year’s Sacrifice,  a powerful short story about women’s rights and, more broadly, the dangers of complacency. Also available is  My Old Home,  a more reflective tale about memory and the ways in which we relate to the past.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Getting through the most awkward interview moments

Getting through the most awkward interview moments At some point in your career, you’re going to have an awkward interview moment. It may be something you say; it may be coming from the interviewer; it could be anything. In the end, all you can do is laugh it off and hope for the best (or start working on the next opportunity), but there are also some strategies you can implement that can make things a little smoother in the meantime. 4 ways to ease interview awkwardness1. When you don’t know the answer to a questionYour brain is shouting, â€Å"Stall for time!† while you think about the answer to a question you don’t understand- or just plain don’t know. The problem is that the interviewer can tell that you’re a) stalling for time or b) bluffing your way through if you try to get around the answer. Your best bet is just to be honest.â€Å"I don’t know† isn’t a great response, but try framing it differently. â€Å"That’s a good question! Can you clarify what you m ean by the [X-Y-Z] process?†2. When you’re trying to avoid an elephant in the roomLet’s say you’re interviewing at Y Corp, and Y Corp just happens to be infamous for shady corporate behavior or poor reviews by former employees. You definitely don’t want to lead with that, but you might have legitimate concerns about what it would be like to work there. Instead of putting the interviewer on the defensive, try framing it as a question about what the culture is in the office, and whether the company is addressing some of the issues raised in public. If your query comes from a place that’s thoughtful and curious, rather than accusatory, it creates less friction with the interviewer.3. When you’re being asked about highly personal informationIt’s illegal for employers to hire (or not hire) based on factors like religion, family status, or ethnicity. So if you find yourself being asked questions about this (either directly or in an indirect way, like through small talk), you can redirect. You don’t have to come on strong, talking about legal employment statutes, but it’s okay to steer the conversation away.For example: if you think the interviewer is trying to figure out if you’re likely to have children in the near future, emphasize that you’re committed to the job as a priority, regardless of what is going on in your personal life.4. When you got fired from your last jobIt happens. Not every job ends with a seamless transition to the next one. If you’re trying to cover a firing (even if you were fired for something you did), it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, and you should be prepared to talk about it. Practice your response ahead of time for a question like, â€Å"Why did you leave your last job?† or â€Å"Can you tell me about the circumstances when you left your last job?† Practicing it beforehand can decrease anxiety in the moment- a plan in place means you know exactly what to say. It can also help you modulate your tone, because you really don’t want to seem angry or defensive in front of a potential new employer.Be sure to limit your answer to just the pertinent info. If you find yourself inclined to start with, â€Å"Okay, here’s the story of what really happened. My boss was a total jerk, and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  then it’s time to edit. Keep personal details and opinions out of it. And it’s fine to give a brief, one-or-two sentence discussion of what happened. The interviewer isn’t looking for a saga- just the basic understanding.And above all else- be positive. Even the worst situations can provide valuable learning opportunities, so you can say, â€Å"It was a challenge, but it taught me much more about how to handle a situation like this proactively and helped me refocus my energies on the skills I needed to build.†Being able to get through these awkward moments can make the difference between a failed interview and a saved one. Staying calm and talking through it can usually fix an embarrassing moment and hel p you get things back on track.