Is “theory” a difficult term for you? In what contexts (where and from whom) have you heard the term before now? How about outside of class? What was it used to mean there? How is/was it often misused? What’s wrong with saying, “Oh, that’s just a theory”?

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Questions to explore after reading “Reductionism, When Are the Answers

Too Easy?” 

These questions are all based on materials in this essay.  Don’t give routine or perfunctory answers.  Search you own experience, and make sure you base your answers on that.  Even when I ask you to explain something in the text, use your own words and thoughts.

            These questions are meant to exercise your skill and imagination in readingsocial science theory, andanalyzing social processes.  Real reading of real writing is not easy; it takes practice. Social analysis, likewise, is not in your genetic code, and certainly not available from mainstream journalists or politicians: that’ll be the day.  No, it has to be learned, and learned from sources outside of what passes for “the mainstream.”

            Just answer the each question in two or more paragraphs, but each time you make a new point, make anew paragraph, as many as ittakes.

            Short paragraphs are good.  Punchy.

1.  Is “theory” a difficult term for you?  In what contexts (where and from whom) have you heard the term before now?  How about outside of class?  What was it used to mean there?  How is/was it often misused?  What’s wrong with saying, “Oh, that’s just a theory”?  What does Strange say it means?  What does he say is important about theory in the first two paragraphs?

2.  Have you heard of ADHD (or ADD) before now?  Where and in what context?  How were its causes explained to you, or how did you imagine it could be explained? (If you have never heard of it before, say so, and move on to the next Q.)

3.  Answer the question at the end of section I about your first critical reaction to the chemical- genetic explanation of ADHD given so far.  How does it (the theory/explanation) of ADHD sound to you at this point?  Be frank.  What other human actions (complex behaviors or traits) have you heard described as having genetic, or hormonal, or biological causes (make a list)?

(The remaining questions, but especially 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10, demand a little more detail, as well as more soul-searching.)

4. a) What are the possible shortcomings stated here (but translate into you own words) with the chemical-genetic explanation of Isabelle’s ADHD?  b)  What can be said to be missing from the chemical-genetic explanation/theory?  c) What is meant by “blaming the victim”?  Do you feel the chemical/genetic theory does this to Isabelle?  How so, or how not? What is your reaction to the other examples mentioned here of blaming the victim?  Do they?

5.  a) What is Gabor Mate’s alternative explanation for the problems of children like Isabelle?

 b) Show how Mate’s theory/explanation can be applied to Isabelle’s specific case (in other words, translate his general theory into what we know about Isabelle’s social context (meaning her relation to other people and groups, and the history of those relations.)  c)  Give some features, or processes at work in the social world (social context) in which Isabelle’s parents and relatives operate which might create pressures and stresses on them, pressures that are easily communicated to children.  So should we put all blame on the parents?

6. What is your own list of the most pressing problems of our time (my list is on page 18)?

Why do these (sometimes ponderous sounding) issues matter?

7.  Throughout this essay (especially section V and VI), a number of other issues or problems are referred to (like the housing bubble, schizophrenia, etc. etc.) which could be explained either reductionistically, or more holistically (by social context.)  a) Pick  any one of these issues, or one of your own. Explain what the issue or problem is.  Show what an explanation that reduces the answer to a biological factor, or to some form of biological determinism, would look like.

b) Where would you look for a more holistic explanation?

8. a) Pick one other issue or problem that is often explained not by something biological this time, but by putting all the weight of explanation on the individual, or to individual or group mental characteristics (or to some other partof a larger social whole, like those shown in the circles just before page 9.  What issue have you chosen?  b) What would, or does, a more reductionistic explanation look like?  What part of what whole is being used to explain something?  What is missing from such an explanation?  What would a more holistic explanation look like and include?  c) What is wrong with explaining our huge wealth gaps in the US by “greed,” or with explaining Iran’s governmental actions by religion (see especially pages 12, 13, and 14)?

9.  a) How would you explain to someone else, another college student say, what reductionism means? b) What makes some forms of reductionist explanation moreextreme (more heavily reductionistic) than others? c) Looking at the two-sided, one page handout by Neville, “Neuroscience exposes..” and “Race Gap..”, how would you argue that “genes are not destiny.”  Why aren’t they?  e) What accounts for gaps in test scores between blacks and whites?  What would have to happen in order to erase (or reverse) these gaps?

10. a) What makes reductionist (and “human nature”) theories/explanations so hard to resist?  How does our cultural/historical emphasis on machines play into this fatal attraction? b) What does this essay suggest is wrong with (or suspect about) “expertise,” and with reliance on our beloved technical (or technological) solutions to current pressing human problems?

11. a) How might the recent dramatic rise in the incidence of ADHD, as well as other childhood personality or developmental disorders be explained?  (Remember, slow to change factors like DNA or psychological properties can’t explain more rapid changes in behavior or diagnoses.)  Would your explanation be in some degree holistic?  How so?  What contexts, or social units would you include to explain the rise?

12. In the Neville “Neuroscience exposes..” article, it is theorized that poverty affects things like memory, language skills, and I.Q. scores.  a) By what processes do you think this might happen?  Be specific.  b) Can cognitive (or brain) function be improved after birth, and after environmental damage has been done?  How?

Evaluate the following methods of treatment and develop a treatment plan for Harvey: Alcoholics Anonymous, Transactional Analysis, and Family Systems Therapy.

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Latisha and Earl have been dating for almost a year. But Latisha is having second thoughts about the relationship. For some time she has been feeling that she is taking more responsibility than Earl in keeping the relationship going. Whenever Earl has a hangover from partying too much the night before, she always calls in sick for him or runs to the store to get what he wants. He treats her poorly most of the time, yet she still is reluctant to get out of this relationship.

If Latisha asked your opinion of why she is so emotionally “connected” to Earl, what would you tell her on the basis of what you have learned about emotional dependency and family relationships?

One page including references

Assignment 2b Communication within Families

Three 17 year old high school students are planning on going to an 8pm movie together on a Friday night.

Sally has no curfew, so she didn’t think going to the movies would be a problem. Sally asked her mother on Tuesday if she could go and her mother said “yes.” When Friday arrived, her mother told Sally that she couldn’t go to the movies anymore, it was too late for her to go out, and she needed to stay home. Her mother then left to go to the bar, and Sally was left to feed and care for her younger brother.

Mary asked her father if she could go to the movies. He responded that as her curfew was 9pm she was not allowed to go to the movies. Mary did not want to question her father’s decision, so she kept quiet, even though it was the weekend, and she had no responsibilities on Saturday morning. Mary asked her mother if she would try to talk to her father to convince him to lift the curfew for one night, but her mother refused to do so.

Sam asked his parents if he could go to the movies. His parents stated that while normally his curfew was 9pm, it was a weekend night and he had no plans early in the morning on Saturday. Sam’s parents decided that as long as his homework and chores were finished, he could have an extension on his curfew for the evening, and could go to the movies. On Friday afternoon, Sam completed his homework and chores, and left to see the movie, with the promise to call his parents if the movie got out later than 10pm.

Respond to the following using the information from the text and lectures:

  • Identify which boundary is best described by each family in the scenario above.
  • Identify which boundary inadequacies are present in each family, if applicable.
  • Explain how each boundary and boundary inadequacy manifests itself.
  • What behaviors contribute to the development and maintenance of each of these boundaries?
  • Which of these teens are at risk for future substance abuse and why?
  • What can parents do to avoid or change any maladaptive boundary patterns in their families?

Create a PowerPoint presentation of five to seven slides, with detailed speaker notes to present to a parent organization.

Assignment 3a Common Roles within the Family System

Rosie’s mother has a drug problem and often sleeps well past the time her children need to get up for school. Rosie takes it upon herself to get her siblings up, give them breakfast, and get ready for school. She, being the oldest child, has been assuming more and more responsibility for tasks around the house.

Answer the following:

  • Which of the four most common roles in family systems do you think Rosie is taking on?
  • What are the potential long-term consequences for Rosie in taking on these heavy responsibilities?
  • What message do you think Rosie’s role as “second mom” sends to her siblings about Rosie and their mother?

Assignment 3b in a Relationship with a Substance Abuser

Directions:

Nearly everyone probably knows someone who places other people’s health, welfare, and safety before their own. When they do this, they can lose contact with their own needs, desires, and sense of self-worth.

  1. Please watch the movie When a Man Loves a Woman. It is available from Amazon On-Demand rental for streaming or download and Netflix DVD rental.  You may also be able to find the movie at your local public library or video rental store.
  2. Refer to the characteristics of codependent people as discussed in the assigned weekly readings. Choose three of the characteristics to examine.
  3. Search the library and include at least one peer-reviewed journal article on treatment for codependence to use for research.
  4. Based on the character of the husband in the movie When a Man Loves a Woman, your weekly readings and the research article you reviewed, write a 4-5 page paper that addresses the following for each of the three characteristics you picked.
    1. Explain three codependent characteristics. Explain why you have chosen each particular characteristic. Provide three examples, one for each characteristic, of how those codependent characteristics specifically apply to the husband’s character in the film.
    2. Evaluate how each codependent characteristic is detrimental to this person’s ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships.
    3. Analyze how the codependent behavior has evolved within the substance abuse environment.
    4. Apply what you have learned from the assigned readings and the peer-reviewed article to recommend at least two strategies for breaking codependent behaviors within a substance abuse environment.

Please note that you may locate the movie, When a Man Loves a Woman on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxOW0dCcun0

Your paper should be 4-5 pages long.

Assignment 4a Consequences of Family Dysfunction and Substance Abuse

Thelma, a 16 year old girl, suspected that her father had a drug problem but never knew it for certain. One day, she found out from some friends at school that her father used to buy crack cocaine from a known dealer. She agonized for over a week about whether she should tell her mother. She eventually did. Her mother asked Thelma’s father to leave the house and filed for a divorce. Thelma felt that the breakup of the family was her fault.

Read the article on http://www.aaets.org/article230.htm that discusses behavioral, medical, educational, and emotional consequences of family dysfunction and substance abuse.

Read the following article http://www.cigna.com/healthwellness/hw/medical-topics/teen-alcohol-and-drug-abuse-tp17749 on Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse, paying particular attention to the Why Some Teens Abuse Alcohol and Drugs and Prevention Strategies sections.

Answer the following:

  • Did Thelma do the right thing by revealing her knowledge of her father’s drug use to her mother? Explain why.
  • What behavioral and emotional consequences might Thelma experience as a result of her situation?
  • What risk factors for teen substance abuse are present in Thelma’s life?
  • What practical action would you recommend for Thelma to fight against the guilt and anger she feels about the situation with her father?
  • What practical action would you recommend for Thelma’s mother to reduce Thelma’s risk for substance abuse?

Assignment 4b Child Abuse in Homes of Substance Abusers

Research clearly indicates a connection between substance abuse and child maltreatment. Among confirmed cases of child maltreatment, 40 percent involve the use of alcohol or drugs. An estimated 480,000 children are mistreated each year by a caretaker who has alcohol or drug problems. Additionally, alcohol and drug problems are factors in a majority of cases of emotional abuse and neglect.

Answer the following:

  • Given these statistics, why do you think a more concerted effort is not made in the media to make citizens aware of the association between substance abuse and child abuse?
  • Choose one of the following audiences, and describe a plan to heighten awareness of this problem:
    • Grade and high school students
    • Parent or child organizations such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts
    • Welfare recipients
  • Include three action points for implementing this awareness plan nationwide to the chosen audience.  Be sure to specify:
    • Who will deliver the information?
    • How will the information be delivered?
    • What systems will be put in place for support if needed by participants?
  • Include one additional action point to address prevention strategies in the population chosen above.

Create a two- to three-page plan.

Assignment 5a Treating the Substance Abuser and his Family Presentation

Harvey is married and has 2 teenage children.  Harvey has been heavily drinking on a regular basis for the past 10 years.  In the past his wife often covered for him with his job, and usually made excuses for him with his children and his friends.  Harvey has not attended his son’s baseball games this year, and he missed his daughter’s performance in the school play due to having been passed out from drinking.   At this time, he is at risk for losing his job due to excessive absences, and he was recently arrested for a DUI. Harvey has realized that is drinking is adversely affecting all aspects of his life and he is ready to quit.

Directions:

Create an 8-10 slide Power Point presentation to discuss treatment plans for Harvey and his family. Use the speaker notes in the slide show to further discuss the topics on each slide. In addition make sure you have a title slide and a slide with references (in APA format).  Please reference at least two peer-reviewed journal articles in your presentation along with appropriate information from the assigned weekly readings. In your presentation:

  1. Evaluate the following methods of treatment and develop a treatment plan for Harvey: Alcoholics Anonymous, Transactional Analysis, and Family Systems Therapy. Please:
  • Provide an assessment of Harvey’s situation and what he needs from treatment.
  • Evaluate and discuss the at least one pro and con of each of the following treatment methods: Alcoholics Anonymous, Transactional Analysis and Family Systems Therapy.
  • Develop a treatment plan  for Harvey:
    • Choose at least one of the above treatments for the plan.
    • Address at least two issues that Harvey needs to resolve in treatment.
    • Include at least three steps for Harvey’s recovery.
  1. Explain Brief Strategic Family Therapy and when it is used.  Next, do the following:
  • Develop a treatment plan for Harvey’s wife.
    • Address her specific needs as the spouse of a substance abuser.
    • Include at least three steps for her recovery.
    • Take care that this plan is specifically addressing her recovery, and not how she can help Harvey recover.
  • Develop a treatment plan for Harvey’s children: Address their specific needs as adolescent children of a substance abuser
    • Include at least three steps for their recovery.
    • Recommend at least two substance use prevention strategies aimed at adolescent children of substance abusers.

Choose one of the following cultures: Hispanic, African American, or Asian American, and analyze how being a part of this culture might affect Harvey and his family’s treatment and recovery.  Explain at least two issues present in treating substance abuse within that culture.

Assignment 5b Transtheoretical Model of Change

Sean is drunk most of the time he is home. He rarely attends his children’s sporting events or school activities and defaults on most of his responsibilities for helping to care for the home. In spite of the fact that he does not try to participate in these family activities, he tells his wife that he feels guilty about his lack of involvement.

Answer the following:

o   Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model of Change do you think Sean is in? Explain your answer.

o   Do you believe that Sean feels guilty? Why or why not?

o   How would you describe the tension Sean lives with wanting to do something he considers important but feeling he is unable to do it?

o   What can Sean’s wife and children do to begin their own process of healing?  Should they wait until Sean seeks treatment?  Why or why not?

Carefully consider point values for each of the four graded areas. Assign yourself points and a point total for your project.

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Agency Visitation

This project involves research, visitation, and write-up of a community resource available for people with disabilities.  Agencies not presented in class are preferred.  The full 3-5 page report must include the following information:

  • The name, address, and a phone number of the agency, a contact person, and a brief description of the organization.
  • Discuss the services provided and funding sources.
  • Your personal opinion of this agency.
  • Please indicate whether or not this agency uses volunteers. If so, would they be interested in utilizing GS 420 students.
  • Relate the agency’s services to information from text or class.
  • List website information

Assignment #4:  Project

Cover Sheet/Rubric

Carefully consider point values for each of the four graded areas.  Assign yourself points and a point total for your project.  Use this page as a cover sheet for Assignment #4.  Each item is worth 5 points for a total of 25 points.

Interviews, Agency Visitations, and “Other” options:

0-5 points each item

__________ 1. Assignment is a full 3-5 pages in length.

__________ 2. Definitions, medical information and other resources utilized and included in your write-up includes citation information.

__________ 3. Writing quality is exemplary with no corrections needed (including using person-first language)

__________ 4. Includes information related to course (Ten Commandments used, issues or topics previously addressed in class, packet information, references to presenters, etc.)

__________ 5. Includes a personal response to the project experience.

___________ Total Points (25)

I sugeest 3 page is ok , with 1 cover page. the agency:The ARC of San Diego

Research a current ethical issue that deals with a change in midstream of expectations or ground rules.

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Research a current ethical issue that deals with a change in midstream of expectations or ground rules. Examples include the following:

  • The Income Support Division of a local HSD office has determined that they have spent most of their budget by the end of the third quarter, so they change the ground rules in terms of the length of time between episodes of eligibility for aid. This change would decrease the money being paid out, but is it ethical?
  • Schools must meet new federal requirements but have not been funded to provide the training or equipment needed to meet them. What are the legal and ethical issues? Their funding, inadequate though it may be, is at risk.
  • For many months, you have been the case manager for a man who has a long history of marrying women and not bothering with divorce. Recently, it came to your attention that he is dating your sister, although neither is aware of your relationship with the other. What are the ethical issues involved here?

You may draw from the business, political, social, medical, educational, or any other arena.

Write a 1,050+ word position paper that describes the following:

  • The previous situation
  • The changes taking place
  • Why the changes are taking place
  • Desired outcomes and future situations
  • Your opinion about the issue

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.