Mental Illness And Social Theory

Mental Illness And Social Theory Throughout history, there have been differing views of how mental illness was thought to occur, and how it should be subsequently treated. For example Greek and Roman philosophers such as Hippocrates and Plato advocated that abnormal behaviour resulted from an internal disease, with Hippocrates believing it was an imbalance of the four humours that were thought to flow through the body (Comer, 2005). As such, physicians of the time treated it accordingly, using a mixture of methods such as bleeding and restraining (Comer, 2005: 8) to more supportive techniques such as calming atmospheres and music. However with the decline of the Roman Empire from roughly 500 A.D., a change in perceptions of abnormal behaviour occurred with religion dominating thought over science. As such, mental illness became viewed as arising through possession of the Devil, with the only cure being an exorcism by clergymen, or beating and starving the individual (Comer, 2005). However it was only around the 1400 s that mental illness became viewed as a sickness within the mind (Comer, 2005: 10), and as such the asylum was created as an institution to care for the mentally ill, and while often a cruel place, it was seen as the establishment charged with caring for those deemed mentally ill (Scull, 2006). Yet the main so called change in reform of the mentally ill was attributed to the work of Tuke and Pinel (Comer, 2005: 11) where instead of promoting treatment involving beatings and restraint, they used methods where the mentally ill were allowed to be unrestrained and encouraged to monitor their own behaviour, in methods known as moral treatment (Scull, 2006: 115). These methods transformed the way mental illness was handled, however, into the 20th century; many of the mentally ill were still being confined to long term stays in asylums (Comer, 2005). While this is a very brief history of mental illness, the changing perceptions of the causes and subsequent treatment of the mentally ill throughout history raises several important issues. Firstly, the definition of mental illness has not remained constant and indeed mental illness itself has been called madness, insanity (Comer, 2005: 10) and in the field of psychology, is studied as abnormal psychology. This raises the second issue, in that mental illness is still defined as something which could be considered deviant or not normal, and as such requires the individual to receive treatment. The field that has been associated and subsequently dominated diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the 20th century (Summerfield, 2001) is psychiatry. Psychiatry typically draws upon positivist thinking, in that a mental illness is a real and observable phenomenon (Eisenberg, 1988: 2) that must be diagnosed and subsequently treated, with the usual assumption that the illness has manifest ed due to some biological abnormality (Fisher, 2003). However while this view continues to dominate thinking within psychiatry, it can be argued that these concepts of mental illness have been heavily criticised and indeed, the institution of psychiatry itself has also been criticised. Therefore the aims of this essay are to firstly examine the problems of the psychiatric approach and how social theory has provided a useful evaluation of how mental illness, rather than existing as real and observable illnesses which psychiatrists must find and treat, could actually be seen as socially constructed. This will then lead into a discussion of the debates around how useful a social constructionist perspective is, before evaluating the institution of psychiatry as a whole, drawing on the work of Foucault and associated theorists, arguing that the psychiatric institution, instead of being a liberating force for the mentally ill, actually exercises methods of social control. Finally this will allow for an assessment of whether these evaluations are more useful to consider than continuing adopting the dominant positivist methods forwarded by psychiatry. The Problem of Psychiatric Approaches to Mental Illness The current system which psychiatry utilizes in order to define and diagnose mental illness is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual, currently in its fourth edition lists what it has defined as mental illness onto 5 axes. For example Axis 1 contains all disorders considered to be related to mental health, from mood disorders to sexual disorders with the exception of personality disorders and what is termed mental retardation, which is placed on Axis 2 (Comer, 2005). In addition to this, certain criteria are listed, in order to determine if an individual can be diagnosed with a specific mental illness. For example, depression would be classified as a mood disorder and in order to be diagnosed as having a major depressive episode, an individual would need to exhibit five out of eight symptoms listed persistently for at least two weeks, with one symptom being either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure (Davidson and Neale, 2001: 242) While this is a useful approach, should a positivist stance be taken in that mental illness is an observable fact, waiting to be uncovered in an individual (Eisenberg, 1988), it becomes problematic when considering two issues. Firstly what has been defined as mental illness has not remained constant within psychiatry and has also faced criticism over how it is diagnosed, and secondly, the categorisation of an individual as mentally ill can have serious social consequences such as producing stigma (Thornicroft, 2006). In addressing the first issue, at the inception of the DSM in 1952, sixty categories were listed as being mental illnesses, and this number increased to one hundred and forty five illnesses in the second edition in 1968 (Balon, 2008), however it was perhaps in the third edition, published in 1980, where the biggest change occurred. Not only has 230 illnesses been identified and classified as illnesses, but a change occurred in which homosexuality was removed as being a mental disorder after campaigning from Gay activist groups (Silverstein, 2008). However the DSM in its current form continues to cause controversy over classifications, especially with those surrounding sexuality, for example it has been questioned as to whether issues such as female orgasmic disorder or certain fetishes should actually be classified as disorders (Ussher, 1997: 5). Similarly, classifications for diagnosis have also been somewhat vague. For example, while diagnoses for depression typically include a tim eframe in which the symptoms must be present, there is no such temporal criterion for sexual disorders, meaning that diagnosis could be somewhat ambiguous (Balon, 2008: 190). This idea of the DSMs criteria making diagnosis somewhat vague was highlighted in the classic study by Rosenhan (1973) in which eight participants were each sent to twelve different psychiatric hospitals and instructed, at admissions, to say they had been hearing voices, and had heard the words empty, hollow and thud (Rosenhan, 1973: 251). Each participant was subsequently admitted to the respective hospital, and upon admission, apart from general nervousness of their situation, continued to behave normally and told staff they were no longer experiencing any symptoms. Despite this, participants were admitted to the hospitals for periods ranging between 7 and 52 days, and all but one was discharged with the diagnosis Schizophrenia in remission (Rosenhan, 1973: 252). While this study is flawed due to its deception and would not have been ethically allowed in modern times, it did raise some serious issues about psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis, with perhaps one of the most troublin g aspects being that perfectly sane individuals were labelled as schizophrenic, and likely would have been stuck with that label (Rosenhan, 1973: 252). This leads onto the second problem of psychiatric definitions of mental illness, in that individuals become labelled as having an illness, meaning they are more readily seen as deviating from social norms and as such, reactions to the individual with the mental illness change radically (Bowers, 1998:7). This can often produce a stigma of mental illness meaning once individuals are classified as being mentally ill, they may suffer problems with their family and friends or discrimination at work and this can often be fuelled by media interpretations of mental illness (Thornicroft, 2006). For example because a mental illness such as schizophrenia is classified by the DSM as having at least 2 symptoms including hallucinations, delusions disorganised speech etc, for a significant proportion of time for a least a month (Comer, 2005: 360), it becomes simplified by the media as meaning a person with a mental illness will be mad and dangerous (Thornicroft, 2006: 113). Similarly this transfers into the public who are found to have a profound ignorance (Thornicroft, 2006: 231) over what it means to be mentally ill and also problems for mentally ill individuals who are often targets for discrimination and, as such, find their lives change as a result of the label of mentally ill that is imposed upon them. Alternative Methods of Defining Mental Illness Given the problems that appear to arise from the dominant psychiatric methods of defining and diagnosing mental illness, it would seem that alternative methods should be considered as to how mental illness should be viewed. One method is to take the definitions of mental illnesses themselves and determine how they have arisen through discourse and how they can be subsequently viewed as socially constructed (Ussher, 1997, 4). For example, the psychiatric viewpoint of mental illness is framed as objectively diagnosing an individual with a mental illness, which is seen to be real and identifiable. However if a postmodern approach was adopted, which asserts that there are no absolute truths, e.g. a mental illness doesnt just exist, but instead is different interpretations are formed through language (Walker, 2006: 71). This would imply that instead of psychiatry objectively discovering a mental illness within an individual, they have actually created a perspective whereby someone who has a mental illness is ill and deviating form the norm, and as such needs to be diagnosed and treated (Walker, 2006: 72). This social construction of mental illness is done so through the utilization of discourse. In the case of the psychiatric perspective, the view that mental illness is identifiable and diagnosable is taken as truth, with the psychiatrist patient relationship dominated by the psychiatrist who diagnoses the illness and proceeds to medicate the individual (Armstrong, 1994: 19; Walker, 2006: 74). However while the feelings that an individual presents to a psychiatrist may be very real, the associated labels such as schizophrenia or depression only exist as they have been agreed upon as taking a certain meaning through language. This can also be the case in viewing mental illness as a whole; the psychiatric discourse has created these categories of mental illness, which become associated with wholly negative connotations, producing severe consequences for the individual. For example, if Foucauldian discourse perspective is taken, this categorisation would provide a definition of how the individual understands their identity, and perhaps more importantly how others view their identity (Roberts, 2005: 38). However this can also end up becoming their identity. For example, instead of being an individual with schizophrenia, they become schizophrenic and that is their identity. However if the postmodernist perspective of mental illness is followed through, it suggests that mental illness does not actually exist, nor do the labels that follow it, such as schizophrenia or depression. Instead these are just constructions formed by psychiatry to allow them to categorise people as they feel necessary (Walker, 2006: 75). However this also suggests that individuals who experience these symptoms should not merely be categorised as psychiatry dictates, because, as has been discussed previously, this often produces stigma. Instead, by adopting a postmodernist perspective, subjective accounts of individuals experiences should be used to determine how they construct their illness, rather than viewing them as ill patients who are deviating from the norm. For example by allowing individuals who have been diagnosed with, say, depression to construct their own discourse around their experiences, more useful information may be sought about how they feel in relation to this diagnosis and may also help to reduce stigma that is associated by the categorisation process employed by psychiatry. For example a study by LaFrance, (2007) utilized the discourse of women, to examine how they constructed their experiences of depression having received a medical diagnosis of depression. The findings from adopting a discourse analytic approach found that the women, upon receiving a diagnosis of depression often felt relieved as they could then interpret it as its not my fault (LaFrance, 2007: 134), however in relation to more physical illnesses, they felt it was difficult to gain a legitimacy for their pain as the actual illness was not readily observable what I wish we could do is like stick a thermometer in your ear and check your serotonin level (La France, 2007: 134). By allowing individuals who are diagnosed with depression to discuss more openly their experiences of having being labelled as such, it can allow for a reinterpretation of what these illnesses are. Rather than being objectively defined as a pathological entity within the body, using a postmodernist perspective utilizing discourse, mental illness can be viewed from the perspective of the individuals experiences of the pain, illness and distress (LaFrance, 2007: 137) they encounter. This allows for a removal of mere categorisation and may also help to minimize stigma. However it should also be noted that while taking a postmodern perspective by deconstructing the labels of mental illness could be useful in providing more insight into individuals experiences and as such, minimise stigma, it can have limitations. For example as Ussher (1997) notes, if you take an extreme deconstructionist perspective, a situation is created whereby nothing is real, everything is just a social label; an invention of those in power (Ussher, 1997: 5). This could have consequences, in that there are no longer categories which define a sexual problem or a crime, as they merely become constructions of language. If this argument was followed through, it would mean that issues such as paedophilia would be justified as there would no longer be any reason to warrant criminalising sexual acts with children (Ussher, 1997: 6) and this is clearly wrong. However if a certain level of deconstruction is acknowledged, as mentioned above, it could be useful in creating a shift away fr om the dominant psychiatric view of an objective diagnosis and labelling system of mental illness. The Continuing Dominance of Psychiatry Social Control of Psychiatry It has been outlined above that drawing on a postmodern perspective of utilizing discourse to deconstruct categories of mental illness forwarded by psychiatry could be useful, particularly in gaining insight into those who experience mental illness and also using that to help reduce the stigma which evolves from labelling and categorising. However, despite the clear faults the psychiatric methods have in defining and diagnosing mental illness, these alternative approaches have not been introduced. It could be said that this is due to the power that psychiatry yields over the mentally ill. For example, Scull (2006) notes, in the early 19th century, reform of how mental illness was treated occurred by which it became a condition which could only be authoritatively diagnosed, certified and treated by a group of legally recognised experts (Scull, 2006: 111). While this change occurred as to who could legitimately deal with the mentally ill, a change, as mentioned above, also occurred into how the mentally ill should be treated, with Pinel and Tuke advocating the notion of treating the mentally ill rationally and humanely (Scull, 2006: 114). This may therefore suggest that the 19th century revolutionised how mental illness was viewed and treated, with the idea of the mentally ill being liberated. However, in drawing on the works of Foucault, it could be said that this view is quite misguided. While Foucaults work is complex and wide ranging, his concepts of power/knowledge and the body have been central to providing an alternative account of the domination of psychiatry and how society views mental illness. For example in Foucaults (1967 [2001]) work Madness and Civilization, a detailed history is provided on how madness has been changed and redefined throughout history. In brief, it is argued that a transformation occurred in that there was a change from the sane person being able to communicate effectively with the madman, to a state whereby the madman is segregated and not to be communicated with (Matthews, 1995: 24). This occurred, as from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance period, madness was seen as moving from an entity which was beyond human life, to something that was inherent within the self. As such, it was seen as something that required individuals with the affliction of madness to be confined, and indeed by the 17th century those who were considered deviant were to be segregated, including the mad, the unemployed, prisoners etc (Matthews, 1995: 25). However, it was seen that they were not confined for their own wellbeing or safety, but instead because they were not contributing effectively to society as normal citizens. Towards the 18th century, it is argued that even with the introduction of more humane methods of treating the mentally ill, such as those forwarded by Pinel and Tuke, this was still seen as a method of control, attempting to transform the mad individual into someone deemed socially normal (Matthews, 1995: 25). For example, Foucault (1967 [2001: 255-256]) notes that: the asylum of the age of positivism, which is Pinels glory to have founded, is not a free realm of observation, diagnosis and therapeutics; it is a juridical space where one is accused, judged and condemned, and from which one is never released except by the version of this trial in psychological depth -that is, by remorse This implies that the methods considered as being the liberation of the mentally ill in the 19th century, which pre-empted modern psychiatry, were actually methods of controlling the mentally ill. They are labelled as having an illness such as depression or schizophrenia, which is a deviation from normal functioning, reasonable individuals, and as such, require treatment in order to attempt to return to them to normative state. With this view of modern psychiatry, it could be said that as it is the dominiant institution responsible for mental illness, it acts as a method of social control by having the power to identify deviant individuals and attempt to treat them, subsequently cure them of their illness and return them to normality. Social Control through Surveillance However, crucial to understanding this method of social control, is to also understand the power that the psychiatric institution holds over the mentally ill, and it could be argued that it is through Foucaults (Rabinow, 1991) ideas of disciplinary power. For example, Foucault argued that instead of old methods of control of deviant bodies being used, such as physical punishment (Armstrong, 1994: 21), new methods were created which allowed for bodies to be observed and analysed (Armstrong, 1994: 21) through methods of surveillance. To illustrate this idea, Foucault uses the idea of Benthams design for an ideal prison, known as the panopticon, where a central watchtower looks over cells distributed in a circular fashion (Roberts, 2005: 34). The method of the panopticon was to be able to continuously observe inmates, however from the inmates point of view, they would never know when they were being watched, or if they were being watched at all. This allows for a dynamic in which a powe r relation is created and maintained, whereby the individual is made a subject, never free from knowing when they are being observed and thus having to correct and monitor their behaviour accordingly (Roberts, 2005: 34). For example as Foucault notes, it must be possible to hold the prisoner under permanent observation, every report that can be made about him must be recorded and computed (Foucault, cited in Rabinow, 1994: 217). While this was referring to prisoners being held as criminals, the concept can also be identified and analysed in relation to psychiatric institutions. For example after a diagnosis of a mental illness has been made, individuals become analysed and evaluations for treatment made, and this becomes documented within medical records. While, as Roberts (2005) notes, that this is standard procedures for care, from a Foucauldian perspective, it could be seen as a panoptic method of ensuring the individual is continually watched and assessed, and should any deviations occur, interventions may used, to correct the deviancy (Roberts, 2005: 36). However this does not merely occur within an institution, but the levels of panoptic surveillance may occur within an individuals community. For example if someone is given the identity of schizophrenic, they will be monitored by many different professional staff that will assess their treatment and symptoms but they will also be subject to surveillance from family members or friends (Roberts, 2005: 36). This would imply that the methods of psychiatric social control extend beyond simply having the authority to correct deviancy, but instead psychiatric disciplinary power infiltrates many aspects of an individuals life, meaning they may never be free from surveillance of their illness or having an identity of being mentally ill. This Foucauldian perspective is rather critical of the psychiatric institution, however when considering the stigma that those with a mental illness encounter, it could be a useful theoretical approach to take when considering the dominance of psychiatry. For example, as mentioned previously and highlighted by the Rosenhan (1973) study, a diagnosis and labelling of being mentally ill can become a lifelong issue and often, while being subject to surveillance by psychiatric and medical institutions, individuals are also subject to surveillance by their friends, family and peers, however if what is viewed is negatively perceived, or if the individual does not correct their behaviour this can have consequences. For example as Thornicroft (2006: 25) states from an individual with mental illness, I have lost all my friends since the onset of my illnessà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦I lost my career, my own flat, my car. Mental illness has destroyed my life. This suggests that again, the dominance of psych iatry, even in modern times, if taken from a Foucauldian perspective, can have drastic consequences for those who are diagnosed with mental illness. Other Power Relations as Explanations for Psychiatric Dominance Foucauldian perspectives clearly illustrate that psychiatry can be considered the dominant institution for monitoring those with mental illness, as they are able to correct them by means of social control and also the very manner in which psychiatry functions, allows them to survey those with a mental illness indefinitely, through the ideas of disciplinary power. However one other aspect that should be considered as to why psychiatry has continued to be the dominant institution for identifying those who are mentally ill, is their intrinsic affiliations to the pharmaceutical companies (Scull, 2006: 127). For example, in returning to the methods of the psychiatric institution, they take a positivist view that mental illness is real and observable and requiring treatment and they usually identify it as underlying a biological abnormality of brain functioning, such as serotonin deficencies in depression (Comer, 2005). However it could be argued that it is pharmaceutical industry that continues to allow this approach to be taken. For example, if classifying a mental illness as real and observable with an underlying biological cause, this allows for the assumption that it can be treated, and the pharmaceutical industry fuels this, by providing the medication (Fisher, 2003: 66). However this view is also advocated by psychiatry, because as Scull (2006) and Fisher (2003) argue, the profits that pharmaceutical companies make contribute towards funding research, the journals and the departments of psychiatry (Fisher, 2003: 66). As such, the psychiatric profession have an invested interest in maintaining their positivist standpoint, and as this happens to conform to the positivist natural model of scientific research, it has asserted itself as the only reality, due to holding this power (LaFrance, 2007: 128). Usefulness of the Critical Evaluation of Psychiatry As can be seen in the discussions above, the evaluations of psychiatry drawing on social theory perspectives have been quite critical, both in terms of how psychiatry defines and diagnoses mental illness, but also how the institution of psychiatry as a whole functions. For example it has drawn from post modern perspectives to suggest that the very notion of mental illness is socially constructed through discourse (Walker, 2006) and from a Foucauldian perspective, the psychiatric institution serves to control the deviant population by attempting to normalise them again through the use of disciplinary power (Roberts, 2005). However, while these evaluations are certainly useful and provide a perspective into how psychiatry and mental illness can be viewed, to take this wholly negative view may be just as problematic as adopting the purely positivist assumptions forwarded by psychiatry. For example, in addressing the first evaluation that mental illness can be considered to be socially constructed through discourse, as explained by Ussher (1997), if this is taken to the point of an extreme social constructionist perspective, then nothing will actually be considered real, just multiple realities created through discourse. This could be problematic for those who do suffer from mental illness. For example interpreting mental illness as something that doesnt actually exist, or is not definable but merely a social construction is not very helpful for an individual with real symptoms which they experience. For example as Bowers (1998) mentions, to take a view that mental illness is something that could be considered beneficial or non existent is a failing to accept the reality of their suffering and disability (Bowers, 1998: 104). As such, theoretically it may be useful to consider mental illness as socially constructed, and indeed given the study by Rosenhan (1973), diag nosis can often be difficult or misinterpreted, for those who actually suffer from mental illness, a diagnosis may actually be comforting. For example, in an excerpt from an individual with mental illness, it can be seen that often a diagnosis means that it feels something can then be done. The individual, when discussing her initial diagnosis of schizophrenia recalls it was so enormously helpful to think; (a) this was something diagnosable, and (b) there are self help groups (Thornicroft, 2006: 48). As such, while the psychiatric methods of defining and diagnosing mental illness could be seen as theoretically problematic, as they are known, individuals who are diagnosed may feel comforted to know that the symptoms they experience are not simple constructions, but an actual treatable illness. In addressing the second criticism social theory has levelled at psychiatry, in that from a Foucauldian perspective, it can be seen as an institution of continual surveillance and social control (Roberts, 2005). This implies that psychiatry exists with a unidirectional form of power, selecting deviant individuals and attempting to normalise them through treatment and surveillance. However it could be said that this power/knowledge approach to psychiatry is somewhat simplistic, implying only psychiatric experts are involved in addressing the diagnosis and treatment of lay peoples' mental illness, however this may not be the case. As mentioned in the LaFrance (2007) study, sufferers of mental illness have been invited to express their views on their experiences of mental illness and how they viewed their treatment and this can often be used to inform and re-evaluate how these with mental illness should be treated by experts. For example Pilgrim and Rogers (1997) highlight that often those who had experienced mental illness could not contribute the onset to a singular cause but, identified numerous causes such as a loss of a child, previous abuse, having a broken engagement etc (Pilgrim and Rogers, 1997: 42). However psychiatrists typically noted onset as originating from something which was termed biomedical (Pilgrim and Rogers, 1997: 43) and as such, by identifying how sufferers view their illness, this can help further inform the experts. Similarly, Pilgrim and Rogers (1997) also highlight that there is not expert knowledge of mental illness and lay knowledge of mental illness but often the two are often intertwined, with expert knowledge becoming subject to layification (Pilgrim and Rogers, 39). Therefore to simply assert that psychiatry exerts social control and surveillance over mental illness suffers appears to be ignoring the notion that individuals may not be passive patients and may have their o wn interpretations and views on their illness. Conclusion It is somewhat difficult to determine whether the critical evaluation social theory provides in reaction to the methods psychiatry uses to define and treat mental illness are more useful. For example, while the positivist methodology currently adopted by psychiatry has been problematic given their changing of what constitutes as mental illness (Balon, 2008) and also the reported difficulties in diagnosis (Rosenhan, 1973), it is unclear whether adopting a social constructionist approach would be useful in practice. While it certainly has highlighted the faults of positivist notions of schizophrenia and depression simply existing (Walker, 2006) and this may help to reduce stigma, given that it is such a widely accepted approach, people in some cases may find comfort in being given a diagnosis (Thornicroft, 2006). Similarly, while the works of Foucault are certainly insightful in suggesting that the liberation of the insane was merely a different form of confinement through social control, it does provide an assumption that psychiatry is merely an institution whose aims are to normalise individuals through medication and view them as simple, passive recipients of care. However as Pilgrim and Rogers (1997) highlighted, often knowledge which lay and experts hold of mental illness can become intertwined and, indeed, psychiatrists have utilized research into patients experiences in order to provide a better standard of care for them. Therefore this essay would advocate, in a similar manner to Ussher (1997) that neither the psychiatric positivist methods are completely flawless and neither are social theory approaches, such as post modernism or a Foucauldian analysis. However a combination of the two may not provide a better system either, therefore while it is acknowledged that social theory has provided a useful critical evaluation of psychiatry, it is not necessarily a correct one. As such, it may be more useful to consider the individuals who suffer from mental illness as the ones who should advocate h

Study Skills Assignment

Table of Contents Task 11 1. Introduction:2 2. Research strategy:2 3. Data collection methods:3 3. 1Primary data collection method:3 3. 2Secondary data collection method:3 4. Resources/Data Access:4 5. How and Why:4 Task 25 1. Project Plan:5 Work break down structure (WBS)6 2. Understanding the instructions:6 3. Managing Time Effectively As a Post Graduate Learner:7 4. Gant chart:7 5. Collection of information:8 6. Write a more detailed plan:9 7. Getting Started, Editing the work, proofreading the draft and the final edit9 Task 310 Critical Reflection Report:10References:13 PLANNING & REFLECTING AT POSTGRADUATE LEVEL Task 1 Develop a research strategy explaining EXACTLY how you will find relevant academic material to help you with THIS SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT, i. e. specific search ‘strategies’ & ‘search terms’, which databases & journals you will query, how & why, etc. 1. Introduction: An assignment is a task that is given to testify a student’s knowledg e regarding a particular subject or topic which he/she is asked to produce as a part of his/her academic course and this assignment is usually assessed.However, there are different kinds of assignments given during the course such as theoretical assignments, practical assignments containing theory and some practical approach by conducting primary research for example, development of business plan (Bell, 2002). The student/researcher when given an assignment should first develop an understanding of the contents of the assignment and then should develop a research strategy according to which he/she can start and complete the given assignment.Apart from developing a research strategy for the assignment another important which needs to be considered is the mode of data collection and the sources from where the data for the particular assignment could be gathered. Further the writer needs to keep in mind the length/word count of the assignment, the kind of report required whether an essa y is asked to write or a report that might be containing headings, diagrams, charts and graphs (Bell and Chan, 2005). 2. Research strategy: A research strategy is a plan of action that gives direction to your efforts, enabling you to conduct research systematically rather than haphazardly† (Bain, 2000). The following research strategy will be employed to conduct the current assignment: * Thorough study of the topic and related subjects prior to starting the assignment. * Understanding the requirements of the assignment * Thinking of such ideas that can make the assignment different from others. * Inquiring yourself as what do I want to do in the assignment? * Collecting data through browsing different sources. Locating a specific piece of information * Retrieving all the related material on the given subject Further, for the current assignment the research strategy adopted by the writer would be based on the requirements of the assignment. As the assignment requires the develo pment of such a strategy which will help the writer to find the academic material for the current assignment. However the following ways will be utilized to collect data. 3. Data collection methods: The most widely used data collection methods are: * Primary data collection method * Secondary data collection method 4. Primary data collection method: Primary data is usually present in raw form or in the original form which the researcher collects by employing different methods such as questionnaire, observations, and focus groups, personal and telephonic interviews. This kind of data is not used previously in any research or by anyone. However for the current study this kind of data collection method would not be required as the current assignment does not require any such data that requires the development of questionnaire, conducting interviews or observations (Kumar and Ranjit, 2005). 4. 2 Secondary data collection method:This kind of data already exists in published and non publi shed form, however secondary data is mainly comprised of compiled statistical reports, financial reports, news, articles and journals which could be accessed through different research engines such as Google and through various sources such EMARLD, Mintel, EBSCO, Jstor, Lexis, Key Note, Willey Interscience and Nexis and also through books and web pages. However for completing the current assignment secondary data collection method will be employed and data will be collected through different resources (Dawson, 2002). 4. Resources/Data Access:The information gathered for the current assignment were from different resources such as Journal of Educational Administration, International Studies in Educational Administration, further few books were also employed to gather information such as Developing and applying study skills. London: Chartered Institute of personnel and development, Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling, edition. 9th Canada: Jo hn Wiley & Sons, The 7 habits of highly effective people. United Kingdom: Simon & Schuster UK ltd and Research Methods for Business Students. 5th ed.England: Pearson Education Limited (Saunders et al. , 2003). 5. How and Why: The journal of educational administration was found by using EMARLD, which is an authenticated academic resource and students have access to it through the respective university/college library. Further the international studies in educational administration were also found through EMARLD. The different articles and journal were found by entering the key words of the subject in the search bar and the search engine will find relevant articles. However the different books were accessed through Wiley Interscience such as Developing and applying study skills.London: Chartered Institute of personnel and development, Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling, edition. 9th Canada: John Wiley & Sons, however few web pages were also accessed through Google Scholar (http://scholar. google. com). These resources were employed due their academic authenticity as well as they are properly published resources bearing proper author name and the year they were published (Saunders et al. , 2003). Task 2 1. Project Plan: The project plan for the current assignment is simple and is presented as follows: * Understanding the instructions What is the question actually asking for? * Have a quick plan before starting * Collection of information * Use of other authors’ work * Write a more detailed plan * Getting started * Editing the work * Proofreading the draft * The final edit The project plan for starting and completing this assignment is also given in the following form (work break down structure). Work break down structure (WBS) 2. Understanding the instructions: The first and foremost step after getting any kind of assignment is to read it carefully and understand its instructions and for instance if there is ny ambiguity it could be cleared at the beginning so that the assignment could be completed with clear instructions. In case of the current assignment the writer read the instructions and discussed it with the tutor to have a more understanding of the requirements. Moreover, the question/query being asked was fully understood and a quick plan as how to start the assignment was made which included work break down structure and Gantt chart. This further enabled the writer to estimate the time required for the current assignment (Kerzner, 2006) 3. Managing Time Effectively As a Post Graduate Learner: Time management refers to the development of processes and tools that increase efficiency and productivity† (Ward, 2012). Further it allows a person to mange time effectively and allocates right time to right activity. Managing time effectively allows the individual to prioritize activities according to their importance and allot specific time slot to that activity. Like wise in order t o mange time effectively and after having a complete understanding of the instructions the writer was capable of allotting the time required for the current assignment.As time management is critical and important factor in completion of the assignment (Mancini, 2003). 4. Gant chart: The Gantt charts are rigorously used as a project planning tool that could be utilized in order to present the timings of activities that are required to be done in a project. However, Gantt charts are very simple and easy to make and they are widely used by project managers for all type of projects (Durfee, 2008). The following Gantt chart is base on the work break down structure given above. The following graph shows the work load distribution over the week days.It is evident from the graph that more time was given to the assignment on the weekends that is 25 percent on Saturday and 28 percent on Sunday; however the distribution of work is done as per the following percentages on each day. 5. Collectio n of information: This is the most important activity in making an assignment as the assignment is produced using information gathered from different sources. However, for the current assignment different sources were utilized in order to get good quality academic article, journals, books and web pages.These sources include Journal of Educational Administration; International Studies in Educational Administration, further few books were also employed to gather information such as Developing and applying study skills. London: Chartered Institute of personnel and development, Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling, edition. 9th Canada: John Wiley & Sons, The 7 habits of highly effective people. United Kingdom: Simon & Schuster UK ltd and Research Methods for Business Students. 5th ed. England: Pearson Education Limited.An important point while gathering information was to consult the core books and such sources that have been recommended by the tutor, apart from these additional information was also gathered. In case if the writer can not get good articles, the best way is to look at the reference list of any one article and the writer can search for the articles and books used by the author of that article. Another important point to be considered is that while collecting information the writer must be sure the material being collected is relevant to the topic he is searching for, otherwise this can distract the writer from the main topic (Covey, 2004). . Write a more detailed plan: In this stage, after collecting the information the writer needs to select the information which is to be included in the assignment and also the order in which it will come. At this stage the writer has to plan how to organize the information and his thoughts for this he may have to write a list, draw flow diagram, and make charts and tables in order to arrange the information in a symmetrical and presentable form. This practice helps the wr iter to save time and the assignment will have a flow rather than jumping between different topics.Thus making a detailed plan/structure of the assignment will helps the writer to have a more balanced assignment. 7. Getting Started, Editing the work, proofreading the draft and the final edit After making the structure and flow of the assignment, it is easier for the writer to start the assignment; however, the assignment is usually started with an introduction which is a brief explanation of the topic and this portion gives an insight of the assignment; what is it all about.An important thing which must be remembered that every time the writer makes some notes from a source he/she should keep the reference of the source and it will prevent the assignment from plagiarism and will save time at the end as well. Similarly the writer should make necessary edition in the assignment where necessary, moreover after completing the assignments the writer should proof read the whole draft and make necessary corrections where required and also should check for the grammatical mistakes if any.The writer should follow proper reference style as prescribed by the tutor. Following the above mentioned plan can help the writer make a quality assignment (Currie, 2005). Task 3 Write a 1000 word REFLECTIVE piece (with relevant academic references) that critically analyses the following FOR THIS SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT: Critical Reflection Report: To begin with, the module study skills for postgraduate learning has been helpful in so many ways as it helped me develop my skills for the post graduate study level.During the course I learnt many things which enabled me to improve my study performance and enhance my skills both at studies and inter personal skills. Further devising a project plan strategy has helped me a lot in enhancing my skills as how a research is done, what are the necessary steps that should be considered, what the different ways through which data could be are collect ed and how data could be collected. However there were certain problems which were encountered during the research report such as data collection.It was not easy to gather a comprehensive and to the point data from the various resources, therefore the writer has to be very precise and accurate about selection of data as wrong data could lead to ambiguous statements and can distract the writer from main topic. Therefore from the current module I have learnt how to search for a particular topic and how to extract the relevant material from it. However, this practice will remain helpful through my academic career as I will need to search for other subjects as well in order to prepare the assignments (Kolb, 1999).Another aspect which has helped me during this module is the time management. Time management is an effective tool through which one can mange different activities on time and can give proper time for completing the task as well. During the current assignment, in order to compl ete and submit the assignment on time, I made a proper work break down structure through which I divided each task in small chunks and allotted time as per its priority and this helped me in managing the task in time. Moreover, the division of work according to an allotted time helped me expedite my activities and complete them on time.This particular aspect of time management will be greatly helpful for me in my future life as this practice will allow me to do the tasks in future in the same way. This will further help me to complete my tasks on time also making a break down structure and allotting time will reduce my work burden and I will be able to do the same the work in a more professional and proper manner rather than haphazardly (Allwood, 1980). The process of searching has enabled me to skim through the documents and take the relevant ones out rather studying each and every document and wasting my time.This is an important quality the researcher must posses as in case of sh ort time and where quick action is required, this quality enables the reader to quickly skim through the important notes and respond accordingly (Lillian, 2005) During the course of this assignment as many articles and journals were gathered in order to retrieve useful information for the assignment, by going through this practice, my reading habit has enhanced a lot and reading more has also enhanced my knowledge about particular topic and in future same practice will increase my knowledge about different topics.Another important learning through this assignment is that the more I read different articles and books it enhances my vocabulary. Prior to getting into the reading habit, my vocabulary was week but now if I find I am not aware about any topic or I lack in any information then I search for the particular topic and learn about that topic. The reading habit has made books my friend and through this I enhance my knowledge about different subjects and topics.This habit can help me in future as well as whatever is learnt in present or past does help the individual in future as well and this can save the time of the individual in future from relearning (Martin and Harrell, 2004). Talking specifically of the SSPL assignment, it was a great learning over all. As the assignment itself was focusing primarily on the ways students gathers information in order to make an assignment. For a student it’s a great learning throughout his education career as this enables the student to learn the proper way of making the assignment.This in turn helps the student score good grades. From the current assignment, I came to know that the first thing after getting any assignment or project is to understand its instructions well before starting and after understanding the instructions, an initial plan or structure should be drafted that comprises of the writers ideas, and then information should be gathered accordingly. This drafted structure helped me to have symmetry i n my work.However, during the collection of information I came up with better ideas and the information collected gave me new ideas to think in different perspectives about the same topic. Through this assignment I came to learn about making connection of the previous paragraph to the link, rather than jumping from one topic to another (Kim, 2001). Another important learning through this assignment which will benefit me in the future as well is the proper referencing of the information I took from other sources.This prevents me from plagiarism. As plagiarism is copying someone else work or ideas without giving any credit or reference (Burney, 2012). I learnt through this assignment that copy pasting any authors work is unethical, however, if one reproduce any idea in his/her own words by properly referencing it, then it is not plagiarism. However, through this practice I came to know about different styles of referencing such as APA style Harvard style of referencing.To put it in a nutshell, it was a great learning experience through this assignment and it will help me in future to draft quality assignments and score good grades. And it is accurately said by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. that: â€Å"To be master of any branch of knowledge, you must master those which lie next to it; and thus to know anything you must know all†. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. References: Allwood, J. (1976), Linguistic Communication as Action and Cooperation, Monographs in Linguistics 2, Dept of Linguistics, Goteborg University. Allwood, J. 1980), â€Å"Power and Communication† in Allwood, J & Ljung, M (red): Alvar – A festshrift to Alvar Ellegard, SPELL 1, Dept of English, Stockholm University. Bain, A. (2000), â€Å"The school design model: strategy for design of 21st century schools†, in Dimmock, C. and Walker, A. (Eds), Future School Administration: Western and Asian Perspectives, Chinese University Press, Hong Kong, pp. 131-66. Bell, L. (2002), â€Å" Strategic planning and school management: full of sound and fury, signifying nothing? † Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 0 No. 5, pp. 407-24. Bell, L. and Chan, D. W. K. (2005), â€Å"Principals’ leadership and strategic planning in primary schools in Hong Kong and England: a comparison†, International Studies in Educational Administration, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 2-21. Burney, A. (2012), Plagiarism, [online], available at: http://www. uok. edu. pk/news/docs/PlagPres. pdf, accessed on 06/05/2012. Lillian. C, (2005), Intercultural Business Communication, 4th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Currie D. , (2005) Developing and applying study skills.London: Chartered Institute of personnel and development. Covey S. R. , (2004) The 7 habits of highly effective people. United Kingdom: Simon & Schuster UK ltd Dawson, C. (2002), Practical Research Methods, New Delhi, UBS Publishers’Distributors. Durfee, W. (2008), Project Planning and Gantt Charts, [O nline], available at: http://www. me. umn. edu/courses/me2011/handouts/proj_planning. pdf, accessed on 05/05/2012. Kumar and Ranjit, 2005, Research Methodology-A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners,(2nd. ed. ),Singapore, Pearson Education. Kim, Y. Y. 2001), Becoming intercultural: An integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Kolb D. (1999). The Kolb Learning Style Inventory, Version 3. Boston: Hay Group. Martin, J. N. , & Harrell, T. (2004), Intercultural re-entry of students and professionals: Theory and practice. In D. Landis, J. M. Bennett, & M. J. Bennett (Eds. ), Handbook of intercultural training, 3rd ed. 309–336. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Saunders M. , Lewis P. and Thornhill A. , (2003) Research Methods for Business Students. 5th ed. England: Pearson Education Limited.

Functionalist, Conflict, and Interaction Perspectives on Mass Media Essay

It is hard to imagine that just one theoretical view can make clear the many ways that individuals relate with media and technology. Technology covers a wide range from simplistic to complicate. Media is everywhere we look and on every gadget we own. This paper will take a look at mass media from the functionalist, conflict, and interaction perspectives. You can look at a variety of theories and you will find studies and scholars that agree and those who disagree. A sociological approach in functionalism is the reflection of the relationship among the functions of less significant parts and the functions of the total. From the functionalist perspective there has been a problem from the start. The problem is the failure to identify and come up with a definition for the actual function of mass media. Also it has been problematic to define what role the mass media plays in various cultures and sub cultures (Mendelshon, H. (1974). From the start a functionalist breakdown comes with a profound handicap. According to the functionalist perspective the media is a marketing product and entertaining, it is socializing individuals, teaching norms, morals, and philosophies to future groups. Media also keeps individuals in touch with cultural standards in the time if happenings of nationwide importance. The functionalist perspective sees the media as teaching what is virtuous and appropriate (Gamson, Croteau, Hoynes, and Sasson (1992). The media has four essential functions for society: surveying the environment to give reports and information; relaying replies to this information; amusing; and transmitting traditions to upcoming generations. Advertisements are always shown before movies; it also appears on public transportation and on highway billboards. There is virtual gaming that allows one to talk to friends on social networks. Technology gives individuals and groups innovative and more stimulating ways to stay amused. Some sociologist affirm that this level of media experience hints to narcotizing dysfunction, a word that defines when persons are excessively overcome with media feedback that they begin to ignore it. Functionalism has gotten criticism for neglecting the harmful functions of an event such as divorce. Critics also say that the perspective justifies the status quo and satisfaction on the part of society’s individuals. Functionalism does not support individuals in taking a lively position in altering their social environment even if this change could be for the better. Functionalism sees vigorous social change as unwelcome since each part of society will recompense naturally for any troubles that may come to pass. Conflict theorists see social conflict among any groups in which it is probable for disparity exists: racial, gender, religious, political, economic, and so on. Conflict theorists claim that disparate groups more often than not have contradictory standards and agendas, causing them to vie in opposition to each other. This steady rivalry between groups is the foundation for the constantly shifting nature of society. Looking at the conflict perspective mass communications study has time after time recognized the major force that the media can have in determining a communal outlook about a certain matter, such as conflict. The media repeatedly helps decide what the public sees the subject, its causes and penalty, whether it is important, and what to assume about it (Reuben, R. C. (2009). The media can have a very influential role in fueling fires when it comes to certain issues like racism and other social injustices. Conflict like functionalism has been defined in many different ways. When it come to mass media the same can be said. Conflict can also be measured at  the individual point and at the group point. Although conflict is regularly important to those involved, it may not always be noticed by the media. The disagreement has got to be remarkable to the picky viewers of the media. According to the conflict perspective a main emphasis is the variance of avenues to media and technology exemplified in the digital world. Conflict theorist concentrate on who reigns the media, and how the media endorses the norms of the upper-middle-class white Americans while lessening the existence of the lower class especially minorities. Some conflict theorist’s propose that the way media is created causes an uneven political arena. Candidates with the most monies available can buy the most media exposure, trash talk their competition, and take full advantage of their visual existence. Now days cameras capture our activities and viewers can find people over their cell phones. Social scientists take the idea of the surveillance society so seriously that there is an entire journal devoted to its study, Surveillance and Society (library.queensu.ca). Influential individuals and social organizations carry much of the say so about what technology is out, when and where it is released and what kind of media is accessible for intake. This is a form of gate keeping. Deciding what story will make the headlines of the front page. Deciding which movie is playing on the screens at the local movie theater. Deciding what movies and pictures will be released and which ones will not. All of these decisions are usually made by people of high standings. No one in the lower classes has any say so in these types of decisions. Critics of the conflict perspective tip to its excessively harmful view of society. The theory in the end attributes compassionate pains, unselfishness, democratic state, civil rights, and other constructive aspects of society to capitalistic designs to have power over the groups, not to natural wellbeing in maintaining society and social order. The symbolic interactionist perspective, also known as symbolic  interactionism, directs sociologists to believe the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact with each other. Although symbolic interactionism goes back to Max Weber’s claim that individuals act by they way the see their understanding of the meaning of their world, the American philosopher George H. Mead (1863–1931) introduced this perspective to American sociology in the 1920s (Vissing, Y. 2011). The interactions perspective of sociology sees society as a product of everyday social interactions of individuals. Symbolic interactionists also study how people use symbols to create meaning (Vissing, Y. 2011). According to this theory technology may act as a symbol for many individuals. What kind of computer you have, the kind of vehicle you own, if individuals are able to purchase the newest products; this works as a social meter of affluence and rank. Media can generate and spread symbols that become the way we understand our society. Theorist at work on the interactionist perspective concentrate on this social creation of actuality. This process keeps going and people individually generate and comprehend reality. Social media sites inspire individuals to check in and give particulars of their day with online social networks, companies can then with no trouble endorse their merchandises on these sites. Then suddenly you are bombarded with ads of places you have been. What started out as a symbol of popularity and prestige now endorses consumerism of games and fandom. Every website and every game that is played has advertisements that the viewer must watch in order to continue on. This is very similar with the conflict theory. Sociologists differentiate the mass media from other social associations because for this realm it is a must to have an audience. The audience could be a secondary group assembled in a great theater, or it may be a main group, such as a husband and wife watching the newest movie release at home. Possession is becoming very compacted. There is a trend toward sort of a monopoly. There can be found a few of global organizations that dominate the  publishing, broadcasting, and the ï ¬ lm industries (Croteau and Hoynes 2000). Some individuals reason that the government ought to control media absorption once again. The government takes more of a â€Å"hands-off† approach. If this approach continues the trend will continue and the media leaders will continue to grow. Critics assert that symbolic interactionism leaves out the macro level of social interpretation, which is the big picture. Symbolic interactionists could fail to see the bigger problems of society by concentrating too closely on the small issues. The perspective also gets criticism for denial of the influence of social forces and institutions on individual connections. The amount of individuals in the world who have admittance to an assortment of media keeps growing. Additionally, the total of time individuals squander taking in media as well continues to enlarge. With all the new technology that is available most people are always connected to something that has media readily available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.  Each viewpoint interprets the position of the mass media in a special way and for this reason each theory is expected to have an effect on the views of individuals that are a piece of the society in individual behaviors. As a functionalist are to be expected to view the program choices of a news group decision maker who knowingly makes the choice to pass over a pessimistic account regarding one of its supporting companies as a not taking sides action intended to lessen likely discord in the union and maybe the community. As an interactionist, would be paying attention to how the results might influence the everyday rela tions among the members of the business or even among the business and members of the community may be concerned. On the other hand, a conflict theorist is to be expected to observe this as one of the negative functions of the mass media like Gatekeeping. For that explanation conflict theory explains why news media may stay away from negative stories about their sponsors of their new show and big advertisers in their newspapers. This makes is evident when television networks that are making big dollar amounts for promotion from corporations’ like Nike and other material goods makers are hesitant to  broadcast negative media about these companies. Conflict theorist categorize the identical dilemma at the neighboring point everyplace city reporters will not present bad reviews on certain products like franchise restaurants or other local businesses since the bulk of their financial support comes from the paid advertising of these and other businesses. While media has an impact on society, society has an impact on the media. In fact, with the inventions of such websites and social networks like Facebook and many others individuals in society with this access are just as influential. These social networks have allowed individuals to more and more capable to put forth weight in the other sociological institutions including the mass media. The conflict theory can sometimes see the community as neither here nor there by screening it as just submissively overcome to the forces of the free market, interactionism can lead us into more understanding of how the amplified discussion connections linking character and civilization seeing how the media is very personal to most. We have seen that there can be some slight similarities connecting the social theories of Functionalism, Interactionism and Conflict Theory. They however disagree somewhat significantly with each other. Mostly depending on what theory a person decides to agree with their view and opinions about the media and other social institutions will vary quite a bit. Just because one individual may view the media with the Conflict lens does not mean that the Functionalism and Interactionism does not make very valid points that can be used to enhance our understanding. Full understanding will not be attained from one theory and it is unlikely that everyone will ever agree on just one theory. The understanding that we have gained is that the media truly has an impact on individuals, cultures, society, and mass communications. It is not just at a local level but at a global level. By studying these theories we can gain insight and understand about each point of view. Each ones has a contribution t o share. References: Croteau, David; Hoynes, William, Media society: industries, images, audiences, 2003 Fine, G., & Kleinman, S. (1979). Rethinking Subculture: An Interactionist Analysis. American Journal of Sociology, (1). 1. Gamson, William A.; Croteau, David; Hoynes, William; Sasson, Theodore. In: Annual Review of Sociology, 1/1/1992, Vol. 18, p. 373-393; Library.queensu.ca, Retrieved from: http://library.queensu.ca/ojs/index.php/surveillance-and-society/about/editorialPolicies Mendelsohn, H. (1974). BEHAVIORISM, FUNCTIONALISM, AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS POLICY. Public Opinion Quarterly, 38(3), 379. Reuben, R. C. (2009). MEDIA AND CONFLICT THEORY: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY OVERVIEW: THE IMPACT OF NEWS COVERAGE ON CONFLICT: TOWARD GREATER UNDERSTANDING. Marquette Law Review, 9345. Vissing, Y. (2011) Introduction to Sociology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

The Problem Of Test Anxiety - 864 Words

When you take a test there are many factors that play a part in how you are going to perform or how you will react once you feel the pressure of the test itself. In this paper im going to talk about ways that Kristen can cope with her issues of â€Å"freaking out†, â€Å"going blank† or when the information â€Å"doesn’t stick† when she needs to recall it for a test. I’m going to try and give some tips and pointers for Kristen to use so that she can deal with these issues that she experiences when she is taking tests. The first thing that she points out which is an issue for her is â€Å"freaking out†. Freaking out can come from test anxiety. The first example for when someone might be experiencing test anxiety is due to being under prepared, one of the main reasons for test anxiety is cramming because some students do not apply study skills on a regular basis so when the time comes to actually study they immediately become nervous and freak out because they realize how much they don’t know about their upcoming test. The feeling of being under prepared can lead to test anxiety and poor performance. One way that Kristen can avoid this issue is to pay attention to test details, what this means is that when the teacher is giving out information about an upcoming test such as questions that’ll appear on the test she should jot them down as she may use strategies to prepare for different types of test questions. 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They hear other students discussing the test, and often start to overthink how much they studied and ifRead MorePros And Cons Of Standardized Testing1025 Words   |  5 PagesWhat are standardized tests? Standardized tests are exams that are administered, scored, and interpreted in the same way for all students. Now there are many pros and cons of standardized testing however, I believe that public and private schools should just abolish standardized testing all together. These tests determine a student’s academic performance and each student is given the same test with the same questions and answers. These tests are designed to measure the students learning capabilitiesRead MoreTest Anxiety And Performance That Indicate A Relationship Between Anxiety, Preparation And Test Performance927 Words   |  4 Pageshave been conducted in regards to test anxiety and performance that indicate a relationship between anxiety, preparation and test performance. 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