Shark Conservation

    "Dna Dna Dna.... Dna!" While the music is playing, the character is sitting in the open ocean just minding their own business. Suddenly, the eeriness of the movie will stop and a shark jumps out of no where. All the viewer sees after this is a pool of blood and no body.

     That's the synonymous scene that the viewer always as seen in the movies that have to with sharks. These movies set and sense of fear and negative connotation of sharks. Many people seem to have this big fear of sharks  because of the influence Hollywood and other media outlets have placed on sharks. When really humans pose a bigger threat to sharks than they do to humans.

     In the past few years, many shark species have fallen close to being on the endangered list. Much of this is due to ocean pollution and overfishing. People have started to realize that these animals must be saved from the prejudice and stigmas they have before its to late.

     If people are able to see that sharks don't pose that great of a threat to us, then they may see that they need to be advocates for shark conservation. "According to scientist, sharks risk being driven to extinction due to overfishing, with almost 100 million killed each year"(Guardian).  Many countries don't control fishing regulations on sharks because the revenue they are able to bring in is more important to them.

This photo above shows that the global shark catch has rapidly increased over that past sixty years, and isn't going to decline any time soon. Many fisherman will just take off the fins of sharks and leave the body of the shark out to die. Shark conservation is something that countries should look at and not treating these animals inhumanely  "In 2016, In June 2016, NOAA Fisheries published a final rule to implement the domestic provisions of the Shark Conservation Act. The final rule, which mirrors the language in the Shark Conservation Act, prohibits any person from removing shark fins at sea or possessing, transferring, or landing shark fins unless they are naturally attached to the corresponding carcass" (NOAA Fisheries).  With these new rules coming into place hopefully people will realize follow and start tp advocate for shark conservation also.

Sources:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2013/07/7_15_13shark_conservation_us_and_abroad.html
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=%2fo1h%2bwVk&id=16D780F58C2DF78021279EF303B8008449C69B06&q=shark+fishing+graph&simid=608019176970454429&selectedIndex=2&adlt=strict&ajaxhist=0
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/mar/02/sharks-risk-extinction-overfishing-scientists

   

True Thrill Seekers

     Freefalling off the edge of a bridge with nothing, but a rescue parachute that you paid twenty dollars for is exhilarating for people like Nick. Dr. Ken Carter, a psychology professor from Emory University, went to Twin Falls, Idaho. He went to see people base jump off the only bridge in North America where you can jump off of it whenever you want. He was there to collect information for his book that he was writing on thrill seekers. When he went there, Dr. Carter ran into a guy named Nick. Nick was planning on jumping off of the bridge and he needed someone to film him. After Nick was done base jumping, Dr. Carter asked,"Didn't it scare you when your parachute deployed later than it should have?" Nick Replied by saying, " So I am watching the ground rush up and it's almost like an eerie , surreal feeling. In a way, you're scared, but in another way you are really calm and taking it in. You're like this is happening and I'm along for the ride, you know?" ( Carter, Ted Talk Video). The ironic thing is that most people wouldn't have been that calm in that situation. Most people would've freaked out because they feel that they could have easily died. Nick is the type of person that would belong to the community of people who are called thrill seekers. He looks for that excitement that someone gets when jumping off a cliff. These people aren't actually afraid. They get a sense of calmness and relaxation, when they are relying on a flimsy parachute to get them to safety. For the longest time, psychologist have wondered what makes theses thrill seekers willing to do these extreme sports and they never understood what all of the factors were.

     Over the years, research have found that thrill seekers will usually score higher on Zuckerman's high sensation seeking test. These people tend to show that that they score high in adrenaline/adventure. Though they are also able to score high in categories such as,"disinhibition, boredom susceptibility, and experience seeking"(National Library of Medicine, 2017). These types of people usually score so high because they love the high they get from any type of risky behavior. " People with this trait are often impulsive and easily bored -but new experiences release a surge of pleasure chemicals in their brains" (Voon , 2016). High sensation seekers usually have one category be the most prominent for them. For thrill seekers, they probably will score the highest in adventure and thrill seeking because they get that adrenaline and novelty from doing extreme and daring sports.

     People who are thrill seekers tend to have higher levels of dopamine in the brain because it the chemical has the power to give you the optimal arousal that you desire. " People who take a risks usually get a big hit of dopamine each time they have a novel experience, because their brains aren't able to inhibit the neurotransmitter adequately. That blast makes them feel good, so they keep returning for the rush from similarly risky or new behaviors" (Park, 2008).  Thrill seekers have the tendency so seek out risky behaviors that give them rewards. They don't see the consequences of their actions and it  the high they get from extreme sports can sometimes turn into an addiction.

Even though it is exhilarating to go sky diving or skiing, most people have limits of what they can do. Thrill seekers don't see the harm in getting addicted to dangerous sports because they need to fulfill their high optimal level of arousal, otherwise they will find other ways to compensate. Psychologists need to keep studying thrill seeker, so then they are able to try and help treat their addiction when it becomes life threatening.

Sources:

Thrill Seekers Ted Talk 
Natural Born Thrill Seeker
Sensation Seeking
Why We Take Risks

Malala: The Impact Made

Malala Yousafzai accepting the Nobel Peace Prize.

     Malala grew up in a society where some people didn't accept that she wanted to be a women who went to school. She was a girl who wanted to be educated, she wanted to have the same rights that other Pakistani boys had. To see boys everyday run by with school bags and uniforms made her heartache. Malala lived in an area where the Pakistani Government had been overthrown and the Taliban had taken the Swat Valley by force. During this time, the Taliban supported ideals that involved not letting girls go to school. Instead, they were supposed to stay home and take care of the house. Naturally, women weren't able to get an education and become scientist, doctors, and lawyers. These professional types of jobs were particularly men's in the Pakistani Culture. Though it was usually uncommon to see women in powerful positons, some Pakistani women were able to  go to college and enter into the workforce that was traditionally for men. Before the Taliban, many people didn't seem to take a second glance and they were perfectly fine with seeing women in the work force. Though once the Taliban's power grew things began to change. The Taliban made it so that under sharia law women weren't allowed the right to be educated. Malala became frustrated and felt that she wasn't seen as equal to men. In her book, I am Malala, she explains that, " I was a girl in a land where rifles are fired in celebration of a son, while daughters are hidden away behind a curtain, their role in life simply to prepare food and give birth to children" (Yousafzai, 13).  She is able to show that is saddens her that in her environment she isn't able to be seen as an important human being. To give birth to a girl is almost a burden in Pakistani Culture. Malala sees the injustice and recognizes that her world that she lives in isn't fair. Under Taliban Rule, her life or any other girl's life isn't seen as fair. Throughout the book, people are able to see that Malala recognizes that she can have a powerful voice also. Malala begins to see the message she wants to send. Her message began with, " I don't want to be thought of as 'the girl who was shot by the Taliban' but 'the girl who fought for education. This is what I want to devote my life to" ( Yousafzai, 309). Through her message Malala became teenage girl from Pakistan who went through tragedy yet, took her message made it a global impact throughout all of society. Malala became the young trailblazer for education equality and has made a lasting impact on society.

     Malala lead a rally cry about global education reform to the leader of the United Nations Youth Assembly. Her impassioned voice stated, " Let us pick up our books and our pens. They our are most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world" ( UN, 2014). Malala wanted it to be known that education is important for every girl and boy that lives and breathes on this planet. Mr. Ban, the youth education rights campaigner for Pakistan,  "urges the students to keep speaking out. Keep raising pressure. Keep making a difference. You are sending a message of hope and empowerment... a message of dignity and opportunity. All of you are on the frontlines" ( UN,2014). Malala voiced that the Taliban wouldn't stop her voice from being heard. There hatred and violence didn't condemn the people's voice and opinions, it made them louder. With her speech at the Youth assembly she wasn't only able to get a worldwide petition signed for quick action on children able to safely attend school, but the Assembly made Malala's birthday a global holiday. Malala day is a day of avocation for all children to have the right to a full, free, and adequate education. The amount of impact she has made makes others realize how important and neglected education is globally.

    On December 10th,2014, Malala took the stage to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. In her speech she conveyed that "This award is not just for me. It is for those forgotten children who want education. It is for those frightened children who want peace. It is for those voiceless children who want change" ( Yousafzai ,2014). Malala was the powerful voice of many. What made her so special is that she stood for something greater than herself. Malala wanted to change the world and she didn't expect anything in return. Malala's impact was through fighting along side her people. She understood what many other girls had gone through. Even though the other girls' voices weren't heard, they have been able to now because Malala gave them a platform. Malala explains that even though she has something to show for how successful her cause has been she isn't done fighting. The Nobel Peace Prize only made her realize that there is more work to be done. She wont stop until every other child is given the right of a quality education.

     Her father was the influence for Malala to fight for women's education. When asked, " What did you do to nurture your daughter into such a fierce advocate for women's rights?" He stated," ask me what I didn't do, I didn't cut her wings" ( Shahid, 2014). Malala made an impact because no one was ever there to limit her abilities. The reason why Malala was a strong and lasting impact is because she doesn't care about recognition. She only cares about making her cause heard.

Sources:

Tribute to Malala's Father
Text of Nobel Peace Prize Speech
He Named Me Malala
Nobel Peace Prize Speech
UN Youth Assembly

How Reactive Attachemt Disorder Affects Children

      Reactive Attachment Disorder is a newer psychological disorder that doesn't have as much in depth research as other disorders. The one things psychologists know about RAD is that its a fairly rare and can deeply affect the child. RAD stems from attachment theory because the theory says that caregivers should start nurturing appropriately at birth, otherwise a child wont be able to form attachments easily and how their basic needs won't be met. Children who are able form attachments and bonds at a young age are more likely to higher development success rates versus children who don't.

    What is Reactive Attachment Disorder?

     RAD can be defined by an "infant or young child not establishing healthy attachment with parents and caregivers. It may develop if the child's basic need for comfort, love, affection, and nurturing aren't met and loving, caring, and stable attachments aren't establish" ( Mayo Foundation, 2017). Reactive Attachment Disorder will appear usually when a child has endured hardships or traumatic experiences in their critical periods of life. The Child Development Institution states that, "children who have faced emotional abuse, physical abuse, neglect, or have been involved with inadequate care in out-of-home placements, for example foster care, residential programs or orphanages" ( Fernandez, 2017).  Over the years, studies haven't been able to show the exact cause of RAD, but many psychologists believe that children can be affected by multiple situations, environments, and outcomes.

     What are the Symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder?

     Symptoms for RAD will usually appear between the time period of infancy to five years of age. Research hasn't been able to find Reactive Attachment Disorder starting at any older stages of a persons life.

Symptoms may involve:

- Indiscriminate sociability
- Withdrawal that is isn't readily explained
- Not seeking comfort
- Detached

Reactive Attachment Disorder will affect multiple aspects of the child's life. This chart shows how the child's different development categories will be affected:

 

     How will the Child be Affected by Reactive Attachment Disorder?

     This disorder is very serious because studies have shown that a child will be dealing with RAD for the rest of their lives because of nonexistent cures and treatments for RAD. Children who haven't been affected by RAD will be able to rationally think out possibilities and outcomes. They are able to see that their family is able to be a positive influence in their life, so they will model their behavior and morals after their family members. Children who have been affected with RAD view the world differently. They see the world as that they only have to survive for themselves and everyone else is out to get them. This idealism will cause behavioral problems. The problems stem from the fact that they weren't properly nurtures as infants and they feel that they have to fight for their own basic needs. Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder will do whatever is necessary to be satisfied, even if it means breaking laws and inflicting violence. Children with RAD seek instant gratification and aren't able to see the consequences of their actions.

     Reactive Attachment Disorder is a disheartening disorder that does affect few children, but those who are affected by RAD will have to deal with it for the rest of their lives, even when it was caused by external forces. In the future, hopefully psychologist will be able to find a cure or treatment for RAD. What people need to remember is that even though these children can be the most difficult to deal with, they didn't ask to have this disorder affect them for the rest of their lives.

    
Links:

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder#2

https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-psychology/reactive-attachment-disorder/#.WLUADIWcHIU

https://www.drugs.com/mcd/reactive-attachment-disorder







    

    

Adoption Stigmas

     A child being adopted allows the birth mother to be shamed for abandonment or the "adoptive" parents to be saviors for adopting the child. The world focuses on the negative stigmas of adoption that are represented in society, when the positives outweigh the negatives. Adoption allows the birth mother to be selfless enough to give the child the possibility of a better life and for the "adoptive" parents to embrace the children with just as much love for their biological children they could've had. In the past, adoption was heard of, but only talked about in hushed tones. As time went on, more resources were available to keep their children increased, and people would then be more likely to expect the mother to keep the children. When the mother didn't keep the child others would question if what she was doing was right. These stigmas don't change and society needs to view adoption differently. Adoption Connect states that," as with any societal pendulum, there is often an overcorrection before finding the median".   The world will have to fight for a change in the stigmas before everyone understands what adoption is. With time, society will be able to see that adoption has a positive outlook. People need to educate themselves on what it is like to be the "adoptive" parents and children. Someone shouldn't be able to judge if they haven't walked a mile in someone else's shoes.

     " Your child is so lucky to have been adopted by you".

     " Do you want children of your own?"

     " Have you ever been able to see your real mom". ( Brenner, 2016)

     These are some of the ignorant questions and statements that "adoptive" families get. These are the types of question that can show how the stigma of adoption is still around. If  someone would truly answer these questions, society would be able to change their view on adoption for the better. When someone comes up to you and says, " Your child is so lucky to have been adopted by you". People in my life have always said, "She isn't lucky. We are because she was the greatest gift someone could've given to us". "Adoptive" parents are the ones who are able to be given the life  of another child and nurture them with as much love just as any other child. The only way for the stigmas to change is to allow for society to create an open dialogue and educate themselves, otherwise the view society has on adoption will be the same.

Here is a link to the video of Kelly and Stan- A Family Through Adoption and what it was like for them:
http://ichooseadoption.org/videos

Other Links:

https://adoption.com/how-to-answer-ignorant-questions-about-your-adoptive-family

https://adopt-connect.com/pregnant/addressing-the-stigma-of-adoption/