Stages of Behavioral Change

Stages of Behavioral Change Introduction In our day to day interactions, we encounter people and circumstances that require us to change our behavior. In other cases, we ourselves want to change our own behavior for personal reasons. There exist no standard procedures for behavioral change that can be used to govern the process through which individuals change their behavioral trends.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Stages of Behavioral Change specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, some people have argued that individuals change their behaviors when the cost of not changing a particular behavior exceeds the cost of changing that behavior (Fieger, 2009). Through our own understanding of individual functioning, we can choose to change our behaviors without waiting for the negative impacts associated with the behavior to motivate us. Psychologists have developed various models and theories in attempt to describe various stages along a behavior change continuum (FHI, 2004). The process of self behavioral change involves various stages as outlined by DiClemente and Norcross (FHI, 2004). The precontemplation stage involves individual’s recognition of an existing problem in order to make a decision to change the behavior (FHI, 2004). Contemplation stage is the stage where the individual acknowledges the problem and seriously considers changing it while preparation for action involves individual decision to change the specific behavior within a specified period of time (FHI, 2004). Finally, the action stage constitutes the ability of an individual to display consistency in the new behavior and maintenance which requires the individual to display the same consistency for more than six months (FHI, 2004). This is the general process through which individuals abandon undesirable habits and acquire new behavioral trends and it is also the model that forms the basis for therapeutic behavioral change. After having uncovered t hat I spend approximately 3000 minutes talk time on my phone every month, I realized that I needed to change my behavior regarding phone use since my monthly phone bill was very expensive and my mother kept insisting on the side effects associated with cell phone use. In addition, I spent considerable amounts of time on my phone consequently promoting time wastage which negatively impacted on my school work. The radio frequency energy from electromagnetic radiations emitted through the antenna of mobile phones is believed to affect the brain and other head tissues (NCI, n d).Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Numerous studies conducted to investigate the relationship between cell phone use and the risk of brain tumors reveal no increased risk with increase in call duration in some incidences while some studies suggested slightly increase risk for certain types of brain tumors as a result of increased cell phone use (NCI, n d). This perceived cancer threat was the major factor that motivated to change my behavior. Although I was reluctant at initial stages of the process claiming that the side effects of cell phones are non existent and if they were, my phone was adequately secure, extensive research on studies conducted on the side effects of cell phone as well as the need to reduce my monthly phone bill heavily influenced my decision and determination to cut off on my cell phone use. After acknowledging that excessive use of my cell phone was adversely implicating on my finances and may affect my long term health condition, I decided to undergo an eight week behavioral transformation process after which I would cut down my cell phone use by half. To ensure successful outcomes of the process, I sought information an advice from people who had a similar problem from where I acquired problem solving choices (FHI 2004). The people suggested the methods tha t they used to reduce the amount of time they spent on their cell phones which included the use of e mail and other social networks such as face book and myspace to interact with people rather than making phone calls. In addition, other people preferred sending text messages while others utilized face to face communication whenever it was possible. This information considerably promoted my behavioral changing process since I applied all these strategies through out the process and successfully managed to cut down my phone use significantly. Through out the process of behavioral transformation, I encountered various challenges that significantly hindered my ability to cut down on my phone use. Numerous interaction incidences required immediate feedback hence I preferred calling people rather than sending emails or messages to them as this may take them a longer time to respond. Further, my friends with whom we used to communicate for long durations of time using cell phones continued to call me for long hours and it was difficult to convince them to similarly cut down on their cell phone use. In addition, since I had been used to the habit for a long period of time, the urge to make unnecessary phone calls persisted during the process and proved very difficult to fight it.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Stages of Behavioral Change specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More At the end of the eight weeks period, I had managed to cut down my phone use by a considerable amount of time. Although I had not managed to achieve my target of reducing my phone use to 1500 minutes per month by the end of the period, I achieved an average 40% reduction in calling time upto 1800 minutes talk time in the eight week period which I intend to reduce further through continuous implementation of the strategies that I applied during the period of behavioral change. Since behavioral change is a continuous process, I am optim istic that through dedication and commitment to change my behavior, with time I will be able to achieve my target and reduce the amount of time I spend calling on my cell phone for the safety of my health as well as financial status. Conclusion Behavioral change is largely motivated by an individual’s core beliefs which constitute the ideas that one believes to be true about him as well as the world as he conceives it to be (Fieger, 2010). Further, an individual’s attitude, which is the focal point through which he views the world, is highly informed by his values and principles establish the foundations of the individual’s identity and his conceptions of ideal behavior (Fieger, 2010). This is clearly evident in the process of my behavioral change which was highly influenced by the desire to live a healthy life and to manage my time and financial resources efficiently. Since I value my health very much, various health risks issues associated with cell phone use motivated me to reduce my cell phone talk time in order to diminish chances of developing such ailments. In addition, the general prevalence of time and resource management in the contemporary society further prompted me to change my behavior in order to conform to the society’s desirable values. Reference List FHI (2004). Behavior change- a summary of four major theories. Web. Fieger, H. (2009). Behavior change: a view fro inside out. New York: Morgan James publishing.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More NCI (Not dated). Cell phone cancer risk. Web.

Cap and Trade Regulation

Cap and Trade Regulation Introduction Increasing pollution across the world has led to global climate change, which now threatens the very existence of humanity and entire organisms on earth.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Cap and Trade Regulation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Due to the impending crisis of climate change, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States filed a case in Supreme Court to compel the government to formulate legislations that will regulate emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide as it is majorly responsible for global warming. In response to compulsion from the EPA, the House of Representative in 2009 formulated and passed a bill of Cap and trade regulation that aims at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. According to Bachman (2009), based on 2005 levels of carbon dioxide emissions, the cap and trade regulation aims at reducing 3%, 20%, 42%, and 83% of carbon dioxide emissions in the years 2012, 2020, 2030 and 2050 respectively (p.4). The regulations are targeting industrial facilities that emit at least 25,000 metric tons of greenhouses gases per year. Therefore, since the proposed cap and trade regulation seems to be an effective way of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, what are its economic impacts? Economic Impacts of Regulations The United States government benefits from the cap and trade regulation through taxes collected from permits that allow varied industrial facilities to release greenhouse gases into the environment. Currently, there are no limits or taxes imposed on industries for emitting greenhouse gases, hence the regulation aims at setting limits and imposing taxes on emissions. The cap and trade regulation proposes that, the government should set limits of emitting greenhouse gases on each industrial facility and that any industry that exceeds the permitted limits should acquire extra permits from other industries that u tilize fewer permits through trading. Bachman (2009) argues that, when industries buy emission permits, they will be paying taxes proportional to greenhouse gases they emit into the environment (p. 4). In this view, industries that emit smaller amounts of greenhouse gases can also benefit from the regulation for they can trade their permits to industries that emit more greenhouse gases.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In view of the fact that increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are responsible for global climate change, the objective of the cap and trade regulation is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by industries. According to McAllister (2010), the cap and trade regulation is the best instrument that the United States requires to control and regulate the increasing emissions of greenhouse gases from mega industries (p.1196). The re gulation goal is to reduce 83% of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 based on 2005 levels of emissions. Thus, the cap and trade regulation provides a comprehensive legislation, which ensures that industries pay emission taxes proportionally, and if they exceed the stipulated limits, they receive penalties. Nevertheless, the cap and trade regulation will have a negative impact on the economy because the cost of producing goods in industries will increase and will hurt consumers. Implementation of the proposed cap and trade regulation will mean that industries will have to incur extra cost of production, as legislation requires that they should pay taxes for emitting greenhouse gases into the environment. According to Bachman (2009), economic analysis carried out in Florida showed that implementation of the cap and trade regulation will result into increased household expenses†¦by 2020, household expenses will increase by $816 and by 2050, it will have increased to $4,550 (p.5). Mo reover, given that the regulation will restrict the use of fossil fuels as a source of energy, it will lead to high prices of energy that have compound effect on the economy. The effects include, more employees will lose jobs, and income will decline because investors and industries will be under compulsion to reduce their expenses. Since the proposed cap and trade regulation is still pending awaiting adoption, the senate should not pass and approve it, as it will result into increased cost of production in industries. Cost of production will increase proportionately to the amount of taxes that industries pay so that they can legally emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases into the environment.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Cap and Trade Regulation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Increased cost of production means that consumers will have to incur extra cost when buying essential commodities and thus incre ase cost of living. In addition, increasing global prices of fossil fuel will aggravate the cost of production. Harmon and Hirschhorn (2006) assert that, instead of restricting on the use of fossil fuel through the cap and trade regulation, the government and environmentalists should focus on developing â€Å"alternative sources of renewable energy that do not pollute environment† (p.1). Given that the use renewable energy will significantly reduce emission of greenhouse gases, there is no need to pass the cap and trade regulation, which has serious economic consequences. Conclusion Implementation of the cap and trade regulation is a seemingly a counterproductive attempt by the United States to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases single-handedly without enlisting the cooperation from other countries. Climate change is an international issue and the US should consult other countries. Moreover, implementation of the regulation will result into increased cost of production and cost of living, which ultimately lead into high rates of unemployment and poor economic growth. To alleviate negative impacts of the regulation on people and economy, amendments that exempt food industries, hospitals, and educational institutions is essential. Furthermore, the Congress should amend the regulation to target industrial facilities that emit at least 50 metric tons of green house gases annually to exclude small industries from complying. However, implementing the cap and trade regulation as it is will have grave impacts on the cost of living and economic growth in the United States of America. References Bachman, P. (2009). The Economic Effects of Proposed Cap and Trade Legislation on The State of Florida. The James Madison Institute, 1-12.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Harmon, R., Hirschhorn, M. (2006). Clearing the Air: The Impact of Carbon Cap and Trade Regulations on Renewable Energy. American Solar Energy Society, 1-7. McAllister, L. (2010). The Enforcement Challenge of Cap and Trade Regulation.  Environmental Law, 40, 1195-1230.

Same sex marriage vs heterosexual marriage Essay

Same sex marriage vs heterosexual marriage - Essay Example r inclusive of gay or lesbian partners which means there will be no children from either of the partners, and hence the marriage that takes place looks flawed in entirety. This is the reason why heterosexual marriages are considered the natural process to keep the ecosystem growing in a normal manner. There are no issues that the people find with heterosexual marriages since they are fundamentally based on the premise of bringing in individuals under the institution of marriage with the objective of giving birth to children. Another aspect why heterosexual marriages are deemed as successful is because they are openly accepted by the societal manifestations and hence there are no issues that are encountered by the people at large. The same sex marriages do not give this kind of liberty since they are marred by immense issues of non-acceptance even by the most immediate family members of the gay and lesbian partners. Hence acceptance is a much significant phenomenon that needs to be understood in a proper manner here. Without acceptance, the society will not come about usually as it would in a heterosexual marriage which gives more respect and dignity to the partners than a same sex marriage would do. One more aspect that is deemed as quintessential here is the fact that heterosexual marriages bank on the premise of understanding that people have an equal chance to make use of the resources present in this earth and hence they must do all that they can to interact with the society to keep the cycle growing. By this, what one means to suggest is that the childbirth aspect should not come down at any stage. The same sex marriages are dependent on just the lust factor where as the heterosexual marriages ensure more than lust alone – they are the entire code of life and should be seen as such (Allen 2006). Essentially speaking, the heterosexual and the same sex marriages have a huge amount of differences which need to be properly gauged. The heterosexual marriage is