Do you think that there is the difference between sex and gender? Why or why not? Provide reasons.

Are both sex and gender or just one of the two, or neither, biological truths?

Are both sex and gender, or just one of the two, or neither, socially constructed truths?

What do you mean by truth? How would you go about having a philosophical debate with someone who did not hold the same view as you?

explain how stereotype assimilation and stereotype reactance relate to women's leadership performance

What irony does Morrison present about Sula at the end of the short story Sula?

What paradox occurs in the last paragraph of The Great Gatsby with respect to the past and the future?

Case Study 1

Staria is a seventeen-year-old girl who has been brought to your outpatient treatment center by her mother. Staria has been suspended from high school on two occasions over the past six weeks for fighting and disorderly conduct. She has a history of recurrent detention and classroom dismissals for similar, though less severe, behavior at her previous high school. On the last occasion, she and another student were engaged in an altercation in the hallway. When security was called in, it was discovered that Staria had a pint of vodka and a small quantity of marijuana in her locker. At the time, it was noticed that Starina seemed intoxicated. She later tested positive for marijuana.

You meet Staria and her mother and learn that Staria stole alcohol and marijuana from her father's stash and that he was outraged by the discovery. Staria blames her parents for her school dismissal and feels she is being blamed and scapegoated by her parents. According to her, her parents are the ones who need counseling. She also reports that her grandfather recently passed away due to cirrhosis. Her mother states that Staria has a twin sister, who never uses drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol and that Staria should be more like her sister.

Case Study 2

George is a civil service employee who has been struggling with his drinking problem for years. He has tried to control his alcohol use and has made many attempts to refrain. Lately, he has been drinking more frequently to feel the same effect; he even drinks before he goes to work. His family has a history of alcoholism. Although George is aware of the genetic origins concept, he feels embarrassed and struggles to identify himself as an alcoholic. He compares himself with others who drink far more than he does, and in his perception, this rationalizes that he is not that bad.
George continues to drink despite the adverse consequences on his health and sociocultural relationships. In the past three years, he has experienced the following consequences:

One arrest for driving under the influence (DUI)

Loss of a job

Mood swings

Fights and arguments with family members over his drinking

Frequent inability to stop drinking

Blackouts

Need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to get high

George's present employer asks him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. George responds, "I am not like those people. I am not that bad."

Using the DSM-V criterion, diagnose Staria and George. Explain the diagnosis by incorporating discussion over the concepts of addiction (i.e., withdrawal, tolerance, physical dependence, comorbidity, and psychological dependence). Be sure to explain the selected diagnosis.

The models for substance use can be categorized as physiological and psychological. Within each of these general categories, however, are different specialized foci. Review the Theories of Alcoholism document, as well as conduct research to determine which model(s) aid in understanding what is happening with Staria and George.

The criminal justice system has three components. Name and define each of the components. Which one is in need of the most comprehensive overall at this time in our history and why?

Understanding Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

Ethnocentrism is the tendency of people to put their own culture at the center, and to use their cultural standards to judge the behavior and beliefs of people of different cultures. People who are ethnocentric believe their cultural beliefs are morally correct and others are morally questionable. They often become so deeply engrossed in their culture that other cultures and the people in them become unimportant. To some degree all people are ethnocentric. It is a natural tendency for each of us to believe that our cultural beliefs are the best. However, ethnocentrism prevents us from becoming culturally competent and responsive to others who share differing cultural beliefs, traditions, practices, and affiliations.

The opposite of ethnocentrism is Cultural Relativism. Cultural relativism is the view that the behavior in one culture should not be judged by the standards of another. The goal of cultural relativism is to be objective and sensitive to diverse cultures without ignoring international standards of justice and morality (Kottak & Kozaitis, 2002). The key to eliminating ethnocentrism is to first acknowledge that one is ethnocentric. Becoming more culturally relative can be achieved by recognizing the attitudes and beliefs related to ethnocentrism and then working to dispel them.

Please answer the following questions and post your answers to Blackboard.

1. How does ethnocentrism develop?

2. Did you recognize your own ethnocentric beliefs and attitudes?

3. Do people within the same culture always share the same attitudes and beliefs? If yes, why? If no why not? • Is anyone culture really better than another?

4. Are there any dangers to ethnocentric attitudes in a world that is becoming more diverse? If yes, what are the dangers?

5. How can ethnocentric beliefs and attitudes become more culturally relative?

6. What are things you can do in your life today to become more culturally relative?

7. Do you think your family and friends might resist your becoming more culturally relative, if yes, why? If no, why not?

1. Briefly, how do you think emotions and humor impact our ability to persuade others to change their attitudes?

2. Define the fundamental attribution error and give your own example of one.

3. Briefly, while we know that the fundamental attribution error is easily made, why is it problematic?

4. Briefly, how does culture shape our belongingness needs?

5. Briefly, do you think that technological advances in our communications ability (especially social networking) are changing the importance of proximity in attraction? How?

6. Briefly, in what ways to you think culture and sexual orientation impact the nature of friendships and romantic relationships? [no ways not acceptable]

In 750 words or more identify a specific ethical quandary facing the world today (e.g., abortion, euthanasia, gun rights, etc.) defend your arguments carefully, rather than simply stating opinions as fact, and also cite the sources of any facts or non-obvious information included in your paper.

List and explain each of the stages in the juvenile justice process. What do you view as the most critical stage? Why?

Why can extra credit in the classroom be seen as a socio-economic issue?