Foundation of Education Essay Example for Free

Foundation of Education Essay With the massive information explosion of the 21st century, the world has never moved so fast. As Patrick A Hyek (2012), Global Technology Sector Leader, Ernst Young, pointed out on technology and its impact to the world, â€Å"Ten to twenty years from now, we may look back on the present as the dawn of the Smart Era: a time when rapid and continuous innovation changed almost everything about the way we live†. The world is going virtually borderless. As of present, we can do almost everything online from shopping to banking, video conferencing in real time with people across continents as well as finding answers to almost everything we could possibly think of from online search engines. As far as education is concerned, the famous Khan Academy (www. khanacademy. org) has proved subject-based cognitive knowledge traditionally learnt in schools can be just as effectively obtained at one’s fingertips in the comfort of one’s own home. On the other hand, the unlimited flow of information has its drawbacks which cause many concerns for educators (Ornstein, A, Levine, D Gutek, G, 2010). How could we protect our children from inappropriate contents such as pornography, destructive information or violence accessible online? In addition to the overwhelming amount of information in the 21st century, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2012) addressed in their report that our new generation also face the crisis of depleting natural resources and global climate changes of the 21st century. As the world’s resources are depleting, people are pressured to compete against one another to survive. The reality is that there are serious problems in todays societies. Every day we hear tragic news about people killing each other, breaking the law, misconducting, corruption as well as natural disaster. As an educator, we are asking ourselves what role schools should play to prepare our next generation for these challenges posed by this information age. I believe that there has not been a more appropriate time than now to incorporate values in education as to elicit the human quality of our children in addition to the provision of academic knowledge. Since we cannot control technology and what comes with it, we should instead equip our children with the right values and inner strength which help them make the right call as to what is right and wrong in any given situation. This can be achieved by embedding human values such as respect for difference, moral, honesty, empathy and love for mankind into the school’s curriculum at all levels. As a result, our next generation will not only be knowledgeable but of a high human quality who will do the right things by themselves and others. For example, moral students would not imitate aggressive behaviour they saw on the internet or elsewhere because they consciously knew such behaviour was wrong. Moreover, it would be dangerous for schools to use subject-based curriculum which only focus on academic excellence in such a fast paced unlimited information age in which we live in today. Without moral and ethics, regardless of their intelligence, our children could grow up to be self-destructive, violent or harmful to themselves and society. Examples of destructive behaviour include that of terrorists who wrongly used their knowledge to harm other people. Teaching and Learning One of the current educational issues being discussed today concerning teaching and learning is what skills we need to teach our children for the 21st century. While many educators (Dominik Petko, 2012) worldwide have placed an emphasis on teaching information and communication technology, literacy skills that will allow students to make sense of the technology today, John Wilson (2008), former executive director of the National Education Association in Washington, DC, argued that for a world which is vastly transformed by technology, it is unpredictable what technology is coming next. Instead of focusing on the current technology which is likely to be replaced, educators should focus on developing transferable skills such as critical thinking and problem solving so that students can analyze information, apply knowledge to new situations as well as comprehend new ideas. These skills will make them capable to learn and adapt to any new technology to come. What is critical thinking? How could we teach critical thinking skills to our children? Critical Thinking as defined by Michael Scriven Richard Paul (1996), the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking is â€Å"the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action†. In essence, critical thinking is a disciplined manner of thought that a person uses to assess the validity of something, e. . statements, news stories, arguments, research, etc. (Beyer, B K, 1995). Experts (Angelo, T A, 1995, Cooper, J L, 1995, McDade, S A, 1995) asserted that critical thinking is best conveyed through constructivist learning approach such as Classroom Assessment Techniques (CAT), Cooperative Learning Strategies, Case study and discussion as well as Reciprocal Peer Questioning. An example of a Classroom Assessment Techniques is to ask students to answer questions such as What was the most important thing you learned in todays class? or â€Å"What question related to this session remains uppermost in your mind? (Angelo, T A, 1995). McDade (1995) suggested that teachers can facilitate students’ development of critical thinking through case study and discussion. A teacher may lead the class by presenting a case to the class without a conclusion. Using prepared questions, the teacher then leads students through a discussion, allowing students to construct a conclusion for the case. Reciprocal Peer Questioning is another teaching technique which fosters critical thinking (King, A, 1995). An example of Reciprocal Peer Questioning is by asking students a list of question such as, What are the strengths and weaknesses of a taught issue? † Students are asked to write questions about the lecture material. In small groups, the students ask each other the questions. Then, the whole class discusses some of the questions from each small group. Dr. Gwen Dewar (2009) suggests that critical thinking can be developed not only in school but at home where parents encourage students to questions and evaluate any everyday ife situations. In conclusion, in order for our children to cope well with the information technology age, we need to prepare our children to weed through the information and not just passively accept it (Oliver Utermohlen, 2005). They need to develop and effectively apply critical thinking skills to their academic studies, to the complex problems that they will face and to the critical choices they will be forced to make as a result of the information explosion and other rapid technological changes.

Necessary Evil for Men vs. Sexual Exploitation of Women :: social issues

Necessary Evil for Men vs. Sexual Exploitation of Women Abuse – transitive verb 1: to put to a wrong or improper use; 2: obsolete (deceive); 3: to use so as to injure or damage (maltreat); 4: to attack in words (revile). noun 1: a corrupt practice or custom; 2: improper or excessive use or treatment (misuse); a deceitful act (deception); 4: language that condemns or vilifies usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily; 5: physical maltreatment. Abuse, in any and all of its forms, is something many Korean women and girls deal with every day. In 2002, a survey done by the Korean Institute of Criminology, the number of sex purchases in Korea equaled to 4.4 of the countries GDP (Gross Domestic Product), almost the same as agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries combined. The survey also showed that there were at least 33,000 women working in prostitution. 8% of women working in Korea in their twenties and thirties were prostitutes. Also, a survey done by the Korea Women’s Hot Line showed that 42.6% of Korean men have purchased sexual service when having a drink. 12.9% of men said that they have bought sex when on business. 41.3% of all Koreans did not know that prostitution was illegal in Korea. Despite these outrageous numbers, prostitution has been illegal in Korea since 1961. A common place that prostitution takes place in is Miari Texas Village (Also known as Miari Texas, Texas Village, Texas Miari, or just plain Miari.) an area in north-eastern Seoul, with over 250 prostitution houses. In these houses, liquor and food are served in the front and in the back, sex services take place in the back rooms. On average, a woman will see five to ten men a night. The women usually get paid 1.5 million won ($1, 340.00) monthly, along with 1,500 won ($14.00) for each client they see. One very disturbing thing about Miari Texas is that 30% of about 1,000 prostitutes are under the age of eighteen. Even though prostitution is illegal, it is tolerated, if the women are over eighteen. Many of the young prostitutes in Miari Texas are runaways who feel they have nothing more to lose. The first prostitution house (brothel) was established in the 1920’s when Korean women were taken as sex slaves by the Japanese military during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910 – 1945). After the Korean war ended in 1953, the large American military presence led to the building of â€Å"camp town prostitution† for the U.

Taking Care of All Whose Service Places Them in Harm’s Way Essay exampl

As Americans we all take jobs to support us from eighteen till the time we die; a job that gives a pension or a retirement plan for enjoying the golden years. Among those receiving retirement benefits are U.S Armed Forces veterans. However, these veterans who have fought for American freedom, the American dream that founded this great nation, are being cheated of their retirement benefits. Though the benefits are making progress in the past couple of years, it is slow and full of bylaws and prerequisites that are not clearly stated to veterans. The veterans of the military deserve more respect, better retirement checks, permanent basic base privileges for dependents, and undisturbed funeral services when they die. As a veteran of the military you receive half of your base pay for retirement, â€Å"Help Military† program guidelines are catered to those who have died or been injured in combat yet so many soldiers have died from ignorance and bull-headedness, and healthcare for mentally ill or injured soldiers is in poor condition. If not worse is the way they are treated by those they serve to protect. When soldiers serve, come home, and finally retire, they are treated like scum. Yet they only did their jobs, carrying out orders given by their commander in chief and his advisors and congressmen. The U.S Military was established so Americans can live their lives in peace and do as they please. It’s time for veterans to stop taking the brunt for doing their job and putting bread on their families table; instead they should receive a deeper respect for the freedom they give us. Veterans of the military are not uncommon to see as they were ten years ago. In truth the issues at hand affect one quarter of the U.S population; those one quar... ...litary Budget Cuts." Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 27 Feb. 2012. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. . "Military Families Overseas (sidebar)." Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 3 June 2010. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. . Powers, Rod. "2008 Military Average Annual Salary." About.com US Military. 07 Feb. 2008. Web. 05 Apr. 2012. . "Repositioning U.S. Troops and Bases at Home (sidebar)." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 27 May 2005. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. . "Veterans' Services." Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 15 Aug. 2011. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. .

What part does deception of one kind or another play in Twelfth Night?

Deception is present in Twelfth Night on a number of levels. To examine the role of deception in Twelfth Night in relation to the plot, we must consider what may have occurred if in fact there was no deception in the piece. Deception sets the whole story in motion, and is pivotal in creating the irony and comedy that abounds in Twelfth Night. It is through deceit and deception that the topsy-turvy web of comedy and confusion that entangles the characters of Twelfth Night is spun. The deception exhibited in the play can be divided into two groups. Firstly, let us consider cases of self-deception. Orsino is a classic sufferer, and continually pines away for his darling Olivia. The self absorbed Orsino believes himself to be in love with the Countess Olivia; however, it would appear that Orsino is more in love with the notion of being in love than anything else. In his opening lines he talks of his love, but it is not until seventeen lines later that he first mentions Olivia. He does not talk to Olivia, and is content to mope around his house in self-involved sorrow while he sends courtiers to woo her on his behalf. Ironically, Olivia is in a similar situation. She uses the unfortunate excuse of her brother's demise to hide herself away from the world, and shows no interest in relating to the other Illyrians. If these two characters were free of their self-deceit, and able to see themselves as they truly are, a tremendous impact would be had on the play. Perhaps Olivia would have returned Orsino's apparent love, after all he is of very noble birth. In this scenario Viola and Sebastian would be cut out of the story entirely, and the original trickery and chaos would not come about. Alternatively, Orsino may have realised the truth about his emotions and stopped his pursuit of Olivia. Cesario would not be sent to her, and Olivia would not fall in love with ‘him'. Furthermore, Sebastian and Olivia's final union would also be impossible, and Cesario would remain bound by ‘his' disguise. Olivia's steward, Malvolio, struggles to see his real self. He is of the opinion that he is in some way superior to others of his social class and deserves to be elevated to the nobility because of his supremacy. He sees himself as surrounded by ‘idle, shallow things', not of his ‘element ‘ and this feeds his unexpected ambition to the point where he is able to be fooled by Sir Toby and Maria's trickery. He is deceived completely, and Sir Toby remarks ‘. . . thou hast put him in such a dream, that when the image of it leaves him, he must run mad.' If Malvolio was not so deceived, he would not have this belief of superiority, nor would his holding of this belief be exploited. He would find the letter's message unbelievable and escape the suffering caused by his original trust in its words. His strong ambitions would remain a secret, and the sense of pity and respect we gain for Malvolio through his struggle to be deemed sane would also be non-existent. The comedy of the puritan's trials would also be lost. Sir Andrew's self-deception provides nothing but comedy. The deluded clumsy simpleton thinks he is sophisticated, noble, and a marriage prospect for Olivia. Had Sir Andrew known his chances truthfully, he would have ended his pursuit of Olivia's love. Sir Andrew's absence would result in a loss of a number of humorous debacles; however the major events of the story would be largely unaffected. The other kind of deception in the play is the deception of others. Viola is undoubtedly the most deceptive of the characters, and her deception plays the greatest role in the play. Her original desire to be disguised as a man facilitates the formation of the dreaded love triangle and the resulting complexities that make up the story of Twelfth Night. Viola's decision to conceal her true gender is the basis and foundation for the entire plot. She makes a conscious decision to hide her true self, saying: Conceal me what I am, and be my aid For such disguise as haply shall become The form of my intent. When talking with Olivia, Viola even states that she is concealing herself: Viola: †¦you do think you are not what you are. Olivia: If I think so, I think the same of you. Viola: Then think you right: I am not what I am. Was it not for Viola's deceptive disguise, she would not have become a member of Orsino's court. She would not have been sent to Olivia, nor would the mislead Olivia fall in love with Cesario, and later Sebastian. It was Olivia's love for Cesario that saved her from becoming a recluse, and this would have been her fate were it not for Cesario's arrival. Cesario would remain unknown to Orsino, and Orsino and Viola's marriage would not occur. The Duke would almost certainly have continued to wallow in his sorrows as he languished over Olivia. Viola soon becomes anxious at the massive effects of her deception: Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness Wherein the pregnant enemy does much. The major events concerning the main characters would not take place, if Viola had not deceitfully donned the disguise of Cesario. Her deceit has drastic consequences, and huge meaning for all. Even Sir Andrew would have been saved from his embarrassing duel, it Viola was not disguised. Viola's deception provides the extra dimension of dramatic irony that is present throughout the piece. The troubles created by her deception in regard to gender, and mismatched love provide many ironically comedic moments. Olivia falls head over heels in love with none other than a woman in disguise, who is in turn in love with a man, who ironically believes her to also be a man. Each character says or thinks a number of things that are ironically false and often humorous, while the audience has the luxury of seeing past the deception and realising how wrong the characters are about one another. Sir Toby, Fabian and Maria are the conspirators behind Malvolio's downfall, who is the unsuspecting victim of Maria's deceitful letter. Later Feste delivers the cruellest blow when he disguises himself as Sir Topas, the curate. Here Malvolio endures his greatest suffering as his sanity is questioned and his limits tested. Without their scheme to get square with Malvolio, we would not see him suffer or discover his other side as discussed earlier. It is only through Maria and Sir Toby's deception, that Malvolio's respectable, pitiable and admirable qualities are revealed. Sir Toby and Fabian are also behind Sir Andrew's deception. Sir Toby's false friendship and advice leads only to his enjoyment and Sir Andrew's misery. He is manipulated incredibly by Sir Toby, at all times for his personal benefit. Toward the end Sir Toby shows his true feelings for Sir Andrew calling him ‘An asshead, and a coxcomb, and a knave†¦' The resulting comedy of his suit to Olivia and his duel with Cesario, would not occur were it not for Sir Toby's deception. Antonio would also be relieved of his confusion, as he would not step in to save Viola whom he mistook for Sebastian. Near the end, Sebastian realises there is something in the extraordinary situation ‘That is deceivable'. Olivia bade Malvolio ‘return' Orsino's ring to Cesario, in the hope that he would return to her. This was fraudulent trickery on Olivia's behalf in order to see her new love again. Later she apologises for her deceptive ‘cunning ‘ but it is through this deception that the love triangle between Orsino, Olivia and Viola is strengthened. Deception facilitates the formation of Twelfth Night's intricate plot. Shakespeare uses deception on a number of levels. He alludes to the deception in the play right from the beginning, in the title. Historically Twelfth Night is the last night of twelve days of celebration following Christmas, in which social order is upturned and anything and everything goes. The subtitle, ‘Or What you will', fits well with the attitude of Twelfth Night's festivities when people could do whatever and be whoever they liked. Not only is deception essential in the construction of the plot, but it is also present so that Shakespeare can relate to us the outcomes of those who practice deception and those who are deceived. There does not seem to be a concrete system with which a character's rewards or punishment can be determined in respect to their deception. Viola, Sir Toby and Maria are some of the chief deceivers, and yet they are rewarded with wedded bliss. These characters are also able to see past much of the other character's deception. Olivia and Orsino suffer from self-deception, and nonetheless receive the same reward. Malvolio and Sir Andrew see themselves even less truly, and can find no happiness. Feste is arguably the least deceived of the Illyrians, but for this he receives no consolation. Perhaps Shakespeare is trying to show that those involved with deception, are taking a risk. Whether you are being deceived or deceiving others, you can never control, or be sure of your outcome. Shakespeare also uses deception in relation to the concept of fate. Despite the immense deception of the play, Shakespeare ensures the right people still end up together; and although deception affects their journey, their destination remains unchanged. The celebrations of Twelfth Night must come to an end, as does the play, and the happiness of some of its characters. Feste's melancholy final song does nothing to assure us of even the handful of happy characters' continued happiness. Feste's song tells a story of growing up and growing old, recounting a story of the discovery of the unkindness and harshness life. Shakespeare's ending for Malvolio and Feste, who are at opposite ends of the spectrum of deception, serve as reminders to the uncertainty of life. Both the comic plot and the romantic plot are constructed in deception. The confusion, trickery, comedy and chaos of Twelfth Night is present only because of the characters' deception of themselves and one another. Deception makes Twelfth Night what it is. It is the cause of the story, and without it Twelfth Night would be a very straight-forward, linear bore without any twists or turns. It is through deception that Shakespeare shows us the triumph of fate and the uncertainty of life, and the play gives an insight into what awaits those who gamble with deception and false judgement. Deception plays a huge part in Twelfth Night and is essential in making it the topsy-turvy, ironic, chaotic comedy that it is.

Free Essays on Inquiry Project

. Also when we introduce ourselves to the ladies it’s more of a laid back hi instead of a load what’s up. But when we introduce our selves to authority figures (like professors) both of my friends greeted them with hand shakes. But during all these greetings I did something I don’t normally do I watched there their facial expressions and noticed they changed with different people they were saying hi to. Like with a female they had a nice little smile to there face when they said hi to her but other males they just kept a straight face. After I seen this I started watching other males (just because I’m a curious person) and almost all males that I seen don’t show and kind of emotion towards other males when they say hi unless there family or really close but females where just walking up to each other smiling every time they seen someone they knew. I wondered why do this so I asked this girl why women are more energetic with there hellos and why the show a little more emotion when they greet people. She could no... Free Essays on Inquiry Project Free Essays on Inquiry Project My final inquiry project will be about how I and my friends interact with one in different environments one being school the other being away from school and around women. I will not tell my friends what I'm doing until after I have gathered all my information so that way I will not contaminate my information. I will complete this study over a five week interval so I can of plenty of information. Once I started this project I noticed we act totally different in school then we do when where are just together and we also act different when we are surrounded by women. During school most of us greet each other informally with what’s up the same way we do when we are not at school. But our tones are totally different during school we have a more of a calm tone to our words but outside of school its more of a load tone to almost everything we say. But when the ladies come around we try to add a real smooth tone to our words. Also when we introduce ourselves to the ladies it’s more of a laid back hi instead of a load what’s up. But when we introduce our selves to authority figures (like professors) both of my friends greeted them with hand shakes. But during all these greetings I did something I don’t normally do I watched there their facial expressions and noticed they changed with different people they were saying hi to. Like with a female they had a nice little smile to there face when they said hi to her but other males they just kept a straight face. After I seen this I started watching other males (just because I’m a curious person) and almost all males that I seen don’t show and kind of emotion towards other males when they say hi unless there family or really close but females where just walking up to each other smiling every time they seen someone they knew. I wondered why do this so I asked this girl why women are more energetic with there hellos and why the show a little more emotion when they greet people. She coul d no...

chapter 13 essays

chapter 13 essays Ralphs tears of pain and sorrow trickled down his roughed up face, the suns beating rays warmed his body. As Ralph looked up and wiped the tears from his face, he parted his golden hair so he could see the naval officer. In a whimpering voice Ralph said Its been such a long time since weve seen a grown up. Whats your name Sir? Why you can call me Bigsby young lad stated the tall officer With glooming eyes the rest of the boys nodded their heads with agreement. With tears still flowing down his face, Ralph began to hysterically laugh and smile while saying Its over... Its finally over! The naval officer turns around and looks at him with an expression of dull confusion. Whats over? The storm said Ralph in a murmuring voice. Ralph looks around and sees that Jack and Roger are missing. For a moment he thought he saw the trees in the back rustling. Ralph yelled at the top of his lungs. Sam! Eric! While searching over the other boys heads, looking for a sudden movement. As the two boys pop their heads out simultaneously, Ralph grins in delight. The two boys walk closer and closer to Ralph and the naval officer. With every step they take they feel the wet sand sticking between their bare feet. As they stood beside him he felt alive again. Where are Roger and Jack? Uh...uhh... up on Castle rock, by themselves. Sam said softly In the background the boys started to drop their spears and wipe their bodies free of the clay. Than the officers started to rally up the boys so they could take them to the ship to get cleaned up. While the flames still engulfed the Jungle the boys stood still, they started to remember home, their friends, their choir group, and their family. Lets go get them, before they end up on this island b...

Sigmund Freud - The Father of Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud - The Father of Psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud is best known as the creator of the therapeutic technique known as psychoanalysis. The Austrian-born psychiatrist greatly contributed to the understanding of human psychology in areas such as the unconscious mind, sexuality, and dream interpretation.  Freud was also among the first to recognize the significance of emotional events that occur in childhood. Although many of his theories have since fallen out of favor, Freud profoundly influenced psychiatric practice in the twentieth century. Dates: May 6, 1856 September 23, 1939 Also Known As: Sigismund Schlomo Freud (born as); Father of Psychoanalysis Famous Quote: The ego is not master in its own house. Childhood in Austria-Hungary Sigismund Freud (later know as Sigmund) was born on May 6, 1856, in the town of Frieberg in the Austro-Hungarian Empire (present-day Czech Republic). He was the first child of Jacob and Amalia Freud and would be followed by two brothers and four sisters. It was the second marriage for Jacob, who had two adult sons from a previous wife. Jacob set up business as a wool merchant but struggled to earn enough money to take care of his growing family. Jacob and Amalia raised their family as culturally Jewish, but were not especially religious in practice. The family moved to Vienna in 1859, taking up residence in the only place they could afford the Leopoldstadt slum. Jacob and Amalia, however, had reason to hope for a better future for their children. Reforms enacted by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1849 had officially abolished discrimination against Jews, lifting restrictions previously placed upon them. Although anti-Semitism still existed, Jews were, by law, free to enjoy the privileges of full citizenship, such as opening a business, entering a profession, and owning real estate. Unfortunately, Jacob was not a successful businessman and the Freuds were forced to live in a shabby, one-room apartment for several years. Young Freud began school at the age of nine and quickly rose to the head of the class. He became a voracious reader and mastered several languages. Freud began to record his dreams in a notebook as an adolescent, displaying a fascination for what would later become a key element of his theories. Following graduation from high school, Freud enrolled at the University of Vienna in 1873 to study zoology. Between his coursework and lab research, he would remain at the university for nine years. Attending University and Finding Love As his mothers undisputed favorite, Freud enjoyed privileges that his siblings did not. He was given his own room at home (they now lived in a larger apartment), while the others shared bedrooms. The younger children had to maintain quiet in the house so that Sigi (as his mother called him) could concentrate on his studies. Freud changed his first name to Sigmund in 1878. Early in his college years, Freud decided to pursue medicine, although he didnt envision himself caring for patients in a traditional sense. He was fascinated by bacteriology, the new branch of science whose focus was the study of organisms and the diseases they caused. Freud became a lab assistant to one of his professors, performing research on the nervous systems of lower animals such as fish and eels. After completing his medical degree in 1881, Freud began a three-year internship at a Vienna hospital, while continuing to work at the university on research projects. While Freud gained satisfaction from his painstaking work with the microscope, he realized that there was little money in research. He knew he must find a well-paying job and soon found himself more motivated than ever to do so. In 1882, Freud met Martha Bernays, a friend of his sister. The two were immediately attracted to one another and became engaged within months of meeting. The engagement lasted four years, as Freud (still living in his parents home) worked to make enough money to be able to marry and support Martha. Freud the Researcher Intrigued by the theories on brain function that were emerging during the late 19th century, Freud opted to specialize in neurology. Many neurologists of that era sought to find an anatomical cause for mental illness within the brain. Freud also sought that proof in his research, which involved the dissection and study of brains. He became knowledgeable enough to give lectures on brain anatomy to other physicians. Freud eventually found a position at a private childrens hospital in Vienna. In addition to studying childhood diseases, he developed a special interest in patients with mental and emotional disorders. Freud was disturbed by the current methods used to treat the mentally ill, such as long-term incarceration, hydrotherapy (spraying patients with a hose), and the dangerous (and poorly-understood) application of electric shock. He aspired to find a better, more humane method. One of Freuds early experiments did little to help his professional reputation. In 1884, Freud published a paper detailing his experimentation with cocaine as a remedy for mental and physical ailments. He sang the praises of the drug, which he administered to himself as a cure for headaches and anxiety. Freud shelved the study after numerous cases of addiction were reported by those using the drug medicinally. Hysteria and Hypnosis In 1885, Freud traveled to Paris, having received a grant to study with pioneering neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. The French physician had recently resurrected the use of hypnosis, made popular a century earlier by Dr. Franz Mesmer. Charcot specialized in the treatment of patients with hysteria, the catch-all name for an ailment with various symptoms, ranging from depression to seizures and paralysis, which mainly affected women. Charcot believed that most cases of hysteria originated in the patients mind and should be treated as such. He held public demonstrations, during which he would hypnotize patients (placing them into a trance) and induce their symptoms, one at a time, then remove them by suggestion. Although some observers (especially those in the medical community) viewed it with suspicion, hypnosis did seem to work on some patients. Freud was greatly influenced by Charcots method, which illustrated the powerful role that words could play in the treatment of mental illness. He also came to adopt the belief that some physical ailments might originate in the mind, rather than in the body alone. Private Practice and Anna O Returning to Vienna in February 1886, Freud opened a private practice as a specialist in the treatment of nervous diseases. As his practice grew, he finally earned enough money to marry Martha Bernays in September 1886. The couple moved into an apartment in a middle-class neighborhood in the heart of Vienna. Their first child, Mathilde, was born in 1887, followed by three sons and two daughters over the next eight years. Freud began to receive referrals from other physicians to treat their most challenging patients hysterics who did not improve with treatment. Freud used hypnosis with these patients and encouraged them to talk about past events in their lives. He dutifully wrote down all that he learned from them traumatic memories, as well as their dreams and fantasies. One of Freuds most important mentors during this time was Viennese physician Josef Breuer. Through Breuer, Freud learned about a patient whose case had an enormous influence upon Freud and the development of his theories. Anna O (real name Bertha Pappenheim) was the pseudonym of one of Breuers hysteria patients who had proved especially difficult to treat. She suffered from numerous physical complaints, including arm paralysis, dizziness, and temporary deafness. Breuer treated Anna by using what the patient herself called the talking cure. She and Breuer were able to trace a particular symptom back to an actual event in her life that might have triggered it. In talking about the experience, Anna found that she felt a sense of relief, leading to a diminishment or even the disappearance of a symptom. Thus, Anna O became the first patient to have undergone psychoanalysis, a term coined by Freud himself. The Unconscious Inspired by the case of Anna O, Freud incorporated the talking cure into his own practice. Before long, he did away with the hypnosis aspect, focusing instead upon listening to his patients and asking them questions. Later, he asked fewer questions, allowing his patients to talk about whatever came to mind, a method known as free association. As always, Freud kept meticulous notes on everything his patients said, referring to such documentation as a case study. He considered this his scientific data. As Freud gained experience as a psychoanalyst, he developed a concept of the human mind as an iceberg, noting that a major portion of the mind the part that lacked awareness existed under the surface of the water. He referred to this as the â€Å"unconscious.† Other early psychologists of the day held a similar belief, but Freud was the first to attempt to systematically study the unconscious in a scientific way. Freuds theory that humans are not aware of all of their own thoughts, and might often act upon unconscious motives was considered a radical one in its time. His ideas were not well-received by other physicians because he could not unequivocally prove them. In an effort to explain his theories, Freud co-authored Studies in Hysteria with Breuer in 1895. The book did not sell well, but Freud was undeterred. He was certain that he had uncovered a great secret about the human mind. (Many people now commonly use the term Freudian slip to refer to a verbal mistake that potentially reveals an unconscious thought or belief.) The Analysts Couch Freud conducted his hour-long psychoanalytic sessions in a separate apartment located in his familys apartment building at Berggasse 19 (now a museum). It was his office for nearly half a century. The cluttered room was filled with books, paintings, and small sculptures. At its center was a horsehair sofa, upon which Freuds patients reclined while they talked to the doctor, who sat in a chair, out of view. (Freud believed that his patients would speak more freely if they were not looking directly at him.) He maintained a neutrality, never passing judgment or offering suggestions. The main goal of therapy, Freud believed, was to bring the patients repressed thoughts and memories to a conscious level, where they could be acknowledged and addressed. For many of his patients, the treatment was a success; thus inspiring them to refer their friends to Freud. As his reputation grew by word of mouth, Freud was able to charge more for his sessions. He worked up to 16 hours a day as his list of clientele expanded. Self-Analysis and the Oedipus Complex After the 1896 death of his 80-year-old father, Freud felt compelled to learn more about his own psyche. He decided to psychoanalyze himself, setting aside a portion of each day to examine his own memories and dreams, beginning with his early childhood. During these sessions, Freud developed his theory of the Oedipal complex (named for the Greek tragedy), in which he proposed that all young boys are attracted to their mothers and view their fathers as rivals. As a normal child matured, he would grow away from his mother. Freud described a similar scenario for fathers and daughters, calling it the Electra complex (also from Greek mythology). Freud also came up with the controversial concept of penis envy, in which he touted the male gender as the ideal. He believed that every girl harbored a deep wish to be a male. Only when a girl renounced her wish to be a male (and her attraction to her father) could she identify with the female gender. Many subsequent psychoanalysts rejected that notion. The Interpretation of Dreams Freuds fascination with dreams was also stimulated during his self-analysis. Convinced that dreams shed light upon unconscious feelings and desires, Freud began an analysis of his own dreams and those of his family and patients. He determined that dreams were an expression of repressed wishes and thus could be analyzed in terms of their symbolism. Freud published the groundbreaking study The Interpretation of Dreams in 1900. Although he received some favorable reviews, Freud was disappointed by sluggish sales and the overall tepid response to the book. However, as Freud became better known, several more editions had to be printed to keep up with popular demand. Freud soon gained a small following of students of psychology, which included Carl Jung, among others who later became prominent. The group of men met weekly for discussions at Freuds apartment. As they grew in number and influence, the men came to call themselves the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. The Society held the first international psychoanalytic conference in 1908. Over the years, Freud, who had a tendency to be unyielding and combative, eventually broke off communication with nearly all of the men. Freud and Jung Freud maintained a close relationship with Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist who embraced many of Freuds theories. When Freud was invited to speak at Clark University in Massachusetts in 1909, he asked Jung to accompany him. Unfortunately, their relationship suffered from the stresses of the trip. Freud did not acclimate well to being in an unfamiliar environment and became moody and difficult. Nonetheless, Freuds speech at Clark was quite successful. He impressed several prominent American physicians, convincing them of the merits of psychoanalysis. Freuds thorough, well-written case studies, with compelling titles such as The Rat Boy, also received praise. Freuds fame grew exponentially following his trip to the United States. At 53, he felt that his work was finally receiving the attention it deserved. Freuds methods, once considered highly unconventional, were now deemed accepted practice. Carl Jung, however, increasingly questioned Freuds ideas. Jung didnt agree that all mental illness originated in childhood trauma, nor did he believe that a mother was an object of her sons desire. Yet Freud resisted any suggestion that he might be wrong. By 1913, Jung and Freud had severed all ties with one another. Jung developed his own theories and became a highly influential psychologist in his own right. Id, Ego, and Superego Following the assassination of Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, thus drawing several other nations into the conflict which became World War I. Although the war had effectively put an end to the further development of psychoanalytic theory, Freud managed to stay busy and productive. He revised his previous concept of the structure of the human mind. Freud now proposed that the mind comprised three parts: the Id (the unconscious, impulsive portion that deals with urges and instinct), the Ego (the practical and rational decision-maker), and the Superego (an internal voice that determined right from wrong, a conscience of sorts).   During the war, Freud actually used this three-part theory to examine entire countries. At the end of World War I, Freuds psychoanalytic theory unexpectedly gained a wider following. Many veterans returned from battle with emotional problems. Initially termed shell shock, the condition resulted from psychological trauma experienced on the battlefield. Desperate to help these men, doctors employed Freuds talk therapy, encouraging the soldiers to describe their experiences. The therapy seemed to help in many instances, creating a renewed respect for Sigmund Freud. Later Years By the 1920s, Freud had become internationally known as an influential scholar and practitioner. He was proud of his youngest daughter, Anna, his greatest disciple, who distinguished herself as the founder of child psychoanalysis. In 1923, Freud was diagnosed with oral cancer, the consequence of decades of smoking cigars. He endured more than 30 surgeries, including the removal of part of his jaw. Although he suffered a great deal of pain, Freud refused to take painkillers, fearing that they might cloud his thinking. He continued to write, focusing more on his own philosophies and musings rather than the topic of psychology. As Adolf Hitler gained control throughout Europe in the mid-1930s, those Jews who were able to get out began to leave. Freuds friends tried to convince him to leave Vienna, but he resisted even when the Nazis occupied Austria. When the Gestapo briefly took Anna into custody, Freud finally realized it was no longer safe to stay. He was able to obtain exit visas for himself and his immediate family, and they fled to London in 1938. Sadly, four of Freuds sisters died in Nazi concentration camps. Freud lived only a year and a half after moving to London. As cancer advanced into his face, Freud could no longer tolerate the pain. With the help of a physician friend, Freud was given an intentional overdose of morphine and died on September 23, 1939 at the age of 83.