The Chosen Health Care Essay -- Health, Breast Cancer

The chosen health care need that this assignment will focus on is Breast Cancer as each year more than a quarter of a million people are diagnosed with Cancer in the United Kingdom, Macmillan (2007). Breast Cancer was chosen as the health care need as people’s awareness of Breast cancer need to be raised. Also through out this assignment the sociological and psychological aspect of breast cancer will be looked at and also the global national and local initiatives will be looked at as well for anyone receiving or caring for someone with breast cancer. Breast cancer develops when a single cell begins to multiply rapidly and forms a tumour; some cells make break away and travel to other parts of the body starting a new tumour cancer research (2004). Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women, Rosto (2009). Even though breast cancer in women is common, there are also 341 men in the United Kingdom diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, cancer research (2011). In the West Midlands there were 4,222 case of breast cancer in 2009. The number of cancer cases and crude incidence rates continue to increase annually as the population of the West Midlands ages, west midlands intelligence unit (2011). Breast cancer affects mainly 50-64 year olds in the west midlands. However breast cancer still remains the most common form of cancer in females in the West Midlands, it has a strong negative association with deprivation usually found in the more affluent sections of the population, west midlands intelligence unit (2010). In 2009 the five year survival rates were over 80% for breast cancer patients WMIU (2010). The number of deaths to cancer in the west midlands has remained steady over the decade with 13,430 deaths in 20... ...f the absolute benefits and harms of mammography screening for breast cancer remains a subject of discussion. The estimates from individual randomized trials and service screening programmes suggest that between 300 and 500 women need to be screened every 2–3 years for 10 years to prevent one death from breast cancer.1,2 Harms of screening include the anxiety and inconvenience associated with screening and with suspicious screening findings, which do not result in a diagnosis of cancer, and over diagnosis, the last of which has attracted considerable interest recently.3–6 Over diagnosis is defined as the diagnosis of a cancer as a result of screening that would not have been diagnosed in the woman’s lifetime had screening not taken place. Estimates of over diagnosis range from less than 10% of tumours diagnosed in a screening programme to around 50%. Duffy (2010)

Altex Corporation Case Study Essay

1.Why was a risk management plan considered unnecessary? According to the contract award, contracts at that time did not require that a risk management plan be develop while according to the sponsor the risk management plan was not necessary because most of the new weapon systems requirements are established by military personnel who have no sense of reality about what it takes to develop a weapon system based on technology which does not even exist yet. According Kerzner, in the earlier days of the project management on many commercial programs, the majority of project decisions heavily favored cost and schedule. This was because we knew more about cost and scheduling than we did about the technical risks. But on the other hand it is essential that programs define and implement appropriate risk management and contingency plans to enhance program management effectiveness and provide program managers a key tool to reduce life cycle costs (Kerzner, 2009). 2.Should risk management planning be performed in the proposal stage or after the contract award assuming that it must be done? Risk management is employed throughout the program’s life cycle and should be developed early in the program from the very beginning and addressed continually throughout the program. Risk management is not a separate program function but part and parcel of the overall program planning and management process. In order to be effective, the risk management process must be recognized as a program management activity, and not something limited to the engineering function. Any program element associated with cost, schedule, and performance has a direct interface with the risk management process. This process does not change fundamentally as the program progresses, although some changes or adjustments might occur as the program progress (Kerzner, 2009). 3.Does the customer have the right to expect the contractor to perform risk analysis and develop a risk management plan if it is not called out as part of the contractual statement of work? The customer has the right to expect the contractor to perform risk analysis and develop a risk management plan as part of the project planning. An effective life cycle risk management process requires a commitment on the part of the program manager and the program office to be successful. It is essential that Project manager define and implement an appropriate risk management and contingency plans. The customers expect the contractor to be the expert who knows what needs to be done in any project and that is why he has been hired to do the jobs. Risk management will enhance program effectiveness and provide program managers a key tool to reduce life cycle costs (Kerzner, 2009). 5.How effective will the risk management plan be if developed by the project manager in seclusion? There is no way a project manager will have a risk management plan in seclusion. The reason being first, Risk management planning is the process of deciding how to approach and plan the risk management activities of the project. Secondly the process will include identifying the project charter, current polices, current roles and responsibilities, and the project management plan and, the Risk Management Plan (RMP) strategy needs to be established early in the project and will need to be continually developed throughout the project life cycle. Project risks include business and contractual relationships, cost, funding, management, political, and schedule risks. Other risks are technical, production, and support risks. These entire put together risk management plan has to be part and parcel of the project planning (Kerzner, 2009). 6.Should the customer be allowed to participate in or assist the contractor in developing a risk management plan? Risk management requires early and continual involvement of all of the program team as well as outside help as appropriate. When we are trying to identify the risk we may get our results based on survey of the project and this will involves customer fully. We have to involve the customer since in any case there is a risk then it the risk management program that will support setting realistic cost, schedule, and performance objectives and identifies areas that require special attention. If we don’t involve the customer then that may lead to the customer loosing trust on our company and at the same time we will end up delivering a low quality work (Kerzner, 2009).

Exercise in Building and Connecting Sentences

This exercise will give you a chance to practice condensing and combining sentences using transitional words or phrases.  Combine the sentences in each set into two clear sentences. Add a transitional word or phrase to the second sentence to show how it relates to the first. Heres an example: Retirement should be the reward for a lifetime of work.It is widely viewed as a sort of punishment.It is a punishment for growing old.Sample Combination:Retirement should be the reward for a lifetime of work. Instead, it is widely viewed as a sort of punishment for growing old. When you are done, compare your sentences with the sample combinations  below. Exercise: Building and Connecting Sentences With Transitional Words and Phrases To be self-centered does not mean to disregard the worth of other people.We are all self-centered.Most psychologists would probably accept this position.There are differences in math performance between boys and girls.These differences cannot be attributed simply to differences in innate ability.If one were to ask the children themselves, they would probably disagree.We do not seek solitude.If we find ourselves alone for once, we flick a switch.We invite the whole world in.The world comes in through the TV or Internet.Little girls, of course, dont take toy guns out of their hip pockets.They do not say Pow, pow to all their neighbors and friends.The average well-adjusted little boy does this.If we gave little girls the six-shooters, we would soon have double the body count.We know very little about pain.What we dont know makes it hurt all the more.There is ignorance about pain.No form of illiteracy in the United States is so widespread.No form of illiteracy in the United States is so costly.We drove the wagon close to a corner post.We twisted the end of the wire around it.We twisted the wire one foot above the ground.We stapled it fast.We drove along the line of posts.We drove for about 200 yards.We unreeled the wire on the ground behind us.The historical sciences have made us very conscious of our past.They have made us conscious of the world as a machine.The machine generates successive events out of foregoing ones.Some scholars tend to look totally backward.They look backward in their interpretation of the human future.Rewriting is something that most writers find they have to do.They rewrite to discover what they have to say.They rewrite to discover how to say it.There are a few writers who do little formal rewriting.They have capacity and experience.They create and review a large number of invisible drafts.They create and review in their minds.They do this before they approach the page. When you are done, compare your sentences with the sample combinations below. Sample Combinations To be self-centered does not mean to disregard the worth of other people.  In fact,  most psychologists would probably accept the position that we are  all  self-centered.The differences in math performance between boys and girls cannot be attributed simply to differences in innate ability.  Still,  if one were to ask the children themselves, they would probably disagree.We do not seek solitude.  In fact,  if we find ourselves alone for once we flick a switch and invite the whole world in through the TV or  Internet.Little girls, of course, dont take toy guns out of their hip pockets and say Pow, pow to all their neighbors and friends like average well-adjusted little boys.  However,  if we gave little girls the six-shooters, we would soon have double the body count.(Anne Roiphe, Confessions of a Female Chauvinist Sow)We know very little about pain and what we dont know makes it hurt all the more.  Indeed,  no form of illiteracy in the United States is so wi despread or costly as ignorance about pain.(Norman Cousins, Pain Is Not the Ultimate Enemy)We drove the wagon close to a corner post, twisted the end of the wire around it one foot above the ground, and stapled it fast.  Next,  we drove along the line of posts for about 200 yards, unreeling wire on the ground behind us.(John Fischer, Barbed Wire)The historical sciences have made us very conscious of our past, and of the world as a machine generating successive events out of foregoing ones.  For this reason,  some scholars tend to look totally backward in their interpretation of the human future.(Loren Eiseley,  The Unexpected Universe)Rewriting is something that most writers find they have to do to discover what they have to say and how to say it. There are,  however,  a few writers who do little formal rewriting because they have the capacity and experience to create and review a large number of invisible drafts in their minds before they approach the page.(Donald M. Murray, The Makers Eye: Revising Your Own Manuscripts)

Alternative Energy Sources Essay - 1652 Words

Imagine a world where nobody can use their iPhone, their computer, or even turn on the lights. That is the kind of world the future may be like if there is not an overhaul of how electricity is obtained. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, people have utilized fossil fuels to power their homes, cars, and businesses. Unfortunately, our stores of fossil fuels are running low, and they have been demonstrated to increase the temperature in the atmosphere and accelerate global warming. As gas prices steadily rise, people need a newer, cleaner source of energy. The alternatives are numerous and would be beneficial to the well being of the whole world. The human race must replace its fossil fuel use with renewable resources in order to†¦show more content†¦All of the proven sources of oil will be depleted by the year 2055 according to Erika Antoniazzo, a woman who is well read in terms of oil production.(eco-info.net) On the other hand, renewable resources can never be depleted. There will always be wind that can blow turbines. There will always be a sun to heat solar panels. There will always be water to run through dams. The power that can be drawn from these sources is limitless, which is obviously more sustainable than fossil fuels, which clearly has a limit. Scientists are developing technology in the field of nuclear fusion (the process in which the sun creates its energy), which if obtained will provide an infinite amount of power. These alternative sources of energy will provide energy for the world until the end of time. The government has been greatly influenced by big oil companies lobbying for political power. No single group should have such a large amount of power over the government. If our focus on fossil fuels is shifted over to a more general scope that includes various renewable energy sources, then no single group of companies will have a significant amount of power in the direction of the country. Since oil companies have an iron grip on decisions the U.S. makes, we have gone to several wars over the pursuit of oil. General Zilmer stated that the amount of casualties can be reduced greatly if troops could move away from their use of fossil fuels.(News Observer) These wars wouldShow MoreRelatedAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy Sources1123 Words   |  5 PagesRough Draft: Alternative Energy Sources Imagine a world where sea levels have risen, a world where extreme weather happens more often and with more intensity, and a world that has very few species of animals left due to mass extinctions. (Environmental Protection Agency) But that future is still avoidable. The answer is renewable energy sources. Alternative energy sources are sources of energy that does not use fossil fuels, and generally are clean and renewable. (Jessa) Some examples include solarRead MoreAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy Sources1704 Words   |  7 PagesAlternative Energy Sources Air pollution, resulting from the burning of fossil fuels, amounts for about 7 million deaths each year. On average, 1 in 8 deaths are caused by some type of air pollution. Fossil fuels are burned every day to keep the world functioning but are accompanied by tremendous amounts of pollution. The world needs energy sources that are as effective as fossil fuels but that come with less harmful pollutants than fossil fuels do. An effort must be made to pull away fromRead MoreAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy Sources2141 Words   |  9 PagesWhat are alternative energy sources? Alternative energy sources are forms of energy that use natural resources to produce energy. There are three main alternative energy sources that can be used in the place of fossil fuels, which are Nuclear, Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are decreasing and eventually will run out. Usage of fossil fuels cause harm to the environment by producing greenhouse gasses. Alternative energy sources are not harmful to the environmentRead MoreAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy Sources2142 Words   |  9 PagesWhat are alternative energy sources ? Alternative energy sources are forms of energy that use natural resources to produce energy. There are three main alternative energy sources that can be used in the place of fossil fuels, which are Nuclear, Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are decreasing and eventually will run out. Usage of fossil fuels cause harm to the environment by producing greenhouse gasses. Alternative energy sources are not harmful to the environmentRead MoreSources Of Alternative Energy Sources926 Words   |  4 PagesAlternate Energy Sources Alternative energy sources are becoming more and more popular. The most important alternative energy sources are solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, ocean, and hydropower energies. Their main advantage lies in the resumption of energy resources. This paper will give information about each of sources as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Solar energy The Sun is a leading environmentally clean energy source. The process of generating electricity from sunlight has beenRead MoreAlternative Sources Of Alternative Energy3097 Words   |  13 Pages Alternative Energy by Gage R. Shots University of Southern Indiana Global Economic Issues 241 Section 003 Prof. Daria Sevastianova Due December 8, 2014 Alternative Energy Alternative energy is imperative to the continuation and advancement of the world. There will come a time where the unsustainable resources we use to power every aspect of our lives will cease to exist, or become uneconomical. In the same way, the pollutants given off by using these energy materials are believedRead MoreAlternative Energy Sources894 Words   |  4 PagesAlternative Energy Sources â€Å"In United States around half of million deaths each year are attributed to air pollution. It is estimated that air pollution each day kills three people in the city of Hong Kong. Air pollution also contributes to soil and water pollution. More than 15,000 people in the world die each day because of water pollution† (pollutionfacts.com). With these statistics, it is no wonder people are coming up with alternative energy sources. From energy to gasoline, there are manyRead MoreAlternative Energy Sources For Renewable Energy1710 Words   |  7 Pagesconcern for our environment, alternative energy has become a source of energy that is an alternative to the problem that these fossil fuels have caused our Earth. Alternative energy are renewable and is considered to be free energy sources (Alternative Energy). All alternative energy sources have lower carbon emissions when being compared to conventional energy sources. These sources include Biomass Energy, Wind, Solar, Ge othermal, and Hydroelectric Energy (Alternative Energy). With the use of recyclingRead MoreNew And Alternative Sources Of Energy1311 Words   |  6 Pages Today s society uses enormous amounts of energy. *The shadow of our presence on this planet is a result of generations upon generations of production and utilization of energy*. New and alternative sources of energy are being developed to replace the declining accessibility of coal and fossil fuels. Use of renewable energy is a key component in combatting the climate change that has become a major issue in the 21st century. Reducing our impact on the climate as a result of greenhouse gas emissionsRead MoreAlternative Energy Sources For Renewable Energy1466 Words   |  6 Pagesseeking new forms of energy that will provide clean energy and also preserve Earth s lifespan. The use of renewable and non-renewable resources has been a major controversy throughout history; renewable energy such as wind power has been the main focus of this issue. Many would believe wind energy is the best renewable power source because it is the cleanest and most efficient, whereas, others view wind ene rgy as a time bomb that will soon destroy the planet. Alternative energy sources should replace

ETA is a Terrorist Organization with Roots in Ethnic...

ETA Discursive Essay: From 1959 until 2010, Euskadi Ta Aaskatasuna or ETA has been fighting for autonomy in the Basque region on the border between Spain and France. ETA hopes to achieve political and cultural independence. However, it utilizes terror and violent intimidation to undermine existing governments. It is a terrorist organization that with military-style precision inflicts maximum damage in an attempt to realize its nationalist ideals. Cease-fires and negotiations are voided. ETA argues that in striving for nationalist autonomy it is simply an organization of â€Å"freedom fighters† struggling to resist what they perceive to be an illegitimate government. ETA is a terrorist organization that has its roots in ethnic nationalism. Basque separatists have long desired independence, based on a culture that is dramatically different from that of the Spanish. Their language (Euskara) predates French, Spanish, German and most other Continental languages, and their customs and traditions are unique to the area. Nationalism is a prevalent theme and dates back to the turn of the nineteenth century when the Republican government granted autonomy to the Basque country under the leadership of Sabina de Arana y Goiri. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) the Basque people supported the Republicans. As a result, Franco targeted them, decimating the Basque town of Guernica, killing over a thousand people. After the war, Franco continued to oppress and discriminate against theShow MoreRelated Self-Determination in the Basque Country Essay examples1091 Words   |  5 Pagesin the â€Å"north† under French rule, and four provinces in the â₠¬Å"south† under Spanish rule, the Basque people enjoy a strong sense of pride in their culture. This pride stems mainly from their unique language; the true essence of Basque identity. Its roots trace to before the invasion of the Indo-Europeans, around 4,000 years ago. Therefore, it is the oldest known language in all of Europe. The Basques have struggled to keep language as the cornerstone of their culture. However, under Spanish ruleRead More Global Terrorist Organizations Essay example4168 Words   |  17 PagesETA stands for Euskadi Ta Askatasuna in Euskara, or in English, Basque Fatherland and Freedom. It grew out of the EKIN in Spain in 1959 and formed as a radical Basque separatist group. Discontented with the moderate nationalism of the main Basque party, the ETA is dedicated to a separate nation-state for the Basque people, an ethnic group inhabiting areas of northern Spain and southwestern France. Currently there are about 300 members . Current leaders include Juan Cruz Maiztegui Bengoa andRead MoreTransnational Actors and International Organizations in Global Politics11246 Words   |  45 PagesTransnational Actors and International Organizations in Global Politics By Peter Willetts From J. B. Baylis and S. Smith (eds.), The Globalisation of World Politics, (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, second edition, 2001), pp. 356-383. This copy does not contain the various boxes and diagrams that are in the book. Please note that this document is set for A4 paper, so US users should change the File-PageSetUp-PaperSize to Letter before printing. †¢ Introduction †¢ Problems with the

Nursing Home Facility versus a General Acute Care Hospital Free Essays

A nursing home facility also known as a rest home can be defined as a place of residence for people who need constant nursing care. A nursing home offers a range of services in addition to skilled nursing and custodial care. These services include a room all meals, social activities, personal care, 24 hour nursing supervision and access to medical services. We will write a custom essay sample on Nursing Home Facility versus a General Acute Care Hospital or any similar topic only for you Order Now On the other hand a general acute care hospital is a health facility or institution which offers emergency medical, surgical and intensive care together with maternity services for admitted patients as well out patients. This care is given around the clock with the presence of a registered nursing staff and daily visits of the physician (Morton, P. Hudak, C. Gallo B. (1998). Most nursing homes provide two basic types of services which include skilled medical care and custodial care. Skilled Medicare services are offered by trained professionals and can be required for a limited period of time in case of an injury or illness. Consequently, skilled care may be needed on a long term basis if a resident/ patient requires injections or other treatments which are long term. This skilled medical care involves physical therapy where the resident is helped to walk or get on or out of bed and even toileting. In case the patients or residents have wounds the nurse is supposed to assist in wound care which involves dressing and administration of antibiotics and monitoring on intravenous fluids. Custodial or personal care includes assistance in dressing, bathing, eating, walking and even toileting. Custodial care is required since people recovering may temporarily need assistance before they are able to work for themselves. Skilled and custodial care in a nursing home facility is given by a licensed and registered nurse who is supposed to be on duty all day long. The care is given until the patients are able to return to their homes and take care of themselves without much assistance or when the facility feels that there could be no further improvements on the individual patient. Some nursing homes do not have facilities that are certified for Medicare for example beds therefore; this facility is more of a residential home since it provides a room, meals and other necessary requirements for daily living and recreation. The patients here are treated more like a family since the nurses are able to cater more to their specific needs whether emotional or medical (Weiss Man.et al, 2001) While receiving skilled or rehabilitation, the nursing home will provide custodial care together with professional services, however the Medicaid paid does not cover all the cost of care and this means that the resident must cater for the other costs. A physician attends residents in a nursing home occasionally when need arises. Whereas in a General Acute Care Hospital, nursing, care is oriented and motivated by urgency. Diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are readily available and therefore immediate medical care decisions are necessary. Like in a nursing home, nursing care here is given by a registered nurse who is present all around the clock. In this facility medical care is instituted on admission and there are daily visits of the physician Like in the nursing home, skilled care is given to the patients together with custodial care until patients have recovered or when they are referred to a nursing for fur ther monitoring and care by a physician. Nursing services are highly specialized due to a high rate of admissions and emergency. A high percentage of professional staff in the nursing department may also contribute to the specialization (Green gold NL.2004). This kind of facility attends to acute cases which may not be taken care of at home or a nursing home. Equally all the facilities are certified and patients are attended at individual level. Conclusion There are significant differences on the care of patients in a Nursing Home Facility and in a General Acute Care Hospital. These differences are so pronounced and are not necessary since both of the two facilities are health care facilities and all the residents’ medical care on a daily basis. The main objective of a health care facility is the provision of quality services. References: Green gold NL. When can we change an established medical practice? AHA News: 2004:40:6 Morton, P. Hudak, C. Gallo B. (1998). Critical care nursing: a holistic approach 7th ed. Lippincott, Williams, Wilkins Weiss Man, DE; Griffre, J; Muchka, S; Matson, S. Improving pain management in long term care facilities. Journal of palliative medicine; 2001; 4:4:567-573 Â   How to cite Nursing Home Facility versus a General Acute Care Hospital, Essay examples

Freedom Sociology and American Society free essay sample

Freedom Writers is a movie created from the sociological perspectives of a community submerged in social inequality. The systematic study of human social behavior is conveyed in the story of this group of teens, who are taught to fend for their own ethnicity. Unfortunately, teens that are raised in poor economical conditions have a tendency to turn to gangs, where they readily identify themselves. For adolescents is important in order to discover whom they identify themselves with. Although corruption is abundant in the lifes of Eva, Andres, Tito, Marcus, Jamal Etc, Mrs G, came in as guidance, as a lighthouse to their already somber lives. I never really realized the huge impact teachers exert on students until I watched this film. Teachers are supposed to be positive models that encourage and push students to do their best, but in this movie, teachers have lost their purpose due to their own personal problems, or because they feel, they are not rewarded enough for teaching such low class students. They have lost their inspiration to teach, due to certain social inequalities that affect the American society. Ms G is a young, vibrant woman with high hopes and a strong personality. She has not lived enough to lose expectations for her students. It is upsetting to see the frustration teachers feel while schooling students that come from low waged household. In the film, teachers feel less obligated to teach students. All this careless behavior is also the consequence of a bad educational system that fails to not only the students but teachers as well. It comes down to explain the phenomenon and the reinsurance of social reproduction in our open American society. Unfortunately, students that come from an underprivileged background often end up with a poor education. If the child fails in an academic aspect, the fault is directed towards the parents. Societies ideology is usually; the parents are the ones in charge of establishing norms for their children to follow. Education is considered one of those important standards. Society seems to fail in understanding that parents can emphasize the importance of education but without the educational systems support; many students fail to finish school. In freedom writers a teenage immigrant admits to his classmates his struggle with poverty. Despite his desire to give up, his parents continue to encourage him to finish school. If it werent for Ms. G consistency and her hard work perhaps her whole class would have ended up in that same cyclic cycle of violence, drugs, and poverty that lay ahead. Their has to be a balance between the parents and the teachers, both have to identify the importance of education in order for the child to triumph in life. The attitude that most of the teachers displayed in this film was of carelessness and its exactly that attitude that students absorb and apply to their self’s. Theoretical Perspectives Issues of race and ethnicity can be observed through three major sociological perspectives: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. As you read through these theories, ask yourself which one makes the most sense, and why. Is more than one theory needed to explain racism, prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination? Functionalism In the view of functionalism, racial and ethnic inequalities must have served an important function in order to exist as long as they have. This concept, of course, is problematic. How can racism and discrimination contribute positively to society? Sociologists who adhere to the functionalist view argue that racism and discrimination do contribute positively, but only to the dominant group. Historically, it has indeed served dominant groups well to discriminate against subordinate groups. Slavery, of course, was beneficial to slaveholders. Holding racist views can benefit those who want to deny rights and privileges to people they view as inferior to them, but over time, racism harms society. Outcomes of race-based disenfranchisement—such as poverty levels, crime rates, and discrepancies in employment and education opportunities—illustrate the long-term (and clearly negative) results of slavery and racism in American society. Conflict Theory Conflict theories are often applied to inequalities of gender, social class, education, race, and ethnicity. A conflict theory perspective of U. S. history would examine the numerous past and current struggles between the white ruling class and racial and ethnic minorities, noting specific conflicts that have arisen when the dominant group perceived a threat from the minority group. In the late 19th century, the rising power of black Americans after the Civil War resulted in draconian Jim Crow laws that severely limited black political and social power. The years since then have showed a pattern of attempted disenfranchisement, with gerrymandering and voter suppression efforts aimed at predominantly minority neighborhoods. Feminist sociologist Patricia Hill Collins (1990) developed intersection theory, which suggests we cannot separate the effects of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and other attributes. When we examine race and how it can bring us both advantages and disadvantages, it is important to acknowledge that the way we experience race is shaped, for example, by our gender and class. Multiple layers of disadvantage intersect to create the way we experience race. For example, if we want to understand prejudice, we must understand that the prejudice focused on a white woman because of her gender is very different from the layered prejudice focused on a poor Asian woman, who is affected by stereotypes related to being poor, being a woman, and her ethnic status. Interactionism For symbolic interactionists, race and ethnicity provide strong symbols as sources of identity. In fact, some interactionists propose that the symbols of race, not race itself, are what lead to racism. Famed Interactionist Herbert Blumer (1958) suggested that racial prejudice is formed through interactions between members of the dominant group: Without these interactions, individuals in the dominant group would not hold racist views. These interactions contribute to an abstract picture of the subordinate group that allows the dominant group to support its view of the subordinate group, thus maintaining the status quo. An example of this might be an individual whose beliefs about a particular group are based on images conveyed in popular media, and those are unquestionably believed because the individual has never personally met a member of that group. Culture of Prejudice Culture of prejudice refers to the theory that prejudice is embedded in our culture. We grow up surrounded by images of stereotypes and casual expressions of racism and prejudice. Consider the casually racist imagery on grocery store shelves or the stereotypes that fill popular movies and advertisements. It is easy to see how someone living in the Northeastern United States, who may know no Mexican Americans personally, might gain a stereotyped impression from such sources as Speedy Gonzalez or Taco Bell’s talking Chihuahua. Because we are all exposed to these images and thoughts, it is impossible to know to what extent they have influenced our thought processes. Summary Functionalist views of race study the role dominant and subordinate groups play to create a stable social structure. Conflict theorists examine power disparities and struggles between various racial and ethnic groups. Interactionists see race and ethnicity as important sources of individual identity and social symbolism. The concept of culture of prejudice recognizes that all people are subject to stereotypes that are ingrained in their culture.