Barriers to Effective Communication Essay

Effective communication is a major element to success in any relationship, business, or organization. Communication barriers attempt to impede, and in some instances stop, the successful completion of the communication process. Law Enforcement agencies are susceptible to the consequences of ineffective communication and should work toward reducing and eliminating barriers blocking the flow of communication. Organizational flaws in the entangled hodgepodge of agencies within the American criminal justice system cause various communication barriers resulting in confusion and inefficiencies throughout the system. Law enforcement agencies began sharing more information after the attacks on 9/11 but barriers still exist. Understanding the communication process and using active listening skills is vital to overcoming barriers to effective communication. Process of Communication Wallace and Roberson (2009) define communication as, â€Å"a process involving several steps, among two or more persons, for the primary purpose of exchanging information† (p. 15). The communication process is dependent on the sender’s ability to create an understandable message for the recipient and the recipient’s ability to interpret the message. The process begins by transmitting an idea into a message made of carefully chosen symbols understandable to the receiver (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). To ensure success of the communication process, the sender should consider the recipient’s point of view while forming the message and selecting the means of transmission. The message can take the form of writing, speaking, or movement (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Receipt of the message is very important or the process of communication stops. Sending the message using the appropriate medium continues the communication process to the next step. Understanding the idea of the message requires interpretation by the recipient. The receiver interprets the message and provides feedback to the sender. Feedback indicates receipt of the message and whether the message was understood or requires more information. Formal and Informal Channels of Communication Information flows up and down through the police organizations according to the chain of command. The formal channels of communication within police organizations require strict adherence to order, written memorandums, and directives (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). The Momentum that information flows within the formal channels is slow creating a delay in sharing new information throughout the organization. Slow transmission reduces organizational efficiency, wastes valuable time, resources, and puts the reputation of the police agency at risk. Formal channels are restrictive and at times seem unnecessary but police agencies do receive benefits using the formal channels. Through formal channels, all officers receive the same directions in an understandable message that reduces confusion among officers and creates documentation for later reference (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Informal channels of communication exist in all law enforcement agencies and are used to pass information outside the formal channels of communication. Informal channels of communication give officers a break from the rigid protocol of formal channels. Opportunities for personal discussions that build camaraderie naturally improve morale and work performance. Police agencies know the benefits of informal channels of communication. When the right balance of formal and informal communications is achieved, the agency becomes a united police force. Overcoming Barriers to Effective Communication  The barriers that influence effective communication within the criminal justice system are emotional barriers, physical barriers, semantic barriers, and ineffective listening (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). The sender and receiver both can contribute emotional barriers reducing effective communication by allowing beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, and life experiences to enter the process. Criminal justice professionals can overcome emotional barriers by using peer support systems within the police department or support from outside sources (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Physical barriers are obstructions that interfere with movement of a message and are the hardest to overcome. The weather, distance, and failures in technology are a few examples of physical barriers a police officer may encounter (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Some barriers are out of the officer’s control and cannot be overcome quickly such as an ice storm that becomes a physical barrier when power and telephone lines go down ending communication. Semantic barriers consist of language differences and ambiguous word meanings and prevent a clear exchange of ideas resulting in failed communication. Hiring a diverse group of officers can reduce language barriers and choosing words carefully with the receiver in mind can help ease semantic barriers. Ineffective listening is another barrier present in the criminal justice system and occurs from disinterest, speaker bias, emotions, distractions, and words that invoke emotion (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Every officer needs active listening skills. An officer using active listening skills can diffuse dangerous situations when armed with a clear understanding of the circumstances. Active listening is different from hearing. Hearing is an automatic response to sound and listening is an act. While using active listening skills the officer is processing what the speaker is saying with interest, free of speaker bias, and emotions, before giving a response (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Improving and eliminating barriers to effective communication is achieved through education and self-improvement courses offered as part of a criminal justice professional’s continuing education. Communication Failure 9/11  The repercussions of failed communication can be seen in the attacks of 9/11. Many factors contributed to known terrorists entering the United States undetected and successfully killing Americans. Ineffective communication resulting in communication failure is one variable that allowed the United States to be attacked by terrorist from another country. The structure of American law enforcement agencies is conducive to linkage blindness. Grant and Terry (2008) define linkage blindness as, â€Å"the inability to analyze and link critical information across or within agencies† (p. ). Communication failed because Federal law enforcement agencies did not share terrorist information with state and local law enforcement agencies. Competition and territorial greed between agencies contributed to the loss of communication within the law enforcement community (Grant & Terry, 2008). Best (2007) stated, â€Å"Almost all assessments of the attacks of September 11, 2001 have concluded U. S. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies had failed to share information that might have provided advance warning of the plot† (Summary, para. 1). Congress eventually acknowledged communication barriers exist within the system of law enforcement agencies and enacted legislation and regulation to facilitate the sharing of information. Conclusion Most communication barriers can be overcome by using common sense and active listening devoid of emotion and bias. Police agencies and individual criminal justice professionals are responsible for learning and using active listening skills. Understanding the communication process reveals strategies to overcoming barriers that block the flow of information. Formal and informal channels of communication can drive the movement of messages forward or stop movement completely. When terrorists attacked the United States September 11, 2001 Congress enacted legislation and regulations to tear down the communication barriers that existed between law enforcement agencies. Communication barriers will always exist within the structure of American law enforcement agencies but efforts will continue to eliminate barriers within reach and reduce those harder to reach.

Differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate

House of Representatives is actually a name given to any of the many lawmaking bodies in countries around the world and sub national states. In many countries, House of Representatives is also known as the inferior house of a bicameral government and the parallel upper house is usually known as Senate. Apart from this in other countries, House of Representatives is the one and only meeting room of a unicameral parliament. The performance of the House of Representatives usually varies very much for every country, and it also relies on whether a nation works with a presidential or a parliamentary scheme.People or members of a house of representatives are classically apportioned with respect to the population rather than appointing them geography. House of Representatives is the name given to most of the lower houses of United States state legislatures apart from some, that are known as State Assembly and also by some it is called the House of Delegates. According to apartheid the House of Representatives was the dwelling for South Africa's varied race colored society during the Tricameral Parliament that ranged from 1984 to 1994.Apart from this In the Austrian part Cisleithania of Austria Hungary most people know the lower house as the Abgeordnetenhaus which is also generally acknowledged in English as House of Representatives (Boyle and Chinkin, 2007). Most of the developed self governing states with bicameral parliamentary nature are sometimes prepared with a senate for the country frequently illustrious from a usual parallel lower house basically known variously as the House of Representatives.It is also known by some other names that we would present here House of Commons, Chamber of Deputies, National Assembly, Legislative Assembly, or House of Assembly, by electoral rules. This may comprise of a minimum age necessary for the people and candidate, relative or greater part or plurality structure. Characteristically the senate is also referred to as being the upper house and has a less important association as compared to the lower house.In many other states senates are also present at the sub national stage. United States of America has all states apart from Nebraska having a state senate. Australia has all its states except for Queensland that have an upper house which is identified as a lawmaking committee. There are a number of Canadian provinces that once had a number of governmental councils but now they are not present as they were abolished the last one to survive was Quebec's Legislative Council, during 1968.Senate association can be acknowledged through elections or activities. Taking a simple example, elections are conducted after every three years for the membership of the Australian Senate but only half of the people as compared to the people of the Canadian Senate are hired by Governor General honestly upon the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada. Taking care of the office and performing their operations until they walk out, or are detached from the Senate the last option is of a retirement.In bigger nations the senate frequently acts as a balancing effect thought providing a bigger share of power to places or groups of people, which would be besieged beneath severely accepted apportionment. To conclude this essay I would like to mention the fact that House of Representatives and Senate are two different entities and carry many different aspects with them. Though they are from the same line of bodies that is law making legislatures but they have a different level in terms of power and importance.

How Organisms Cope With Biotic Environmental Factors Essay

How Organisms Cope With Biotic Environmental Factors - Essay Example Initially, organisms could survive without oxygen but with the evolution of the life forms, oxygen became inevitable for survival, which could be understood with the help of soft-bodied metazoans. This aids in the development of oxygen growth curve. On the other hand, ozone provides a shield that protects the biotic forms from harmful UV radiations of sunlight, without this shield life would have been impossible on the planet. Evolution of biotic forms from simple to the complex took place in a gradual manner. Single-celled life forms interact with each other, such interaction resulted in an evolutionary impact, as various species evolved due to such meaningful interactions, namely, symbiotic associations and other interactions, animal diversity prevailed. Evolution in life forms generated competition for food and shelter. Those who could survive the competition were considered as evolved and supreme. These organisms started adapting themselves to the environmental modifications and to the kind of food available, consequently, further diverse forms evolved. Eventually, some of the organisms migrated to land and demarcated themselves as land animals while others remained as sea animals. Over the eras, both these forms developed into numerous life forms from Prokaryotes to eukaryotes encompassing invertebrates protists, fungi, to vertebrates encompassing fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Q. 3. Give a detailed account of the structure and differentiation of the fungi. Fungi are the eukaryotic life forms, they occur in filamentous form with the rigid cell wall of chitin (chain of N-acetylglucosamine), and yeast forms with a cell wall made up of mannose, but are devoid of chlorophyll. They are saprophytic, free-living organisms and derive their nutrition from dead, organic matter, by breaking down of complex chemical macromolecules, leading to the spoilage of food, leather, and other organic matter. They diverged from animal Kingdom 1.5 billion years a go. Fungi exist in three forms, which are: 1. Unicellular forms, e.g., yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast). They possess oval, ellipsoidal or rod-shaped morphology. The size is larger than the bacterial cells, they grow on agar as compact colonies. They display asexual mode of reproduction with the birth scar on daughter cell while a bud scar on the mother cell. Budding could be multipolar or bipolar. However, there are certain organisms which are capable of modifying their morphology and physiology so as to form discrete structures such as spores. Further, a swing between the filamentous and yeast forms could also be displayed in Histoplasma capsulatum, these forms are directed by growth conditions such as temperature, nutrient, and oxygen availability. Filamentous in the soil, asexual reproduction leads to conidia formation. Conidia disperse spores which may reach the lungs if inhaled leading to tissue damage and lesions. The yeast form does not produce conidia. 2. Mou lds which are filamentous and proliferate as elongated and branched hyphae called mycelium, which may be vegetative hyphae or aerial hyphae. The growth of the mycelium occur at the tip, they have well-developed vacuoles and vesicles which are involved in elongation.

Life in ancient rome Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Life in ancient rome - Research Paper Example Rome was categorized into two sections the free people and the other one was the slaves ("Life in Ancient Rome"). Latin was the language of the ancient Romans. The clothing of the poor used to be from coarse dark types while the clothing of the rich used to be from white wool or linen. Ancient Romans had a simple intake of food such as nuts, salads, breads and other such types. The roman literature had been greatly influenced from the Greeks. The literary works of ancient Roman mainly consist of history of Rome (Adkins and Adkins, 374). Dome of Florence (Source: http://www.italian-renaissance-art.com/image-files/brunelleschi-dome-florence.jpg) Filippo Brunelleschi was one of the young architects of Ancient Rome. Brunelleschi was highly interested in the ruins of ancient Rome. He planned to visit Rome with his friend and study the architecture of Rome. During the visit many measurements were taken by Brunelleschi and also some drawings were made by him too. Brunelleschi was inspired b y the buildings of Rome and this was useful for grooming his artistic abilities. He had studied the architecture of the Pantheon dome and this helped him in constructing the Dome of Florence. There are about 4 million bricks used for the construction of the dome. The design of the dome is in an octagonal herringbone pattern and has been constructed from materials of various types. Where there is a minimum level of curve, stones have been used in those areas as resistance would be greater this way ("Filippo Brunelleschi Italian Renaissance architect"). The dome structure is developed on a drum rather than the roof. This engineering allowed the structure to be built without scaffolding on the ground. There are shells used at the sides of the dome. These shells have the support of ribs . These ribbed reinforcements are combined with each other in a horizontal structure as well as a vertical structure and attached with this is a staircase that can be seen till the top. The dome was a sy mbol of importance for the city of Florence. It is one of the strong symbols of Renaissance as it is a main building of architecture and skilful engineering in Florence ("Brunelleschi's Dome "). It was one of the largest dome's constructed in that era. A neo gothic style has been used for the construction of the dome. Brunelleschi is buried under Florence Cathedral and many architects still come over from other places to follow his design and architectural techniques. Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti (Source: http://arthistory.about.com/od/special_exhibitions/l/bl_ghiberti_high_prev.htm) A public competition had taken place by a merchant of Florence for making a pair of doors. These doors had to be placed in the Florence Baptistery. Competitors of Ghiberti were Jacobo della Quercia and Brunelleschi. The theme of the competition was the Sacrifice of Abraham. Ghiberti won the competition as his work consisted of a smooth model and the surface of the work was superior to that of B runelleschi. The gates of paradise are considered as one of the masterpiece renaissance work of Lorenzo Ghiberti. The commencement of this masterpiece work had taken place in the year 1403 and it was completed by the year 1424. His work reflects upon the charm and grace of architectural work. The doors are made up of bronze and consist of 28 panels that are quarterfolded. Reflections of the Old Testament has been carved on the

Critical Response Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Critical Response - Research Paper Example This paper will explore the film’s content, as well as formal aspects, including, among others, performance and genre. Almodovar appreciates the element of desire, particularly homosexual desire, which is a tough topic regarding a normal human condition. The director considers desire as the absolute necessity to be wanted or desired, however, the interplay of desires often makes it difficult for two desires to correspond. The integration of such a sensitive topic in the film not only adds to its richness, but also highlights the array of formal aspects employed to present the issue in a delicate manner. Almodovar’s use of comedy and comic sensibilities eases the manner in which the touchy issues of homosexuality, nudity, violence, jealousy and lust are presented and discussed. According to Smith (187) La Ley del Deseo develops the central theme of morality as highlighted by homosexuality and transsexuality. Almodovar’s style also encompasses the use of themes to develop new themes. For instance, the theme of love without constraints results in the emergence of the theme of death. The disregard of sexual differences in the endeavor to find love without restrictions results in the eventuality of death. Pally (35) perceives Almodovar’s presentation of these touchy issues as celebratory instead of frightening. Almodovar uses light to frame the film’s characters’ faces with a sense of protection and care, which does away with the characters’ inherent confusion. This use of light allows the viewer to appreciate the braveness and joyousness of the characters that choose to be true to their true emotions regardless of the outcome. The extravagant use of bright color in the film speaks to Almodovar’s visual style. In addition to the integration of color in the film, Almodovar incorporates art, for instance, the hopper print that appears in Pablo’s apartment. The use of bright colors and art adds to the filmà ¢â‚¬â„¢s overall visual superiority. In addition, Almodovar uses other stylistic touches such as fade and close-up. For instance, in one scene, framing shifts from a close-up of Pablo’s eyes to the revolving wheels of his car, the wheel cover aligns perfectly with Pablo’s pupils (La Ley del Deseo). In essence, even when Almodovar portrays Pablo’s makeshift family as incredibly outrageous through silly narrative, the director protects the nobility, emotional richness and strength of all characters. Characterization adds to the richness of the film. For instance, while the film appears to be falling apart in some instances, characters such as Tina who is fierce, funny and independent do not fall apart, thereby holding the film together. Operating in a cultural environment that frowns upon nudity, especially male nudity, Almodovar does his best to deal with the awkwardness of the topic in a comic manner. However, according to Medhurst (127) the use of comedy in pre senting serious issues in La Ley del Deseo complicates the manner in which Almodovar and the film are perceived culturally. Notably, since comedy relies on inside cultural knowledge, the region from which La Ley del Deseo was generated largely influences the appreciation of the film’s message (Medhurst 132). Spanish roots have significantly influenced the film’s raw material, thereby impacting the way people from other cultures perceive its intrinsic message. On

Explain the Development and Relevance of System Development Life Essay - 1

Explain the Development and Relevance of System Development Life Cycles(IT) - Essay Example ign, implementation, and maintenance.   The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is also known as Information Systems Development or Application Development. Software concept, as the first step, is to identify the need for a new system. It consists of investigative study on whether a business impediment or opportunity exists; carry out a feasibility study to distinguish the cost effectiveness of the solution proposed. The method may employ IT professionals alone or confer with end-users who have the idea to enhance their work. The concept must go along with the organizations strategic plan to ensure compatibility with the overall strategic objectives of the company and must meet management expectations before any budget is allocated for its development. After doing the analysis and requirements fully identified, The IT personnel will perform architectural design and write the applicable specifications for hardware, software, people and data resources. The design must be submitted to the end-users for review to ensure that the design meets their need. The design will act as a blueprint of the new system that would help to identify and rectify flaws before building the final system. Assessed and conforming to the specified requirements, the IT personnel can now start building the final system. If the management decision is to purchase commercial software rather than developing a new customized application, the system development life cycle in most parts remains the same. Evaluation of off-the-shelf software and the process in purchasing the software will replace coding and debugging. Minor coding and debugging maybe required for optional system interface. This will link the existing system to the new system to enable communication between them. Another point to consider in SDLC is the equal importance of the planning stage. A good and precise planning will reduce errors in design stage and save a lot resources. A business and a project plan are formed during the

Becoming A Coder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Becoming A Coder - Essay Example Coding providers give coding that can be used to describe diagnostic information that is in line with the patient’s condition, services offered and procedures followed. These codes are so detailed that they can provide an accurate description of the medical diagnoses and medical procedures performed. They can also correct diagnoses made. The profession of medical coding does not involve the practice of medicine. Instead, it is a simply the application of coding rules to a set of medical or clinical facts. Coder Credential Organizations One of the key necessities in the coding profession is credentialing. This is because the government recommends that only those coders who have the necessary credentials should be allowed to provide coding for Medicare patients. At the same time, credentialing validates the knowledge and skills of the coders to the world. In the US, two national organizations certify persons as having medical coding expertise. The two coder credential organizati ons are, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). AAPC targets experienced coders and as such offers specialist credentials that enable medical coders to portray very high levels of expertise in their various specialty disciplines. Their 20 specialty credentials are independent or stand-alone certifications that do not have requirements for holding of the CPC credential. AAPC allows coders to validate the knowledge they have gained in a specialty with compliance challenges, unique coding and reimbursement (AAPC, 2005). AHIMA is a professional organization that deals with the management of medical records. The organization gives professionals dealing with medical records educational resources and programs. AHIMA certification distinguishes a person as knowledgeable, competent and committed to quality healthcare through quality information. As compared to AAPC, a specialist credential offered through AHIMA f ocuses more on facility coding. Facility coding refers to the kind of medical coding done for hospitals in in-patient settings (Michelle and Jo, 2004). Credential requirements and exams. Examples of credentials offered by AHIMA include RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCA, CCS-P and CHPS (AHIMAa, 2010). A Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) functions as a critical link between patients, care providers and payers. Professionals holding RHIA are experts in managing patient medical records and health information, collecting and analyzing patient information and administering computer information systems. One of the initial requirements for RHIA is a degree from a CAHIIM-accredited program. The pattern of its examination changes annually in response to organization demand or market trends. On the other hand, a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a health information technician who ensures that medical records are of good quality by verifying their accuracy, completeness an d correct entry into computer systems. They often specialize in coding procedures and diagnoses in patient records for purposes of reimbursement and research. Just like the RHIA, a degree from a CAHIIM-accredited program is one of the initial requirements for an RHIT. In addition, one must pass an AHIMA-administered written examination. According to AHIMAa (2010), 30% of RHIT exam tests on the knowledgeability in the management of health data. Thirteen percent of it tests on biomedical research, health statistics and quality management. Twenty five percent of this exam tests on information technology and systems. According to AHIMAb (2010), professionals with a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification credential are skilled in classifying medical data from the medical records of the patient in a hospital

Do Humans Cells have rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Do Humans Cells have rights - Essay Example By studying the four theories namely Social contract theory, utilitarianism, deontology and virtue ethics, one is able to understand the difference in the moral theories and the premises that they are founded on. Explain What Moral Goodness Is According To Social Contract Theory Social contract theory expresses that morality is a set of rules governing behavior that rational people would accept, on the condition that others would accept them as well. Political theorists have defined this as the primary base for the rise of political authority in many communities. Social contract theory is also how an act is classified as morally good or otherwise through consent from the people (Skyrms 59). Interpret What Social Contract Theory Would Imply For The Issue At Hand. The rights of the human cells can only be established or denied by the society. This is by the voting in of laws that may allow the rights of the human cells. This is made through consent of the people and this consent is wha t makes it right for a researcher to use the human embryos for research. This leads to the argument that the human embryo should be given a chance to life as opposed to the right to life. Explain What Moral Goodness Is According To Utilitarianism John mills the modern father of utilitarianism has explained that the moral goodness of the theory lies not solely in the pursuit of happiness but in the prevention and mitigation of unhappiness. Ultimately the moral goodness of an action is determined by the long-term effect tit will have on the actor and the people it will affect. An example of a situation where the utilitarian theory maybe employed would be in the cases of a doctor who has a patient in perfect health and considers killing him, since there are six other patients who would benefit greatly from his body organs. By employing the utilitarian theory, it suffices to say that since Patient A may never find the cure for AIDS. It therefore brings the ultimate pleasure to give six patients a happy life from patient A’s organs because this is the most pleasure attainable from the death of patient A. The pain caused is the least, as only one family shall be affected by his death. However, such an application of the theory may make people lose confidence in the health care system and health practitioners since they will be afraid of going for treatments for ailments they may have. This act of killing patient A therefore has a ripple effect of causing the death o of more people as they stay at home ill, with fear of being killed at the hospitals. Interpret What Utilitarianism Would Imply For The Issue At Hand. According to the utilitarian theory, the human cells have no rights especially if the findings gotten from the research serve to bring more pleasure through the further understanding of the genetic components of the human body. This pleasure may translate to better drugs for the human race or better prevention measures. Explain What Moral Goodness Is According To Deontology Moral goodness has been explained by deontologists as the choices made in conformity to a particular norm. According to the theory, which is mostly explained in contrast to consequentialism, the choice a person makes is judged by criteria unlike in consequentialism where the morality of a choice is judged on the state of affairs it brings about and if they are for the good of all other individuals. The deontology theories may be classified into two

Dispencing a contraceptive pills for minors without parental Research Proposal

Dispencing a contraceptive pills for minors without parental permission - Research Proposal Example Providing access to contraceptive pills has its pros and cons. It can be considered a good thing as it reduces the risk of pregnancy, however at the same time if parents do not know about their child’s activities it can be harmful to the child in the future. Taking contraceptive pills can have long term effects like hypertension and abnormalities in glucose tolerance. In my research I propose to answer question as whether parental control is necessary or not for the provision of contraceptive pills. During I research I came across several journals and articles which answer my questions. Article like ‘Adolescent Contraception’ by Rochelle A. Turetsky, M.D., Victor C. Strasburger, M.D., and ‘Fertility Effects of Abortion and Birth Control Pill Access for Minors’ by Melanie Guldi are some of the articles which talk about the different options available for contraception. These articles also discuss the laws related to confidentiality and access to contraceptive pills to minors. In my research I have used these articles and many others to help me provide strong argument for my