Social Impact of Communication Technology

Social Impact of Communication Technology INTRODUCTION New communication technologies have become a phenomenon of the modern age. It is used by millions of people worldwide, and significantly influences their way of living and communicating with one another. Rogers (1986) defined several social impacts which have emerged through extensive usage of new communication technologies. Information overload and knowledge gap are examined in this paper as two possible social impacts of new communication technology mentioned by Rogers. Practical examples are reviewed, assessing whether information is equally distributed among all social groups and how information usage has evolved in modern society. 1.0 Information Overload Most people are unable to effectively manage the amount of information to which they are constantly exposed. Overloading of our memory can be compared to an overflowing glass filled with water. If water keeps flowing continuously into a full glass everything above the glass ribbon overflows. . Our information absorption is limited, and our brain can only handle a certain amount of incoming information. Nowadays, people are flooded with information which is coming from various sources, and is very difficult to differentiate value-add information from information noise. As John Naisbitt in his book Megatrends said:†We are drowning in information and starved for knowledge† (Naisbitt,1982, p.24). On the other hand, it is good to have so much information at our finger tips, while information is available more easily than any-time before.There is very little we can’t find out within seconds with search engines running on our communication gadgets. Among the many researches documenting information overload, is the most noticeable is research by Reuters agency called â€Å"Dying for information† published by CNI in 1998. The research indicated that people cannot cope with the volume of information which they receive every-day. They spend substantial time searching for information, needed for decision taking, and information collection distracts them from main responsibilities. One disturbing effect is the increase in the level of stress which is linked to enormous amounts of information received. Thus, the finding showed how information overload influences our mental health and social life. In a second research conducted by University of London, published in 22.4. 2005 by BBC News, that the relation between communication technology and mental sharpness was observed. Distractions from incoming email or phone calls caused up to a 10-point fall in IQ. One can notice that information overload can impose both direct cost linked to cost of information maintenance and indirect cost imposed trough, impact on health or social life. 1.1 The blurring of lines between entertainment and information overload Donald O. Case in book ‘Looking for Information’ describes difference between informative information and entertaining information (Case, 2007, p. 108). Separating the search of â€Å"informative information from entertaining information† in everyday life is often almost impossible. People daily receive increasing number of information from news, blogs, tabloids; social network-status posts and they often cannot differentiate which information is useful and they need to understand versus information which might not be completely accurate. Does the excessive flow of information necessarily lead to more thinking? Or does it cause the society to think less? There are some writers who believe that too much information can lead to the increase in the level of ‘noise’ or confusion in understanding the meaning to the message. One of the most interesting elements of this noise was caused by development of Internet which gave rise to virtual communities, or vi rtual cultures. Kovà ¡Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ovà ¡ (2011, p.251) refers to creation of own fantasy world where the individual (subject) can manipulate and recreate his identity according to his or her own imagination. The main aim of this virtual world is to bring into the online world the best version of oneself, with a new identity. One disturbing impact of virtual identities can be seen in the way how people view relations. In Japan the growth of virtual world games caused rise of Otaku culture. In BBC, 24.10 2013 has been published an article about men who prefer virtual girlfriends to sex. Most of those people also decided to change their identity for abetter one. Nowadays, people have areal problem to cope with all the information around them and they do not understand difference between reality and fantasy. It seems that quantity of information become more important than the quality. Therefore, one can observe that from all of these examples, it is obvious that information overload brings alot of disadvantages which affect us. Our environment is fast-changing and so is the way how we receive, manage and use information. Amount of information determines the usage and evolution of communication technology. 2.0 THE KNOWLEDGE –GAP HYPOTESIS Knowledge as other kinds of wealth is not distributed equally throughout our society. People who are struggling with financial poverty are also often information poor, with limited access to newest communication technology. Knowledge gap theory is based on the premise that while the production of mass media increases, the knowledge gap between different social groups widens. One reason is the ability of opposing social groups to respond to changes that are taking place in the society and adapt within a certain time interval. In the first hypothesis about knowledge gap found in the study of Tichenor, Donohue Olien (1970,p.159), the authors wrote: â€Å"As the infusion of mass media information into a social system increases, segments of the population with higher socioeconomic status tend to acquire this information at a faster rate than the lower status segments, so that the gap in knowledge between these segments tends to increase rather than decrease.† The author also point s out that in measuring the knowledge gap, one should factor in people with access to more information only, and not people who have very little access to new information, as this could incorrectly skew the results. People with low socioeconomic status would most likely have lower access to information. A key indicator of socioeconomic status is education. At the same time, education is also an important factor that influences interest in obtaining information. 2.1 DIGITAL DIVIDE In the new era of globalization, communication technology plays an increasingly important role. Number of people is connecting to the Internet to conduct their daily activities and they are becoming more and more dependent on technology. The access to information has become synonym of access to communication technology. Inability in access to communication technology can result in information inequality. Very often the theory of a digital gap (digital divide) is quoted, which expands the previous concepts of knowledge-gap hypothesis, information poverty and knowledge. Simply the digital divide can be defined as the gap between those who have the possibility of access to modern information and communication technologies and benefit from them and to those who do not have this privilege. Multiple publications examined the phenomenon of digital divide from different angles. Norris (2001) in his work makes a clear distinction of three different aspects of understanding the digital divide. First of all, he defined first aspect as global divide between countries. This means inequality in access to information communication technologies andinternet between developed and developing countries. As a second aspect Norris described social inequality within one nation or state (social stratification within counties), where the inequality is between information poor and information rich. Last aspect of digital divide highlights the democratic gap which refers to the difference between those that use digital technology to participation in public life and those who through these technologies do not engage publicly. As an illustration, in Slovakia since 2005, research is being conducted by the Institute for Public Affairs Slovakia, in the area of communication technologies usage in Slovakian households, under the name Digital Literacy in Slovakia 2013. The research shows that people with higher education degree are more active users of communication technology than people with lower education degree. Low educated, low-skilled, low-income households and residents of small communities belong to the part of population which stood at the edge of the digital divide (IT News, 2013). It is apparent that the lack of information access is not only an issue of developing countries of the third world but still a hot topic among developed countries too. The task of a modern society today is to ensure equal access to information and to take appropriate measures ensuring that access to information is available to all. Conclusion This paper examined the social impacts caused by the implementation and usage of new communication technology in our day-to-day life. Differences were examined between the inequality of those who benefit from technology and those who do not. Although social networks and communication gadgets have become a part of our culture, for the first time in our history, an unintended consequence is that information overload has led to an information crisis. Practical examples examined different angles of social impacts of communication technology and information evolution in modern society. Society as a whole may need to take steps to assure that access to information is available to all, while defining clear rules and practices to effectively manage and process information inflow.

Philosophy of Nursing Essay

One cannot achieve overall health unless they are physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially well. All of these aspects must be at optimal best allowing one to function well in life. Physical health is obtained by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and limiting exposure to toxins (drugs, alcohol, pollution). It is also important to have oral and physical examinations at regular intervals and to practice preventative measures to combat possible illnesses. Mental and emotional health can be referenced interchangeably. They are different in theory but encompass some of the same factors. Managing daily stressors such as work, relationships, and finances can prevent the occurrence of stress induced mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. A socially healthy individual is able to coexist among different types of people without experiencing harmful conflict. It involves the ability to compromise and contribute to meaningful relationships. Social well being is also exemplified through good communications skills, maintaining meaningful relationships, respecting oneself and others, and creating a support system that includes family members and friends. Illness has a physical or mental effect. If a person is diagnosed with a physiological ailment or disease, that person is physically ill. If a person suffers from a mental disorder or disease such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse, that person is mentally ill. When a person is ill it can simply be described as the opposite of the above mentioned states of well being, however, illness can occur (even if an individual takes all the necessary preventative measures) simply as a result of genetic predisposition. Person There is a broad range of nursing patients. The commonality of most nursing care recipients is they are ill or have been altered from their mental or physical normalcy. The most common nursing client is a patient in a doctor’s office. Individuals with previous hospitalizations and those who have never been hospitalized most likely have had visits to their doctors office which involves contact with a nurse. Characteristics or traits that most patients have in common are fear, anger, powerlessness, humility, and appreciation. Often patients are uneducated of the nursing process, thus not able to identify the purpose of the nurse and how influential nurses are to the healing process. If and when the patient has the capacity and willingness to learn, care plans are the most effective method to inform the patient of what is going to happen and the contributions expected of them during their hospitalization. Environment There is a wide variety of environments where nursing is practiced. Hospitals are most populated by patients receiving skilled nursing care. The environment is usually conducive to providing care while focusing primarily on patient satisfaction. While some hospitals strive to implement magnet programs, few have achieved magnet status. Magnet status is the staple of excellent nursing care. An increasing number of patients are familiarizing themselves with the term â€Å"Magnet† and broadening their expectations. Hospitals are usually fast paced as nurses collaborate with other nurses, physicians and case managers to implement an individualized care plan upon admission. Home care is of growing interest for many nurses mainly in response to the autonomy this field offers. Nurses are able to generally schedule their visits around demands of their private lives. Patients’ homes differ greatly.  Cleanliness or lack there of, many family members present or the patient lives alone with no support system, safe neighborhoods or high crime areas are some factors that contribute to the environment, influencing nursing care in the home. Some home health agencies provide the nurse an abundance of supplies to deliver patient care, however some agencies do not have the same budget capabilities. In this case the patients’ care can be compromised or postponed until the nurse is provided necessary items. A negative connotation is primarily given to skilled nursing facilities (or SNF’s) by patients and their families. This is mainly due to expectations of receiving an abundance or RN level care. Patients are not aware that SNF’s are usually staffed with mostly LVN’s and CNA’s with one or two RN’s to manage the facility through communication with physicians, delegating tasks to nursing staff, and utilizing critical thinking skills in emergent situations. Nursing During nursing school interviews, nurses are posed the most commonly asked question, â€Å"Why do you want to become a nurse? † The usual response, â€Å"Because i like helping people†, is often given without hesitance. This is the easy, less thought provoking answer to this question and usually from an inexperienced nurse. Helping people is what nurses do, however it is a result of carrying out the many tasks required throughout a day of nurse duties. Nursing is not just about helping people, it is not just about being a caring and nice person. Nurses are highly intelligent individuals who encompass and apply an abundance of knowledge throughout their day of work while perfecting the art of prioritizing. Engaging in â€Å"dirty work† while understanding multi system failure is among the many gifts of nurses. The stereotype of nurses is a woman who almost fearfully respects and answers to doctors; carrying out doctors orders with the mannerisms of servants. Actually, nursing is the contrary of that belief. Nurses are trained to question physicians when in doubt of the accuracy of their orders. Nurses are trained to be concerned with the patient as a whole and to address all of their needs, promoting wellness throughout all realms of life and not just the physical illness. An excellent nurse understands that a patient needs to be well physically, mentally, and socially in order to be considered healthy. The nurse will attempt to address and settle theses issues before nursing care ceases. Communication plays a big role in nursing and is one major difference between nursing and medicine. Nurses generally spend more time with patients than doctors, either during a shift or frequent visits, thus increasing communication and familiarity with patients. While there are many different theories of nursing, all nurses must have one thing in common. Nurses must greatly enjoy helping others to deliver excellent nursing care.

Divorce Is Always Bad for Children Essay

One of the most frequently asked questions â€Å"Is divorce harmful to children? †. There are numerous discussions about the effects of divorce on children and most people and researches say that divorce has a negative influence on children. These children have more psychological and behavioral problems than children who live in married two-parent families. I agree with that because I think that normal psychological development and well-being of children are directly connected with whether the children grow up in divorced families or in married two-parent families. There are many factors that account for why children in divorcing families may have difficulties, but I would like to focus on some of them such as parental loss and life stress. Firstly, both parents are important for children, giving emotional support and practical assistance. Children who grow up in two-parent families are happier and have a greater well-being because they live in the atmosphere of love, care and attention from both parents. Each parent gives their children their knowledge, skills and nurture that are important for the formation of children’s personality. Divorce often results in the loss of contact with one parent and therefore a loss of the knowledge, skills and emotional support of that parent. Secondly, divorce of parents is a big stress for children. They knew only one world where their mother and father was a unit. But after divorce life is changed, their world is destroyed and as result they feel pain and further carry painful memories. There are other psychological problems connected with changing residence, conditions of living, changing the school, loss of friends. As a result, children need to adjust to a new life that is obviously a big emotional stress for them. Moreover, children may be faced with inadequate attitudes of other children who live in two-parent families. Children may feel a stress from understanding of such inequality that may lead to a problem when they may became an asocial. All of the abovementioned factors usually may lead to aggressive behavior of children or their depression, and parents may be faced with difficulties how to manage this. In summary, it is apparent that divorce has a negative influence on children, not only in their childhood but also on their future; because some researches have proved that most adults who grow up in divorced families often keep the painful memories in their mind for many years. The risk of negative influence on children may be reduced, if both parents try to keep the friendly relationship between them and maintain the level of support for their children before divorce. Both parents should participate in their children’s nurture equally and show them their love and care.

American Evangelicalism Essay - 917 Words

This paper will cover the topic of American Evangelicalism addressing the Twentieth Century ideologies. While viewing how Christianity interacted with the terms of the activities of evangelicals and the ecumenical movement. This paper will also cover how Christianity interacted with the terms of the activities of the Vatican II, religion, and politics and the global aspect of Christianity. It was in the year of 1942 in St. Louis Missouri when a group of nationally known leaders came together and formed what would be known as the National Association of Evangelicals. This was an organization with members of all denominations and churches. This organization would affirm the doctrinal statement and commit to aiding the purpose of the†¦show more content†¦The twentieth century presented Christianity with dizzying political and cultural challenges. A lively and articulate Christianity in former mission fields and dissatisfaction among American evangelicals produced new movements. The turmoil of the twentieth century proved a trying time for Christianity. Due to global spread, there were Christians on all sides of nearly every major conflict of the century. There were two world wars; the use of nuclear bombs in Japan, there was also wars in Korea and Vietnam. There were anti-colonial conflicts in Latin America, North Africa, Sub- Saharan Africa, and the Middle East Marxist governments came to power and enforced secular culture throughout the historic areas of the Eastern Churches and in China. Christians were challenged to redefine their morals and their ideologies in response to these upheavals. There were newer movements that also emerged in the twentieth century such as ecumenism, liberation theology, Pentecostalism, and fundamentalism (McGrath 2007). The spirit of ecumenism is nearly as old as Christianity itself. The First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325 was called because bishops came from all parts if the Christian world. 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