A Self Help Community

Musings with Old Friends : XIII

It is heartening to note, sometimes, the efforts of the world community of scientists, educationists and social leaders, in the way that they bring greater attention to the social issues that plague society and the individual. That's why I enjoy surfing the web in search of research abstracts that outline these efforts.

On the issue of ' hearing voices, ' research(1) has come to highlight the possibility that the subconscious use of speech and language, when young, reproduces itself as ' voices ' at a later stage when the mind grows into a greater conscious understanding of itself . It also indicates the common nature of the issue and is even experienced as normal(2) in some stages of life.

In psychiatry, research indicates the importance of understanding the daily life of the patient(3). The physician is recommended to collect data on the social network of the patient, their daily routine, relations and their responses. This finding moves away from the previous treatment procedures of burrowing into the mind of the individual for what was perceived as peculiar and unique qualities of the patient itself.

On globalization(4), the issues indicate a clear separation between what is termed ' keepers ' and ' makers.' The keepers stay out of the current global issues and retain a certain sense of validity through a preservation of their provincial experiences. The makers are reported to have proceeded into an advanced understanding of the social impact of globalization. The researcher also points to the need to eventually unite both of these experiences in the world's stage.

On gender issues the research is less clear about the emerging trends regarding male and female identities. However the concerns center around the experience of equality … where these have gone past issues of voting, salary, workplace opportunities … to come to settle on personal relations. However current research continues to be vague and does not provide a useful guide. No doubt its a matter for every individual to engage the issue themselves in their own lives.

On education, researchers are outlining a teaching approach that takes into cognizance the growing experience of the mind in the world(5). It creates a new emphasis on understanding the child's self cultivated understanding of the world and bringing that into relation with issues.

In surfing the websites for these, I feel a particular comfort in coming to realize the authentic nature of the issues and the efforts of the community. It brings me up to date and to know that I share in the concerns as well. It will take everybody pulling together to get past.

References:

(1) Auditory Hallucinations of Hearing Voices in 375 Normal Subjects, Posey, Thomas and Mary, Journal of Imagination, Cognition and         

     Personality, vol 3, issue 2, 1983.

(2) Developing Positive Relationship with Voices : A Peliminary Grounded Theory, Lana J Jackson, Mark Hayward, Anne Cooke, International

     Journal of Social Psychiatry, vol 57, issue 5, 2010.

(3) Recontextualizing Psychiatry: Toward Ecologically Valid Mental Health Research, Devries, Marten W, Journal of Transcultural Psychiatry,    

     vol 34, issue 2, 1997.

(4) Globalization : An Ascending Paradigm?, Mittleman JH, Journal of International Studies Perspectives, vol 3, issue 1, 2003.

(5) Mathematics and Science Learning : A New Conception, Resnick, Lauren B, Journal of Science, 1983