The Concept of God when One is Depressed - Research Paper Example

?Biblical versus Humanistic Our cognition, mental processing of ideas and production of information plays a very complex and imperative role in our day to day lives. Our cognition is what differentiates us from other creatures giving us the humanistic virtue. We can withstand only by sensing first and then processing to understand the situation that is on the surrounding environment. It is impossible for a person to cope up with myriad changes of environmental factors and elements without using the cognitive virtue only. Many a times we interpret situations wrongly due to our pre-conceived idea, causing problems that could have been avoided if proper judgment is made without taking sides that leads to a biased product. The expectations we have and the responses we give to situations partly influence the way we see and judge the world. Introduction Our hopes that we have, dreams that cherish and want to achieve, anxieties and fears triggered by the future uncertainties become prophesies that should be fulfilled and greatly influence the future to some degree. In addition, our inbuilt goals and the goals that we aspire to achieve also affect the course of our lives. Success of achieving our lives goals that we have set is determined by the knowledge of humanistic character, comprising the skills we have acquired and our planning in general. The relationships between us and other people are largely influenced by the following factors; attitudes towards people which might negative or positive, suspicions and pre-determined conclusions that we already have concerning other people. Both positive and negative attitude can be dangerous in their own course due the fact that a person can give somebody a characteristic which he or she is not (Dobson & Dobson,2009). Mostly this is drawn from the people appear rather than knowing the true behavior of a person. This conduct is influenced by the conceived notion that, people will not be accepted and recognized if they show their true characters. It has led to a world of full of deceptions which has become a riddle for many in determination of good relationships. The inbuilt and external motivation is an imperative determinant in the extent of struggle we make to go to the directions which are influenced by our desires and demands. The discrepancies that co-exist between what is real and ideals influence the satisfaction we get with ourselves in terms of the success and achievement of our set goals. The most significant thing is that, human beings are the only species that can systematically evaluate its thought processes. Human beings know their inner self. During the earlier times the term self refereed to self-centeredness virtues that were regarded to be devilish because they contrasted with the divine perfect nature of Christians. In the medieval periods, the meaning was greatly influenced by the community which interpreted it to as; to do what you are told to do. At the present time it means that; each and every person has the choice of doing what is right and knowing his or her personalities well enough to aid in determination of the direction of action. Low self esteem weakens the bonds of relationships among the community unlike societies where people have high self esteem. The relationships of people with low self esteem lack love hence it leads to mistrust, ambivalence and conflict in the community ( Blenkiron,2010). Low self is accompanied with some signs like depression related effects and difficulties in getting the clear understanding of the word of God. Depression is a state of psychology of a person where he or she experiences low mood and the mind attracted to an activity that can cause disastrous negative impacts on the thinking of a person, behavioral characteristics, feelings, and the way a person views the world and the physical well being of an individual. People who are depressed are sad, have no hope, worried, feel guilty, easily irritated and withdraw their interest and good attitude to activities that they once cherished. People who are depressed have problems in concentration, remembrance, making decisions and may contemplate to commit suicide. This is not a psychiatric disorder but it a reaction to various occasions in the environment of a person’s life time. Usually, it is difficult to understand and contemplate the concept of God when one is depressed. This is due the perversion of the thoughts of a person into some ideologies which cannot be defended by the word of God but rather explained using human theology whose root is the philosophy of this world. At times a person may blame God for the happening taking place in this world and conclude that God is the one causing them to teach people some things. Due to this judgment, a person can end up having a negative attitude towards hence leading to poor interpretation of God. More often people wonder why Christians should also commit suicide due to depression. Indeed, it is not supposed to happen but Christians sometimes are overcome by their emotions which might lead them into astray if they don’t manage them appropriately. Therefore, people should not use such incidences to conclude on how they relate to God. The world views self esteem to be a key factor in the daily lives of human beings in the modern society whereby it recommends that people always should have high self esteem. High self esteem according the psychologists minimizes illicit actions that aforementioned in the paper by embracing positive mind and thoughts hence the person views the world from a successful side. In the contrary, human self esteem does not find any application from view of God. People who believe in, Christians, ought to embrace Christ esteem, which is the entire dependence on God. Many a times people cease depending on God and opt for human self esteem which is not promising that it will be maintained constantly to ensure that the person remains positive in the entire life time of a person. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves the combination of both behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy in treatment of people with low self esteem. This mode of therapy evaluates hoe people think about themselves, the way they view others and the way the world affects their thinking. It also evaluates the extent in which it affects their mental health which greatly influences self esteem of a person. In behavior therapy what investigated is the effect of one’s actions on his personal live and the way he or she relates to other people. Generally, cognitive behavior therapy explores ways of improving a person’s self esteem and life in general. This treatment can be subdivided into categories which include the following: individual therapy, group therapy, computerized cognitive behavioral therapy and consistency with biblical teachings. In individual therapy, focuses in resolving the issues that are disturbing a person and help him or her to establish life that is good. It uses the gentle personal methods which evaluate the personal behavior of a person and the way he or she regards himself or herself. The techniques give out positive change that is within the person (Blenkiron, 2010). In group therapy, more than one client is usually attended by one therapist. This is helpful and effective in that support groups increase chances of improvement. Another important inclusion in therapy is consistency in biblical teachings which have been proved to influence the esteem of a person positively. None the less, the therapeutic techniques should be computerized to enhance dissemination and utilization of such vital services to people who are in need of them. Spiritual wholesomeness in regard to health esteem is very significant in that it helps in many diverse ways to keep a person in the best health. It helps in the prevention and management of mental illness ensuring that the brain which helps in thinking is working optimally and is in a good condition. In addition to that, it enhances in treatment and prevention relapses of mental illnesses when medications are not working properly. Learning on how to cope with stress which is mostly induced in our residence and occupational setup is another imperative breakthrough that a person gets from the different forms of cognitive therapy. From the knowledge gained a person learns new ways of manning emotions, coping with grief, overcoming trauma from emotions and more importantly managing symptoms such as fatigue, pain and insomnia which chronic emotional and easily depressed people. Methods of Data collection In this experiment the mode of collecting data was majorly oral interview of the people on their varied perception of the biblical ideas versus the reality of the cultural beliefs. Experiment methodology to test the hypothesis on the topic This section will concentrate on the research design and methodology. The experiment involved a systematic application of research methods. This entails the selection of samples, identification of the dependent and independent variables. Religious beliefs are an issue that touches on human being and as such the sample was obtained from persons within the population. Gender differences need also to be taken care of in this case since the psychological configuration of man and woman is slightly different. The items to be used in undertaking this experiment include a computer desktop and recording instrument like stationery. The number of participants involved was 136, which are 34 males and 102 females. The result is then tabulated for analysis and interpretation. Statistical tests of significance are of great use in this research. The most preferred statistical tool of testing the relationship among the variables under question is the t-test. Measures of central tendencies especially the mean will also be used. Use of t-test is relevant in proving the hypothesis and drawing conclusion as far as the cause-effect relationship between the dependent and explanatory variables. In this laboratory test, the effects of extraneous variables need to be captured and sieved out to remove errors in measurement and deductions. The experiment undertaken is for a practical determination of some of the psychological variables that define an individual. It should also be known that sociologists and psychology experts have not exhausted all the options and there is a need for further future studies. This statistical research is about a local organization which wanted to relate the variables affecting the pay rate in a given professional field in San Francisco. The statistical survey investigated the relationship between the parameters of years of experience in the jobs and the salary scale for employees both inside and outside job positions. In the category of years of experience, three levels are compared, high low and medium. These variables are the analyzed by the ANOVA test to identify the possible relationship between the variable under scrutiny. The study is conducted in a manner that the p-values for both the inside and outside positions relating to the years of experience are studied. The study then uses the two–factor ANOVA test at 95% level of confidence to compare the results with the alpha values. Finally the study then verifies the stated hypotheses, investigates the interactions between the dependent and independent variables and checks the goodness of fit. Sample statistical tests on mean, median, kurtosis, range, skewness, mode, median, variance, and standard deviation is then computed both inside and outside and analyzed data. The null and alternative hypothesis in the study then relates experience to salary and sales position in the organization. Interaction between position and experience is then investigated in the study to indicate the relationship binding them in the organization. Inside Mean 56020.51667 Standard Error 463.4445594 Median 56209.5 Mode 53464 Standard Deviation 3589.826121 Sample Variance 12886851.58 Kurtosis -0.278041514 Skewness 0.306761155 Range 15941 Minimum 48621 Maximum 64562 Sum 3361231 Count 60 Level of confidence (95.0%) 927.3504213 Outside Mean 73830.43333 Standard Error 1022.849791 Median 76315.5 Mode #N/A Standard Deviation 7922.960411 Sample Variance 62773301.67 Kurtosis -1.085666773 Skewness -0.24337837 Range 28471 Minimum 60259 Maximum 88730 Sum 4429826 Count 60 Level of confidence (95.0%) 2046.717704 Anova: Single Factor: years of experience SUMMARY Groups Count Sum Average Variance Low 40 2392785 59819.625 36060691.16 Medium 40 2744725 68618.125 185541915.5 High 40 2653547 66338.675 94080544.43 ANOVA Source of Variation SS df MS F P-value Between Groups 1668100099 2 834050049.7 7.926144111 0.000591268 Within Groups 12311642893 117 105227717 F critical. Total 13979742992 119     3.073762904 ANOVAs: Single Factor: Type of position SUMMARY Groups Count Sum Average Variance Inside 60 3361231 56020.51667 12886851.58 Outside 60 4429826 73830.43333 62773301.67 ANOVA Source of Variation SS Df MS F P-value F crit Between Groups 9515793950 1 9515793950 251.5404355 4.96486E-31 3.921478181 Within Groups 4463949042 118 37830076.62 Total 13979742992 119         ANOVAs: Two-Factor With Replication SUMMARY low medium High Total inside         Count 20 20 20 60 Sum 1100627 1112155 1148449 3361231 Average 55031.35 55607.75 57422.45 56020.51667 Variance 13102346.87 12565162.41 11071404.47 12886851.58 outside         Count 20 20 20 60 Sum 1292158 1632570 1505098 4429826 Average 64607.9 81628.5 75254.9 73830.43333 Variance 12648382.41 11926437.53 14674832.52 62773301.67 Total       Count 40 40 40 Sum 2392785 2744725 2653547 Average 59819.625 68618.125 66338.675 Variance 36060691.16 185541915.5 94080544.43 ANOVA Source of Variation SS df MS F P-value F crit Sample 9515793950 1 9515793950 751.3599289 5.32112E-52 3.924330485 Columns 1668100099 2 834050049.7 65.85596424 9.7562E-20 3.075852636 Interaction 1352066184 2 676033092.2 53.37906419 4.36842E-17 3.075852636 Within 1443782758 114 12664761.03 Total 13979742992 119         Further analysis For the outside values,   x= $64,925.48, meaning that the independent and dependent values lie about the simple average at 1.96.similarly, in the outside case, the values range at close to the p-vale of 4.96. In this case, the F-statist tic is bigger than the F-critical hence the hull hypotheses are rejected. In this case, the experience position of an individual has a significantly explanation on the variability of opinion of an individual for both inside and outside positions. The difference between the computed mean values also shows that there is variation in the central tendency and moments like kurtosis. Skewness for the outside source is -0.24337837and for the inside source is 0.306761155.this shows that the values are normally skewed about the average. In this case therefore, then relationship between the dependent and independent variable is varied but directly. In the ANOVA table, the p-value (5.3211E-) indicates the probability of occurrence at the 95% confidence level, given the degree of freedom (1) is 0.000591268. The F-critical (3.92433045) expresses the statistical significance for the graduation rate given the standard error. It shows that the regression model adopted is a standard tool for estimating the statistical significance in this case. CONCLUSION The estimated regression equation used in predicting the alumni given rate gave a relatively weak goodness of fit within the estimated R2.Variability as indicated in the results were to the insignificant level. With the kurtosis at -1.1145, it therefore means that variability in this model is average. The standard deviation is large in value, indicating that the model’s variables need to be adjusted in order to provide the best critical values that can produce the best goodness of fit, at 95% level of confidence, given the critical range. The p-vales for the independent variables indicate a weak correlation between the statistical parameters herein. Adoption of efficient variables in this case can help remove the weakness of regression like heteroscedasticity, multicolinearity and other statistical discrepancies. The main religious and social behavior models have similar predictors and top in the list is the perception of risk, perceived self-efficacy, and outcome expectancies (Simons-Morton, McLeroy & Wendel, 2012). On the other hand, actual behaviors and behavioral intentions act as the explained variables. Although the models are based on the assumption that there is an underlying motivation and breach of the process, most of the researchers only use a cross-section of the models which still leave a knowledge gap (Christensen, 2004). One important thing that also needs to be underlined is that the behavior of person is dependent on very many factors and therefore the models need to be scrutinized carefully and every cause is identified. It is worth to note that many scholars have faced a fairly difficult challenge to explain some of the contradicting biblical claims relative to the socio-cultural beliefs people hold. Take the case of many different types of cultural believes and the convergence of their belief that there is God somewhere but they cannot actually trace the source of God. Such situations remain hitting the mental faculty of many people and this constitutes the controversy between the atheists and staunch religious believers. This project has therefore opened challenge for further analysis of the past data. References Ammerman, R. T. (2006). Comprehensive Handbook of Personality and Psychopathology Volume 3. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. Blenkiron, P. (2010). Stories and analogies in cognitive behaviour therapy. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. Branch, R., & Willson, R. (2010). Cognitive behavioural therapy for dummies. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. Branch, R., & Willson, R. (2012). Cognitive behavioural therapy workbook for dummies. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. Brannon, L., & Feist, J. (2010). Health psychology: An introduction to behavior and health. Australia: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Dobson, D. J. G., & Dobson, K. S. (2009). Evidence-based practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy. New York: Guilford Press. Dobson, K. S. (2010). Handbook of cognitive-behavioral therapies. New York: Guilford Press. Prout, H. T., & Brown, D. T. (2007). Counseling and psychotherapy with children and adolescents: Theory and practice for school and clinical settings. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley. Ronen, T., & Freeman, A. (2006). Cognitive behavior therapy in clinical social work practice. New York: Springer Pub. Co. Zayfert, C., & Becker, C. B. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD: A case formulation approach. New York: Guilford. Read More