English Language AS - Language and Gender (Part 1 - Gender in Fiction)

Language and Gender is a fascinating topic, with loads to write about in an exam! However, there are several parts to Language and Gender and with that in mind I've broken the topic down into 3 sections: 

- Gender in the Written Mode

- English - The Sexist Language?

- Gender Approaches

Gender in the Written Mode

First, we must distinguish what is gender and what is sex.

- Sex is the biological bits-and-bobs a person is born with, being either male or female. 

- Gender, on the other hand, is more fluid. Some males identify more with "feminine" behaviours and roles, and some females identify more with "masculine" behaviours and roles. Gender is shaped by the socialisation process, in which "male" and "female" behaviours are conditioned and shaped by society. 

Many adverts aid this socialisation process in promoting gender specific toys, however Sweden has recently gone gender-neutral in its toy adverts in order eliminate sexism and gender conditioning. 

(Link to full article on gender neutral advertising: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/9703127/Swedish-toy-catalogue-goes-gender-neutral.html)

Gender in Fiction 

The way that women and men are portrayed in fiction is often reflective of attitudes towards gender at the time of production. 

The first aspect of gender to look at in written texts is which verb process is used to demonstrate a characters actions. There are 3 verb processes which have varying levels of control and power associated with them: 

Process	Definition	Example	Power
Material Processes	A material process, also known as a dynamic process, is a verb in which movement takes place.	e.g. to run, to jump, to hit, to scream	Material processes are often used to show power in a text, showing that the actor has control over their actions. Those affected by these material processes could be seen as in a submissive or subordinate position.
Relational Processes	A relational process, also known as a stative provess, is a verb which shows a state of being.	e.g. to be, to see, to become, to appear	Relational processes are often seen as less powerful than material, as they don’t show action or decision.
Mental Processes	A mental process is a verb which shows a perception or a thought.	e.g. to imagine, to wish, to think, to question	Again, mental processes are seen as less powerful as they suggest that a character does not have the power to carry out their thoughts.

Key Words: 

Actor/Subject - The individual responsible for the action of a verb process (e.g. HE hit her, with HE being the actor)

Affected/Object - The person affected by the action of a material verb process (e.g. he hit HER, with HER being the affected)

Preposition

Another way of showing masculine power in literature is the use of prepositions which suggest dominance, for example "he locked his hands AROUND her wrists" shows not only the male actor completing a material process on the affected but also suggests full control through the act of encircling her wrists, shown by the preposition "around". The material verb process "locked" connotes handcuffs, which suggests ownership and control.

A second example of this is the preposition "over", for example "he towered OVER her", suggesting his position of physical and psychological power. 

Make sure you thoroughly annotate and analyse any fictional text you are given for processes and prepositions. The best piece of advice I've been given is to "write a lot about a little", making sure you analyse each word and phrase carefully! 

Good Luck!

English Language AS - Language and Gender MindMap

Yet another MindMap made on MindNode Lite, my saviour! 

This time is encompasses all of the important theorists and theories within the AS Language and Gender topic. These, of course, must be understood in greater detail, however I've found this mind-map a really useful revision tool just to get a grip on the basics! 

(Right Click and Open Image In New Tab to get a good quality, printable-size version)

Psychology G543 - Stress Overview

The Health and Clinical Psychology section of the G544 paper covers 4 topic areas: 

- Heathy Living 

- Stress

- Dysfunctional Behaviour 

- Disorders 

My school do not look at Healthy Living, focusing only on the latter 3 which will be covered in detail in further blog posts.

First, let's have a look at the topic of STRESS.

Stress 

What is stress?

Stress is defined as a psychological and physiological response to stressors. 

What are some physiological symptoms of stress?

We respond physically to stress by producing adrenaline which prepares our bodies for fight or flight. This includes: 

- Increased heart rate and respiration - This is so that more blood can be carried to the brain, helping us to think more clearly and react more quickly. 

- Perspiration (sweating)

- Closing down non-essential bodily functions

- Dialating pupils - In order to make vision clearer

At a time like this, I've not doubt that you've been feeling the stress, however one of the most important psychological questions (and the first part of the stress topic) is what causes stress? 

The three studies OCR has cited for causes of stress are: 

- Johansson - This study looks at the repetition and responsibility of work as a cause stress. 

- Kanner - Kanner compares two methods of stress scale, Hassles & Uplifts and Life Events, to see which causes more stress. 

- Geer and Maisel - This study looks at lack of control as a cause of stress. 

Another question asked by psychologists is what is the best way of measuring stress? As stress is a feeling and so it is subjective, it is sometimes difficult to accurately measure how stressed a person is feeling. 

The three studies OCR has cited for measuring stress are: 

- Physiological Measure - Geer and Maisel - The use of Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) to measure conductivity of sweat caused by stress.

- Self Report Measures - Holmes and Rahe - The use of rating scales such as the Social Readjustment Rating Scale to measure how life events cause stress. 

- Combined Measures - Johansson - The use of both urine samples to test for adrenaline levels, and self-report measures such as caffeine and nicotine consumption and emotional wellbeing. 

Lastly, and possibly most importantly, psychologists want to know how people can reduce the stress they feel. This not only enhances wellbeing but also saves society the cost of health care and lost productivity! 

The three studies OCR has cited for managing stress are: 

- Cognitive - Meichenbaum - This approach seeks to correct faulty thinking patterns through the use of Stress Innoculation Therapy. 

- Behavioural - Budzynski - This approach uses biofeedback, a system which gives visible or audible feedback on the state of our body, in order to try and cure tension headaches. 

- Social - Waxler Morrison - This study investigates whether social networks, which reduce stress, improve the survival rate of breast-cancer sufferers. 

Good Luck!

Psychology G543 - Overview of Heath and Forensic Studies

MindMaps are fabulous because they help you break down what looks like a lot of indigestible information into simple sections which are easier to remember! 

The G543 paper has roughly 50 studies to remember, which can seem overwhelming, but fret not! When broken down into simple sections and sub-sections, patterns emerge that make revision much easier! 

Both of these MindMaps were made on a free programme called MindNode Lite which can be downloaded from the App Store - I've found it a complete life saver when it comes to revision! 

(Right Click and Open Image In New Tab gives a good quality printable-size version)

G543 Forensic Psychology MindMap 

G543 Health and Clinical Psychology MindMap 

Good Luck!

Wuthering Heights Family Tree

Anyone who has read Wuthering Heights will be well aware of the initial complexity of ever-intertwining family tree and although there are only a few main characters, Brontë's fondness for repeating names can lead to some confusion. Thankfully, a simple Wuthering Heights Family Tree can untangle the Linton/Earnshaw/Heathcliff mess in no time! 

(This picture is taken from the York Notes Wuthering Heights AS&A2 Revision book and does not belong to me.)

As you can see, the first generation consists of Mr & Mrs Earnshaw of Wuthering Heights and Mr & Mrs Linton of Thrushcross Grange. 

The second generation consists of Mr & Mrs Earnshaw's biological children Catherine and Hindley, along with Heathcliff, who was adopted by Mr. Earnshaw on a trip to Liverpool. The second generation also consists of Edgar and Isabelle, the biological children of Mr & Mrs Linton. 

Got it so far? This is where it starts to get confusing! 

Hindley Earnshaw returns from school with a wife, now named Francis Earnshaw.

Despite her love for Heathcliff, Catherine Earnshaw marries Edgar Linton, making her Mrs. Catherine Linton. 

After Catherine's marriage, Heathcliff and Isabelle Linton elope. This makes her Mrs. Isabelle Heathcliff. 

Still with me? Now for the children! 

Francis and Hindley Earnshaw have a child called Hareton, who after both of their deaths is "looked after" by Heathcliff. 

Edgar Linton and Catherine Linton (formerly Earnshaw) have a child who (unhelpfully) is also named Catherine Linton. 

Isabelle Heathcliff runs away from Heathcliff while pregnant, and gives birth to a son who (also unhelpfully) is named Linton Heathcliff.

Now some of the children get together! We're nearly there! 

In a ploy to inherit Edgar Linton's money, Heathcliff forces his son, Linton Heathcliff, to marry the young Catherine Linton. This very briefly makes her Catherine Heathcliff. 

After Linton Heathcliff's death, Catherine Linton and Hareton Earnshaw (son of Frances and Hindley Earnshaw) unite. 

That's all folks! Read through this a couple of times and you'll get to know the Wuthering Heights Family Tree better than your own! 

Good Luck! 

Welcome to The Revision Ward!

Being a student is HARD! With deadlines and exams looming sometimes things can get a bit overwhelming but that's where The Revision Ward is here to help! Along with some helpful tips on revision techniques, relieving stress and managing your time effectively, I'll be posting helpful revision tools and notes on the AS and A2 subjects that I'm studying in order to make your revision as painless as possible! 

On this blog you can expect to see the following topics covered, as a way of helping us both to review the work we've already done: 
- A2 OCR Psychology: G543 and G544 
- AS AQA English Language
- A2 AQA English Language 
- A2 AQA English Literature: Wuthering Heights, The Bloody Chamber and Macbeth

Good Luck!