Personality And Britney Spears Prehistory Music Essay

Personality And Britney Spears Prehistory Music Essay Singer Britney Jean Spears was born on December 2nd, 1981, in Kentwood, Louisiana. She was the second of three children with an older brother Bryan and younger sister Jamie all born to Lynne and James Spears (Dennis, 2009). Britney Spears has been one of the most successful artist of this generation and yet one of the most controversial. While her music was centre stage at the beginning of her career her personal life and struggles are what makes the news today. Born the middle of three children Britney started performing at a very young age, she attended Kentwood high school in her home town of Louisiana, but dropped out to pursue her career in music (Dennis, 2009). Following her dream to sing and perform Britney (eight years old) auditioned and failed for the Disney channels The Mickey Mouse Club as a Mouseketeer, deemed too young by the casting director. On Britneys eleventh birthday she successfully auditioned again for the Disney Club and was cast alongside future stars Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera where she appeared for 2 seasons before it was cancelled (www.imdb.com) On December 1998 Britney was signed to Jive records and released her first and hit single Hit me baby one more time becoming the first new female artist to have a number one single and album in the same week going which sold more than 22 million copies worldwide (Dennis, 2009). She was later awarded the Female album of the year, female artist of the year and best new artist of the year. Her dream of becoming a successful artist had come true. Britney was now a permanent fixture in the entertainment world, at that time she was rumoured to be dating fellow Mouseketeer Justin Timberlake. In 2001 in trying to shed her wholesome image she had started her career with Britney released Im a Slave 4 U showcasing a different musical direction and a raunchier image. Controversially on the MTV Video Music Awards 2001, Britney performed live on stage with a seven foot python draped around her neck wearing minimal clothing (Heard, 2010). 2002 was a traumatic year for Britney, she starred in her first feature Film Crossroads which was deemed a flop by critics (Dennis, 2009), she announced her split from Justin Timberlake and her parents announced that they were divorcing. In 2003 Britney again created headlines performing onstage with her idol Madonna sharing a kiss with her onstage and fellow mouseketeer Christina Aguilera. Again Britney was showcasing her more sexualised persona that she had been trying to shed. In 2004 following a hectic tour Britney appeared in the news for marrying her childhood friend and annulling the marriage within two days (Heard, 2010). It was also reported that year that her father had entered rehab due to alcoholism. Her turbulent life just got bumpier. She was later involved with backup dancer Kevin Federline whom she married late 2004(Heard, 2010) In 2005 following rumours that Britney and Kevins union was less than perfect, Britney allowed cameras to follow their lives and showcase it on MTV which drew little audience figures. In April 2005 Spears welcomed their first child Sean Preston. In 2006 Britney was again in the news being caught driving with her child on her lap. Later that year Spears announced they were having a second child Jayden James. But two months later Spears and Federline announced they were divorcing (Heard, 2010) Britney began to frequent the social club scene with socialite Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and others, For a mother of two her behaviour became more erratic, she was seen leaving various night clubs intoxicated which lead to her reportedly being checked into rehab, she was later caught during her difficult time shaving her head sparking a media frenzy questioning her sanity. She then went on to lose full custody of her children to her ex husband and became estranged from her mother (Heard, 2010). Even with her personal life in disarray Spears found time to continue her music career and release another album. While performing her then new single Gimme More Spears seemed lethargic, danced poorly and seen to lip sync her song. Later that month spears was charged in connection with a hit and run. Her album sold a million less copies and her disorganised public appearances led to suggestions she was nearing a breakdown (Dennis, 2009) In 2008 Britney suffered a breakdown and was entering and re-entering rehab several times. .Her mother admitted publicly in her book Through the Storm that Britney had postpartum depression. Britneys two sons were still in full custody of her ex husband and controversy started over her manager being claimed to mismanaged Britney by her parents. Following a short time away in rehabilitation Britney began her comeback, her manager was sacked, her father was now in control of her assets and parents were back together in 2010. Her life seemingly going smoothly, while not in full custody of her children Britney is now supported on tour by her ex husband who tours with her and their two children. According to Freud personality develops through a persons attempt to, (1) max their instinct of gratification and (2) minimise punishment and guilt. Freud suggested that there are three main aspects of functioning within the structure of personality; the Id, ego and superego. The id is the source of all drive energy (Pervin, Cervone John, 2005., p. 85). It functions in accordance with the pleasure principle which seeks pleasure at any cost without the consideration of a consequence, and which also avoids pain. The id is without reason, logic, values, morals, or ethics (Pervin, Cervone John, 2005., p. 85). Following from the accounts on the life of Britney Spears, Spears is better known for her personal struggles and her sometimes controversial behaviour, which we can assume is some evidence of the id. According to Freud the id is the unmodified motives and instincts that are usually present in an individual and it contains all the primary processes; impulse, desire and pleasure. It is evident in the accounts of Spears life that she makes numerous attempts to fight against her superego, which Freud suggests is the moral code, the moral branch of our functioning (Pervin, Cervone John, 2005., p. 85). The superego is what can be referred to as conscience; it is the morals, values and ethics enforced on us by society our parents. Spears can be said to have been fighting against her superego, when she released the video for her hit single Im a slave 4u in 2001, it could be seen that she was fighting so hard to shed her innocent girl image. She was trying to go against the laws that had been governing her throughout childhood. Her upbringing according to Freud plays a huge role in moulding her personality. He suggests that adult personalities can be traced back to handlings of earlier childhood conflicts. Freud suggests that non gratification of early instincts may lead to fixations and psychopathology. Non gratification or love could have then led to a fixation on attention seeking in Britney spears. It seemed like Britney lacked appropriate attention from within her family unit. According to Freud, early events are particularly influential on later behaviour, especially around the age of 5. Although her need for public attention has been evident since childhood, it can be said that, (in relation to her early childhood) she was being pushed by her mother- ever since I was 7 or 8 years old, my mom would have company over, and I was always performing for everybody in front of the TV. This need for attention can also be seen when she allowed the media into her home to document her relationship with then husb and, Kevin Federline and also when she shaved her head in 2007. Therefore, it can be assumed that she grew up seeking the attention of others either because of her early exposure to this type of attention or because she lacked appropriate attention from within her family unit. This non gratification within the home could have also led to the fixation, we see later on in her life, when she breaks up with Justin Timberlake in 2002. In relation to Eysencks 2 factor theory, Britney seemed to struggle between traits (Pervin, Cervone John, 2005., p. 233). She moved from being an emotionally unstable introvert- in 2002 she announced her break up from Justin Timberlake and her featured movie Crossroads, did not sell as much as was expected, she seemed unhappy, worried and anxious. She then started displaying traits of an emotionally stable extrovert, she went binge drinking Las Vegas and married her childhood Friend. This union was annulled two days later. She then got married to one of her backup dancer as stated earlier. All these according to Eysencks 1970 2 factor theory suggests, that Britney was (at the time) carefree, outgoing and sociable. As well as these, she has also shown traits of an emotionally stable introvert. This is a very new category within which Britney only entered in the last two years. We can assume that this is the impression she wants to give form the statement she makes in an interview wit h the Glamour Magazine- I dont like going out I love my home and staying in bed and watching Dancing With the stars or reading a Danielle Steel novel. Im kind of boring. An emotionally stable introvert displays traits including; reliability, control, peacefulness, thoughtfulness and passivity. Adler 1925 on the other hand, believed that even though children have the same parents and grow up in nearly the same family setting, they do not have identical social environments. Adler 1925 suggested that the order in which an individual is born contributes to the development of their personality. He referred to this theory as the birth order effect in personality development. In relation to the case of Spears, she was a second child, and as previously stated she had an older brother (Bryan Spears) whom we can only assume she looked up to at some stage during her developmental process. Britney Spears states that he frequently kept her safe, and out of trouble, when she was growing up as a child. Adler 1925 advised that the second child competes for attention and affection and finds different ways to earn attention either from parents or others. Spears on the other hand, found attention from the public eye from a very young age, attention we assume, she did not receive at home. In Adler 1925 suggests that the child develops to be Independent and competitive, especially with the oldest sibling. Sibling rivalry may be initiated by second born as they struggle to identify their role in the family. The second child can be seen as a rebel, especially if they do not feel they are getting equal treatment with that of the first born. A great positive trait is that they can be very expressive and creative, there personality traits can also be different compared to the other children. Adler 1925 advised that Parents are less restrictive, freedom is allowed and the child is able to be more independent and creates own character. The child is able to freely express his/her unique personality and is very adventuresome, fun-loving, gregarious, often creative and artistic. The second child according to Adler tries to surpass the older sibling especially if close in age. They can be rebellious and envious but generally well adjusted. Adler1925 also advised that if different sex than the first born she/he can develop some first-born traits. According to Ainsworth, from birth, infants are completely dependent on others for care; Ainsworth suggests that a child goes through stages in development of attachment. Having a secure base is very important in the bond the child has with its mother and in forming future relationships. A lack of secure attachments can have a negative consequence in forming a relationship with other in the future. Successful attachment is vital for positive social and emotional development In terms of Spears one can assume, following the information we have in regards to her relationships as an adult. She did not have a very secure base of attachment with her mother. This assumption follows from the breakdown she goes through after her break up with fellow entertainer, Justin Timberlake in 2002 after a 2 year relationship. From this point in her life she began to publicly go on a downward spiral. In the 1930s Carl Rogers developed an approach to counselling called Client-Centered Therapy. His Client-Centered Therapy was based around the concept that the client knows best. It is the client who is most aware of his own pain and who will be the one to pave the way forward in his life. Humans are innately good and geared towards self-actualisation. According to Rogers, an essential element in the creation of a fully functioning person is unconditional positive regard. This is essential to healthy psychological development. Unconditional positive regard is something that may have been missing from Britneys life. As previously stated, Spears was always working hard to gain attention and positive regard, which might have been due to a lack of this from her family. This, according to Rogers, results in a feeling of unworthiness. This could explain her string of unstable relationships and the breakdown in her life following the end of her relationship with Justin Timberlake. Her life in the 2000s was full of abnormal and maladaptive behaviour, which could be classed as psychopathology. It is possible that the public image she desired was incongruent with her true inner feelings. According to Rogers, the denial of these feelings can result in an exaggerated version of what the person was trying to defend against in their mind. This could explain the bizarre behaviour of Spears. Her non-congruence could also explain her consistent need to impress and get attention. Conclusion (Ron) What was wrong with Britney? As Shildrick notes, we demand of modern biomedicine that all disruptions to the selfs clean and proper body should be dealt with, that the actual vulnerability of the embodied self and its propensity to diverge from the normative structures of health and well-being should be covered over, or managed out of existence, by a technologically driven bioscience (Shildrick, 2008, p. 32).   Her management, her friends and especially her family were unable to control her, Britneys life turned into a mess and the world around her crumbled but luckily for her, and her familys patience and unconditional support she pulled her life around so it seems. Whether all that has happened to her is deemed positive or negative, its hard to say. The trials and tribulations that a person encounters in there life can either strengthen or weaken a persons resolve. In Britneys case she seems to be moving onto a more positive route. So what is to become of Britney now?

In the Skin of a Lion Essay -- essays papers

In the Skin of a Lion Historical Obliviousness in Michael Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion Michael Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion narrates the forgotten stories of those who contributed to the building of the city Toronto, particularly immigrants and marginal individuals. In the very first page of the novel, Ondaatje stresses the concern with personal narratives and the act of storytelling: "This is the story a young girl gathers in a car during the early hours of the morning [...] She listens to the man as he picks up and brings together various corners of the story..." (4). Similar to Crossing the River, there is a framework story, that of a man telling a story to a girl, that opens and ends the novel and gives coherence to the many personal narratives. Patrick has an audience at two narrative levels, namely, Hanna at the textual level and the reader at the extra textual one. The reader is the recipient of the macro story, which is Patrick's act of storytelling, as well as of the micro stories contained in it. Like Phillips' novel, Ondaatje's has a circular quality that makes stories transcend time and space; In the Skin of the Lion ends where it starts. The structure of the novel resembles a Chinese box since a series of interrelated stories form concentric circles, all of which converge in Patrick's act of telling a story to Hanna. He saw himself gazing at so many stories [...] He saw the interactions, saw how each one of them was carried by the strength of something more than themselves [...] His own life was no longer a single story but part of a mural, which was a falling together of accomplices. Patrick saw the wondrous night web --all these fragments of a human order... (145) Simil... ...y. In the Skin of a Lion creates an intimate space where the silenced, marginal and ex-centric author and tell their own stories. Ondaatje's characters comprise a polyphony of voices; even if not all the characters are narrators of their own stories, the reader gets to know their perspectives. He/she has access to the psychic and spiritual life of most of them mainly through Patrick Lewe's story and through a third person narrator. The stories are fragmented and somehow indeterminate. There are many silences and absences that call for an active participation on the part of the reader who tries to put the pieces of the puzzle together. As in Phillips' novel, the privileging of fragmented plural perspectives is an effort to avoid the closure and totalisation that characterise master narratives and celebrate the openness and heterogeneity of human experience.

Bean Trees and Brave New World

Brave New World vs. The Bean Trees The novels Brave New World and The Bean Trees both show suffering and people trying to pursue their own happiness. In Brave New World, John suffers through his unhappiness. In The Bean Trees, Taylor Greer goes through the same situation. They both go through the process of suffering to reach the same goal, which is to find happiness. In Brave New World, John becomes out casted by both the New Mexico Savage Reservation and the World State. With living in the World State and their version of â€Å"happiness†, John begs for the right to feel emotion. He sees the World State as giving off artificial happiness, but he wants true happiness and true emotion. He pleads, â€Å"I don’t want comfort, I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin. † He takes his values from the works of Shakespeare which helps him to voice his own emotions and reactions, it gives him a framework from which to comment on World State values, and it gives him the language that helps him hold his own in confrontation. Shakespeare shows all the values that the World State does not have. From reading the works, John wants to reject the shallow â€Å"happiness† of the World State, he becomes unable to control his temptations for Lenina, and ultimately he commits suicide. John taking part in the final orgy and later committing suicide can become viewed as the product of an insanity made by the conflict between his values and the reality of the World State. John never reached his goal due to him committing suicide. In The Bean Trees, Taylor Greer leaves her home in Kentucky to make a new life for herself. Along the way, a woman gives Taylor a child which she names Turtle. At first, caring for Turtle does not come easily to her, but over time she grows to love Turtle as her own. Taylor becomes forced to mature quickly which brings on another struggle for her. High School has only been behind her for a few years and she already has to take on the responsibility of providing for a child. She also needs to raise money on her own, not only for herself but also for Turtle. Finding a place to live became her responsibility, too. Estevan and Esperanza’s struggles with aving to give up their child and the trauma of Turtle getting attacked one day, forces Taylor to struggle through depression. The police investigation on the attack shows that Taylor is not the legal guardian of Turtle which brings up another struggle for her until Taylor comes up with a plan to adopt her. In the end, Taylor’s plan works, Taylor and Turtle now have a home in Tucson, and Esperanza and Estevan safely live at their new home in Oklahoma. Taylor struggled through life’s challenges but by the end of the novel she finds a new meaning for â€Å"family† and becomes appreciative of the miracles given to her each day. The struggles of the human condition become resolved for the current time in the lives that Taylor has touched. Ultimately, Taylor did reach her goal of happiness because she found family in the people around her and a new life in Tucson. Both of the characters went through much suffering on their pursuit of happiness. They handled their suffering in different ways though. John rebelled against the World State to gain his happiness whereas Taylor took what came to her and found her happiness with what she was given.

Heredity and Environment Agents of Socialization Essay

What makes you, you? Could it be the genes you were born with, or the environment you were raised in? This long-winded debate over heredity versus environment continues to prevail, while researchers discover both heredity and environment equally contribute to socialization. The process of socialization is better understood when examining how heredity and environment function alone. Socialization begins in the womb and ends in the grave. Individuals learn attitudes, values, and behaviors appropriate for a particular culture through human interaction. We learn from those people who matter most in our lives—family members, friends, and teachers. But we also learn from other encounters with people on the street, on television shows, on the†¦show more content†¦, 2009). Children learn through observation of their parent interacts and then develop models of what something should be like. According to Schaefer, â€Å"socialization of child is essential to maintenance of culture† because it teaches key origin points (pp.322). Origin points similar to gender roles set in place expectations regarding the proper behavior, attitudes and activities of males and females. This is the basic division of the world it determines where you enter to use the restroom and even what sports teams you are eligible to play on. Family is the most influential agent of socialization during infancy and toddlerhood. However, later as a child ages the peer group, media and school influence begins to dominate socialization. The power of the family over the child erodes until further down the road when the child, now an adult is ready for parenthood and marriage. During these pivotal points in life the adult refers back to their parent as a model of socialization. The school picks up as an agent of socialization where the parent left off. There are three forms of socialization that take place once a child enters school, the official curriculum, social curriculum, and hidden curriculum (Socialization. , 2009). The official curriculum and social curriculum reflect the view of functionalist perspective, wherein education should be an extension reinforcing cultural norms and values but also transmits knowledge andShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Nature Or Nurture1520 Words   |  7 Pagesyou behave a person, primarily: The family is the most important agent of socialization in most societies. It is the principal socializer of young children. Children first interact with others and first learn the values, norms, and beliefs of society through their families. Family is the first kind of socialization and interaction kids come across with, family is what gives the child the most influential environmental and heredity aspects on their life. In the fami ly setting you may not be necessarilyRead MoreSocialization : Nature Vs Nurture2317 Words   |  10 PagesSocialization: Nature vs Nurture â€Å"Cut from the same cloth†, â€Å"The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree†, â€Å"A chip off the old block†; most of us have heard these types of idioms at one point or another, ways of likening us to our parents. Sometimes they are right, while other times it couldn’t be farther from the truth; leaving us to wonder, â€Å"what is it that makes us who we are?† Are we simply the product of our environments, a collective sum of our interactions and experiences? Or, do our geneticsRead MoreSocialization6074 Words   |  25 PagesMichael Mangin SOC 1E BY NIJOLE BENOKRAITIS CHAPTER 4 - SOCIALIZATION Homework Questions MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 1. _____ is the lifelong process of social interaction in which an individual acquires a social identify. a. The generalized other b. The looking-glass self c. Socialization d. Resocialization e. The sense of self Adrian, from the time he was born, began learning how to think and behave effectively in society. He learned language, norms, and values first from his parents and then fromRead MoreEmotional Intelligence Childhood Education2608 Words   |  11 Pagestroubleshoot those situations with different responses. The personality develops as a result of the socialization process. The child assimilates the attitudes, values and customs of society. Parents are the figure of identification for their children who are active agents if socialization. Family life will be the first school for emotional learning (Mayer, Salovey Caruso, 2000). On the other hand, socialization will effect the largest number of a child s experiences and assit in the development of theirRead More Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and The Social Pressures of Adolescents1983 Words   |  8 PagesIn addition, societal constructions seem to totally disregard the physiological and biological aspects of adolescent puberty. We acquire sexual orientation and gender identity during adolescence due to puberty, culture and our surrounding environment. For instance, puberty takes place over several years in which physical growth and psychological changes occur, concluding in sexual maturity. The average onset of puberty is at age 10 or 11 for girls and age 12 or 13 for boys. PhysiologicalRead MoreSociology Exam Study Guide3121 Words   |  13 Pages ââ€" ª Clothes from a store (don’t make our own clothes) ââ€" ª Dependent on society ââ€" ª Behavior response to conditions ââ€" ª Know what we like and don’t like ââ€" ª Appearance differ based on environment ââ€" ª Power ââ€" ª Depending on where you live ââ€" ª White male-president (stereotype) ââ€" ª Certain people are more likely to have power ââ€" ª Black Vs. White (certainRead MoreSociology and Culture Universal Culture1785 Words   |  8 Pagesaction of individual in social situation. b. SOCIAL PROCESSS – considered any mutual interaction experienced by an individual or group in their attempt to solve problem goals achieve. SELF – composed of body. Social identity. Active agent in decision-making. Self perception. 4 WINDOW OF HUMAN 1. FREE/OPEN – things that are known to you and known by others. 2. BLIND – known by others unknown by yourself. 3. HIDDEN – known by you, unknown by others. 4. UNKNOWN –unknownRead MoreEssay about Morton R100 Handouts 1 4209 Words   |  17 Pagesimply about the social changes that have taken place in our society? Do these norms serve a particular function for society or do they create conflict? Explain. Handout 3: Socialization Name: ____________________________________ 1. While acknowledging that both â€Å"nature† (heredity) and â€Å"nurture† (environment) play a role in determining human behavior, present the best evidence that you can think of—from personal observation or experience, or from what you have learned about humanRead MoreOrganizational Behavior Issues9605 Words   |  39 Pagestheir impaired ability to perform long term. Many companies have shown poor leadership when trying to capitalize on technological breakthroughs; e.g., Kodak; Xerox. 2. What are some of the new challenges confronting managers in today s business environment? The global, one-world economy is changing the nature of competition. The second generation of the Information Age, marked by advances in decision support and telecommunications technology, is changing the nature of work in all organizations. Read MoreSocial Influence of Television Advertisement on Children a Case Study of Selected Primary Schools in Somolu Local Government Area9371 Words   |  38 Pagesgroup of people†. Social influence is distinct from conformity, power, and authority. French and Raven (1959) provided an early formalization of the concept of social influence in their discussion of the bases of social power. For French and Raven, agents of change included not just individuals and groups, but also norms and roles. They viewed social influence as the outcome of the exertion of social power from one of five bases: reward power, coercive power, legitimate power, expert power, or referent