Don’t give up It is strong and perseverant Success needs effort
PRESPECTIVES: MY ENGLISH JOURNEY OSCAR GUARNIZO C.
If you believe it, just do it Every effort has its rewards
English Language Program-Level 6
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” Christian D. Larson
YACHAY TECH UNIVERSITY ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM YACHAY ECUADOR 7/14/2016
Contents Portfolio Letter .......................................................................4 Response Essay....................................................................5 Exploration Essay ................................................................11 Interpretation Essay.............................................................18 Argumentative Essay...........................................................24 Final Research Project Essay .............................................30 Reflections ...........................................................................30 Thank you letter ...................................................................51
Oscar Guarnizo C. Yachay University, Urcuqui, Ecuador. 06/07/2016 Dear Portfolio Reader,
I want to start thanking to my classmates and teacher for all experiences of class. The aim of English level 06 for me was to improve our English skills like speaking, reading, listening and writing. However, we took more importance in the speaking, the writing and also a few additional skills. Of these, the speaking was a really useful skill for me because through of techniques and methods, which were given by the teacher of oral and electronic way, I could improve my oral presentation. At the beginning, an exposition was easy, and it did not imply any method for me. However, then of being wrong and doing two presentations, a forum and a debate, I considered that the fact of exposing in a correct way was a specie of art because an expositor need to involve many elements (the use of correct words, the position, the logical order and others) in order to they are understandable to everybody and catch the attention of public. These learned skills and methods were evidenced especially in the debate where two groups had to defend a view. In that manner, each group was prepared, and the students gave all. Although, my group did not get excellent results, we learnt what we must not do. The second skill more useful was the writing. Thus, we wrote four essays in semester which implied to know the topic, some vocabulary and grammar. At the beginning, the tools used to write an essay were given by teacher, but still we had some problems; like the use of simple sentences or not connect ideas, those mistakes were common. However, with course of class, for
each essay, it was added a little more of information which achieved to improve our writing skill, while it gave some tips about the differences between each essay. For example, the third essay, an interpretation essay, implied to keep in mind the differences between a subjective and objective views, but at the same time we learnt some words and phrases to describe things like pieces of art. All that information and those tips helped us to enhance our way of writing, through of acquired skills like a faster association of ideas, a faster writing, and a chronological order with all its parts. In that manner, the getting of those skills was evidenced in the writing of the last essay where we had just few minutes to write that essay. The last task, the more entertainment for each one, was the research project because we could chose a personal topic which allowed us to have more interest. Through of this research, we learnt some extra skills like how to recollect data in a credible way, how to pose an experiment, how to implement an organized work plan and how to organize all these information. However, there also were some problems in course of research, like the time for ending the research, or how to choice a good sample which should represent credibility to our research. For that reason, the success was to overcome those obstacles and to do a great work. Thus, I believe that it was an activity which allowed us to have an approach with one part of scientific life. As result, it was learnt a set of skills which will help us in the course of our careers. Thus, to get these skills, we strived, and passed for some problems. For that reason, it is really important to remember that always we must be constant in our work and not to forget the learnt things. Just practicing and practicing, great results are obtained. Sincerely, Oscar.
Response Essay
Running Head: GENDER AND EDUCATION
Benefits of Bilingualism: How Does Bilingualism Change our Life Style? Oscar Vicente Guarnizo Cabezas University of Investigation of Experimental Technology Level 06-009 April 25, 2016
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BENEFITS OF BILINGUALISM
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How Does Bilingualism Change our Life Style? Since we was born, we was intended to learn a language. This language helps us to communicate our ideas, feelings and knowledges, for connecting with other people. It is linked to our daily life, and it is a part of our culture. Nevertheless, what would happen if we learn a new language? Would it improve our life style, our intellectual capacity or give us the opportunity to know new cultures? For answering these questions we can see our daily life, each time there are more bilingual people. For instance, in U.S. it is estimated that there is a 20% of population that speaks other language, and in Europe it is more relevant because there is a 56% (Bialystok, Craik, & Luk, 2012). It could suggesting that learning a second language can show a kind of advantage for people, so at the same it would comply some expectations which people wait getting. In that way, the paper aims to demonstrate these advantages from some viewpoints as cognitive level, health level and cultural level. Cognitively, the bilingualism can enhance the ability for learning and perceiving things. Thus, when a person is learning a second language, he often tries to memorize a lot of words without keeping in mind their use in a daily life, and for that reason they usually have some mistakes. However, it is different for a bilingual person because the cognitive and sensory abilities, that a bilingual person acquires, allow to process information in better way, and reduce the confusion with other languages. In that way, these kind of people can have access to more varied vocabulary. For that reason, a bilingual person find to learn a new a language easier (Marian & Shook, 2012). At the same time, bilingualism might improve our perception ability. For instance, there is a language, from Australia, knows like Kuuk Thaayorre. The particular of this language is that their speakers use cardinal points for orientation. In that way, they must be always oriented for using these directions. Thus, this quality does that the navigation ability and
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spatial knowledge of speaker from Thaayorre is better than an English speaker (Boroditsky, 2016, p. 3). Therefore, other ways to understanding the things are got by a person who knows both languages. For a perspective of health, the bilingualism even help to prevent a natural decline of brain function. When a common person ages, his brain function began to decline, so her cognitive reserve is activated for controlling his brain networks. However, many times this reserve fails, but it does not occur with a bilingual person. In fact, when a bilingual person ages, he uses alternate brain networks besides of the common networks. As a result, he began to improve better his cerebral abilities as the memory than a monolingual person (Marian & Shook, 2012). Furthermore, there are degenerative illness as Alzheimer which can be defeated of better way for a bilingual person. For instance, a study showed that bilingual and monolingual people with Alzheimer in the same initial conditions presented some different reactions. According with this study, it suggest that bilingual people reported the illness 4 to 5 years later approximately than monolingual people, yet the bilingual people presented a brain with more physical atrophy (Marian & Shook, 2012) . Therefore independent to the physical state of brain, the capacity of brain for going further in the same circumstances is generated in a bilingual person of better way than a monolingual person. Culturally, it is obvious to wait that bilingualism is become in a way of learning new cultures because more information is acquired. Nevertheless, learning a second language is not an easy task because of it is not just to learn vocabulary or grammatical rules; it needs to pay more attention in the little details, which each language has, for getting the correct information and then saying something (Boroditsky, 2016, p. 3). In that way, learning a second language is not more than analyzing speakers of each language. During the trajectory of this analyze, it can
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be found many surprises as different ways of thinking that maybe a normal person never could have imagined, or they were hidden at first appearance. For instance, the difference between German and Russian speakers about the genders. It is a particular case where a German speaker represents the death as a man, whereas a Russian speaker sees the death like a woman (Boroditsky, 2016, p. 6). Therefore, for a bilingual person can learn correctly both languages, he needs to learn both focus. And it often is not found in a book, it is more a culture characteristic. In that manner, the unique way of learning a second language is to study the culture of this language. The evidences suggest that bilingualism has a great capacity of improving the life style because of it could increase the development and improvement of some activities, abilities and even of our body. In that way, the life style of a person could be affected of a cognitive, health and culture perspective. From a cognitive viewpoint, bilingualism can benefit the learning because a person can have more access to new information and find new way of seeing the things. Moreover, bilingualism implies some advantages in brain health, especially in the diseases which are presented in aging like Alzheimer. Finally, the bilingualism allow to have more experiences and relations with a new culture. Therefore, great useful tools, so to speak, are just granted to a bilingual person. However, these have just been little advantages that bilingualism has, yet it is not known all benefits that bilingualism can have in social, neurological or economic level. Still you can research and find more answers.
BENEFITS OF BILINGUALISM
10 References
Bialystok, E., Craik, F. I., & Luk, G. (2012). Bilingualism: consequences for mind and brain. Trends in cognitive sciences, 16(4), 240-250. Marian, V., & Shook, A. (2012, September). The cognitive benefits of being bilingual. In Cerebrum: the Dana forum on brain science (Vol. 2012). Dana Foundation. Boroditsky, L. (2009). How does our language shape the way we think. What’s next, 116-129.
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Exploration Essay
Running Head: GENDER AND EDUCATION
Gender and education: How the Gender Inequality Affects the Education? Oscar Vicente Guarnizo Cabezas University of Investigation of Experimental Technology Level 06-009 May 19, 2016
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How the Gender Inequality Affects the Education? Since we are born, we are brought up under certain paradigms which provoke differences between women and men (Wolfson, 2013), for example, people often associate the light colors with a girl, while the dark colors are more for boys. In a first impression, this seems to be inoffensive, but with time these differences are more evident until they are become in a kind of gender inequality. Then, it starts to affect the life style of people in their jobs, in their home and even in institutions of education (Wolfson, 2013). Thus, it can be established that the gender equality in education is a fact, but this is not a simple issue; this involves a set of deep problems related with the religion, the economy and many social implications. As this is a complex issue, it is preferable to analyze small parts. In that way, the present paper will aim to analyze just three points: how the gender inequality is generated, its effect in education and methods which can reduce this issue. The first step in the analyzing of genre inequality is to know how it is generated, so the principal cause is presented in the early life of a person. For instance, in current society, it is common to wait that a baby is imposed certain stereotypes according to gender (Wolfson, 2013), like girls must play with dolls and boys with cars. All these stereotypes have been formed with ideas that society transmits through of different media like publicity in television (Wolfson, 2013). In that manner, these ideas are become in the root of gender inequality. Nevertheless, this is not the unique thing which affects the development of this issue, there are more causes which are related with the environment where a person is developed. Thus, it should keep in mind that it will be not the same environment of a Latin-American person than an African person because of each one has different cultures, traditions and laws (Girls’ Education in Africa, n.d.). In fact, in Africa, “28 million young and adolescent girls are out of school, and many will never set foot
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in a classroom” (Girls’ Education in Africa, n.d.), and it is due African society is governed under certain politics which do not give a great value to roll of women in the society. In simple terms, all this information explains that the gender inequality is established by a set of causes (related with education at home and the social environment) which foment throughout life of a person a certain stereotype which differentiates the roll of men and women. The education of women is affected by gender inequality, and it is made evident in the society under certain factors which disturb the relations between people. Some of these factors are related with the infrastructure, safety and investment in education. Thus, keeping in mind the infrastructure, it can be noticed that the voice of women is not really presented in design of this space (Lång, 2010). For instance, in some institutions is presented inadequate sanitary facilities where there is not a correct separations between women and men, and it affects the privacy (Girls’ Education in Africa, n.d.). It is important to stand out this factor because of, according to Rendell (as cited in Lång, 2010), the space, where a person is developed, will be a cultural tool which allow to form the identities of people and the mutual respect through values and standards of behavior. For that reason, people who design this space should keep in mind how the women and men use this space. Then, respect to safety, it can be kept in mind the case of mixed schools in Africa where the fathers are not disposed their children (specially women) to attend school, if the institution does not offer an environment without gender discrimination and sexual violence (Girls’ Education in Africa, n.d.). For instance, it is the case of Nigeria which has the low level of children enrolled in classes of Africa, around 18% of girls and 24% of boys, and all these results are evidence of lack of safety (Out of the school children, n.d.). The last point is the investment, so it is essential due to have a good infrastructure or a better safety is needed an investment of government. However, in some cases there is not a sustainable investment because
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of the government prioritizes its money according the more significant needs (COHA, 2011). Thus, it is the case of USA where the state invests more in national defense than the education (COHA, 2011). Although they were analyzed examples of different countries, with all these evidences, it can be noticed that the gender inequality in education is not unlinked of other problems like the enrolled students, economic issues or government priorities. All is connected, and even ones are consequences of other. The last point is analyzed some ways of reduce this issue. For that, it can be taken some strategies which can be applied directly to a person or to surrounding environment. Thus, the applied strategies directly to a person are related with the connivance in home and school (Henderson, n.d.), i.e. at early ages of a person. Thus, in the home the principal would be to promote the same tasks for everybody (girls and boys), and avoid to get stereotypes which do not benefit the equality (Henderson, n.d.). Then, in the school can be performed activities together, men and women, or improved the curriculum for adding fairer assessments (Henderson, n.d.). Subsequently, the strategies about a surrounding environment result more difficult than the first due applying these methods means to change the common administration of social institutions like the government (Drechsler & JĂźtting, 2008). Hence, it means new reforms and laws which accept more gender equality. However, not everything is lost, for instance, in Moroco and Tunisia through political reforms it was achieved that 30-50% of judges, doctors and instructors are women now (Drechsler & JĂźtting, 2008). This is a great example of advance in gender equality. Therefore, if these strategies are taken in account, it can be deleted the great breach of gender inequality in education. After the recollection data and evidences, these suggest that, in first place, the gender inequality is generated by household influences. However, this inequality also is strongly
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influenced by a set of personal, social and economic problems which are based in stereotypes that we have adapted. In that manner, the great problem of inequality has some effects in education which are characterized by infrastructure, safety and investment. As a measure to reduce these effects, it was given two kind of strategies to personal and surrounding environment level. Therefore, if people and institutions adapt all these strategies and resources, they can achieve somehow to end with gender inequality.
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17 References
Council on Hemispheroid Affairs, COHA. (2011, November). Child Poverty and Access to Education: Adding Up the Hidden Costs on the U.S.-Hispanic Community. Drechsler, D., & Jütting J. P. (2008, March). Culture, gender and growth. Elizabeth Wolfson. (2013). Equity and Gender-Based Education. New York, TED Conferences, LLC. Emily F. Henderson. (n.d.). Feminist Pedagogy [Web blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.genderandeducation.com/resources/pedagogies/feminist-pedagogy-2/ Lång, S. (2010). A gender perspective on educational facilities. Learning, 10. Out of the school children (n.d.).UNESCO. Retrieved from http://www.uis.unesco.org/_LAYOUTS/UNESCO/oosci-data-tool/indexen.html#en/cover/school-experience/girls-boys Girls’ Education in Africa. (n.d.). UNESCO. Retrieved from http://www.uis.unesco.org/_LAYOUTS/UNESCO/no-girl-left-behind/index.html#coverintro-0
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Interpretation Essay
Running Head: ANIMAL EXPLOITATION & ART
The Expression of Animal Exploitation: Trough of 29h59'59' Oscar Guarnizo & Sebastián Rodríguez University of Investigation of Experimental Technology Level 6-009 July 19, 2016
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The Expression of Animal Exploitation: Through of 29h59'59' Environmental groups are not the only ones who are fighting for the rights of the animals. The art is also present through works such as the Chinese artist Liu Qiang. His sculpture 29h59'59'' is a sample that art can be a powerful tool for fighting for some social cause, in this case for the rights of the animals. Following an artistic approach, we are going to consider and analyze three aspects: color, size and shape. The color, which Liu Quiang used in his sculpture, is a mix between pale and earthy. This mix gives an aspect of a pink color which probability express an emotional balance (The Color Pink, n.d.). However, the more notable in this sculpture, keeping in mind the color, is the use of a single color in the whole sculpture. Thus, the use of a single color gives a style of uniformity, giving the same characteristics to people and cow (Understanding the Meaning of Colors in Color Psychology, n.d.). In that manner, it seems like the intention of artist is not to focus in this part; he doesn’t want it. The true intention of artist is to stand out and center the attention of people in other aspect like the shape or the size. Then, the size that apparently is the highlight in the sculpture because it gives a great contrast between a big cow and small people (Yeung, 2012). In that manner, focusing in the small people which seems to have different ages, they can be find babies, teenagers and adults. At the same time, it could be observed that people are naked and misshapen. Then, the formation and creation of people's figures seems to be random and without full care because some figures don't coincide with others (Yeung, 2012). In contrast with people, the big cow seems to have more care in her creation which caused that the cow is more notable by her big size and some
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details like her face with pain and angry (Yeung, 2012). In that manner, the artist achieves that the center of attention is the cow. At the same manner it could be analyzed the shapes which the sculpture has. According to the shape, this sculpture is organic or natural. (Cousins, 2015). Because, it can be stablished that the sculpture is formed mostly by curves, but also it can present some lines which forms some figures. In that manner, there is a mix of circles, ellipsis and triangles. The circles and ellipsis are represented in the udders, and people’s ass and cow’s ass. Thus, it could give an idea of movement toward everywhere in people (Cousins, 2015). Then, the movement is more remarkable with the triangle that people forms; they seem to be going from the bot to the top of cow (Cousins, 2015). We can give an interpretation of the work’s meaning based on the number, the expressions of the characters and the title. Regarding the first, the large number of people who want to reach the cow's udder, could refer to over-exploitation towards other animals by humans. In addition, expressions of despair in humans could represent the dependence of consumption resources coming from animals, or particularly to cow's milk. The title which placed his sculpture Qiang is quite appropriate to convey their message. “29h59'59''” may be likened to the hours that one day, perhaps suggesting that we are "exceeding a limit". The context of the work helps us to understand the motivation that Liu Qiang may have had to create something like this. Around the animal exploitation there are several troubling consequences that relate to climate change, uses of water, deforestation, extinction of species, waste, fishing, use of land, etc. To mention a few of these: 51% of greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock and their derived products vs 13% of emissions coming from transportation
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(United Nations, 2006); on the other hand, the beef, dairy, and eggs industry used 1/3 of the fresh water on the planet (Forks Over Knifes). So, for the last is very important to keep in mind that in this sculpture there are more characteristics which everyone could define and interpret. Ones could be more interesting that others, but everything will be used to send a main message ¨To say no to the animal exploitation¨
ANIMAL EXPLOITATION & ART
23 References
Cousins C. (2015.) The (Sometimes Hidden) Meaning of Shapes. Retrieved from http: https://designshack.net/articles/layouts/the-sometimes-hidden-meaning-of-shapes/ "Livestock's Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options." Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006. http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a701e/a0701e00.htm "Freshwater Abuse and Loss: Where Is It All Going?" Forks Over Knives. http://www.forksoverknives.com/freshwater-abuse-and-loss-where-is-it-all-go (n.d.) Understanding the Meaning of Colors in Color Psychology [Web blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/meaning-of-colors.html (n.d.) The Color Pink [Web blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.empower-yourself-withcolor-psychology.com/color-pink.html Yeung C. (2012). 798 [Web blog post]. Retrieved from http://blogs.ubc.ca/clayeung/2012/12/03/798/
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Argumentative Essay
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Final Research Project Essay
Running Head: APPLICATIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY
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Applications of Virtual Reality: The Virtual Reality Applies to Treatment of Phobias Oscar Vicente Guarnizo Cabezas University of Investigation of Experimental Technology Level 06-009 May 08, 2016
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Abstract The present paper aims to prove that the Virtual Reality (VR) can curing phobias through of an adequate treatment. For making sure of this fact, it was done an experiment which took certain studied factors. Thus, those factors started with the seeking of fittest candidate for the procedure of VR. In that manner, it was found a person with entomophobia who accepted to be part of the experiment. Later, it was proceeded to stablish tools and equipment for the application, so the selected advice was the Google glasses, known like Cardboard (Viger, 1989). At the same time, it was selected a free application which simulated an environment of insect, especially of spiders, known like “VR spider phobia challenger”. Then, for having control of patient’s reactions and providing safety, it was taught a technique of relaxation, known like deep breathing, and other method for having positive thoughts. After to patient was ready, it was proceeded to the application of experiment where they were taken subjective and objective data of patient in some stages, the first without some stimulus, the second with a real fear and the last with a virtual fear. As a result, after to analyze all data, it concluded that VR subjectively could cure a phobia, but objectively the VR was only applicable in certain cases according with treated person. Each person react of a different way for that reason for the application of VR is really crucial to take a large time to analyze to patient (Davidson & Smith, 2003). Keywords: Virtual Reality, Applications of Virtual Reality, Entomophobia, Google Cardboard, Ways of curing a phobia.
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The Virtual Reality Applies to Treatment of Phobias Dilemma in Practice In the last years, it has become clear a great consumption of drugs by person with a kind of phobia, like the entomophobia 1(Winerman, 2005). The main issues are that the drugs implies healthy problems, and, with a constant use, the drug do not have effect (Winerman, 2005). For that reason, it so necessary to have a confidence method which help to defeat the phobias of a save and healthy way, so it has been resorted to virtual reality. The Virtual Reality (VR) has been available since 80’s, but in the 90’s, this has more reception of people (Winerman, 2005). Now the virtual reality is a fact, so this enjoys us, entertains us and even can cure us. In fact, in the last year, it is wake up a great interest in the study of phobias with virtual reality which suggest that this can be used to defeat some phobias. In that way, the aim of the virtual reality, in this case, is to bring secure and control environments where a patient can interact with the cause of his phobia and achieve to defeat it. However, for performing a treatment with this technology is important to keep in mind three factors: the nature of phobias, the procedure of VR in the therapy and the challenges that it might have. Therefore, it is planned to implement an experiment to prove if the VR can cure a specific phobia. Literature Review When it is taken the topic about phobias is important to do a distinction between the fears that a person could have. Although, it is true that according to human experience, the people often are afraid to illogical fares like spiders, birds, thunder or mice; not all are phobias. In fact,
1
Phobia to insects. Currently, the 3 % of population with a kind of phobia suffers of entomophobia (About Virtual Reality, n.d.).
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just 10 to 11% of current population suffers a phobia (About Virtual Reality, n.d.). A phobia is not just a fare or dread by something, a phobia implicates a higher level of reaction which can alter you normal style life, and involves some patterns (Davidson & Smith, 2003). Thus, when a person has a phobia, he searches some way of being free of something which causes a real panic experience (Davidson & Smith, 2003). In that manner, for studying a phobia is important to keep in mind the different patterns which it could have, thereby it should be analyze which phobias are most common than others. Now in our current style life, it is thought many phobias are related with technological and physical things like the electricity (Davidson & Smith, 2003). However, despite to the society has adopted technological and urban customs, the fears of phobias have been related more with “natural” objects and conditions, it is known like biophobias (Davidson & Smith, 2003). For instance, the fear of a conveyance, like airplane, is more related like the phobia of heights than transport properly speaking (Davidson & Smith, 2003). Hence, if it is focused the study of phobias according to technological and modern standards, perhaps it will not be found anything valuable and applicable to the VR. However, if it is studied the bio-phobias, it will be obtained information more useful for formulating methods of VR application. In this research will be studied the entomophobia. One of the principal challenges of VR is to give a complex service to patient which encloses the conventional methods, but, at the same, gives a new experience with high level of quality. So that, it is very crucial to know how to works the conventional methods for applying then in procedure of virtual reality. The conventional method of therapy for phobias is known like cognitive-behavioral therapy and has been used since the 50’s (Winerman, 2005). This therapy consists in a procedure of three parts: the exposition, the relaxation and the negative thought (Smith, M., Segal & Jeanne Segal, 2016). The main part of method is the exposition to
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the object or thing which produce a fear. For that, it is making a list which contains the person’s fears (Lyness, 2013). This list helps to have a gradual exposition of fear, for example, in the phobia of insects, the list might start with the visualization of some pictures of insects, and ,then, going to more deep fear like to stand up near an insects or to take insects with hands (Lyness, 2013). Now, it is so important keeping in mind that the phobias will involves a series of physical reactions. The principal physical reactions are: Table 1. Physical reactions of a person with phobia.
Difficulty breathing Racing or pounding heart Chest pain or tightness Trembling or shaking Body temperature
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded A churning stomach Hot or cold flashes; tingling sensations Sweating Blood pressure
Obtained data of HelpGuide.Org (Smith, M. & et., 2016).
For controlling the physical reaction, there are some relaxation techniques which help to reduce these reactions, like deep breathing, meditation, and muscle relaxation (Smith, M. & et., 2016). The last part is the negative thought, which a person with a kind of phobia often have, so the person overestimate his ability to face the problem. Against this problem, it is needed to write the negative thoughts, and, then, to analyze from a safe perspective, for example: a negative though could be that “the plane will crash and all die”, and the positive analysis will be “flying is statistically very safe” (Smith, M. & et., 2016). The virtual reality includes this method with all its parts inside a complex process which has a duration of 6-12 session on average (About Virtual Reality, n.d.) and implies a subjective and objective analysis. Thus, the subjective analysis studies the behavior of person during the procedure, either their physical state as their feelings (About Virtual Reality, n.d.). Generally these aspects are done at the same time that the patient learns relaxation procedures and positive
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thoughts, which help to keep a control of treatment. The last is need because this treatment fits to qualities of patient through a level system of exposition, for example if the patient does not feel to be ready to continue with a next level, the treatment is kept in this point until the patient decides to continue (About Virtual Reality, n.d.). At the same that this study is done, also it is needed to have a physiological monitoring, for that reason, it is used certain equipment to measure: blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, and others (About Virtual Reality, n.d.). Thought this objective study, it is evaluated quantitative data for concluding if the procedure was successful or no. Of course, the virtual reality, like any technology, has been attacked for multiple opponents who give different arguments where the most relevant are the theme of budge and the quality of immersion. Thus the critics argue that to have a treatment with Virtual Reality is unapproachable because it has an expensive cost (Winerman, 2005). They base their argument in that a Virtually Better system cost approximately $6.000 and requires a monthly license (Winerman, 2005). In that manner, it is understandable that some people refuse this treatment. However, they don’t keep in mind that there are other good systems which can give a similar virtual experience than a luxurious virtual system. For instance, the Google Cardboard glasses which only needs a cheap investment not more than $10.00, and with an adequate smartphone, it is got a good experience (Viger, 1989). Although, there are cheap advantages for getting to virtual reality, other opponents argue that other problem is the lack of quality because the application do not leave to be simple animations (Winerman, 2005). For that reason, the therapy does not work in everybody, according to Lea Winerman (2005), people who can be hypnotized or have a more capacity to concentrate in an activity, like lecture, have more possibilities to benefit themselves for the therapy. Thus, this limits the acceptation of virtual reality. In that
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manner, against this limitation, doctors and engineers have devised a tools which help to improve ‘presence’2 (Winerman, 2005). These tools consist in electronic or manual devices, for example, in the case of entomophobia, for simulating the texture of a spider or other insects is used a rough suede (Winerman, 2005). Thus, they achieves to have a better ‘presence’ in the therapy. Application In order to prove efficiency and capacity of curing phobias through of virtual reality, it was done an experiment. The experiment was based in some information provided by the Virtual Reality Medical Center3, HelpGuide.org4, Teens Health5 and personal communications. In few words, the experiments consisted in seeking a person with a kind of phobia, and, then, to submit him to his fear with virtual reality and without it. Seeking a useful candidate The first phase consisted in seeking an adequate person to apply the experiments for recorded confident data. For that, it was done a personal survey which contains some questions base in the symptoms of a person with phobia. In this part, it was really important that preparing of questions should keep in mind that not any fear is a phobia; a real phobia affects the normal course of a person (Davidson & Smith, 2003). Then, it was delivered the same survey to three possible patients. In that manner, it was found that just one fulfilled with almost all requirements; the other participants presented only few levels of a simple fear. The selected patient suffered of
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Presence is the capacity or level of immersion which has a kind of virtual reality according to the advice used (Winerman, 2005). 3 It is a medical institution with 10 years of experience which used virtual reality for curing phobias and disorders. 4 It is an organization which give guides of mental, emotional & social health, and it has collaboration with Harvard Medical School. 5 It is an organization which give some medical tips and explain some themes of health. Its articles are reviewed by qualify scientists.
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entomophobia which benefited to the experiment because it was more accessible to find insects to the application without reality virtual. It would have been more difficult to work with a person who would have phobia to fly in plane. Next, it was showed the done survey to three patient: Personal survey 1.
Do you consider that you have a phobia? Why?
•
YES
•
NO
•
WHY
P: Because I can’t see snakes K: Because you get really nervous. Fear to thieves. N: YES. Because I am very afraid when I see any insects. 2.
Has your normal style life been affected by your phobia? How (an example)?
N: Yes, I has. When I go to the vacation out of the town, in the field, I cannot be quiet due to the insects are on all sides. 3.
Is your daily routine affected by you phobia? Give an example
P: Only when I was child, one time I paralyzed when you saw snakes. Daily life, this fear doesn’t affect me, maybe because of in the environment where I live there are not snakes. K: Yes, because I always think in the dangerous, and I tried to avoid going out alone. N: Yes, because the insects are in any place. For example, sometimes the insects come into the house in the night. 4.
What do you experience when the cause of your phobia is in front/close to you?
P: I am nervous, and I believe that I going to die. I can’t be calm. My temperature isn’t affected, I only feel paralysis. K: Really nervous, I want to run, my heart rate increase, and my hands get cold. N: If I see the insect in faraway place, I cannot be quiet because I am on the defensive. But if the insect close me, my heart begins to beat quickly, I want to run away and I start to cry. 5.
From 1 to 10, how do you consider the level of phobia? Explain one reason.
P: 8. Because I consider that then of my experience when I was child, I can react of better way against this phobia.
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K: Because you feel something that can paralyze you. N: I consider 8. Because in some case, I have not had somebody that want to help me when I see an insect, so I have had to face my fear. 6.
When do you think that your fear started?
P: I saw snakes when I was child and my fear began K: When I was teenager, because I have an assault in a bus. I was threaten by a gun. N: When I was sitting in the room, an insect came into the house and flew towards my face. I started to run and cry but nobody was here to help me. From this moment on, each time that I see an insect I remember it and I am very afraid. 7.
Have you ever tried to cure your phobia?
a.
If the answer is “yes”, I will ask what methods are you used?
P: No, because of I think that for defeating a phobia, I need to be face to face with the snakes. So, I don’t want it. K: Yes. I took natural medication (homeopathic medicine). Make me to become not to be nervous. A doctor recommend me it because I have a high level of pressure N: No, I have not try it because I don’t know how it do. However, I think that my phobia can disappear with the passage of time. 8.
Do you know about VR?
N: No, I don’t know. 9.
Have you ever used VR to cure your phobia? Do you know this therapy?
P: No, you didn’t know this method, but it can be useful K: No, N: No 10.
Do you think that it is possible to cure phobias with VR? Yes/No. Why?
P: Yes, although you don’t know this method, you consider that you could cue phobias. But of course, you need to know more this method. K: Maybe, because you know how treatment is. N: I do not know. 11. K: Yes P: No N: Yes
Would you like to participate in an experiment to treat your phobia?
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The implemented advice The following phase consisted in to seek a tool of virtual reality which was applied with the treated phobia. In that manner, knowing that the treated phobia was the entomophobia and according to the budge for working, it was decided that the used tool would be google glasses, knowing like Cardboard6. These glasses consist in a framework of cardboard with two lenses and two magnets. Thus, these glasses can be buy already made or to make them through of a construction plane which can be find on Internet because of they are initiative by Google, for that the virtual reality is more accessible to all world (Viger, 1989). This lead to implemented materials of a cheap cost which are accessible to all age groups. Maybe, the only difficult to obtain were two lenses and two magnets (Viger, 1989), which had a cost around to six dollars. These parts of advice were buy through of Amazon7, but also they can be got in other sale service. The function of the lenses was to give a good focalization of image of cellphone which was introduced in the framework of cardboard, and the magnets formed a kind of button to select the options (Viger, 1989).
Figure 1. Lenses, magnets and Velcro fasteners
6
Figure 2. Google Cardboard
Link of google glasses: http://www.ebay.es/itm/DIY-3D-VR-Google-Cardboard-Video-Gafas-Realidad-Virtualpara-5-0-movil-Phones-/261849854658 7 Electronic Store in Internet which offers some products.
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At same time, it was sought a software to imitate the environment with an insect. Thus, this software would have conditions which give a similar “presence” like an expensive advice. For that, Google offers a system of applications which recreate very realistic scenarios, used an adequate smartphone (Viger, 1989).. The selected software implemented in this part was “VR spider phobia challenger”, and was downloaded on Play Store 8 free. This application is a pre developed software for treating the arachnophobia, and has a system of level which allow to elevate or to reduce the intensity. Moreover, for simulating the texture of a real spider, it was used a rough suede.
Figure 3. Used software of VR with Google Cardboard.
Figure 4. Used software of VR by VR Medical Center.
The preparation of patient A step before the application of experiment was a preparation of the patient, because, first of all, it must be assured the safety of patient. For that, it was taken into practice the learned techniques of relaxation and positive thoughts for the patient to implement them if it is
8
Virtual store for android devices.
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necessary. For that phase, it was taken around two days to explain to person the action which he should take in case of a panic attack. Thus, it was applied the more common method, knowing like deep breathing relaxation. This exercise consisted in a cycle of deep breaths and slow breaths through of 4 to 7 seconds where the patient should use his hands to do the breaths, one on his cheat and other on his stomach (Smith, M. & et., 2016). . The application of experiment The following phase consist in to take action in experiment with this person. The fact that just take only one person for this experiment comes to the statistics which indicated that just 10 to 11% of population has a phobia, and this percent becomes smaller if it is looked that 3% of last population has entomophobia (About Virtual Reality, n.d.). For that reason, it is really difficult to find more patients because these percent of population is not just concentrated in Ecuador. Moreover, having a very small population, it was not necessary to have a really big sample. The experiment consisted in the following steps: 1. It was taken zero data9 to the patient. For the data, it was kept in mind the physical characteristic that the patient could present. This data was studied previously (Look Table 1). All data of subjective and objective character were filled in a tab control (Look Appendix 3 ) 2. Later, it was submitted to the patient with real stimulus of fear. In this part, it was prevent his safety while he reacted to stimulus through of relaxation techniques. Minutes later, they were taken new data, and filled in the tab control.
9
Data which are taken in normal conditions, without external effects.
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3. Then, it was submitted to the patient with a virtual stimulus of fear to insects, and, then, they were recorded new data in the tab control. 4. The last step is to repeat this procedure along of 6-12 sessions, as the VR Medical Center indicated. These sessions were done with a difference of three days each one. Furthermore, in those sessions, it was increased or decreased the level of intensity according to the capacity of patient. In that manner, the followed schedule was:
Tuesday 31/05 Thursday 2/06 Friday 15/06
Tuesday 19 /06
Tuesday 19 /06 Friday 22/06 Tuesday 26/06 Friday 29 /06
Friday 31/06
Schedule of Experiment Interview with nurse First Interview with the patient Teach techniques of relaxation Preliminary analysis sheet and start of the experiment (phobia in real state) Preliminary analysis sheet and start of the experiment (phobia in real state) First application of VR and control sheet Second application of VR and control sheet Third application of VR and control sheet Fourth application of VR, control sheet and final analysis
First session Second session Third session Fourth session Fifth session
Final session
Results The following recorded data was taken of a patient who suffers of entomophobia, called Nathaly Sanchez. After to have all recorded data, they were analyzed from two viewpoints, a subjective and an objective. Thus, the subjective point kept in main some physical reactions which could not be
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completely detected by advices, like chest pain or tightness or a churning stomach. For analyzing those conditions, it was necessary to know what the patient felt after to use of VR advice (Cardboard glasses). In that manner, it was obtained the following data: Table 2. Subjective Data
Session 1 S M L Difficulty breathing Trembling or shaking Sweating Chest pain or tightness Feeling dizzy or lightheaded A churning stomach Hot or cold flashes; tingling sensations
x x
Session 2 S M L x x x x
Session 3 S M L x x
Session 4 S M L
Session 5 S M L
Session 6 S M L
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x x
x x
x x
x x
x x
x x
It was evidenced a reduction of the reactions. *S:Strong, M:Moderate, L:Low. If there is a characteristic without 3 factor, it means that the patient did not have that reaction. Observations:
Feeling of warmth
After to see the data, it was observed that the final reactions of the patient were weaker than the initial reactions. At the same time, it was verified that there was a gradually decrease of the reactions which indicated the efficiency of used software through of system of levels. Therefore, from a subjective point of view, it was proved that VR can reduce a phobia, and, maybe with more session, this phobia could be completely cured. Then, it was done an objective analysis with the measured data. Thus, the analysis of those data had four parameters which are heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure and breathing frequency. However, those data were more detailed because of it was kept in mind a zero measure, a measure with a real fear and a measure with a virtual fear. In that manner, it was obtained the following data:
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Table 3. Objective Data.
Z 59
Session 4 R VR 67 61
Session 5 R VR 65 61
Z 59
Session 6 R VR 66 62
Z 60
109/76
111/68
102/67
109/74
108/67
15/68
110/76
111/68
105/67
35.9 26
36.5 30
36.4 27
36.2 26
36.6 28
36.4 27
36.2 27
36.4 28
36.5 26
The Breathing frequency obtained a constant behavior *Z:Zero, R:Real, VR:Virtual Reality.
Heart Rate Blood pressure Body temperature Breathing Frequency
Z 59
Session 1 R VR 68 60
Z 60
Session 2 R VR 69 62
Z 59
Session 3 R VR 67 62
111/79
111/68
100/67
109/75
110/70
105/68
111/75
111/67
107/68
36 26
36.9 32
36.8 26
35.6 25
37 31
36.2 26
36 27
36.7 29
36.4 26
Observations:
*Z:Zero, R:Real, VR:Virtual Reality.
In the recorded data, the temperature was measured in degrees Celsius, the blood pressure was measured in arterial systolic and diastolic pressure, the heart rate was measured in beats per minute, and the breathing was measured in exhalations per minute (J Loza., personal communication, July 01, 2016). Analyzing the data, it was found that the objective data did not seem to behave in the same way that the subjective data. Thus, those data seemed to have a random behavior without substantial changes which proved the thesis. The found differences could be due to personal factors, like the patient did not have a really elevated level of phobia (or the patient just had a simple fear), or due to external factor, like the low quality of presence. However, just one factor acted of similar way to the subjective data, and it was the breathing frequency. That seemed to indicate that the reactions of this person depended mostly of her ability to breathing. In that manner, it was taken the data of breathing frequency because of those
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data seemed to have a less random behavior, unlike the other measurements. Thus, it was done the following chart which planned the behavior of breathing frequency throughout of six sessions.
Number of sessions vs Breathing Frequency 35
Breathing Frequency
30 25 20 Zero data 15
Real Fear Virtual Fear
10 5 0 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Number of sessions
According to the graphic, the measures of breathing frequency seemed to get closer to a unique measure, which could be 27 exhalations per minute. It indicated that the therapy with VR had some effect on the patient. Perhaps, if they had done more sessions, the value of those measures would be completely constant. However, those data could be affected for other reasons like the deep breathing relaxation. This could have acted in person inadvertently, which affected the final results. Therefore, from an objective viewpoint, it could not be given a complete certainty that the hypothesis is true. Reflection The main striking things about this research were about the used advice and the conception of phobia. On the one hand, it was evidenced that currently the VR has a wide range
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of spreading because there are cheap advices with an amazing capacity of image, like the Google Cardboard. On the other hand, the application of these advices is not always successful. This could happen for many factor, but the most remarkable is that it seems to be a certain tendency to believe that any fear is a phobia. However, despite all the complications, this research has been completely useful in a personal, professional and social way. Thus, this project has helped me to increase my capacity of facing a research topic, because of now I know techniques of data recollection, how to propose an experiment and how to group all these information in a logical and concrete document. Then, in a professional field, this document could help to novice researchers who needs to have a great and solid background for avoiding mistakes in the practicing of their experiments. Thus, an advice for them would be to test the patient before to choose him. By last, this document also could benefit to society, because like almost all technology, it seeks to improve the life of people. In this case, the advantages are notable when people chose an economic treatment with VR reality instead of an expensive treatments or harmful medicines.
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References (n.d) About Virtual Reality. The Virtual Reality Medical Center. Retrieved from: http://www.vrphobia.com/aboutus.htm Davidson, J., & Smith, M. (2003). Bio‐phobias/techno‐philias: virtual reality exposure as treatment for phobias of ‘nature’. Sociology of health & illness, 25(6), 644-661. Winerman, L. (2005). A virtual cure. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug05/cure.aspx Smith, M., Segal, R., & Jeanne Segal, J. (2016, May 7). Phobias and Fears [Web blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/phobias-and-fears.htm Lyness,
D.
(2013).
Fears
and
Phobias
[Web
blog
post].
Retrieved
from
http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/phobias.html# Viger, P. (1989). U.S. Patent No. 4,827,690. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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Appendix 1. Personal Survey Personal survey 1. Do you consider that you have a phobia? Why? YES NO WHY 2. Has your normal style life been affected by your phobia? How (an example)? 3. Is your daily routine affected by you phobia? Give an example 4. What do you experience when the cause of your phobia is in front/close to you? 5. From 1 to 10, how do you consider the level of phobia? Explain one reason. 6. When do you think that your fear started? 7. Have you ever tried to cure your phobia? 8. Do you know about VR? 9. Have you ever used VR to cure your phobia? Do you know this therapy? 10. Do you think that it is possible to cure phobias with VR? Yes/No. Why? 11. Would you like to participate in an experiment to treat your phobia?
Appendix 3. Photographs of the done sessions
APPLICATIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY Appendix 3. Patient Tab Control
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51
Reflections Experiences throughout an entire semester.
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THANK YOU FOR SEEING ALL COURSE OF THIS SEMESTRE THROUG OF THIS PORTFOLIO. I HOPE YOU LIKED IT AS MUCH I LIKED LIVING THESE EXPERIENCES. GRATEFULLY, OSCAR GUARNIZO