Social Phobia and Perfectionism: Theories, Types and Models

Social Phobia and Perfectionism: Theories, Types and Models Contents (Jump to) Abstract Chapter 2 – Epidemiology of Generalized and Specific Social Phobia Chapter 3 Etiological Hypotheses and Findings Chapter 4 The Behavioral Models of Social Phobia Abstract Derived from the Greek word for ‘fear’, a phobia represents a ‘fight or flight’ response that is described by the American Psychiatric Association as â€Å"†¦ an uncontrollable, irrational and persistent fear of a specific object †¦ situation †¦activity† (Phobia King, 2006). Social phobia, which is known as ‘phobia des situations socials’, was first termed by Pierre Janet (1903) whereby he described patients that demonstrated and or had a fear of being observed as they were either speaking, writing or performing other functions. Hurka (1993, p. 3) tells us that perfectionism is a â€Å"†¦ moral theory (that) starts from an account of the good life † Hurka (1993, p. 3) goes on to add that the ‘good life’ develops humanity properties to a high degree and or thus realizes what is important as well as central to human nature. The history of perfectionism can be traced back to Aristotle’s conception of eudaimonia, the good life, and his belief that political structures and politics should thus promote this in its individuals (Aristotle and Irwin, translator, 1999, pp. 1-4). Other notable individuals throughout history noted for their devotion to perfectionism in varied forms are Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, Clement of Alexandria as well as Jesus who stated in his Sermon on the Mount said â€Å"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect† (MainBelieve.com, 2006). The dictionary defines ‘perfectionism’ as â€Å"a tendency to set rigid high standards of personal performance† (free dictionary.com, 2006). In psychology, perfectionism represents the belief that this is something which should be strived for and in its pathological sense it represents the unhealthy belief anything that is not perfect is unacceptable (coping.org, 2006). It also represents not making mistakes and striving to be the best, as well as the attitude that what one attempts needs to be done perfectly and a habit that is developed in one’s youth keeping one consistently alert to imperfections as well as weaknesses and failings in one’s self as well as others (coping.org., 2006). This paper shall examine these two areas, delving into their individual specificities as well as linkages and commonalities, revealing opposing views concerning the diagnosis and causes of these afflictions and the views which seemingly share many similar aspects. The term, phobia, is generally classified by psychiatrists and psychologists into three basic categories (Bourne, 2005, pp. 33-42) (Kessler et al, 2005, pp. 629-640): Social Phobias Specific Phobias Agoraphobia Isaac Marks (1969, p. 362) advises that the syndromes representing shyness, social anxiety along with social avoidance had been described as early as Hippocrates. Marks (1969, p. 362) reported that individuals with this affliction â€Å"†¦ through bashfulness, suspicion, and timorousness, will not be seen abroad, †¦ he dare not come in company, for fear he should be misused, disgraced, overshoot himself in gestures of speeches †¦ he thinks every man observed him †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mark’s (1969) views and analysis is amplified by Heimberg et al (1995, p. 96) who state that individuals having this affliction â€Å"†¦ experience excessive fear of being humiliated or judged negatively in social or performance situations.† Juster et al (1996, pp. 403-410) state that perfectionism is linked to social phobia and is also related to anxiety as well as depression. Frost et al (1990, pp. 449-468) ‘Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale assesses perfectionism in terms of it being a phenomenon that consists of three segments: Self oriented, is described as the tendency for a person to seek as well as set high self standards concerning performance, Other oriented, is the tendency for a person to expect others to be perfect in their performance(s), Socially prescribed represents the tendency that a person expects others to think and or believe others expects them to be perfect in their performance. Frost et al (1990, pp. 449-468) define perfectionism as a malady that entails excessive self criticism that is associated with the setting or belief in higher personal standards and the allied concern of meeting expectations on a social level. The preceding also includes the tendency for excessive self criticism that is associated with their higher personal standards as well as their concerns for meeting what is, in their internal view, social expectations, along with the excessive focus concerning organization as well as neatness and doubts with regard to their effectiveness in their actions (Frost et al, 1990, pp. 449-468). The preceding describes the inter relatedness between social phobia and perfectionism that will be explored herein which shall examine each aspect and their links. Perfectionism has roots in aspects of social phobia, as well as the reverse being true. These two afflictions sometimes are present in individuals having social anxiety and are generally conditions that have their roots in early childhood. In examining these two areas, attention shall be paid to their individual diagnosis areas, signs, conditions and foundations, as well as the linkages between the varied forms of social phobia and perfectionism. This examination has been organized to set forth the preceding via segmenting the foregoing into areas that identify and explain the aspects of social phobia as well as perfectionism revealing the foregoing linkages and commonalities. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2000, pp. 154-156) defines social phobia as a persistent and marked fear of one or more performance and or social situations whereby an individual is exposed to people that are unfamiliar and thus subject to scrutiny by others whereby the person in question thus feels (fears) that they might or will act in such a manner, and or exhibit anxiety, which will either be embarrassing and or humiliating. The preceding concurs with Heimberg et al (1995, p. 96) who stated that individuals having this affliction â€Å"†¦ experience excessive fear of being humiliated or judged negatively in social or performance situations.† Social Anxiety Disorder represents the third highest mental health care problem globally and afflicts an estimated seven percent of the world’s population at any given point in time, with a thirteen percent chance that it will affect any one of us during our lives (Social Phobia / Social Anxiety A ssociation, 2005). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Social Anxiety Institute, 2006) defines social phobia as: A persistent fear of either one or more performance and or social situations whereby an individual is exposed to potential scrutiny by unfamiliar people and that they, the person in question, will act in a manner, and or show anxiety symptoms, which will be either humiliating and or embarrassing. That the exposure to the situation in almost all situations results in anxiety that can and usually does take the form of what is termed as being based upon situations and thus pre-disposed or bound Panic Attack. The individual experiencing the symptoms of social anxiety recognizes that they have a fear that is excessive and or unreasonable. The feared situations are thus avoided by this type of individual or are endured under intense distress and anxiety. The individual’s avoidance, distress and or anticipation of the feared situation thus significantly interferes with this person’s normal routine, functioning and an occupational and or academic manner, their social activities /relationships, and or they experience a marked distress concerning having the phobia. In those persons 18 years of age or less the general period of the duration of such an experience is generally six months. That the fear and or avoidance of the aforementioned is not due to the direct physiological effects of either drugs or medications, and or a general medical condition which could be accounted for by virtue of another mental disorder. The preceding diagnostic criteria provide a guideline, however they do not substitute an analysis and or visit to a mental health practitioner (Ohio State University, 2005). Examples of diagnostic criteria historical facets are described as (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2000) : patients having a hypersensivity to criticism, along with a difficulty in being assertive, and or low self esteem as well as potentially inadequate social skills. They avoid speaking in front of groups of people, with the preceding potentially leading to difficulties in either work or education. In order to reach a diagnosis concerning social phobia in children the situation calls for observing their interactions with peers as opposed to observing them with adults, which represents a different context. In reaching and or considering a diagnosis, clinicians should seek to consider what is termed the co-morbid diagnosis represented by avoidant personality disorder when an individual exhibits generalized social phobia. It has been determined that a high percentage of individuals with social phobia have or have developed alcohol and or sedative abuse that aids them in tolerating social situations, however the preceding is not universally true. Symptoms and characteristics of social phobia consist of one, some or all of the following (Helpguide.org, 2006): Avoidance, Whereby an individual will go to great lengths to avoid the prospect of socializing based upon the fear that they will by either perceived in an adverse manner or be humiliated. If left untreated this condition can accelerate or develop into the condition known as agoraphobia. Low Self Esteem, Represents a condition which most individuals who are afflicted with social phobia experience and it is marked by the fact that the longer one remains in this condition the more it affects one’s sense of self worth. Depression, A common outgrowth of having a social anxiety disorder is that the feelings of extreme anxiety as well as the sense of the lack of control over one’s life can very well lead to depression. Alcohol and or Drug Abuse, It has been estimated that one fourth of the individuals with this condition abuse either alcohol and or drugs usually starting to alleviate the pain and then accelerating into wholesale abuse. Academic and Occupational Difficulties, The condition has been known to interfere with one’s ability to function at work as well as academically and can as well as has presented obstacles in these regards. Interpersonal Difficulties, Statistics and studies have determined that as a result of this condition, individuals are prone to be less likely to marry and also have fewer friends as well as social support. The symptoms represented by social phobia defer in respect to children and adults as generally represented by the fact that in the earlier stages children tend to fail to achieve their levels, and adults show declines from prior functioning levels (Biederman et al, 2001, pp. 49-57) (Stein, 2001, pp. 28-39). The symptoms as manifested by children frequently are observed as temper tantrums, clinging to parents, crying and interactive aspects such as the refusal to talk to others (Biederman et al, 2001, pp. 49-57). In adults, the symptoms include a number of physical anxiety signs along with behavior and attitude manifestations (Bruce and Saeed, 1999, pp. 2311-2322): blushing, nausea, dry mouth, sweating, tremors and other similar types of anxiety indicators, difficulty as represented with self assertion, an extreme sensitivity concerning criticism, negative evaluations and or rejection, an intense preoccupation and concern regarding the responses as well as reactions of other individuals, increased fears regarding the prospect of being either humiliated and or embarrassed, and the avoidance of situations that cause or create fear and or anxiety Olfson et al (2001, pp. 521-527) advise that the diagnosis of social phobia is generally based upon the history of the patient, along with reported symptoms. In keeping with an accurate diagnosis the physician may also utilize what is termed a diagnostic questionnaire which aids in ruling our other possible phobias, anxiety orders as well as major depression (Olfson et al, 2001, pp. 521-527). Screening and testing procedures for adults suspected of suffering from social phobia represents a problematic assessment as some general screeners, for example the Structured Clinical Interview does not include questions that are related to social phobia and such a test can take upwards of twenty-five minutes (Bruce and Saeed, 1999, pp. 2311-2322). In addition to the foregoing there are instruments such as the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale as well as the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale which are long and in general are useful more in the measurement of therapy progress (Bruce and Saeed, 1999, pp. 2311-2322). Interestingly, physicians have found that the utilization of a selected group of questions added to a general screening questionnaire has proved helpful in their detection of this condition; examples of the preceding are as follows (Olfson et al, 2001, pp. 521-527): Are feeling embarrassed or feeling as if you look stupid among your worst fears? Does the fear of embarrassment cause you to avoid doing certain things and or speaking to people? Do you avoid situations where you could be or are the center of attention? The diagnosis of children takes into account additional factors as a result of their age. Such includes the fact that they do not have the options of avoiding most situations which frighten them (Bogels and Zigterman, 2000). The preceding provides an explanation as to why children are less likely to be able to provide why they are thus anxious. Bogels and Zigterman (2000) advise that thus it is important for physicians to therefore evaluate their capacity concerning social relationships with individuals the child knows, as well as assess their interactions with those in their peer group for signs of social phobia indications in addition to their behavior with and around adults. Examples of the procedural aspects for the preceding entail the utilization of what are termed the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents and Children, the parent completed Child Behavior Checklist and the Teacher’s Report Form (Bogels and Z igterman, 2000). Social phobia differs from shyness in that the former condition causes individuals to avoid the anxiety producing situations by all means, whereas shyness can be attributed to a number of broad classifications as it represents different things to differing individuals. Crozier (1990, p. 2) states that â€Å"†¦ shyness is not a precise term. It refers to feeling awkward or uncertain in social situations.† Crozier (1990, p. 2) continues that shyness is associated with being and or feeling self conscious, the â€Å"†¦ excessive monitoring of one’s behaviors and over rehearsal of potential utterances† â€Å"The shy person feels anxious and often †¦ appears anxious to others† (Crozier, 1990, p. 2). Berent and Lemley (1994, p. 9) state that the word itself is â€Å"†¦ too general to be of much help in identifying a problem and solving it† and that shyness has varied degrees of complexity and intensity from extremely mild and applicable in a few situations, to more perverse whereby it can thus be termed as a social phobia. Berent and Lemley (1994, p. 10-11) advise us that shyness and social anxiety are closely related and in both instances as they represent a â€Å"†¦ learned response to social interaction†. They go on to explain that shy and or socially anxious individuals â€Å"†¦ may hesitate to pursue the things he or she is interested in, or even begin to avoid situations that cause nervousness or anxiety†. Thus, the spectrum entailing shyness ranges from relatively few instances to actual social phobia. Shyness is not necessarily a criterion for social phobia in that individuals having a social anxiety disorder can be comfortable with certain types and or many differing people; however, they feel intense regarding certain specific situations (CNN.com, 2006). Social anxiety disorder is termed as a social phobia, and or as a psychiatric anxiety disorder which entails overwhelming anxiety as well as excessive self consciousness concerning everyday situations (Crozier and Lynn, 2001, pp. 18-24). Individuals with this affliction often exhibit an intense, chronic as well as persistent fear that they are being watched along with being judged by others, thinking that they might be either humiliated and or embarrassed as a result of their own actions (Crozier and Lynn, 2001, pp. 18-24). The distinction between generalized and specific social anxiety is indicated as those having the generalized type have significant distress with most, if not all social type situations, whereas specific, as the word implies, refers to such situations with specific connotations. Examples of the preceding are evidenced by glossophobia, which is the fear of speaking or performing in public, scriptophobia, which is the fear of writing in public, or paruresis, the fear of utilizing public restrooms (Bruch, 1989, pp. 37-47). Sometimes referred to as anxious personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder is recognizable as a result of a pattern of social inhibition that is pervasive (Mental Health Matters.com, (2006). The foregoing description includes feelings of inadequacy as well as an extreme sensitivity regarding negative evaluation, and people with this affliction very often consider that they are socially inept and or unappealing on a personal level, thus they avoid situations entailing social interaction due to a fear of either being humiliated and or ridiculed. In general, avoidant personality disorder is usually first noticed in one’s early childhood and is usually associated with either a real or perceived rejection by one’s parents and or peers in that period (Dayhoff, 2000. pp. 29-38). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2000) is widely utilized in diagnosing avoidant personality disorder and is identifiable by four or more of the following (Rettew, 2 006): Avoidance of occupational activities which involve degrees of significant interpersonal contact as a result of fears regarding criticism, rejection and or disapproval. Being unwilling to get or be involved with someone unless being certain that one will be liked. Through showing restraint in intimate relationships as a result of fearing shame or ridicule. Being preoccupied in social situations with being criticized and or rejected. By being inhibited in new situations entailing interpersonal relationships due to feelings of being inadequate. Viewing one’s self as inept socially, being unappealing and or inferior to other people. Being reluctant to take on personal risks and or to engage in new activities as such could or might thus prove embarrassing. Comorbidity is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary (2006) as â€Å"A concomitant but unrelated pathological or disease process† with in the context of social phobia means the presence of either one or more such disorders as well as the primary disorder. Schuckit et al (1990, pp. 34-41) state that it represents the disorder that occurred first or the one representing the symptoms that are most dominant, which Klerman (1990, pp. 13-17) refers to as the primary disorder. The critical issues in dealing with comorbidity represents the proper and correct analysis of the varied disorders and understanding which one is the prevalent or primary one as well as the order, and impact of the associated disorders in which there are combination and their influences on the patient. Biederman et al (1991, pp. 565-577) indicates that there are several hypotheses which may be utilized to account for the true patterns of comorbidity and critical issues: that comorbid disorders are not distinct entities, they represent expressions termed phenotypic variability in the same disorder, that each comorbid disorder is a distinct as well as separate entity, that these disorders share vulnerabilities that are common, represented by genetic and or psychosocial, that these disorders have a distinct subtype, or genetic variant, and a heterogeneous disorder, that one syndrome represents what is termed an early manifestation, and that the development as represented by one syndrome can increase the risk of comorbid disorder. Caron and Rutter (1991, pp. 1063-1080) advise that the failure in understanding and attending to comorbidity patterns can thus cause researchers and physicians to come to misleading conclusions thereby creating negative intervention results. Achenbach (1990. pp. 271-278) warns us that the appearance of comorbidity might develop as a result of varied conceptual and or diagnostic models which can result in boundaries between disorders that are inappropriate and can potentially lead to the tendency for comparison of one diagnosis against normal individuals as opposed to other diagnosis. He warns that there is a need for well defined diagnosis in the instance of this occurrence, comorbidity (Achenbach, 1990. pp. 271-278). Chapter 2 – Epidemiology of Generalized and Specific Social Phobia Termed the study of the scientific factors which affect the illness and health of populations, epidemiology serves as the logic and foundational basis for interventions that are made in the interests serving public health, along with preventive medicine (Rothman and Greenland, 1998, p. 29). The field is regarded as a cornerstone in the methodology of health research for the public sector and has the reputation of being highly regarded in the field of what is termed evidenced based medicine for the identification of disease risk factors and the determination of optimal treatment in the approaches representing clinical practice (Rothman and Greenland, 1998, p. 29). Morabia (2006, p. 3) explains that epidemiology, in terms of the public, represents a medical discipline dealing with the â€Å"†¦ large scale outbreaks of infectious diseases†. Chronicled in â€Å"Epidemiologia Espanola† spanning a period of thirteen centuries, Villalba, a Spanish physician, complied a li sting of epidemics as well as outbreaks which helped to define the term (Morabia, 2006, p. 3). Even though the practice extends back to the 16th century, as a scientific discipline it is relatively recent. The mission of epidemiology has â€Å"†¦ historically been to identify determinants of human diseases †¦ mostly at the population level† (Morabia, 2006, p. 3), and this holds true today. Epidemiology is prevalent in today’s communities under the term ‘Community-oriented primary care’, or COPC) and represents a systematic health care approach that is based upon principles of epidemiology (Rhyne et al, 1998). Usage has demonstrated that COPC, representing primary care, health promotion and preventive medicine has positive community benefits on a global basis (Rhyne et al, 1998). The methodology, ‘Community-oriented primary care’, entails the process of seeking to improve the health of a community utilizing the aforementioned principles, public health, primary care and epidemiology, which traditionally has been used to describe the health care system whereby a community and or targeted population is thus the focus (Wright, 1993). The American Public Health Association description of Community-oriented primary care states that it represents a â€Å"†¦ systematic process †¦ identifying and addressing †¦ health problems of a defined population† and that it thus can be implemented via the resources which are already available within most communities (Rhyne et al, 1998). It, COPC, represents a team comprised of health professionals, along with community members, who work in partnership over a long duration in treating and diagnosing patients in a community in a similar manner as does a primary care doctor, and while primary care physicians are not needed for or in every project, they nevertheless need to be involved in the process (Rhyne et al, 1998). The availability of epidemiologic studies from Europe, Asia and the United States over the past twenty years has permitted a clearer and sharper picture of social phobia with respect to its incidence, severity, prevalence and other correlations (Zucchi et al, 2000, pp. 17-24). The preceding historical base of epidemiologic information helps to provide a comprehensive reference point concerning the age of onset and incidence of social phobia from a broad population cross section. Studies conducted indicate that social phobia is the most prevalent of anxiety disorder (Carta et al, 2004), as shown by the following: Table 1- Lifetime Prevalence of Social Phobia in the General Populations of Europe and the United States (Carta et al, 2004) The preceding show the lifetime prevalence of Social Phobia of 2.2% across the board, representing 1.5% for males and 2.8% for females. Table 2 – Lifetime Prevalence of Social Phobia According to Age and Sex (Carta et al, 2004) The preceding Table represents studies conducted in Europe and the United States for the countries indicated with OR representing the degree of associated disorders that were observed regarding frequency in the populations that were not affected by social phobia. Table 3 – Lifetime Comorbidity of Social Phobia (Carta et al, 2004) * Where p is less than 0.001 The preceding Table represents the rate of comorbidity concerning major psychiatric disorders which were observed in the overall general populations of Europe and the United States, along with the degree of associated disorders (OR) in the reported populations which were not affected by social phobia. The mean age representing the onset of comorbid DE represented 6.5 plus or minus 6.6 years, whereas GAD represented a mean of 4.3 plus or minus 7.8 years later (Carta et al, 2004). In a study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, they found six regions in the human genome that very well could play a role with regard to the susceptibility of obsessive compulsive disorder (Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, 2006). The study added to the growing evidence of a genetic basis for obsessive compulsive disorder and thus its inheritability through the finding of genetic markers, or what are termed similarities, in the genomes of individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder as represented by six significance regions within the genome that are on five differing chromosomes which appeared to be linked to obsessive compulsive disorder (Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, 2006). Dorak (2006) advises us that genetic epidemiology is related to and overlaps molecular epidemiology and that the epidemiological evaluation aims to seek the detection of the inheritance pattern regarding a disease, localize it and find the marker that is associated with its susceptibility. D orak (2006) states that the steps in genetic epidemiologic research are: the establishment of the fact that there is a genetic component concerning the diso

Voice Recognition Technologies :: Essays Papers

Voice Recognition Technologies The 20th century has been a technological marvel. We have advanced more in the 20th century than we have during any other one-hundred year term in recorded history. This is due to a number of reasons. One of which is the early conflicts of the century. World War I and World War II changed the world forever. During these global conflicts, countries developed advanced weapons. They also developed advanced communications and other technologies. The Internet came as a result of the military’s efforts in World War II, and the fear of a nuclear conflict. Then, during the last decade of the 20th century, the Internet and computers exploded to take control of much of our society. Computers are now everywhere. This is evident in another rapidly advancing industry, and that is the automotive industry. Cars, trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles are rapidly becoming more and more computer driven. The most advanced safety features in a car, such as Anti-lock brakes, Traction Control, Active Stability, and even the air bags are control by shock sensors sent to a computer for analysis. If the computer determines that the impact is severe, it’ll deploy the airbag. Another advancing technology appearing in cars is voice and speech recognition. Many new cars feature a system called OnStar, which allows voice activated dialing of a cellular phone service. Most new after-market compact disc players that are installed in cars can feature voice control. Systems from Kenwood and others allow you to change tracks, adjust the volume, change the radio station, and eject the CD without having to remove your hands from the steering wheel. Each of these compact disc units feature a small microprocessor in them and memory to process the driver’s voice that is input into a microphone. After the system has been sufficiently trained, which is when the computer attempts to learn and understand the person’s speech patterns, it will recognize the driver’s voice and commands, and then perform them. Other voice advancements inside the car besides the ability to control the stereo is also a computerized location system. The global positioning satellite locates vehicles, then directions and other commands are given by voice from the computer center to the driver of the automobile.

Surrealism Research Task

Artists: Andre Breton (1896-1966): A French writer and poet, best known as the â€Å"Founder of Surrealism†. Rene © Emigrate (1898-1967): A Belgian Surrealist artist who became well known for his witty and thought-provoking images that challenges observers' preconditioned perceptions of reality. Marcel Decamp (1887-1968): A French- American painter, sculptor and writer who challenged conventional thought about artistic processes and art marketing through subversive actions.He famously dubbed a urinal art and named it Fountain. Max Ernst (1891- 1976): A German painter and sculptor who was a primary pioneer of the Dada movement and Surrealism, and famous for his declaiming works. Man Ray (1890-1976): an American modernist artist best known for his experimental photography and as creator of the Ray-O- Graph. Joan Mirror (1893-1983): Catalan Spanish painter, sculptor, and ceramicist known for his childlike, colorful paintings and as the inventor of automatic drawing.Giorgio De C horizo (1888-1978): A Greek-born Italian artist who founded the Metaphysical art movement, characterized by his dreamlike works with sharp entrants of light and shadow which often had a vaguely threatening, mysterious quality. Yves Tangy (1900-1955): A French surrealist painter known for his nonrepresentational surrealist paintings which of vast, abstract landscapes, mostly in a tightly limited palette of colors. Salvador Dali (1904-1989): A Spanish surrealist painter best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work.Friday Kohl (1907-1954): A Mexican painter, not strictly part of the surrealist movement, best known for her self-portraits which offer an uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form. M ©ret Oppenheim (1913-1985): a German-born Swiss, Surrealist artist, and photographer, best known for her sculpture series of a teacup, saucer and spoon covered with fur from a Chinese gazelle. James Gleeson (191 5 -2008): An Australian artist best kno wn for his works that delved into the subconscious using literary, mythological or religious subject matter. 2.Andre Breton surrounded himself with a group of artists with similar interests and together they formed the concept of surrealism. The social relationships between these prominent surrealist artists were important to their art making as hey collaborated with each other and received feedback and ideas from each other. Breton was especially important as he was the leader of the surrealists, and it was under his guidance and charisma that they created their art, and developed the idea of surrealism. It has also been said that at times the group was only held together by the personality of Breton. . The initial response to surrealism was that the wider public did not understand it, or were shocked and offended by it. Art critics made fun of it and saw it as very poor. Despite this the movement soon gained a devoted following and audience. . Surrealism can be defined as a 20th-c entury literary and artistic movement, developed from Dadaism that attempts to express the workings of the subconscious and is characterized by fantastic imagery and incongruous Juxtaposition of subject matter. Two Surrealist Manifestos were issued by the Surrealist movement, in 1924 and 1929.They were both written by And © Breton. The First Manifesto defined Surrealism as: â€Å"Psychic automatism in its pure state, by which one proposes to express verbally, by meaner of the written word, or in any other manner the actual functioning of thought. Dictated by the thought, in the absence of any control exercised by reason, exempt from any aesthetic or moral concern. † Group of 20th century surrealists The Surrealists wished to create art that was completely free of rational thought or censorship.They promoted freedom of expression and art that was not limited or altered by personal or societal morals or decorum. They were attempting to spark a revolution in consciousness that would â€Å"change life† and society. 5. Surrealism started in Paris, with the first Manifesto being released in 1924. Although principally literary to begin with, the movement quickly expanded into the usual arts (Breton courted Picasso assiduously, to no avail), and its first painting show – La Painter Surrealists – was staged at Galleries Pierre in 1925. The movement continued to thrive in Paris during the late sass.The movement was introduced to the international stage during the sass with major shows in Brussels, Copenhagen, London, New York and Paris. It rapidly became a worldwide popular phenomenon with branches in England, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Egypt, Denmark, Japan, the Netherlands, Romania and Hungary. Between 1930 and 1935, Salvador Dali and Rene Margarita produced some of their most memorable works and helped establish the usual style of Surrealism. By 1939, many of the major surrealists, including Andre Breton, Max Ernst and Andre Manson, had re located to the United States so as to avoid the impact of World War II in France.After World War II, Andre Breton returned to Paris, though society mood of post-war depression was not receptive to the whimsical style of Surrealism. Despite this, major surrealist exhibitions were held in Paris in 1947 and 1959, and surrealist ideas and techniques made their mark on many of the post-war art movements. There is no clear agreement about the end of Surrealism. Some art experts consider that it dissolved after the war; others mark the death of And © Breton in 1966 or Salvador Dali in 1989 as the end of Surrealism as an organized movement. 6.Surrealism started in Paris by Andre Breton, and quickly grew as a movement to accommodate many different artists in Paris. Just prior to World War II, a number of significant Surrealist artists moved together to New York to avoid the impacts of war, and Surrealism became a popular movement in the U. S. A. Also, while there was no organized surrealis t movement in Australia, many Australian artists adopted the style ruing the sass's. 7. Surrealism came about as a movement due to many factors and surrealist artists were influenced by many different sources.The surrealist movement grew from Dadaism, but had a more positive take on Dadaism fundamentally negative message. The most prominent intellectual influence on the idea of Surrealism was the theories of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis. Andre Breton and other surrealists were very impressed with Fraud's insights into the unconscious, which they thought would be a major source of untapped pictures and imagery. They used his theories to get past the boundaries between fantasy and reality.Surrealist artists were also rebelling against bourgeois society acceptance of the horrors of war and their general complacency towards social, cultural, and political issues. The Surrealists wished to shock, offend or provoke a reaction in society in an at tempt to make them think more about their conforming to society expectations and acceptance of their nation's governance without question. They were attempting to spark a revolution in consciousness that would â€Å"change life† and society. A section of The Garden of Earthly Delights, by Hieronymus Busch A section of The Garden of Earthly Delights, by Hieronymus Busch 8.Surrealist artists got their inspiration from various prior movements and artists. The Surrealists wanted to create art that was marvelous and mystical. The detailed fantasies of Hieronymus Busch (1453-1516) and the menacing engravings of prisons by Giovanni Battista Praises (1720-1778) were significant sources of inspiration. In terms of nineteenth century styles, surrealists thought Impressionism too naturalistic, and preferred Pre-Raphael and Symbolist works, such as the astigmatism etchings and strange paintings by Max Clinger (1857-1920), and the vivid Oceanic primitivism of Paul Gauguin.Aside from Dada, two other significant painting style influences on Surrealism were the 19th century Symbolism movement, and the Italian school of Metaphysical Painting, originated by Giorgio De Chorizo. Surrealists also got inspiration from several different writers. One such writer the surrealists claimed they owed much inspiration from was Gallinule Billionaire, who compose hallucinated, luminescent poetry and also who provided the name for the surrealist movement. Other writers included the Gothic 18th century English authors, whose novels depicted mysterious happenings, cruelty, madness and eroticism. . Surrealist artists use numerous techniques to provide inspiration for their imaginative artworks. Many of these are said to free imagination by producing a creative process free of conscious control. The importance of the unconscious as a source of inspiration is central to the nature of surrealism. Popular techniques include: Frontage: a method of creation in which one takes a pencil or other drawing tool and makes a â€Å"rubbing† over a textured surface. The drawing can either be left as is or used as the basis for further refinement. Invented by Max Ernst in 1925.Declaiming: A process of spreading thick paint upon a canvas then?while it is still wet?covering it with further material such as paper or aluminum foil. This covering is then removed (again before the paint dries), and the resultant paint pattern becomes the basis of the finished painting. Involuntary Sculpture: Surrealism describes as â€Å"involuntary sculpture† those made by absent-minded manipulating something, such as rolling and unrolling a movie ticket, bending a paper clip etc. Photometer: The making of a composite picture by cutting and Joining a number of photographs.Automatic Drawing: Invented by Andre Manson, Joan Mirror, and Paul Sleek, the technique of automatic drawing involved using a pen or other drawing instrument and letting it wander over the page without any conscious plann ing. Exquisite corpse: a method by which a collection of words or images are collectively assembled. It is played like a game in which players wrote or drew on a section of paper, folded it to conceal part of the writing or drawing, and then passed it to the next player for them to continue it on.Paranoiac-critical method: a technique invented by Salvador Dali in which the artist invokes a paranoid state (fear that the self is being manipulated, targeted or controlled by others). The result is a deconstruction of the psychological concept of identity, so that subjectivity becomes the main aspect of the artwork. Found Object: art created from undisguised, but often modified, objects or products that are not normally considered art, often because they already have a non-art function. 10. Many experiences and events from their culture or era influenced the surrealist artist's art practice.Salvador Dalais artworks often included symbols of war and violence, in reference to the war brewi ng in his home country of Spain. He also often included soft objects such as the clocks in The Persistence of Memory' or his self portraits, which were most likely influenced by Dalais feelings towards his own impotence. Max Ernst is well known for his absurd illustrations cut out of books of grotesque hybrids of humans and birds, an ongoing theme in Errant's work throughout his life due to the childhood trauma of his pet cockatoo dying night his sister was born.Rene Margarita's works featuring people with cloths covering their faces is said to have been influenced by the state Margarita's mother was found in after committing suicide by drowning-with her dress covering her face. Marcel Duchess's Futurism inspired piece The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass) was inspired by a performance of the stage adaptation of Recourse's novel Impressions diffuser which Decamp attended in 1912. 1 1 .The surrealists were rebelling against what its members saw as the destr uction brought on by the â€Å"rationalism† of European culture and politics in the past and had deed to the horrors of World War l. They were also rebelling against many conditions of their culture, such the complacency of bourgeois society, sexual repression, as well as current political theories or figures such as capitalism, Fascism, and fascist leaders such as Doll Hitler and Franco. Margarita's Treachery of Images (This is not a pipe) 12.Surrealist artists intended to revolutionize the human experience, by freeing people from what they viewed as false rationality, and restrictive customs and social structures. As Andre Breton claimed, the true aim of Surrealism is â€Å"long live the social evolution, and it alone! â€Å". For example, Margarita's â€Å"The Treachery of images [This is not a pipe)† aimed to challenge the linguistic convention of identifying an image of something as the thing itself, and was a reaction to the â€Å"Rationalism† that surre alists believed led Europe into World War l.Margarita intentions in creating his work â€Å"The Rape†, which depicts a woman's head with breasts and genitals on the face instead of facial features, was to comment on the common view of women at this time as simply compromised objects that exist only for male satisfaction. Duchess's intentions in reading his artwork â€Å"fountain† which was a urinal laid flat on its back rather than it usual upright position, was to challenge society and the art world's idea of what was or what could be art.He wanted to bring about the idea that art did not have to be created by the artist, it could simply be an everyday object selected by the artist and altered so it no longer had a practical use. 13. Many of the Surrealist artists developed a trademark style, technique or motif that appeared throughout their works. Joan Mirror has become well known for his colorful, biomorphic forms, roughly metric shapes, and barely recognizable obje cts expressed in multiple media, from ceramics and engravings to large bronze installations.Yves Tansy's artworks usually feature vast, abstract landscapes, mostly in a limited palette of colors, only occasionally showing flashes of contrasting colors. Typically, in these alien landscapes are various abstract shapes, sometimes like shards of glass, sometimes like giant amoebae. Man Rays trademark was that of rich photographs depicting nude women who exuded a sense of subtle eroticism as well as strength and strangeness. His nudes were also often in interesting positions or posed with objects to add to the sinister tone.De Chorizo was known for his use of motifs?empty arcades, towers, elongated shadows, mannequins, and trains among others?that he arranged to create â€Å"images of forlornness and emptiness† that also convey a feeling of â€Å"power and freedom†. Salvador Dali used many symbols in his works. The motif of the â€Å"burning giraffe† in many of his p aintings represented a premonition of war, his roaring Siberian tigers symbolized Dalais wife Gala when angered, the wooden crutch homebodies death and resurrection as well as possibly impotence, and grasshoppers were symbols of decay. 14. Art Practice refers to the way in which an artist creates their artworks.The two predominant styles of practice in surrealism was the technique of abstract surrealism, often with the use of automatism, or the realistic, dream-like form of surrealism. Joan Mirror became well-known for his use of automatism, while Salvador Dali gained worldwide success for his realistic, dreamboats paintings. Salvador DALi Soft self-portrait with grilled bacon 1941 oil on canvas 1. Xx. 0 CM Salvador DALi Salvador Dali was born May 1 1, 1904 in Figures, Spain. From an early age Dali was encouraged to create art and later went on to study art at an academy in Madrid.During his studies, he was influenced by several different artistic styles, including Metaphysics and C ubism. In the sass's Dali went to Paris and began interacting with Picasso, Emigrate, and Mirror. During his time in Paris, Dali painted a number of works that displayed Picasso influence, and did much experimentation with his art, leading to his first Surrealist phase in 1929. He created oil paintings which were small collages of his dream images. His work employed a meticulous classical technique, influenced by Renaissance artists, which contradicted the â€Å"unreal dream† setting he created with strange hallucinatory figures.Even before this period of his art, Dali was an avid reader of Sigmund Fraud's psychoanalytic theories. As his style matured, Dalais works became more and more affected by Freud and were increasingly shaped into dreamlike illustrations. In 1929, Dali met the Russian Gala, who would become his wife and muse. By 1930, Salvador Dali had become a tortuous figure in the Surrealist movement, with his painting The Persistence of Memory (1931) being produced to much acclaim. The painting shows melting pocket watches in a landscape setting.As war approached in Europe, specifically in Spain with the rise of the fascist leader Franco, Dali clashed with members of the Surrealist movement. In a â€Å"trial† held in 1934, he was expelled from the group, but that did not prevent him from continuing his painting, which took on a technical brilliance combining meticulous detail with fantastic and limitless imagination. Joan Mirror The Nightingale's Song at Midnight and the Morning Rain 1940 Joan Mirror (1893-1983) was a world renowned Spanish Catalan painter, sculptor and ceramist who was born in Barcelona.Mirror moved to Paris at an early age, where he began to develop his unconventional style of art making. He soon became known in the art world as a Surrealist because of his love for automatism and the use of sexual symbols in much of his work. Joan Mirror was against the established painting methods of the time, and is often said to ha ve been the founder of automatic drawing. During his career, Joan Mirror experimented with many different types of art arm, refusing to commit to one artistic movement, even experimenting with tapestry.Joan Mirror also began to delve into other aspects of media, including ceramics and window paintings. At the time of his death, Joan Mirror was bedridden from heart disease and respiratory complications. He died at his home in Palm, Mallory on December 25th, 1983. He is buried in his home town of Barcelona, near a museum that is dedicated entirely to his work. Today, his works are displayed in museums and galleries all over the world, and sell for anywhere between $250,000 and $17 million. By Lucy McKnight

Definition of School Essay

Definition of School Essay Definition of School Essay Children have been going to school for years and years now. The school that people think of and what it really is today has changed completely. When school comes to mind you think of kids going to school and getting an education. The safety of your children and knowing that they could go to school and you would be able to see them again when they return home. I am sure that every parent dreams of there child going to school and someday graduating and going onto college to make a better life for themselves. Another is drugs, I bet those were not big in schools twenty years ago. Well now the definiton of school has completely changed and nothing is the same. Now in schools there is a high rate of crime and drugs. Kids are doing drugs in school at such a young age now. I graduated in 2009 and I remember kids getting busted for some of the most stuipd things that you could ever think of. Kids were â€Å"snorting† house hold chemicals or even super glue to get a high, then they wou ld bring it into school and get other students to try it in the bathrooms on breaks or at lunch. You also have the typical drugs like marijua and perscription pain killers are being brought to school by student who are even as young as the seventh grade. Kids are also bringing alcohol to school and trying to drink it throughout the day and sharing with other children. The drugs and drinking in the public school systems has changed so much. Now schools are having to do random lock downs and bringing in police dogs and having the school searched for all of the substances in the school. I tell my parents about what I saw in school and they never ever thought of that happening and said how much school has changed in the twenty years they have been out of school. Bullying has always happened in school but now it has come to an all time high. Kids are getting bullied so bad that children are now taking matters into there own hands, not being able to get the help that they need and taking there own lives because of kids at school. Also they would take matters into their own hands in a different way and bring weapons to school and try and kill the other student or students who are bullying them. I know that when I went to school students always just wanted to fight and coming from a good quite community I still could not believe that this was happening. The family of a Flour Bluff teen who killed himself after being bullied will never be able to see their son graduate. They say its only brought more painful memories of what Teddy Molina experienced before his death. Teddy shot and killed himself April 1, 2012, just one month after he withdrew from the Flour Bluff School District because of bullying . Since then, his family has been advocating awareness on bullying (Reyes). They found some letters written by Teddy talking about the bullying they blame on their son's death. Kids are mean and now with all of the stigmas you have out in society today it is making kids crazy. If you come to school and you are not up to date on the latest trends and what is cool you are profiled by all the other students. In school you have many different groups like cool kids, jocks, nerds, band geeks, theatre group and all sorts of other groups and if you don’t fit into that group they just completely ignore everyone outside of the groups. I know that these types of groups have always been in high schoo,l but the attitudes have changed and the actions. Now they are bullying other people who are not part of there group and a life ends up having to be taken, something that people would never think would happen. Schools now are trying to educate students and staff on bullying and what to be able to do if you see bullying or the one being bullied. Some of the activies now to show students about this issue is internet research to look up the different types of bullying, how to prevent it, and show kids how to be able to respond. Presentations are now given in school such as role

The opening scene of The Crucible Essays

The opening scene of The Crucible Essays The opening scene of The Crucible Paper The opening scene of The Crucible Paper As Act two progresses, Her back is turned to him. He turns and watches her, a sense of their separation arises. Miller wants the audience to see that Elizabeth and Johns relationship is not as usual as they were trying to convince one another. This is the turning point in Act two. John becomes more and more frustrated over Elizabeths false emotions which she was portraying to John previously, however, John remains calm when Elizabeth turns her back, with a gentle reply, I think youre sad again. Are you? . A Puritan wife should have been at her husbands side doing her duties without question, but Elizabeth turning her back is showing disregard to Johns presence in the room. John follows up Elizabeths turn of her back by asking gently, I think youre sad again. Are you? John is wanting to confirm that Elizabeth is still sad about his affair with Abigail and that he is not mistaken by her actions, but he is hesitant to say it straight up. John asks gently because he either does not want to release all of the anger that they have both built up by arguing, or that he really does care for Elizabeths wellbeing and therefore asks gently. Elizabeths reply is brief, You come so late, I thought youd gone to Salem this afternoon. Miller wants the audience to see that Elizabeth does not want to start an argument with John, but she must tell him how she feels because if their relationship is going to be fixed, she must be truthful with him and tell him how she feels. The stage direction, she doesnt want friction, and yet she must. supports the idea that she doesnt want to tell John about what she is thinking, but she must. Once John tells Elizabeth, She [Abigail] told it to me in a room alone I have no proof for it. Elizabeth begins to question whether John and Abigail were in the room alone. When John confirms it, Elizabeth says, Do as you wish then. and the stage direction is, quietly she has suddenly lost all faith in him Miller wants the audience to realise that Elizabeth does not believe that nothing happened while John and Abigail were in the room alone. Elizabeth believes that John lied to her before about having an affair, and he has lied again now. All that John has been doing to make Elizabeth happy has been ruined and John and Elizabeth are back to how they would have been just after Elizabeth found out about the affair. Elizabeth has no trust in John at all, so although John defends himself by saying, For a moment, I say. The others came in soon after. Elizabeth does not even begin to believe that what John is telling her is true. Elizabeths lack of trust in John frustrates John to the point that he loses his calmness which he has been speaking with all night. John says, Woman. Ill not have your suspicion anymore. and then interrupts her reply by shouting, Ill not have it! All of the tension that was building up between the two has finally exploded into anger and the friction that was avoided by both John and Elizabeth has started. The reason John is so angry with Elizabeths lack of trust is because a Puritan wife should have never question anything that their husband said to them and should accept it as the truth. As the scene progresses, John begins to tell Elizabeth exactly how he feels about how she has been behaving with him. John says, Spare me! You forgive nothin and forget nothin. Learn charity, woman. This line has been included by Miller because it tells the audience Johns exact feelings about how Elizabeth is behaving around John. It also tells the audience some extra details about Elizabeths personality. You forgive nothin and you forget nothin. This line tells the audience the nature of Elizabeth and one of the reasons that John is so frustrated with her. Elizabeth is not a very forgiving character and this is made more obvious as she also does not have any trust in John since the affair. John is telling Elizabeth to show him some consideration by having some trust in him when he says spare me. As the Act progresses, John and Elizabeths argument is stopped as Mary enters with a poppet for Elizabeth. John lets some of this anger out on Mary as she walks in. When John gets mad at Mary, she tells him how she saved Elizabeths life, as her name was mentioned in court. Towards the end of Act four, John decides that he will confess himself, however, refuses to sign the confession that Hale produces as he does not want to tarnish his good name for his children. Danforth rejects Johns confession without him signing it, and orders for John to be hanged. Hale begs Elizabeth to change Johns mind and sign the confession, but Elizabeth claims that John wants to keep his good name, and nobody should take that.

Creative Writing Essays (693 words) - Electricity, Free Essays

Creative Writing Essays (693 words) - Electricity, Free Essays Creative Writing It was a Saturday afternoon, and I was sitting in the living room recliner watching my normal morning cartoons while eating my bowl of Lucky Charms. All of a sudden, a newsflash appeared on my screen. A newscaster appeared and stated in a serious voice, "We interrupt this program for an important announcement. It has been discovered that a large meteor is traveling at a fast pace towards the Earth and has been calculated to hit the Earth at approximately 12:00pm, Tuesday. We urge everyone to move in a calm manner to a storm shelter or any other form of security." The Lucky Charms I had been chewing fall out of my mouth while the TV converts from the fear-inducing newscaster to Scooby Doo. I jump up in fear, and then embarrassingly realize that I had been dreaming. I sit down and wonder to myself, "What if that had really happened? What would I take with me?" In my opinion, medicine and electricity would be the most beneficial because of the advances and demands for the two ingenious discoveries. One hundred fifty years ago, in the operating theater on the top floor of the MGH's Bulfinch Building, one of the greatest moments in medicine occurred. On Oct. 16, 1846, William T.G. Morton, a Boston dentist, demonstrated the use of ether during surgery, ending the indescribable pain that had been associated with the surgeon's knife. Using a specially designed glass inhaler containing an ether-soaked sponge, Morton administered the anesthetic to Gilbert Abbott, a printer who had come to the MGH for treatment of a vascular tumor on his jaw. After several minutes, Abbott was rendered unconscious. John Collins Warren, MD, one of the most widely recognized surgeons of that time, then surgically removed the tumor. Upon wakening, Abbott informed the curious and skeptical physicians and medical students in the theater that he had experienced no pain. If it wasn't for a medical discovery like ether and other medicines, many would be experiencing the indescribably pain of the surgeon's knife and some would own a gravestone. Through the Renaissance, both men and women practiced medicine. For most of history, the human heart has been regarded as a forbidden organ, too delicate to tamper with. It might have remained so, if not for World War II. Military doctors, facing injury and suffering on a massive scale, pioneered advances in antibiotics, anesthesia and blood transfusions advances that would usher in the age of modern surgery. In addition to medicine, I would include electricity. Electricity, like light, travels extremely fast at 300,000 kilometers per second. It flows easily through metal wires. In particular, copper and silver are very good conductors of electricity. Electricity also generates heat as it flows through most objects. It can be controlled and utilized easily using many different technologies. Electricity is very useful because it can be converted into many kinds of energy. Electricity can be converted in to light using light bulbs, and even heat by using heating coils. It can also be converted into motion or even stored chemical energy. Electricity is used everywhere; to produce goods, provide services, and transport materials and people. Electricity also is used in commerce, agriculture, medicine, communications, entertainment, and a variety of other areas. Expanded uses for electricity are constantly being developed. Not only does electricity provide energy, it also provides jobs. A total of 510,595 workers were employed by electric utilities at the end of 1990 in a wide variety of jobs. From repairing power lines, to providing information to electricity customers, to constructing new power plants. These developments are driven by technological advances that both improve traditional uses of electricity and create entirely new ones. Because of the advances and demands for medicine and electricity, the great necessities would be beneficial to my survival. If it weren't for people like Benjamin Franklin or William T.G. Morton, we would not have such luxuries as heat or light, or some would not be enjoying the breath of life. If you take medications and electricity out of this world, you take out our culture and way of life.

Tourism Operations Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Tourism Operations Management - Assignment Example Improvement in environmental planning and management in the destination including provision of environmental control measures and services such as monitoring and 'improving air and water quality, litter clearance, provision of waste recycling schemes, etc.'; Tourism is a key industry for UK with an annual turnover accounting for over 4% of GDP and with over 7% of the working population working in the sector. As per Department for Culture, Media and Sport (2004), UK is one amongst the top ten world tourism earners. More than 86% of England's tourism income comes from domestic visitors and the sectors that have contributed to the attractiveness of England for domestic tourists, and of Britain for overseas visitors include, transport, galleries, museums, theatres, heritage sites in public and private ownership, conference and exhibition venues, shops, pubs, clubs and restaurants. Positioning of UK as a important destinations rests on meeting and exceeding customers expectations. The priority areas identified by the Government are marketing and e-tourism, product quality, workforce skills, data and advocacy of the case for supporting the tourism industry. Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837, is a prime tourist attraction. Although many of the official events and receptions are held by The Queen, areas of Buckingham Palace are open to visitors on a regular basis. ... Sustaining tourism enterprises; Prioritising markets that strengthen economic returns; Promoting the use of local products and integration with other sectors; Spreading tourism benefits and opportunities throughout the communities and Strengthening communication with visitors and local residents. The report cites the case of Buckingham Palace, efforts in place and those desired to improve the quality of tourism. Tourism in UK Tourism is a key industry for UK with an annual turnover accounting for over 4% of GDP and with over 7% of the working population working in the sector. As per Department for Culture, Media and Sport (2004), UK is one amongst the top ten world tourism earners. More than 86% of England's tourism income comes from domestic visitors and the sectors that have contributed to the attractiveness of England for domestic tourists, and of Britain for overseas visitors include, transport, galleries, museums, theatres, heritage sites in public and private ownership, conference and exhibition venues, shops, pubs, clubs and restaurants. Positioning of UK as a important destinations rests on meeting and exceeding customers expectations. The priority areas identified by the Government are marketing and e-tourism, product quality, workforce skills, data and advocacy of the case for supporting the tourism industry. Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837, is a prime tourist attraction. Although many of the official events and receptions are held by The Queen, areas of Buckingham Palace are open to visitors on a regular basis. These include the State Rooms, open during the Annual Summer Opening in August and September, which during the 58 days of operation from 31 July to 26