In responding to you’re the first two peers, offer additional suggestions on the work they chose. Do you agree or disagree with their assessment of the use of musical elements? Michael post The song I have chosen is Policticians in my eyes by The Band Death.  I have chosen this song as a my choice of The American story due to the style of music. The song written and record in Detroit during the height of Mo-Town death is considered to be one of the first "punk" bands in America. Originally a funk band before changing to a protopunk sound, The heavy guitars taking rifts from the upcoming british rock scene inwoven with the detroit mo-town/funk bass lines and traditional drums, I believe this sound to be american in nature due to it's melting pot style of various musical influences.  James post The reason why the United States develop a style of music that was different from Europe is due to the Romantic period. A period that lasted around 1780 to 1910 that inspired a sense of nationalism and their own uniqueness based on the types of elements that is incorporated within a music. For instance, in Russia at the time, the harmony element was an element to tackle as Russian creativity was emphasized on the inertia and self-enclosed tableaux in order to create a uniqueness. Compared to western harmony which worked against the idea in order to propel the music onward and shape it (Brown, Final, 422, 432–34).    In terms of what musical elements that create what might be called the “American” sound, it think it's the emphasis on the harmony element taking the lead that makes American sound more distinct when compared to other western counterparts such as Great Britain. While at the same time, not being over constantly over the top and keeping a low but free flow in a sense. For instance, the United State National anthem starts low with the harmony varying a little from time to time until the climax. While not a song from the time period, another song I think fits the bill is a song called "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver which also seem to displays similarily.  RESPOND TO STUDENT POST IN 100 WORDS REGINA POST Hello everyone.  1. Provide an overview of the biological, psychological, sociocultural theories surrounding the causes of substance use disorders. Biological theories suggest that brain chemistry, brain structure, and genetic abnormalities cause behavior (Horvath, Misra). This basically means we are born with substance use disorder already in our DNA.  Psychological theories claim that addiction is caused by abnormalities or "Psychopathology" that manifests itself as mental illness, that people learn unhealthy behavior in response to the environment, and that peoples thoughts and beliefs create their feelings in turns determines their behavior (Horvath, Misra). Sociocultural theories state that cultural standards of a society and the negative effects of culture and society on individual behavior causes addiction (H ...

1. In responding to you’re the first two peers, offer additional
suggestions on the work they chose. Do you agree or disagree
with their assessment of the use of musical elements?
Michael post
The song I have chosen is Policticians in my eyes by The Band
Death. I have chosen this song as a my choice of The American
story due to the style of music. The song written and record in
Detroit during the height of Mo-Town death is considered to be
one of the first "punk" bands in America. Originally a funk band
before changing to a protopunk sound, The heavy guitars taking
rifts from the upcoming british rock scene inwoven with the
detroit mo-town/funk bass lines and traditional drums, I believe
this sound to be american in nature due to it's melting pot styl e
of various musical influences.
James post
The reason why the United States develop a style of music that
was different from Europe is due to the Romantic period. A
period that lasted around 1780 to 1910 that inspired a sense of
nationalism and their own uniqueness based on the types of
elements that is incorporated within a music. For instance, in
Russia at the time, the harmony element was an element to
tackle as Russian creativity was emphasized on the inertia and
self-enclosed tableaux in order to create a uniqueness.
Compared to western harmony which worked against the idea in
order to propel the music onward and shape it (Brown, Final,
422, 432–34).

2. In terms of what musical elements that create what might be
called the “American” sound, it think it's the emphasis on the
harmony element taking the lead that makes American sound
more distinct when compared to other western counterparts such
as Great Britain. While at the same time, not being over
constantly over the top and keeping a low but free flow in a
sense. For instance, the United State National anthem starts low
with the harmony varying a little from time to time until the
climax. While not a song from the time period, another song I
think fits the bill is a song called "Take Me Home, Country
Roads" by John Denver which also seem to displays similarily.
RESPOND TO STUDENT POST IN 100 WORDS
REGINA POST
Hello everyone.
1. Provide an overview of the biological, psychological,
sociocultural theories surrounding the causes of substance use
disorders.
Biological theories suggest that brain chemistry, brain structure,
and genetic abnormalities cause behavior (Horvath, Misra). This
basically means we are born with substance use disorder already
in our DNA.
Psychological theories claim that addiction is caused by
abnormalities or "Psychopathology" that manifests itself as
mental illness, that people learn unhealthy behavior in response
to the environment, and that peoples thoughts and beliefs create
their feelings in turns determines their behavior (Horvath,
Misra).

3. Sociocultural theories state that cultural standards of a society
and the negative effects of culture and society on individual
behavior causes addiction (Harvath, Misra).
2.Next, select one of the theories (biological causes,
psychological causes, or sociocultural causes) and defend and
support how the selected approach can explain why people use
psychoactive drugs, such as the individual in this week’s case
study.
I chose psychological theory. This states our environment
affects us. I think that this is true. If a person grows up around
drugs and alcohol it becomes normal to them. They are more
likely to start using themselves as teens or later on in life. The
same is if there is alot of drug activities in their neighborhoo d
where its across the street or on street corners. Peer pressure
also plays a role in drug and alcohol use specially for teens who
want to fit in with certain people or groups.
3. Based on the selected cause, explain why it is difficult for
a person to stop the drug or alcohol use and addiction.
Addictions exert long and powerful influence on the brain that
manifests in three distinct ways. First craving for the object of
addiction, second loss of control over it's use and finally
continuing involvement with it despite adverse consequences
(Harvard health). When using drugs it makes a short cut so to
speak to the reward system part of the brain which releases a lot
of dopamine. Since addiction is learned and stored in the brain
as a memory, recovery is a slow and hesitant process in which
the influence of those memories diminishes (Harvard health).
Basically since it is learned a person needs to retrain and start
to think differently in order to stop use. Back in the 1930's it
was believed that addiction was caused by addictive behavior
that the person had no self control, will power and was flawed.

4. Today we recognize addiction as a chronic disease that changes
both brain structure and function (Harvard health). For these
reasons it is hard to stop use of alcohol or substances.
MANDY POST
When treating substance use disorders, it is important to look at
several factors: biology, psychology, and sociocultural status.
There are essential elements to each of these areas that
contribute to addictions. For example, according to Harvard
Health (2011) in twin studies, addiction is highly inheritable,
with 40-60% of susceptibility to addiction being hereditary. In
the case study of Ellis, the opioid substance user, he grew up in
a home with an alcoholic which means that there is a higher
probability that Ellis would become an addict himself as an
adult, which he did (Purdue.edu, n.d.). Psychological elements
of addiction include how the substance is being reinforced, and
whether there are any comorbid mental disorders (Harvard
Health, 2011). In Ellis’ case, the alcohol and light drug use
increased to him becoming a heroin addict. This probably
occurred as Ellis began needed more and harder substances to
obtain the same high or reward from the brain’s pleasure center
(Purdue.edu, n.d.; Harvard Health, 2011). The third factor to
consider is the sociocultural aspect of substance abuse. This
takes into consideration the social status, the financial status,
and the support systems of the individual (Durand & Barlow,
2013). In Ellis’ situation, he grew up with an alcoholic father
and a passive mother (Purdue.edu, n.d.). This situation left little
in the way of a positive support system and as he grew, his need
for substances increased which made his financial status
decline. With this decline comes other psychological issues
such as anxiety and depression.
• Next, select one of the theories (biological causes,

5. psychological causes, or sociocultural causes) and defend and
support how the selected approach can explain why people use
psychoactive drugs, such as the individual in this week’s case
study.
According to Durand and Barlow (2013) the psychological
dimensions of addiction can include both positive and negative
reinforcements, and cognitive factors. The idea is that if the
addiction is being positively or negatively reinforced people are
more likely to decide to continue with the addiction (Durand &
Barlow, 2013). For example, if a person receives some kind of
pleasure reward from doing a certain drug such as a high, they
will be more likely to continue with this behavior. This is an
example of positive reinforcement. Negative reinforcement
involves removing something to keep the behavior. For
example, if a person is in pain, then they will take narcotics to
relieve this pain, if the narcotics help, they are more likely to
use these narcotics in the future.
One psychological theory about addiction is referred to as
psychopathological model of addiction. This model sees mental
disorder as the root cause of addiction (Horvath, Misra, Epner,
and Cooper, 2015). These mental disorders can include mood
disturbances, cognitive difficulties, or other mental illnesses
(Horvath et al., 2015). In fact, around half of the individuals
who are seeking addiction treatment also have another
significant mental disorder (Horvath et al., 2015). It seems clear
that mental disorders have some influence on addiction.
The psychological theories of addiction seem to help explain
Ellis’ situation. He began using drugs at an early age, and as he
grew he used harder and harder substances (Purdue.edu, n.d.).
This could have indicated that there is another mental disorder
that needs to be addressed such as depression. Therefore,
further testing should be done to help Ellis completely. Also, to
keep the same level of positive reinforcement, Ellis needed to

6. use higher quantities of drugs. This led him down a path where
nothing but this positive reinforcement was as important to him.
• Based on the selected cause, explain why it is difficult for
a person to stop the drug or alcohol use and addiction.
Based on the psychological theories and the psychopathological
model of addiction, it is difficult for Ellis to cease his drug use.
If he is indeed suffering from another mental disorder that is
untreated, he is essentially fighting two forces that are pushing
him towards seeking reinforcement. For example, the substance
use disorder causes him to seek drugs as positive reinforcement
to his brain’s pleasure center, while he could be simultaneously
using the drugs to rid himself of other symptoms of mental
disorders. Essentially attempting to numb the pain of other
psychological factors which is a form of negative
reinforcement. This dual situation makes it very difficult for
Ellis to not only seek help for his addiction, but also to
maintain recovery.
Jasmine post
I agree with the changes. I don't believe there is any possible
way someone of another heritage can come to America and not
adopt American ways. I also believe that it is necessary for
them to adopt certain ways so they can live comfortably here in
American. It would be hard to try living the way that they live
in their country over here in America because a lot is different
here and it would be hard to adjust to our ways if they don't
want to adopt some of our ways.
MARCUS POST

7. Cultural pluralism believes that all ethnic and national
minorities deserve the freedom to follow their own cultures
within a dominant society, while, at the same time, contributing
to society as a whole. Basically, this means that different
cultures should peacefully coexist with each other. The melting
pot theory advocates a blending of all cultures to form a
resultant, homogeneous culture, which is unique and different
from all the original cultures. Cultural pluralism is often
compared to a bowl of salad or a mosaic. Just like a bowl of
salad is not homogeneous, and each of its ingredients retains its
character despite contributing to the overall flavor, a pluralistic
society shows the contribution of different cultures, which
maintain their individuality. A melting pot, like its name
suggests, is compared to a metallurgical melting pot or boiling
stew. Just as meat and vegetables completely lose their identity
after boiling, and form a new substance called a stew, and
different metals mix together in a melting pot to form a
completely new alloy, the melting pot model forms a unique
society from the mixture of all cultures, but is similar to none.
JUDITH POST
I believe we learn from the moment we are born. While children
are said to be innocent, they learn from the adults around them.
I'm often at my local breakfast spot (my good friend owns a
small diner). There is a regular there who brings her grandsons
in every few days (along with her ex-husband, their grandpa).
One day, the 2 boys (about 4 and 6) were sitting on the stools at
the counter, spinning (like all kids do there) and one demanded
a glass of water from the waitress ("Get me a glass of water").
Neither adult with the kids corrected him, and the waitress said,
"Please may I have a glass of water" and got the 6 year old

8. water. The 4 year old then said "Get me one too". The grandpa
said "Don't get him one, they can share" to the waitress.
WHAT? He never corrected the kids...I was astonished. These
kids are not going to learn manners. What else will they learn or
not learn?
This is how easy it is for kids to act in ways that are then
reinforced (for better or worse) by adults. Where did they learn
NOT to say please, for example?
Class, what are some examples of children and discrimination?