A Comparison of Contemporary American Notions of...

People who are viewed as happy in our culture today are also seen as being rich, having a loving family, and a great occupation. Our society is attracted to material things, rather than spiritual ones. Can a person who does not have many possessions and an elevated social position still live a happy life? Epicurus believed that each one of us could achieve true happiness, and our only problem is that we stubbornly search for it in all the wrong places. Epicurus states that we only need three things to be happy besides the essentials needed for survival: friends, freedom, and an analyzed life. I will be comparing contemporary American notions of happiness to the Epicurean view. In our contemporary American life we have the†¦show more content†¦We are searching for happiness in the wrong places, and need to develop into a more simple society. If expensive things cannot bring us joy then why are we so drawn toward them? The logical explanation is that expensive possessions seem like a plausible solution to needs we do not understand. There are so many Americans who look happy on their exterior, but live with sadness and sorrow and who comfort themselves with material items. Before deeply thinking about happiness I figured that all wealthy people are happy, because they have the means to buy anything they desire. However, I have met very wealthy people who live very unhappy lifestyles. According to Epicurus we need three things to be happy and they include friendship, freedom, and an analyzed life. A wealthy person, who has no family and friends, will never truly be happy, until they have some personal connection with others. Epicures’ first ingredient to happiness is friendship. He compared eating a meal alone to the lifestyle of a lion or a wolf, and he tells us that we should focus on who we dine with rather then what we are eating to bring us joy. A rich person can buy expensive dishes that might bring that person a pleasurable taste while indulging, but if that person is eating alone in silence the experience may not be as enjoyable. Wealthy people may appear to have many friends who they think they can trust, but fame and fortune can attract the type of people who cannot be trusted. Just because youShow MoreRelatedSources of Ethics20199 Words   |  81 Pagescode of ethics: 102 RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PROFESSIONAL: 102 3.0- CONCLUSION: 105 4.0-REFFERENCES 106 1.0- JOHN STEINER AND GEORGE STEINER SIX PRIMARY SOURCES OF ETHICS: Six primary sources have been identified in the American business area by ethics scholars George and john steiner as under: 1- Religion: The great world religion as we hav seen are: †¢ Judaism †¢ Christianity †¢ Islam The business people in this religion believe that theirRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesSelf-Assessment Library What’s My Emotional Intelligence Score? 115 An Ethical Choice Schadenfreude 120 Point/Counterpoint Sometimes Blowing Your Top Is a Good Thing 122 Questions for Review 121 Experiential Exercise Who Can Catch a Liar? 123 Ethical Dilemma Happiness Coaches for Employees 123 Case Incident 1 Is It Okay to Cry at Work? 124 Case Incident 2 Can You Read Emotions from Faces? 124 S A L S A L 5 Personality and Values 131 Personality 133 What Is Personality? 133 †¢ The Myers-Briggs

Juvenile and the Death Penalty - 1817 Words

Shayla S. Burris ENG101 Dr. Ankerberg March 6, 2007 Essay #2 Juveniles and the Death Penalty Today, minors are using their age as a shield against capital punishment. Adolescents believe that since they are not eighteen they will not be punished for the crimes they commit. The death penalty is appropriate for juveniles in certain circumstances, such as murder and brutal crimes that are considered capital offenses. The rate at which the death penalty is carried out, as well as inconstancies in sentencing does not make it a deterrent. There should not be an age limit in all capital offenses for those who could face the death penalty. Adolescents should know what he or she are doing is wrong, and is a crime. An age limits does†¦show more content†¦The vote was 5-3, Justice Kentucky not participating, and the fifth vote was cast by Justice O Connor, who concurred only because Oklahoma capital punishment law specified no minimum age. In Stanford, O Connor and Kennedy supported the death penalty for defendants who were 16 or 17 years old at the time of the crime, an d the four justices who had written the lead opinion in Thompson dissented (Latzer, Barry). Since juveniles are beginning to get more violent in their acts, should the age be lowered? If a look is taken at the juvenile criminal statistics today and compare to twenty years ago, a dramatic decrease would be seen in violent crime and an increased use of death penalty sentences. For example, Professor Victor Strieb stated juveniles are one to two percent of all people on death row in the United States. Throughout the history of juveniles sentenced to death, the rate has been steady because it has fluctuated more than five percent. The history of the death penalty for juveniles began around 1642 with the execution of Thomas Graunger. Thomas Graunger was executed in Plymouth Colony Massachusetts for a crime he committed when he was sixteen years old. He was the first recorded juvenile in what for offenses committed under the age of eighteen (Randa, Laura E.). There were 343 execu tions of juveniles before the Supreme Court repealed the death penalty. Therefore, what keeps the juvenile from assuming the responsibilities for hisShow MoreRelatedThe Death Penalty For Juveniles946 Words   |  4 Pages The death penalty for minors differs greatly from the death penalty for adult. The law that minor could be put on death row was decided to rule against the eighth amendment. The eighth amendment prohibits the act of â€Å"cruel and unusual punishment† which putting minors on death row breaks. On March 4, 2005 the law that minors could not be put on death row for their actions was set into place. The new laws say, â€Å"They cannot punish a minor by death penalty and they cannot punish someone for a crimeRead MoreThe Death Penalty For Juveniles1169 Words   |  5 PagesResearch Paper: Death Penalty for Juveniles Capital punishment for juveniles is one of the most controversial topics to ever be explored in society and in the criminal justice system. The death penalty is a rare occurrence amongst juveniles since it is so arguable as to whether they should be tried as adults. Lynn Cothern from the Juvenile Justice Resource Center suggests that â€Å"the primary purpose of the juvenile justice system is to hold juvenile offenders accountable for delinquent acts whileRead MoreThe Death Penalty and Juveniles2945 Words   |  12 PagesThe Death Penalty and Juveniles CJA433 The Death Penalty and Juveniles In the United States, the death penalty is an issue because of its controversies. Some people see it as a punishment. Some people say â€Å"an eye for an eye,† and believe this is the way to stop youth offenders from following the path of crimes such as murders. This does not only pertain to the youth but also to the adults. Others believe the death penalty to be cruel and unusual punishment even for the adults. In the law, juvenilesRead MoreJuveniles and The Death Penalty Essay1604 Words   |  7 PagesJuveniles and The Death Penalty *No Works Cited One of the most controversial issues in the rights of juveniles today is addressed in the question, Should the death penalty be applied to juveniles? For nearly a century the juvenile courts have existed to shield the majority of juvenile offenders from the full weight of criminal law and to protect their entitled special rights and immunities. In the case of kent vs. United states in 1996, Justice Fortas stated some of these special rightsRead MoreJuvenile Death Penalty Essay1353 Words   |  6 PagesJuvenile Death Penalty One of the most controversial questions in the juvenile justice system today is, Should the death penalty be applied to juveniles?†. A lot of people think that the death penalty for juveniles is cruel and unusual punishment and should only be used for adults. The crimes that juveniles commit are as dangerous and as violent as adult crimes. People argue that the adolescent brain does not mature until the late teens or early twenties, and that death penalty should not be theRead MoreEssay on Juvenile Death Penalty1824 Words   |  8 PagesDeath at 18? One of the most controversial issues in the country today is addressed in the question, Should the death penalty be applied to juveniles, and if so how young is too young? The death penalty has been in the United States for many, many years, and the United States still has yet to figure out how to solve all its dilemmas and whether or not the penalty is right or wrong. Debates about the use of the death penalty for juveniles have grown more intense because of the recent demand forRead MoreEssay on No Death Penalty for Juveniles2164 Words   |  9 Pagesthat the death penalty is, â€Å"the punishment of execution, administered to someone legally convicted of a capital crime.† Capital crimes array from murder to drug trafficking. In the United States the death penalty is mostly administered towards first-degree murder, with non-murder crimes varying by state. â€Å"Currently, only 58 nations actively practice the death penalty, with 96 countries having abolished it, the rema inder have not used the death penalty for 10 years or only allow for death in exceptionalRead MoreEssay on Juvenile Death Penalty3656 Words   |  15 Pagesunconstitutional to sentence a juvenile under the age of 18 to the death penalty. Before, Roper v. Simmons, in Thompson v. Oklahoma it had been decided that only those under the age of 16 could not be considered for the death penalty. Were these decisions correct? If an adolescent can commit such a heinous crime as homicide should they not also be able then to handle the consequences? The other side of the argument against the juvenile death penalty states that juveniles do not have the same reasoningRead MoreThe Juvenile Death Penalty: A Case For It1583 Words   |  7 Pagesschool with a 3.5 accumulative grade point average, pulling a 4.0 grade point average from the time of my expulsion on. I walked across the same stage as the athletes, the band geeks, the book worms and the teacher’s pets. An expelled student with a juvenile record walked across the same stage as the full ride scholarship earners and the Valedictorians. Today, I am attending the University of Northern Colorado, double majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology. I received a 3.4 grade point average myRead More Death Penalty Applied to Juveniles Essay1684 Words   |  7 PagesDeath Penalty Applied to Juveniles   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1643 a sixteen year old boy was put to death for sodomizing a cow. Three hundred and fifty years later, sixteen states have legitimized the execution of juveniles. Four of those twelve states have lowered the legal age of execution to twelve. For whatever reasons the death penalty has been supported by the public since this countrys existence. In this day and age of increasing violence, both juvenile and adult, it is time to re-examine the use

The Concept of Gestalt Psychology - 1439 Words

Running Head: What Gestalt psychology What Gestalt psychology Introduction Gestalt psychology is also referred to as Gestaltism. In German language, the word means the shape or an essence of complete form that an entity can take. The theory is based on the working of the mind and brain and it originated from the School of Berlin. The main principle of the theory is that the brain is an analog and a holistic organ having the capability to manage and organize itself (Hergenhahn, 2005, p. 78). The main principle of the theory is that the objects are seen in their entireties before eyes begin to analyze the individual parts. The gestalt psychologist holds the fact that the interaction between different kinds of stimuli is the main reason behind a successful perception. There is a great difference between the principles of cognition held by the behavioral psychologists and gestalt psychologists where gestalt psychologist stand by the fact that cognition is based on the organized nature of the brain. The gestalt effect can be defined by the form defining capability of the brain with visual recognition rather relying on curves and lines. Structuralism is an opposition to gestaltism. A better explanation of the gestalt theory is that whole form is greater than the sum of its individual parts (Ruscio, 2006, p. 30). Origins The concept of gestalt was introduced first in contemporary psychology and philosophy by Christian von Ehrenfels. The idea of gestalt is based on theShow MoreRelatedThe Path Of Psychology s Development1515 Words   |  7 Pagesthe psychology seeks to answer all these and many other issues. The path of psychology’s development differs from the developments of other sciences. After all, the objects of physics study, for example, somehow, are visible and tangible. Psychology, on the contrary studies invisible and even intangible substances. Prerequisites for the emergence of psychological doctrine have existed from ancient times. Even the ancient Greek philosophers have built that solid foundation, on which psychology aroseRead MoreThe Theories Of Gestalt Psychology1503 Words   |  7 PagesDevelopment of Gestalt Psychology Phrases such as â€Å"seeing the forest from the trees† and â€Å"the whole is greater than the sum of the parts† have roots grounded in the same ideals of Gestalt psychology. These phrases best describe the purpose of Gestalt psychology in how they emphasize focusing on the big picture and not just the colors. The Gestalt concept of perception is how the mind understands the world around it by seeing it in whole forms, not simple elements. The human brain and consciousnessRead MoreGeslalt Psychology1501 Words   |  7 PagesGestalt psychology means unified whole. Gestalt psychology does not look at things as individual elements but as a whole. The three main founders who established the school of gestalt psychology were Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka as well as Wolfgang Kohler. The foundations of the Gestalt psychology are perception, memory and learning. Some of the principles of Gestalt psychology are isomorphism, productive thinking as well as reproductive thinking w hich will be elaborated in this essay. One of theRead MoreAn Overview Of Gestalt Psychology1133 Words   |  5 PagesOverview of Gestalt Psychology Though not practiced in contemporary psychology, the school of Gestalt—meaning shape or form in Deutsch—was a predominant topic among German psychologists in the nineteenth century.   The term â€Å"Gestalt† was coined as a definition for the perception of a whole separate and different from its parts.   Prior to this, psychologists had been analyzing the parts of the whole in order to explain the whole.   Ã‚  In order to test the new theory, principles of Gestalt were establishedRead MoreThe Concept of Behaviorism Gestalt and Structuralism805 Words   |  3 Pagesessay: behaviorism, gestalt, and structuralism. Examples will be provided for each component. Behaviorism, gestalt, and structuralism are juxtaposed, and their influence on psychology is discussed. Unit 1 Individual Project To better understand the concepts of structuralism, behaviorism, and gestalt, its imperative to provide examples of each method and juxtapose the differences to explain how each impact psychology. Structuralism The structural approach to psychology yearned to quantifyRead MoreHistory of Psychology852 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is Psychology? Psychology is said to be the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The study of human behavior, development, and learning; and also seeks to understand and explain thought, emotion, and behavior. Today the question we are doing falls under the History of Psychology. It deals with the earlier schools (Structuralism and Functionalism) and compares them with the most recent schools of psychology (Gestalt psychology, Psychoanalysis and CognitiveRead MoreThe Field Of Psychology Ranks1277 Words   |  6 Pagesby congratulating you on your terrific work. Your commitment to the field of psychology ranks amongst the best and your work has stood the test of time. I know you are unaware of the impact you will have in this field, but let me tell you that your work is still highly regarded. Your work has been used by many professionals and educators to help individuals throughout the years. Professionals have used your gestalt principles to expand their industries by creating their own logos. As the yearsRead MoreThe Psychology Of Gestalt Therapy Essay1247 Words   |  5 PagesPsychology is not only fascinating or extraordinary, it has opened concepts great er than human understanding. Beginning in 1897, the human mind has been under heavy study, and through the invention of Gestalt therapy, it has helped tremendously. Fritz Perls, the founder of Gestalt therapy, although deceased his presents is felt everyday through Gestalt therapy. Gestalt therapy has training for anyone who might be interested into going into its practice. There are many facilities around the worldRead More Empiricism and Behaviorism Essay1384 Words   |  6 Pagesthe twentieth century, the field of Psychology found itself in a war between two contending theoretical perspectives: Gestalt psychology versus Behaviorism. With its roots within the United States, behaviorists in America were developing a theory that believed psychology should not be concerned with the mind or with human consciousness. Instead, behavior and the actions of humans would be the foremost concern of psychologists. Across the Atlantic, Gestalt psychology emerged by placing its criticismRead MoreGestalt And Humanistic Modes Of Thought800 Words   |  4 PagesGestalt and humanistic modes of thought share the idea that people have free-will and are able to make their own choices in life; also, a high importance is placed on a person’s experiences and personal viewpoint (Hergenhahn Henley, 2014). Phenomenology, or the introspective analysis of whole conceptu al experiences, features prominently in both ideologies (Hergenhahn Henley, 2014). Another shared viewpoint is that human beings are unique, and as such there is a limit to what can be learned from

Antigone (833 words) Essay Example For Students

Antigone (833 words) Essay AntigoneAnd KreonIn Antigone, both Antigone and Kreon could be considered the tragic heroof the play. A tragic hero, defined by A Dictionary of Literary, Dramatic andCinematic Terms, is someone who suffers due to a tragic flaw, or hamartia. ThisGreek word is variously translated as tragic flaw or error orweakness. Kreons hamartia, like in many plays, is hybris ? Greek foroverweening pride, arrogance, or excessive confidence. Kreons hybris causeshim to attempt to violate the laws of order or human rights, another main partof a tragic hero. Also, like all tragic heroes, Kreon suffers because of hishamartia and then realizes his flaw. The belief that Antigone is the hero is astrong one, but there is a stronger belief that Kreon, the Ruler of Thebes, isthe true protagonist. Kreons main and foremost hamartia was his hybris, orhis extreme pride. Kreon was a new king, and he would never let anyone prove himwrong or let anyone change his mind once it was made. One main event that showedKreon s hamartia and also caused the catastrophe was when he asked his sonHaimon, who was engaged to marry Antigone, if he still loves his father. Haimonsays he respects Kreons ruling, but he feels, in this case, that Kreon waswrong. Haimon asks his father to take his advice and not have Antigone executed,but, because of Kreons hybris, Kreon gets furious and makes the situationworse then it already was. He was way too proud to take advice from someoneyounger, and in his anger he decided to kill Antigone right away in front ofHaimons eyes. Just understand: You dont insult me and go offlaughing. Bring her here! Let him see her. Kill her here, beside herbridegroom' (Sophocles 919-921). This was too much for Haimon to take, andhe runs out of the room, yelling, her death will destroy others' (Sophocles908). Blinded by his pride and arrogance, Kreon takes that remark as a threat tohimself, unknowing that it wasnt directed to himself, but was a suicidethreat by his own son. Another example of Kr eons tragic pride is when theprophet, Teiresias, travels all the way to Thebes to tell Kreon very importantnews, but Kreon pride makes him ignore it and he accuses Teiresias of beingbribed. Teiresias tells Kreon that the gods are angered by Kreons disregardfor their laws, and that Kreon should release Antigone and bury Polyneices. After Teiresias tells Kreon that he, the King of Thebes, has made a wrongdecision, Kreons tragic pride is shown again. Teiresias: ?Doesnt anyoneknow, wont anyone consider.. Kreon: ?Consider what? What universaltruths are you going to proclaim? Teiresias: ?how much more valuablethan money good advice is? Kreon: ?Or how much worse losing your judgementis? (Sophocles 1210-1214) Teiresias, a blind prophet from Delphi whom hasnever been proven wrong, tells Kreon, All mankind is subject to error. Once a mistake is made it is wise of him to make amends and not be unbending. Stubbornness is stupidity' (Sophocles 1180-1184), but Kreon remainsstubborn. Teiresias: ?And tyrants love to have their own way regardless ofright and wrong. Kreon: ?Do you know who youre talking to? Were yourrulers' (Sophocles 1225-1228). Like all tragic heroes, Kreon must sufferbecause of his hamartia. After his anagnorisis, Greek for recognition, herealizes that he was filled with too much pride and that the prophetsprediction must be true. Kreon attempts to set things right, but unfortunately,does not in time. In a very ironic peripereia, Greek for reversal, his soncommits suicide, as does his wife. This is all because of Kreons tragic flaw:Pride. Kreon realizes this, and suffers, like all tragic heroes. Suffering isone of the main parts a tragic hero: realizing his or her tragic flaw whenits too late and suffering because of it. Kreons realization of his flawis very obviously shown when he says I was wrong, not you' (Sophocles1464), and I have learned, I am ruined. It was a god. Then, right then!Hit me, held me, heaped heavy on my head' (Sophocles 1468-1469). Hissuffering is also obviously shown. Has someone a sword? I and grief areblended. I am grief' (Sophocles 1502), Hurry, take me out of the way,Im nobody. Im nothing' (Sophocles 1510-1511). Kreon is tragic herobecause his actions follow the typical tragic hero outline. He had ahamartia, a tragic flaw, which was his pride and stubbornness, or hybris. Herealized his hamartia, but unfortunately just too late, and suffered because ofit. Now, Suffering is his teacher. He has learned the hard way, but likeall tragic heroes, he has learned. Kreons character followed the basicoutline of a tragic hero. Critics to this day still argue about who is thetragic hero of Antigone, Antigone herself, or Kreon. From what I have found,Kreon seems like the perfect Tragic Hero because he fits all therequirements of a tragic hero. Antigone, on the other hand, does not. She doesnot realize her hamartia, and while Kreon must l ive with what he has done,Antigone is dead. Death, which ceases her suffering, letting her rest forinfinity.

Influence Of Realism On Literature Essays - Art Movements

Influence of Realism on Literature After World War I, American people and the authors among them were left disillusioned by the effects that war had on their society. America needed a literature that would explain what had happened and what was happening to their society. American writers turned to what is now known as modernism. The influence of 19th Century realism and naturalism and their truthful representation of American life and people was evident in post World War I modernism. This paper will try to prove this by presenting the basic ideas and of these literary genres, literary examples of each, and then make connections between the two literary movements. Realism Modernism not only depicted American society after World War I accurately and unbiasedly, but also tried to find the solutions brought upon by the suffering created by the war (Elliott 705). The realistic movement of the late 19th century saw authors accurately depict life and it's problems. Realists attempted to ?give a comprehensive picture of modern life? (Elliott 502) by presenting the entire picture. They did not try to give one view of life but instead attempted to show the different classes, manners, and stratification of life in America. Realists created this picture of America by combining a wide variety of ?details derived from observation and documentation...? to ?approach the norm of experience...? (3). Along with this technique, realists compared the ?objective or absolute existence? in America to that of the ?universal truths, or observed facts of life? (Harvey 12). In other words, realists objectively looked at American society and pointed out the aspects that it had in common with the general truths of existence. This realistic movement evolved as a result of many changes and transitions in American culture. In the late 1800's, the United States was experiencing ?swift growth and change? as a result of a changing economy, society, and culture because of an influx in the number of immigrants into America. Realists such as Henry James and William Dean Howells, two of the most prolific writers of the Nineteenth-century, used typical realistic methods to create an accurate depiction of changing American life. William Dean Howells, while opposing idealization, made his ?comic criticisms of society? (Bradley 114) by comparing American culture with those of other countries. In his ?comic? writings, Howells criticized American morality and ethics but still managed to accurately portray life as it happened. He attacked and attempted to resolve ?the moral difficulties of society by this rapid change.? (Elliott 505). He believed that novels should ?should present life as it is, not as it might be? (American Literature Compton's). In the process of doing this, Howells demonstrated how life shaped the characters of his novels and their own motives and inspirations. By concentrating on these characters' strengths as opposed to a strong plot, he thematically wrote of how life was more good than evil and, in return, wanted his literature to inspire more good. On the other hand, Henry James judged the world from a perspective ?...offered by society and history...? (704). He also separated himself from America to create an unbiased view of it as a ?spectator and analyst rather than recorder? (Spiller 169) of the American social structure. He wrote from a perspective that allowed him to contrast American society with that of Europe by contrasting the peoples' ideas. By contrasting social values and personal though about America in America, he presented to the people the differing motivational factors that stimulated the different social classes (Bradley 1143). Overall, these writers managed to very formally portray America as it was while adding their own criticisms about it in an attempt to stimulate change. The naturalist movement slowly developed with most of the same ideals as those of the realists in that it attempted to find life's truths. In contrast, Naturalists, extreme realists, saw the corrupt side of life and how environment ?deprived individuals of responsibility? (Elliott 514). Literary naturalism invited writers to examine human beings objectively, as a ?scientist studies nature? (?Am. Lit.? Compton's). In portraying ugliness and cruelty, the authors refrained from preaching about them; rather they left readers to draw their own conclusions about the life they presented. Generally, these authors took

Dmitri Mendeleev essays

Dmitri Mendeleev essays Dmitri Mendeleev was the youngest of at least 14 children in his family. They lived in Tobolosk, Siberia. His father, Ivan, was the director of a gym and his mother, Marya, came from a family that introduced glass and paper making to Siberia. Mendeleevs father died while he was still young, and Marya had to work. Luckily, her family was able to get her a managers position at the Korniliev glass factory at Aremziansk. Dmitri was educated at his fathers gym in Tobolosk, where he showed a high interest in physics and mathematics. Also, he was taught many things about glass and glass blowing from the family factory. His brother-in-law, Bessargin, taught Mendeleev about current science topics. When Mendeleev was 14, his mother had already noticed his gifted abilities in Science and wanted to help him get a good education. All that changed when the family factory burnt down. Within a few months, Dimitri's mother and sister had died from tuberculosis. Mendeleevs most significant accomplishments were his discovery of periodic law and the making of the periodic table. He had a great interest in the elements, which up to his time were distinguished by only one basic property, which had been proposed by John Dalton in 1805, that each element has a characteristic atomic weight. Mendeleev wrote the elements out on cards, atoms had their atomic weights and were set out in columns in order of atomic weight. He was unclear what to do with hydrogen, the lightest, and left it out. Scientists had identified over 60 elements by Mendeleev's time. (Today over 110 elements are known.) In Mendeleev's day the atom was considered the most basic particle of matter. The building blocks of atoms (electrons, protons, and neutrons) were discovered only later. What Mendeleev and chemists of his time could determine, however, was the atomic weight of each element: how ...

How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home

How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home If you’re an experienced pet owner, you know that where theres one flea, there are undoubtedly more. Effective flea control requires treatment of both the pet and the home, including the use of products that address the entire flea life cycle. That will require treating your pet and cleaning your home thoroughly, perhaps more than once.   The Life of a Flea There are many flea species, but the most common one in the United States is  Ctenocephalides felix, commonly known as the cat flea. These parasites thrive off the blood of mammals like cats, dogs, even humans. They love warm, moist places, and they breed like crazy, which is what can make infestations so serious.   Fleas go through four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs hatch within 12 days of being laid. The larval stage lasts from four to 18 days. During this time, they feed on things like dead skin cells and dander, but they dont bite like adults do. Flea larvae next enter a pupal stage and lie dormant for anywhere from three to five day. Its the adult fleas that are the true pests. Theyre hungry and bite their hosts in order to feed off the blood they draw. Theyre also mobile, capable of leaping from host to host. And theyre prolific. An adult female can begin laying eggs within 48 hours of her first meal, on average 50 eggs a day. And fleas can live for two or three months, breeding until the end. Treating Pets To stop fleas, you need to break their life cycle, which means eliminating the eggs, the larvae, and the adults. Since your pet is the most likely host, start there. Begin by consulting your veterinarian, who can recommend a course of treatment based on your pets health and living situation. Many vets suggest topical products, often called spot-on treatments, or oral treatments. Popular treatments include Frontline Plus, Advantage, Program, and Capstar. These products are usually applied or administered monthly or every few months, and most require a prescription. Its worth pointing out that a small number of pets have an allergic reaction to these treatments, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. The Humane Society of the United States offers safety tips for using flea treatments on its website. Your vet may also suggest bathing your pet with an anti-flea shampoo to kill fleas living on your pets body, followed by a thorough combing with a flea comb to catch any remaining pests. But fleas can be persistent. If your pet goes outdoors, it can pick up new fleas. Likewise, your pet will become reinfested if you dont also treat your home. Cleaning Your Home Remember, the flea eggs drop off your pet. Flea larvae dont feed on blood; they can find everything they need to live in your carpet. After you treat your pet with an approved flea-control product, you need to get rid of the fleas in your carpet and on your furniture. Otherwise, the flea eggs will keep hatching, and you will be fighting a perpetual infestation of hungry fleas. If you act as soon as you notice Fido scratching, you may only need a vacuum and a washing machine for this step. Mild flea infestations can often be managed with some persistent housework. Concentrate your efforts on the areas of your home where your pet spends the most time.   Wash pet bedding, toys, blankets, linens, and throw rugs in hot water. Anything your pet has been on or near that can fit in the washing machine should be laundered. Use the hottest water possible.Vacuum carpets thoroughly. If possible, use a vacuum with a beater bar, as these do a better job of moving the carpet pile and getting to the flea eggs and larvae deep within the rug. Make sure you pick up any clutter; dont just vacuum it. Also, move the furniture and vacuum underneath. Some people recommend putting a flea collar inside the vacuum bag to kill the fleas once youve collected them.Vacuum upholstered furniture. Even if you dont think your pets climb on your furniture, they are. There are probably flea eggs hidden in your couch cushions. Vacuum all the cushions, cracks, crevices, and seams carefully. Remove the cushions and vacuum underneath them, too.Throw away the vacuum bag when done. If you dont, the fleas can escape. If you have a bagless vacuum, be sure to empty it immedia tely after sweeping and get the trash out of your house to prevent reinfestation. For bad infestations, you may also need to do a little more cleaning and use an environmental flea treatment: Vacuum baseboards, trim and other places where fleas may still be hiding. If you didnt catch the flea infestation early enough, or in a year when flea populations are higher than usual, you may need to be more thorough with your housekeeping chores. In addition to vacuuming carpets and upholstered furniture, use a crevice tool to remove fleas from under baseboard molding and kitchen cabinets. Look at the places where your pets eat, sleep, and play, and try to find the places where fleas may still be hiding.Apply a pesticide labeled for flea control to infested carpets and furniture. The key is to use the right product, one that contains an insect growth regulator. For flea control, look for spray products that contain methoprene or pyriproxyfen. These products disrupt the flea life cycle, ending the fleas ability to reproduce in your home. Flea Control Options Both chemical and natural products are available. Raid, Vibrac, and Frontline are three popular brands of chemical flea treatments for the home. Foggers can sometimes be effective, but they require very careful handling and use. Youll need to vacate your home for two or three hours while the fogger is on, plus youll need to clean all cooking and food-prep surfaces and utensils afterward. The Environmental Protection Agency has more tips for safe use of foggers on its website. If you want to avoid using harsh chemicals, there are some natural flea-control solutions as well, but they are often less effective. Vets Best and Nature Plus are two natural brands that earn good consumer reviews. You can also try adding a drop or two of essential oil (such as eucalyptus or lavender) to a spray bottle filled with water, then spraying the mixture on pet bedding, furniture, and rugs. Some experts also recommend spreading  diatomaceous earth on rugs, bedding, and furniture, but it can be difficult to vacuum up. Regardless of the product you choose, follow all directions on the label. Do not apply these products to your pet or your skin. Keep pets and children off of treated carpets and furniture for three days, which will allow the treatment time to work, then thoroughly vacuum. Treat Again as Needed If you still find fleas after following the steps above, you may need to do another round of cleaning and vacuuming 14 to 28 days later. If you live in a warm climate where fleas can thrive outdoors year-round, you may also need to have your yard treated. Dont forget to reapply monthly topical flea treatments to your pets and check regularly for fleas. Use a flea comb on your pets. You can purchase a fine-toothed flea comb at your local pet supply store or at your veterinarians office. Comb your cat or dog regularly, and examine the comb for fleas, flea eggs, or flea dirt which may be a sign of flea bites.Use a lint roller on your clothing. After your cat or dog has been on your lap, do a quick check of your clothing with a lint roller. Use the kind that comes with sticky tape, and roll it over your pants and shirt. Check the sticky tape for evidence of fleas. For all but the most severe flea infestations, these steps should get fleas under control. In some cases, such as when a multi-unit apartment building becomes heavily infested with fleas, the services of a professional pest control specialist may be required to eliminate the pests. Sources Crosby, Janet Tobiassen. The Life Cycle of the Flea. TheSpruce.com. 4 April 2017.  Flowers, Amy. Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home, Step by Step. WebMD.com. 18 February 2018.Humane Society of the United States staff. Flea and Tick Product Ingredients. Humanesociety.org.