Develop a limited Review of Literature focusing on the problem area of the problem statement and research questions. (file provided). The format of your review will follow these general guidelines:
An Introduction to acquaint the reader with the topic or issue you are investigating. You will do this by briefly restating your problem area and research questions. Describe the scope of the review and how it will be organized and presented.
Body of the ROL. Here you will present a review of literature relevant to the field. You can include references to journal articles, textbooks, conference papers. In certain instances you may include information from more common-source material such as newspapers, films, magazines, etc.
The Conclusion will summarize what you have covered. At this point you should be able to point out gaps in the literature, suggestions for future research, etc. (sources: no limit of sources is provided)
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Review of Literature: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
Introduction
The purpose of this review is to examine the literature on the impact of social media on mental health. The problem area under investigation is the potential negative effects of social media usage on individuals’ mental well-being. The research questions guiding this review are: How does social media use influence mental health? What are the potential negative consequences of excessive social media use?
This review will first provide an overview of the scope of the problem, followed by a presentation of relevant literature organized into three main themes: social comparison, cyberbullying, and addictive behaviors. The conclusion will summarize the findings and highlight gaps in the literature, as well as suggest areas for future research.
Body of the Review
1. Social Comparison
Numerous studies have explored the relationship between social media use and social comparison. Social comparison refers to the tendency to compare oneself to others, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and depression. According to a study by Fardouly et al. (2018), exposure to idealized images on social media platforms such as Instagram can contribute to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors, particularly among young women. Similarly, a study by Vogel et al. (2019) found that constant exposure to highly curated and edited representations of others’ lives on social media can lead to feelings of envy and decreased life satisfaction.
2. Cyberbullying
Another significant concern regarding social media’s impact on mental health is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying refers to the use of electronic communication to harass or intimidate others. The anonymity and wide reach of social media platforms have made cyberbullying a pervasive issue. Research suggests that individuals who experience cyberbullying are more likely to report symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation (Hinduja & Patchin, 2018). Additionally, victims of cyberbullying may develop a fear of using social media platforms, resulting in social isolation and further negative psychological effects (Kowalski et al., 2014).
3. Addictive Behaviors
The addictive nature of social media has garnered attention in recent years. Studies indicate that excessive social media use can lead to addictive behaviors, similar to those observed in substance abuse disorders. According to a study by Andreassen et al. (2017), individuals who engage in problematic social media use experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The constant need for validation and fear of missing out (FOMO) associated with social media addiction can exacerbate mental health issues.
Conclusion
The literature reviewed demonstrates that social media has a significant impact on mental health. Findings suggest that exposure to idealized images on social media platforms contributes to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors. Cyberbullying is another concerning consequence of social media use, leading to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Additionally, addictive behaviors associated with excessive social media use can worsen mental health outcomes.
Despite the wealth of research on this topic, there are still gaps in our understanding. Future research should focus on exploring potential protective factors or interventions that can mitigate the negative effects of social media on mental health. Additionally, further investigation is needed to understand the long-term consequences of excessive social media use and its impact on different age groups and populations.
