Assignment 4

I am looking into my research from two different angles. I am doing this because I cannot find enough research on shoe stability alone. Firstly I am reviewing the journal “Step by Step” which looks into the aspects of different types of insoles that can make one shoe be more comfortable and a better fit. The other text I am looking at is a booked called, “The facts about alcohol, aggression and adolescence”. The reason I am combining these resources is because I want to find out if the aggressiveness whilst drinking plays a part in shoes being uncomfortable, or if it is the aesthetics of the shoe itself which results in a woman removing them whilst drunk.

I am interested in this subject area because in my home town, Kirkcaldy, girls/ woman when drunk remove their shoes, and walk on broken glass and dirt whilst carrying their shoes. They tend to use their shoes as objects because the drink takes over and makes them aggressive.

The article by Langer emphasises how different types of insoles can be more or less effective in different ways for every different person. Although this article is based on insoles for sports shoes, I can use this information as the basics for my research and reproduce the same idea for woman’s dress shoes.
I assume the author is a Podiatrist by the supporting comments, “Almost all of my patients” and “It is not unusual to have a runner come into my clinic…” Langer is explaining through out the whole text that no matter what shape of feet you have, each individual needs a different supporting insole. The author is not looking at how the insoles look or the materials used but is interested in how well the product works in preventing any injuries to the foot. Langer’s intention is tell the trust about all types of insoles, “anyone involved in footwear sales must always keep in mind that cushioning comes at a cost”. The buyer of the insole needs to take into consideration what activities they will be doing when wearing the shoe padding. Evidence from article shows that “our bodies absorb impact more efficiently when we have good alignment, and too much cushioning can negatively affect body alignment”. This comment to me suggests that if the alignment of the foot is not correctly positioned it will effect the comfort of the shoe. This gives the argument that if a person is drunk and their balance is not good, then the shoe will become uncomfortable. There for, no matter if the shoe has the correct amount of cushioning, if the balance of the body is positioned weird, the type of insole may not make any difference.

In my next text by Coggans and McKellar they explore the concept of aggression occurring whilst drinking. This is a complete turn from the previous text but it looks at the links between alcohol consumption and aggression and the idea of drinking changing a persons attitude and the way they react in situations. “It is widely believed that alcohol causes aggression in the sense that people are more likely to become aggressive or even violent if they drink alcohol” (Coggans and McKellar, 1995) From this statement, in my opinion I personally think that the two are related because there is far less arguments during the day as what there is after the consumption of alcohol. Evidence from the book proves that although many would think this is the case, it depends on “individual factors such as personality, characteristics, situational factors including perceptions of the environment.” If aggression whilst drinking depends on certain aspects it may be the case that woman genuinely take their shoes off because they are hurting them rather than to be awkward and want to cause harm.

Coggans and McKellar explore the concepts coming to a conclusion that they are related although“at an intuitive level most people would agree that alcohol affects people differently.” I agree with this statement because referring to an earlier statement a persons personality depends on their nature when drinking.

Combining both texts they both play an important part in my research. Langer has proved that depending on the support given by the insoles may vary the need to remove footwear. But from the evidence from Hoggans and McKellar drink will only have an effect on a person if they have a tendency to be aggressive when drunk because it depends on their personality.

Coggans, N and McKellar, S (1995) The facts about Alcohol, aggression and adolescence, Kent, MacKays of Chatham PLC.

Langer, P (June 2007) Step by Step, unknown.

To further my research I intend to look into the effects of balance and co-ordination whilst being intoxicated by drink. This can then lead onto my research of how I can apply my design idea and they way I can design the removable heel. Depending on the results from balance and co-ordination research it might alter how the shoe needs to be connected.