Case Study of a Child Age 17

(Alexa)
P E T E A . P E N K S A

C O L L E G E O F S O U T H E R N N E V A D A

E D U 2 2 0 : P R I N C I P L E S O F E D U C A T I O N P S Y C H O L O G Y

P R O F E S S O R T H E R I W Y C K O F F

J U N E 2 6 , 2 0 2 2
 Abstract
Physical Emotional Cognitive/Intellectual Psychosocial/Social Moral/Character/
Development Development Development Development Philosophical
Development
• Puberty • Signs of • Dyslexia • Forming intimate
during depression relationships • Still
adolescence • Still has trouble egocentric
accelerating • Moody grasping advanced • More time spent
growth subjects with friends, less • Conventional
• Potential with parents level of
• Many eating • Potentially not morality
physiological disorder going to graduate • Quiet; shy
changes high school
occuring

Alexa does Alexa does

Alexa exceeds Alexa meets not meet Alexa meets not meet
expectations expectations expectations expectations expectations
 Typical Physical Behaviors at Age 17
• Puberty causes rapid growth and physiological changes.

• “Teenagers experiment with various sexual, occupational, and educational roles” (Slavin,
2022, p. 48).

• Physical changes may not occur in a smooth, regular schedule (MedlinePlus, 2022).

• “They may make painful (physical) comparisons about themselves with their peers”
(MedlinePlus, 2022).

• “Awkward stages, both in their appearance and physical coordination” (MedlinePlus,

2022).

• Risk of experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

 Typical Physical Developmental Level
at Age 17
• “Rapidly changing physiology” (Slavin, 2022, p. 48).

• “Intimacy with another individual” (Slavin, 2022, p. 48).

➢ Ideally, “a partner in friendship, sex, competition, and cooperation.”

• “Secondary sexual characteristics appear” (Slavin, 2022, p. 48)

• “Girls… Breasts develop fully between ages 12 and 18.”

• “Boys' growth spurt peaks around age 13 and a half and slows around age 18.”

➢ “Girls’ growth spurt peaks around age 11.5 and slows around age 16.”

(MedlinePlus, 2022)
 Observation of Physical Development
Age 17
• Developmental Milestones Met:
➢ She has been in intimate relationships
➢ Recently found the courage to leave an abusive relationship
➢ Knowledge of how to use protective equipment
➢ Knowledge of risks associated with unprotected sex, drug, and alcohol use

• Developmental Milestones Unmet:

➢ Still growing at age 17
➢ Still developing confidence and acceptance of physical appearance
➢ Still no driver’s license
 Physical Development Recommendations
• “Parents should give the necessary space for their child’s physical activities.”

• “Acknowledging the child's physical changes… without crossing parent-child boundaries.”

➢ “It is natural and normal for their adolescent to be interested in body changes and sexual
topics. It does not mean that their child is involved in sexual activity.”

• “They need to become comfortable with their body and sexual feelings.”

• “Adolescents who are involved in sports should learn to use equipment and protective gear.”

• Adolescents should be educated on the dangers of unprotected sex.

➢ As well as the risks of drug and alcohol use.

➢ “Adolescents should not have the privilege of using motor vehicles unless they can show that
they can do so safely.” (MedlinePlus, 2022)
 Typical Emotional Behaviors at Age 17
• Adolescents begin to reflect on who they are as an individual, and who they are going to be
as an adult.

➢ Prone to cause serious emotional stress and anxiety.

• “During this time, your teen is developing his unique personality and opinions” (CDC, 2021).

• “You’ll see a lot of emotional maturity in your teen in a few short years. They should gain
better control over their emotions and, somewhere in the mid-teens, become less moody”
(CDC, 2021).

• Eating disorders also can be common, especially among girls” (CDC, 2021).

• “Many adolescents are at increased risk for depression and potential suicide attempts”
(MedlinePlus, 2022).
Typical Emotional Developmental Level
at Age 17
• “Adolescents “start to realize that there are differences between what they think and feel
and how they behave” (Slavin, 2022, p. 59).

• Self-Esteem issues
➢ “Adolescents are prone to be dissatisfied with themselves… They critique their
personal characteristics, compare themselves to others” (Slavin, 2022, p. 58).

• Identity crisis usually occurs

• “Children in the upper elementary grades seek to be more grown-up” (Slavin, 2022, p.
58).

• “Have a deeper capacity for caring and sharing” (CDC, 2021).

 Observation of Emotional Development
Age 17
• Developmental Milestones Met:
➢ Maintains a somewhat positive attitude toward life, but I fear depression may exist.
➢ Alexa has never had a problem with “experimenting and remaining flexible”, sometimes
at the personal cost of getting into legal trouble.
➢ Her unique and personal opinions are developed.

• Developmental Milestones Unmet:

➢ Her actions tell me that she does not consider the way she makes others feel.
➢ She has not reached a state of “identity achievement” yet; still unemployed and
wondering what to do after graduation.
➢ Potential for a mild eating disorder based on appetite and weight.
➢ She is kind to me, but still moody at times.
Emotional Development Recommendations

• Push students to constantly reflect on their emotions and the way they make others feel.

• “Rewards for good behavior and consequences for bad behavior” (Morin, 2021, para. 55).

• “Make your teen’s privileges contingent on their behavior” (Morin, 2021, para, 56).

• “Adolescents need to experiment and remain flexible if they are to be successful in

finding their own identity” (Slavin, 2022, p. 60).

• Show young adults how to maintain a positive outlook on life.

 Typical Cognitive/ Intellectual
Behaviors at Age 17
• “Show more concern about future school and work plans” (CDC, 2021).

• “Be better able to give reasons for their own choices, including about what is right
or wrong” (CDC, 2021).

• Added responsibilities such as chores, homework, driver’s license, first job, and first
romantic relationship (Morin, 2021, para. 54).

• “Skill development is accelerated to prepare for college or job training programs,

and talents are perfected” (Child Development Institute, 2022).

• More independence such as moving away from parents, later curfew, or staying
home alone overnight (CDC, 2021).
 Typical Cognitive/ Intellectual Developmental
Level at Age 17
• BronfenBrenner: “emphasis on sociocultural factors to form a more complete model of influences beyond
biology on child development.” (Influences from all levels of Bronfenbrenner’s Theory)
➢ “From family, schools, places of worship, and neighborhoods, to broader social and political influences, such as mass
media and government.”

• Piaget: Formal Operational Stage (Age 11 to Adulthood)

➢ “Ability to deal with potential or hypothetical situations.”

➢ “Ability to “monitor, or think about, their own thinking.”

➢ “An aptitude to reason about situations and conditions that have not been experienced.”

• Vygotsky: “passing on knowledge, skills, and experience from older to younger members of the society.”
(No set stages)
➢ “complex skills, such as reasoning and problem solving, are developed via mediation.”

➢ “Peers might share ideas about ways to prepare for a rite of passage.” (Slavin, 2022, pp. 29-35)
 Observation of Cognitive/ Intellectual
Development Age 17
• Developmental Milestones Met:
➢ Alexa has been exposed to every level of Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory by this age.

➢ She can consider hypothetical and future situations that she is yet to experience.

➢ She has developed different reasoning and problem-solving skills throughout high school.

➢ She shows independence by staying out of the home most of the day and night.

• Developmental Milestones Unmet:

➢ She has never held a job and lacks concern for future school and work plans.

➢ Constantly getting into trouble in and out of school. Lacks decision-making abilities, including
what is right and wrong.

➢ No longer in a positive family environment after death of father and moving back in with mother.
 Cognitive/ Intellectual Development
Recommendations
• “Teach your teen new problem-solving strategies” (Morin, 2021, para. 57).

• “Time to begin defining oneself and realistically contemplate the future”

• “Encouragement to participate in extracurricular activities”

• “Positive family environment”

➢ “Family-fun activities”

➢ “Open parent-child communication”

(Child Development Institute, 2022)
 Typical Psychosocial/ Social Behaviors
& Characteristics at Age 17
• “Social skills become refined, and relationships become more serious” (Child
Development Institute, 2022).

• “Have more interest in romantic relationships and sexuality” (CDC, 2021).

• “Spend less time with parents and more time with friends” (CDC, 2021).

• “Friends are more important than ever” (Slavin, 2022, p. 58).

➢ “Peer pressure is at its max” (Child Development Institute, 2022).
Typical Psychosocial/ Social Developmental
Level at Age 17
Stage 5: Identity Versus Role Confusion
• “The question “Who am I?” becomes important during adolescence.”

• According to Erikson, “adolescents may also wonder whether other people see and think
about the world in the same way they do.”

➢ “They learn that other people cannot fully know what they think and feel.”

➢ “More aware of their separateness from other people and of their uniqueness”

• Erikson believed the pressures faced as a teen cause them to “question and redefine the
psychosocial identity established during the earlier stages.”

➢ “An alignment of the individual’s basic drives” (Slavin, 2022, pp. 48-59)
Observation of Psychosocial/ Social
Development Age 17
• Developmental Milestones Met:
➢ Alexa shows more of an interest in romantic relationships.
➢ She has a unique personality.
➢ She spends more time with her friends, away from her mother.

• Developmental Milestones Unmet:

➢ In conversation she is shy.
➢ She is often unsure of herself and her answers to interview questions.
➢ She is known to be untruthful at times.
➢ She has an attitude problem and has been seen mouthing off.
 Psychosocial/ Social Development
Recommendations
• “During adolescence, kids need their parents more than ever” (Child
Development Institute, 2022).

• “Talk with your teen about her concerns and pay attention to any changes in her
behavior” (CDC, 2021).

• “Show affection for your teen” (CDC, 2021).

• “Respect your teen’s opinion” (CDC, 2021).

• “Show interest in your teen’s school and extracurricular interests and activities”
(CDC, 2021).
Typical Moral/ Character/ Philosophical
Behaviors at Age 17
• “People sometimes break rules on purpose… the rules that apply to some
people may not apply to others” (Slavin, 2022, p. 52)

• “Idea of laws may also have changed” (Slavin, 2022, p. 52)

• “There may be recognition of the need to establish a belief system for self… and
a sense of the importance of meeting the best good society” (Ellsworth, 1998)
Typical Moral/ Character/ Philosophical
Developmental Level at Age 17
Kohlberg’s Stages of Conventional Morality:

• Stage 3: Maintaining Good Interpersonal Relationships

➢ “Cognitively capable of putting themselves in someone else’s shoes”

• Stage 4: Maintaining the Social Order

➢ “Society’s rules and laws replace those of the peer group”

According to Kohlberg:

• “No longer do they simply do what will not get them punished or what makes them feel
good”

• “A desire for social approval no longer determines moral judgments”

• Abilities of moral reasoning

➢ “They can consider the feelings of others” (Slavin, 2022, pp. 50-53)
 Observation of Moral/ Character/
Philosophical Development Age 17
• Developmental Milestones Met:
➢ I know she can empathize, but she does not consider the future repercussions of her
actions and how they will affect her and others.

➢ Egocentrism starting to fade as she is starting to ask the question of what she will do
for a career.

• Developmental Milestones Unmet:

➢ Lack of moral reasoning as she has been caught stealing from her family.

➢ Lack of social order also because of several run-ins with the law.

➢ Still unsure of who she will become as an adult, lacking identity.

 Moral/ Character/ Philosophical
Development Recommendations
• “Teachers can help… by weaving discussions of justice and moral issues into lessons,
particularly in response to events that occur in the classroom or in the broader society”
(Slavin, 2022, p. 52).

• “Classical literature may help with consolidation of personal growth and curtail a sense
of isolation” (Ellsworth, 1998).

• Have meaningful conversations with teens about political views and respect their
opinions.

• Teach teens to meditate to overcome identity crises.

• “Simple expectations, worked out with the student and adhered to consistently give the
most safety and provide ritual as a safety net” (Ellsworth, 1998).
 References

CDC. “Adolescence (15-17 Years Old).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 Feb. 2021,
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/adolescence2.html.
Child Development Institute. “Know Your Child Better by Learning the Ages & Stages of Child Development.”
Child Development Institute, 30 Apr. 2022, https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/ages-stages/#.WR3Id_QrLrc.
Ellsworth, J'Anne. “Being Aware of Being Real.” Late Adolescence, 1998,
https://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jde7/ese504/class/pepsi/reading2-1-2.html.
MedlinePlus. “Adolescent Development: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 2022, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002003.htm.
Morin, Amy. “What to Expect from Your Child at Every Developmental Age and Stage.” Verywell Family, 1 Dec. 2021,
https://www.verywellfamily.com/child-development-overview-4172261#toc-teens.
Slavin, R.E. (2021). Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice, (13th ed.) Pearson.