Case Study

of a Child
Age 17

Taylor Cabral

ECE 220-1001
 Abstract

– Physical Developments: – Emotional Behaviors: – Cognitive/Intellectual

– Males vs Females – Mental Health Development:
– Sexually active – Worries – Formal Operations Stage

– Distance from Parents – Psychological Tools

– Psychosocial/Social – Moral/ Character

Development: Development:
– Relationships – Behaviors vs Values

– Identity and Role – Moral Reasoning

Confusion – Moral Dilemmas
 Typical Physical Development

– Both male and females have “…essentially completed physical

maturation; physical features are shaped and defined.”
– Females:
– Girls typically have fully developed breasts between 12 and
18.
– Males:
– Boys, by the age of 17 to 18, have their adult size and shape
for their genitals.
– Body hair fully develops around the ages of 17 to 18.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
– Growth spurts start around 13 but slow around the age of
18.

(University of Washington, 1993)

(Medline, 2017)
Typical Physical Development
According to Snowman
“Many adolescents
become sexually active,
Most reach their full Almost everyone has
although the long term
physical maturity gone through puberty
trend is down.”
(Snowman, 2015, 101)

There is a high risk for

sexually transmitted (Snowman, 2015)
diseases
 – I observed a 17-year-old male. He is
17 Year Old
about 5’ 10” and seems about average
Physical
between him and his friends. He has
Development small amounts of facial hair that are
Characteristics growing in. He does shave his facial hair
Recommendations for Physical
Development

“Provide accurate
information on the
“Recognize and
consequences of sexual
compliment physical
activity, discuss birth
maturity.” (University of
control and HIV
Washington, 1993)
prevention.” (University
of Washington, 1993)
Emotional Behaviors (Typical)

– Worried about failing. – Worries about their body and what

– May have many mood changes and is considered “normal”.
be stubborn and impulsive. – Distance from parents may occur.
– Conflicting feelings may occur. – Eager to make friends who they can
(University of Washington, 1993) rely upon and confide to.

(Child Development Institute, 2015)

This is the age where adolescents will
develop or find mental health problems,
such as depression and eating disorders.

Emotional
The most common mental health
problem adolescents have is depression. Behaviors
According to
Snowman
If left untreated or becomes too severe
for the young adult, depression may lead
to suicide or thoughts of suicide.

(Snowman, 2015)
 – Doesn’t have any romantic relationships,
17 Year Old but does have a few really close friends
Emotional who he is able to talk to. He is trying to
Characteristics gain more independence, but in turn,
does argue with parents a lot.
Emotional Development
Recommendations

MAKE SURE TO TALK BE ACCEPTING OF “ACCEPT FEELINGS -- (UNIVERSITY OF

WITH THE CHILD, AS SEPARATION. DON'T OVERREACT; WASHINGTON, 1993)
WELL AS LISTEN. JOINTLY ESTABLISH
LIMITS, BUT DON'T
REVERT TO CHILDHOOD
RESTRICTIONS.”
 Typical Cognitive and Intellectual Developments

– “May lack information or self-assurance about personal skills and abilities.” (University of
Washington, 1993)
– “Seriously concerned about the future; beginning to integrate knowledge leading to decisions
about the future.” (University of Washington, 1993)
 Cognitive and Intellectual
Developments According to Piaget
and Vygotsky
– Piaget
– The Formal Operational Stage
– “The term formal reflects the
ability to respond to a form of a
problem rather than its content
and to form hypotheses.”
(Snowman, 2015, 43).
– A formal thinker can understand
complex language skills like
metaphors.
– Vygotsky
– Psychological Tools
– “These are the cognitive devices
and procedures with which we
communicate and explore the
world around us.” (Snowman,
2015, 51)
– Believed “…social interaction as
the primary cause of cognitive
development.” (Snowman,
2015, 52).
Snowman, 2015
 – He recently graduated high school and is
attending CSN in the Fall Semester. When
17 Year Old speaking to him, he really has no idea what he
wants to study. He is worried that he won’t find
Cognitive and something that interests him. He also mentioned
Intellectual that he doesn’t want to spend money on classes
Characteristics just to figure out what interests him. He is aware
that the cost of schooling is something he has to
consider.
Cognitive and Intellectual
Development Recommendations

Attend a meeting with Get them to talk about (University of

a school counselor or future plans and goals Washington, 1993)
academic advisor. they may have.
Psychosocial and Social
Developments
– Relationship with parent vary.
– May want to invest time into a romantic
relationship.
– “Usually has many friends and few confidants;
dates actively; varies greatly in level of maturity;
may be uncomfortable, or enjoy activities, with
opposite sex; may talk of marriage.”
– Doesn’t want parents to hover over them.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

(University of Washington, 1993)

 Psychosocial and Social Developments According
to Erikson
– Identity Vs Role Confusion
– Development of “…roles and skills that will prepare adolescents to take a
meaningful place in adult society.” (Snowman, 2015, 30)
– Development if identity and who they are
– Role Confusion
– “…having no clear conception of appropriate types of behavior that others will
react favorably.” (Snowman, 2015, 30)

(Snowman, 2015)
 – He wants to be independent but does
struggle to figure out how he can set up
his life. He doesn’t know what to so for
17 Year Old college and wants to attend an online
Psychosocial and school.
Social – He has a stronger relationship with his
Characteristics mother than his father.
– Seems to have a lot of friends, but 2 of
which he is really close too.
Psychosocial and Social
Development Recommendations

DO NOT PRY INTO “TRY TO MAINTAIN “RECOGNIZE AND “AVOID (UNIVERSITY OF

THEIR LIVES TOO GOOD ACCEPT CURRENT DISAPPROVAL; WASHINGTON,
MUCH. RELATIONSHIP; BE LEVEL OF INTEREST IN DISCUSS NEEDS AND 1993)
OPPOSITE SEX.
RESPECTFUL AND ENCOURAGE
EXPECTATIONS THAT
FRIENDLY.” EXPERIENCES WITH A GET MET IN THE
VARIETY OF PEOPLE, RELATIONSHIP.”
E.G., YOUNGER, OLDER,
DIFFERENT CULTURES.”
Typical Moral and
Character Developments
– “Is confused and disappointed about discrepancies between
stated values and actual behaviors of family and friends;
experiences feelings of frustration, anger, sorrow, and isolation.”
– “May be interested in sex as response to physical-emotional
urges and as a way to participate in the adult world (but not
necessarily an expression of mature intimacy).”

(University of Washington, 1993)

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
 Typical Moral and Character Development
According to Kohlberg
– Moral Reasoning and Dilemmas
– Six Stages
– “Stage 1: punishment-obedience orientation…” (Snowman, 2015, 61)
– “Stage 2: instrumental relativist orientation…” (Snowman, 2015, 61)
– “Stage 3: good boy-nice girl orientation…” (Snowman, 2015, 61)
– “Stage 4: law-and-order orientation…” (Snowman, 2015, 61)
– “Stage 5: Social contract orientation…” (Snowman, 2015, 62)
– “Stage 6: universal ethical principle orientation…” (Snowman, 2015, 62)
(Snowman, 2015)
 – He is easily frustrated. And doesn't seem
to like the response “do as I say, not as I
17 Year Old
do” from his parents. He finds it
Moral and
hypocritical. When speaking to him, he
Character wants to make his parent’s happy but
Behaviors doesn’t understand how they can do
something but he can’t.
Moral and Character
Development Recommendations

“Be sensitive to “Don't moralize. “Provide correct “Communicate (University of

youth's feelings Accept sexual information on your feelings Washington, 1993)
and thoughts. Try experimentation human sexuality, about sexual
to bring them out as normal and venereal disease, relations. Be open
in the open. healthy, although HIV and AIDS, to discussion and
Understand your discourage them birth control, appreciate
own perspectives from unprotected intimacy, and safe possible
relating to values.” coital sex.” types of sexual differences in
experimentation.” values and needs.”
References:

– Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Child development.

– Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/facts.html

– Child Development Institute (2015). The ages and stages of child development.
– Retrieved from https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/ages-stages/#.WR3Id_QrLrc

– Medline (2017). Adolescent Development. Retrieved

– from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002003.htm

– Snowman, J. & McCown, R. (2013). ED PSYCH. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

– University of Washington. (1993). Child development: Using the child development guide. Retrieved from
http://depts.washington.edu/allcwe2/fosterparents/training/ chidev/cd06.htm