Case Study: Derrick B.

Age 17
By Christopher Jez
EDU 220 – 1002 – Fall 2018
Physical Characteristics of a Typical 17
Year Old
 Almost all boys at this age will have begun puberty
 Body hair (face, pubic, armpit and chest) should almost be at adult levels
 Growth spurt begins to slow
 Voice should be mostly stable
 Sexual desire increased
(Medline, 2017)

 Being overweight and obese can contribute to poor health

(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)
Physical Observations and
Recommendations
Observations
 Pupil is in later stages of puberty

 Pupil has a reasonable Body Mass Index

 Facial hair is at adult level, while chest hair is still coming in

 Voice pitch has changed and is stable

 Pupil states that he is in a relationship

Recommendations
 Promote positive self image

 Properly educate pupil about safe sex and STD’s

(University of Washington, 1993)

 Pupil is in good shape, so continue eating/exercise habits

(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

 Promote extracurricular activities

 Discuss the reality of drug and alcohol use

 Promote safe driving and/or sports practices (wearing seat belts, using helmets when skating)
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)
Emotional Characteristics of a Typical
17 Year Old
 Adolescents at this age will most likely challenge authority
(Medline, 2017)

 Adolescents at this age may feel as if they are likely to fail

 Emotions range drastically: self centeredness, stubbornness and moodiness are common
(University of Washington, 1993)

 Depression is common and can lead to other issues, such as binge drinking or eating disorders
(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

 Adolescents at this age may show an increase in sexual desire

 They are starting to form deeper intimate relationships away from the home
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)
Emotional Observations and
Recommendations
Observations
 Pupil is said to spend much time in his room, alone and/or with friends, independent from parents
 Pupil admits to social drinking on occasion, rather than drinking to mask depression
 Pupil states that he is in a committed relationship
 Pupil claims that he is overall complacent

Recommendations
 Attempt to be reasonable and comprimise when an adolescent challenges authority
(Medline, 2017)
 Adolescents may seem to be distancing themselves, give them emotional freedom to do so
 Do not criticize abnormal behaviors
(University of Washington, 1993)
 Educate student about substance abuse
(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)
 Look out for signs of depression, engage in topics pertaining to emotions
 Be available to give support and advice when needed
 Respect the adolescents’ need for privacy
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)
Cognitive Characteristics of a Typical
17 Year Old and Observed Traits
 Adolescents at this age are beginning to grasp abstract ideas
 As adolescents at this age lack cognitive skills, they may seek peer approval and/or risky
behavior
(Medline, 2017)

 Adolescents at this age may feel as if there are life skills that have not been obtained
 Adolescents at this age may be uncertain about their future
(University of Washington, 1993)

 Adolescents at this age may have the potential to use higher thought processes when thinking
about the future, although they may use such skills inconsistently
(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

 Adolescents at this age will be honing their work/reasoning skills and tactics
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)
Cognitive Observations and
Recommendations
Observations
 Pupil states that he is not nervous about upcoming college classes that he may take

 Pupil admits to some risky behavior such as fast driving and skateboarding

 Pupil is planning on taking nursing courses; this may show relation to Vygotsky’s cognitive development theory as
his mother is a nurse (Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

 Pupil shows high levels of cognitive ability exhibiting Piaget’s formal operational stage; pupil maintains a high GPA
and is also taking EMT certification courses (Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

Recommendations
 Advise student to avoid risky activity, but if doing so, exercise caution (wear a helmet or seatbelt)
(Medline, 2017)

 Assist student with future plans, such as college course selection

 Assist student with arranging meetings with counselors

(University of Washington, 1993)

 Help students become self-regulated learners

(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

 Help students resolve conflict with problem solving

 Celebrate accomplishments to reinforce good behavior

(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)
Psychosocial Characteristics of a
Typical 17 Year Old
 Adolescents at this age will be distancing themselves from parents and forming intimate bonds
with others
 Peer groups heavily influence typical adolescent behavior, such as clothing trends/style
(Medline, 2017)

 Adolescents at this age may feel that parents are overbearing/overprotective

 Social behavior widely varies, they may or may not enjoy socialization with the opposite sex
 Adolescents at this age may engage in a meaningful romantic relationship
(University of Washington, 1993)

 Adolescents are in the stage of “identity vs role confusion” as described by Erikson

 Peer influenced status is often the cause of conflicts with parents
 High school students who work part time jobs will most likely have lower academic progress
(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

 Peer groups may also pressure adolescents to try and use illicit substances
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)
Psychosocial Observations and
Recommendations
Observations
 Pupil spends most of his free time with friends, either at home or at the skate park
 Pupil conducts himself as his friends does (childish, loud, stubborn) and also dresses accordingly
 Pupil claims that his parents give him uninhibited freedom, possibly because he is the youngest of 5 children
 Pupil’s friends consist primarily of other boys
 Pupil has been in a committed relationship for around 6 months
 Pupil states that he occasionally drinks at social events
 Pupil exhibits Marcia’s Foreclosure identity status; he is planning on taking college courses that are similar to his parents but has
little experience otherwise (Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

Recommendations
 Parents should be considerate of an adolescents’ independence, do not become overbearing
(Medline, 2017)

 Parents should assist in resolving uncertainties that my arise in adolescence

 Parents should also be considerate of how an adolescent conducts him/herself; for instance, do not be judgmental about the
clothing style they choose
(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

 Adolescents should be given their privacy

 Parents should not make conflict when adolescents spend more time with friends,

 Parents should promote healthy and positive friendships

 Help adolescents regulate work schedules so they do not leave school as a second priority
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)
Moral Characteristics of a Typical 17
Year Old
 Sexual exploration may lead adolescents at this age with a feeling of immorality
 Risky behavior brought on by other aspects in an adolescents life may trigger immoral actions
(Medline, 2017)

 When values of an adolescent are not met, negative feelings may be triggered
 Sexual behavior may mask negative feelings
(University of Washington, 1993)

 Adolescents at this age should exhibit stage 4 or 5 of conventional morality as described by

Kohlberg
(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

 Adolescents at this age will show a higher sense of compassion towards friends
 Adolescents at this age will exhibit a higher sense of right and wrong
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)
Moral Observations and
Recommendations
Observations
 Pupil claims that he is not ashamed of sexual behavior
 Pupil engages in some risky behavior (never wears a helmet at the skate park), but nothing immoral
 When given a description of Kohlberg's stages of moral reasoning, pupil states that he agrees with stage 5: Social
contract orientation (Snowman & McCowan, 2013)
 Pupil has deep feelings for his girlfriend
 Pupil states that he follows most rules

Recommendations
 It is important for an adolescent to know the reality of dangerous activities, but do not demean sexual activity,
this may make adolescents feel unsure about the morality of sex
(Medline, 2017)

 Try to understand an adolescents perspective when dealing with topics that may trigger emotional distress
(University of Washington, 1993)

 Other moral issues may be seen in a different perspective from students of different cultural backgrounds, so try to
be non judgmental to differences in adolescents’ thought processes
 Present a social environment that promotes positive behavior
(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)

 Be available to talk to adolescents with their concerns; concerns range from sexual questions to friendship advice
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)
References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Child development. Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/facts.html

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

University of Washington. (1993). Child development: Using the child development guide. Retrieved from

http://depts.washington.edu/allcwe2/fosterparents/training/chidev/cd06.htm