CASE STUDY OF A

CHILD AGE 14
CODY WILSON
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
PROFESSOR WYCKOFF
15 OCTOBER 2017
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

OBSERVED CHARACTERISTICS OF TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF

TEENAGE MALE TEENAGE MALES
• High School boy (Snowman & McCowan, 2013, • On average, almost two thirds of High School
p. 49) students are sexually active by the time they
graduate (Snowman & McCowan, 2013, p. 65)
• Lean, physically active
• Recommend continued exercise to maintain fit
• Not sexually active
physique
• Noticeable body hair
• Voice deepening
(Medline Plus, 2017)
EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
OBSERVED CHARACTERISTICS OF
TEENAGE MALE
• Abuses controlled substances, smokes
cigarettes.
• Not concerned with fitting in and
maintains good grades in school, but
keeps to himself often (University of
Washington, 1993)
TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
TEENAGE MALES
• Despite substance abuse, does not
exhibit other, typical psychiatric
disorders like eating disorders and
depression (Snowman & McCowan, 2013
p. 67)
• It is urgent that the child stop smoking
COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTICS
OBSERVED CHARACTERISTICS OF
TEENAGE MALE
• Capable of formal thought, displays good
writing skills
• Exhibits Piaget’s formal operational stage
of development, where he should be at
his age
(Snowman & McCowan, 2013)
TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
TEENAGE MALES
• Although political concepts and thoughts
are common at this age, the boy does
not express any
• Recommended he continues writing to
help express himself and his beliefs
SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS

OBSERVED CHARACTERISTICS OF TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF

TEENAGE MALE
• Emulates older brothers’ style of dress and speech, as is
common at this age
• Spends much time with friends outside of school
• Quick to prove his worth both among friends and
teachers
• According to Marcia, exhibits identity foreclosure, as he
has accepted his guardian’s beliefs, but doesn’t question if
they’re the right decision to make (Snowman & McCowan,
2013, p.21)
TEENAGE MALES
• Parents help guide children on values, but are since
deceased
• Recommend seeking guidance counseling in school for the
future
• According to Erikson, the prime age to display identity
versus role confusion, may need help in school to further
sense of belonging
MORAL CHARACTERISTICS

OBSERVED CHARACTERISTICS OF TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF

TEENAGE MALE TEENAGE MALES
• “Knows right and wrong; tries to weigh • Displays honesty
alternatives and arrive at decisions • Cares about treatment of others
alone” (University of Washington, 1993)
• Recommend continued support for
• Exhibits stage 6 of Kohlberg’s Moral strengthening a good moral compass
Reasoning, makes moral decisions based
on ethics (Snowman & McCowan, 2013
p.42)
REFERENCES

Adolescent development: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (2017).

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