Developmental Psychology Term Paper

Essay Assignment 2 Rebeccas law slightness 1. Describe the changes in physical growth and emergence that she would sacrifice undergo in the past 3-4 twelvemonths and how these changes could be impacting her current situate. A repress of factors require contributed to Rebeccas current rebellion against her p bents, near of them being usual and healthy disrupts of development.However, it would seem that one aspect of her physical development nighwhat strayed from the normative an issue that, according to several findings in the plain stitch of developmental psychology, has had a negative catalyzing core on her body image, peer-acceptance, family with her parents, and overall ruttish st skill. This umbrella issue is Rebeccas pubertal time specifically, the too soon onset of it relative to her peers. As cited in our textbook, from several varied studies, (E)arly-maturing girls were unpopular with -drawn lacking in self-confidence, anxious, and prone to depression, ( we re more involved in deviant expression (getting drunk, participating in early intimate activity) and achieved less well in crop. This behavioral trend is mostly reflected in Rebecca, who as early as 10-11, hit a growth spurt that make her very much taller and leaner, much(prenominal) a notable growth spurt a good deal signals the coming of menarche within a six month period, and as early as 12 year old became both sexually attracted to men, and began ontogeny an unhealthy self-image in the form of a perceived weight line as a come out of the closetcome of gained weight in the hips, an otherwise third estate signal of menarche. The trend of early onset puberty in ovalbumin girls has been demonstrated to impact both body-image and self-esteem as a result of their awkward and differing appearance to their peers as well as the hormonal influenced emotional changes that are typical of early adolescence. Often a result of this swear for peer-acceptance, early-onsetters tend to gravitate towards older and more sexually matured individuals who haul their stage of pubertal development, and who often encourage them into activities they are not secure to handle emotionally, including sexual activity, drug and alcohol work, and minor delinquent acts. Rebecca has enmeshed in somewhat delinquent behavior from time to time fore spill to early adolescence, but with the exception of her little ruining the neighbors garden stint, she has been effly in accordance with the law, and ultimately respectful of succeeding(a) house rules. However, the influence of this garden-trampling partner in crime is unflurried most likely a contributing factor to Rebeccas current state of rebellion. Early-onset puberty aside, a desire for distance from ones parents at this age is a completely normal, evolutionary-based aspect of human development.It is a behavior replicated in primates, as it is ultimately a nature-based mechanism which serves to, discourage sexual relations between close blood relatives. Even in our modern font Ameri derriere society, such behavior is replicated, albeit in a fundamentally unalike way (A)dolescents in industrialized nations, who are still economically reliant on parents, cannot leave the family. Consequently, a modern substitute seems to pass on emerged mental distancing. Rebeccas unique physical development has most likely been a large contributing factor on her current behavior via its effect on her self-image. Though it might be a large part of current state, and perhaps the primary catalyst, it is not the end-all be-all of it so much as its part of a complex mixture with her kindred with us, people her age, and other environment related factors. 2) Describe the stages of cognitive and moral development in this developmental period as theorized by Piaget and Kohlberg.Present evidence (from her developmental register information) for which stage you think Rebecca demonstrates. Based on her history, it can be quick as reliableed that Rebecca has achieved the final stage of Piagets stages of cognitive development, otherwise cognise as the Formal Operational Stage. She has demonstrated the capacity for abstract, systematic, and scientific thinking, by demonstrating hypothetico-deductive Reasoning, and propositional thought, the only two requirements of attaining Piagets last stage.Hypothetico-Deductive Reasoning Rebecca has demonstrated her ability to take into account several abstract variables in her reasoning by virtue of the complex nature of conclusions she has made on her own in the past. For instance, her evaluation of her parents parenting-style was that, we are as supportive and benediction of her as the average parent, ( ) but stricter than other parents. The veracity of such a conclusion aside, and despite our lack of knowledge as to the specific variables she utilize to make such an evaluation, t can be readily observed that the pro-con nature of her evaluation was the resu lt of a consideration of several factors, as well as their relationship to one another. Propositional Thought Despite having an initial lack of confidence in math and language arts at the age of 12, proficiency in which becomes increasingly tied to propositional reasoning skills, a lack of confidence does not equate a lack of competence.Her in a higher(prenominal) place average scores on her grade reports in middle give lessons, and in her outstanding performance in English in her first year of high school would most likely indicate her ability to use abstract symbols to represent both concepts and real world objects, its almost certain that shes taking a high school algebra or higher based on her past academic performance level. According to Kohlbergs stages of moral development, Rebecca is solidly in the 3rd stage, morality of inter personalized cooperation.This conclusion is based solely on her expressed opinion of the shoplifting adventure that occurred during her first year of high school, when several students on a team field-trip were caught stealing. She agreed with the punishment because, they did not live up to the expectations of their parents, their coach, or their teammates. such reasoning indicates her belief that rules must be followed out of ideal-reciprocity, which in unloose demonstrates the intent to maintain good relationships with friends, family, teachers, and others with whom she has some level of a personal tie to. ) Describe Eriksons stage of Identity versus case discombobulation and how you think this applies to Rebeccas current emotional state. Eriksons conflict theory, specifically the Identity versus Role Confusion stage, states that upon reaching adolescence young people have an identity crisis, the successful annunciation of which is determined by the successful resolution of earlier conflicts and/or if society limits their choices to ones that do not match their abilities and desires. In his raft, negative resolution of this stage resulted in individuals who, ( appear shallow, directionless, and unprepared for the challenges of adulthood. Without going too far into Rebeccas past, the stage preceding Identity v. Role Confusion known as Industry v. Inferiority, 6-11 years, appears to have been properly resolved. Although from time to time displaying a lack of confidence in her abilities prior to completion of an activity, school or otherwise, she has almost always performed at a level higher up her peers, and received no shortage of praise or support from her parents concerning such activities.However the second condition of becoming role confused is a molybdenum trickier. While we have supported her in all her validating undertakings, we have also recommended many choices to her. Though that might not be blatantly telling her she cant do an activity or move an interest that is prosocial in nature, the fact that we were so actively involved in not only maintaining good behavior, but activel y steering her living might have ultimately resulted in feeling trapped in an identity that wasnt hers.Whether she likes an activity or not, the fact that so much of what she has undertaken in her feeling was initially recommended to her by us could have had an unfortunate effect on her smack of self in this time of natural psychological distancing from ones parents. Supporting the claim of a come-at-able state of role confusion being linked to her parents during the summer of her twelfth year, the beginning of Identity v. Role Confusion, Rebecca had a tendency to initially despise most of her parents suggestions for activities, but would eventually, start in on some of them later as if it was her own idea. Again, it wasnt the activity itself that she was rejecting so much as it was the fact that it was her parents recommending it. Perhaps this method of creating a sense of identity independent of her parents has only grown with age, and ultimately devolved into a complete re bellion against the practices and values instilled by her parents. She has come to associate her excellent school performance, following of the rules, and other practices as part of an identity that is fundamentally not her own by virtue of feeling as if she was given no choice, rather than if she herself was content with living such a lifestyle. ) In retrospect, can you see any patterns in her developmental history that might have been precursors to her current difficulties? As stated above, her current emotional state is to begin with a combination of her unique growth during adolescence and the relationship between her parents/peers to her identity. That being said, her tempermant leading up to adolescence seems to be consistent with her behavior during the majority of adolescence.Rebecca was not a difficult child, but she did have issues getting comfortable with fresh surroundings and people, and detaching herself from her parents. Keeping environmental factors in mind, the pos sibility remains that that Rebeccas difficulties with adjustment, identity, and emotional regulation, have a more genetic basis than is understood. This view is ultimately conjectural as even today our understanding of the relationship between genetics and behavior, let alone personality types, is far from modern enough to support claims to a determining relationship between the two. ) As Rebeccas parents, how do you think you should respond to these changes in her behavior? initiative off she would need to be punished for the possession of Marijuana and Cigarettes. She would be grounded and prevented from visiting anyone, bad influence kids included, for a month to give her some time to dry out. However, it would be important that we, her parents, explained to her the dangers of abusing such substances, particularly marijuana, at her age, while her brain is still developing.I believe that Rebecca needs to talk out her issues with another individual who shares our values, but is m ore experienced in transaction with teenage issues, I. E. a psychologist who specializes in talk-therapy. She needs both a let on means of coping with life stressors, as well as positive reinforcement towards developing an identity that is in line with her pre-rebellious behavior merely giving her the perception that such constructive behaviors, though influenced by us, are in fact part of her own identity.After her punishment, it would be important for us to be less hands on in making life choices for her, choosing sports, clubs, activities, etc.. but to still praise her for her success. Rebecca needs space, but it remains a necessity to respond to detrimental behavior, and punish her accordingly but still keeping in line with our authoritarian parenting style.