Maria E.

Godinez
Professor Jarvis
26 March 2015
Observation 4
Background Information
Childs age: 16
Fictional name: Danny
Location: Park
Brief Description:
Danny is a funny and outgoing teenager, just like every other teenager, he
sees life different from what adults do. He believes life is easy and fun and
that school is not important.
Physical Development
Dannys appearance was a little normal, hes sixteen years old and for his
age he is pretty grown up, he mentioned that hes about 5 7 and weighs
around 200. According to Berger puberty ends childhood, produces adult
size, shape and sexuality, (Berger, 2014, p.319). Obviously Danny has
already begun to hit puberty because of the change of his height, weight,
and change of voice. He said himself has also noticed the changes that
happens to his body, hormones seems to attack him, he easily stresses out
too much, and rarely spends time with his family such as family dinners, he
rather be in his room with the door locked. Danny said he gets really angry
when his parents ask him to do something especially when they ask to
babysit.
Dannys nutrition is not healthy at all. He is overweight, the textbook talks
about how teenagers often skip breakfast; eat at midnight; guzzle down
soda; and processed snacks, (Berger, 2014, p.327). He said he never eats
breakfast if he does its breakfast from McDonalds; he also sometimes skips
lunch he rather eat snacks. After school he goes home and watches TV along
with a snack. While watching TV he falls asleep and doesnt wake up till
around 8 or 9pm when that happens he doesnt go back to sleep until around
2 or 3am. Berger mentioned that hormones of the HPA axis at puberty cause
a phase delay in sleep-wake cycles, making many teens wide awake and
hungry at midnight but half asleep with little appetite or energy all morning,

(Berger, 2014, p.322). It is true because Dannys schedule is messed up so

he sleeps in class because his body cant function.
Cognitive Development
Dannys way of thinking is abnormal, but normal for a teenager. As it was
mentioned in the textbook teenagers no longer think like children, but do not
yet think like adults, (Berger, 2014, p.330). Hes in that stage where he is
living a fantasy of life. Instead of focusing in school he rather spend time
with his friends, he believes that education is not important or helpful.
According to Elkind in some adolescent minds there is no contradiction
between the personal fable and invincibility, the idea that, unless fate wills it,
they will not be hurt by fast driving, unprotected sex, or addictive drugs,
(Berger, 2014, p.333). Everything will be perfect because he thinks that
taking risks and surviving them only makes them stronger and powerful.
Danny believes in the entity approach to intelligence, not having a set
schedule is not his only excuse to not do good in school such as participating
in class, having good grades, good attendance etc. , he has negative
thoughts about himself when it comes to general subjects especially in math.
In the textbook it was said that they think it hopeless to study because
intelligence wasnt born in them, (Berger, 2014, p.341). Thats how he feels,
although he has plans for his future, he wants to become a police officer and
one day he wants to have a family with 4 children.
Social/Emotional Development
His relationship with others are different depends who it is. Adolescence is
often characterized as a time for personal rebellion and raging hormones,
(Berger, 2014, p.361) from what Danny said I came to a conclusion that he
does whatever he wants, for example he told his dad that he wanted to start
driving his own car, so the dad got it for him but yet does not work and
doesnt try hard at school.
Dannys friends are his priority it seems. He rarely spends time with his
family, their relationship it ok I can say, because he really doesnt trust his
parents with his things. Communication and support seems to fail in their
relationship, according to the book parental knowledge is the sult of warm,
supportive relationships, children are likely to become more confident,
(Berger, 2014, p.363). Instead he has more confidence in his friends,
although, he tells his major secrets to his half-brother and that brother is

always there when he needs him. Even-though they barely see each other
their connection is close.
In the book it said that exclusive romances are more often a sign of social
trouble than maturity, especially for girls, (Berger, 2014, p.368). Danny
agreed with it, he shared one of his stories with me. With the experienced he
had he wants to be single for now and enjoy his life, although, one day he
hopes to find the right person to live a life with.
Reference List
Berger, Kathleen Stassen. Invitation to the Life Span. 2nd ed. New York:
Worth, 2010. Print.