THE CASE

STUDY OF
JAMES HARVEY
AGE 17
Richard Tapia
College of Southern Nevada
Professor Wyckoff
22 June 2018
PHYSICAL
➤ Observed
➤ Pubic hair growth along with
armpit, leg, chest and facial
hair are at adult patterns.
➤ Chances of being sexually
active increased.
➤ Recommendation
➤ Recognize and compliment
the physical changes.
➤ Provide accurate advice or
information to make them
aware of possible
consequences and discuss
birth control along with HIV
prevention.
EMOTIONAL
➤ Observed
➤ Worries about failure
➤ May start act moody, angry,
lonely, impulsive, self-
centered, confused, and
stubborn.
➤ Possibility of conflicting
feelings about his dependence
or independence.
➤ Recommendation
➤ Be there for him. Be available
and open so he can talk to
you about what he’s going
through.
➤ Accept feelings and try not to
overreact. Instead, establish
limits, but don’t treat him
like a child
➤ Avoid ridiculing him. Honor
his wish of having time to
him self.
INTELLECTUAL
➤ Observed
➤ May lack information or self-
assurance about personal
skills and abilities.
➤ Starting to be concerned
about his future.
➤ Recommendation
➤ Set an appointment to sit
down and discuss this with
his school advisor.
➤ Be available for him to
discuss future plans
SOCIAL
➤ Observed
➤ Relationships with his
parents may start to
transform from friendly to
hostile.
➤ May start to feel that his
parents are “too interested”
or as most 17 year olds would
say it, “All up in my
business.”
➤ May have many friends and
few confidants. May start to
date actively.
➤ Recommendation
➤ Be respectful and friendly
while trying to maintain a
healthy relationship.
➤ Just be natural and try not to
pry.
➤ Recognize and accept current
level of interest in opposite
sex. Encourage experiences
with a variety of people from
different cultures.
MORAL
➤ Observed
➤ Can start to be confused and
disappointed about
discrepancies between stated
values and actual behaviors of
family and friends. May start
to experience 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).
➤ Recommendation
➤ Be sensitive and open minded
to his feelings and thoughts.
Try to bring him out in the
open. Understand your own
perspectives relating to
values.
➤ Talk with him about your
feelings about sexual
relations. Be open to
discussion and appreciate
possible differences in values
and needs.
REFERENCES
➤ Snowman, J. & McCown, R. (2013). ED PSYCH.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
University of Washington. (1993). Child
development: Using the child development guide.