Using what you have learned about the adolescent brain and social development, answer the questions in this case study assignment. Your goals are to help Monica understand why her son makes the choices he does and recommend some strategies that may help solve the problem.
For each question, you should write a paragraph-length response (5–7 sentences) to receive credit for this assignment. You may use your Sophia tutorials as a resource.
Question 1: What happens inside the brain of a teenager that makes it difficult for Jordan to weigh the risks and rewards of his behavior? Describe how the adolescent brain weighs risk and reward.
Question 2: Why does it appear that Jordan values the opinion of his peers more than the opinion of his mother? Explain the psychological concepts that may account for why Jordan places value on his peers’ opinions.
Question 3: What advice would you give Jordan’s mother, Monica, that would teach him how to make better choices and decisions? Discuss a specific strategy that Monica may implement to help her son make better decisions.
Question 4: If you were in Monica’s shoes, how would you feel? Explain why a better understanding of Monica’s perspective could result in more constructive advice.
Full Answer Section
Question 2: Why does it appear that Jordan values the opinion of his peers more than the opinion of his mother? Explain the psychological concepts that may account for why Jordan places value on his peers’ opinions.
Jordan's increased valuation of peer opinions over his mother's is a common characteristic of adolescent social development, driven by several key psychological concepts. During this stage, teenagers are actively working to establish their own identity and gain independence from their parents. Peer groups become a primary source of social support, validation, and a sense of belonging. Social comparison theory suggests that adolescents compare themselves to their peers to assess their own abilities, opinions, and social standing, making peer acceptance crucial for self-esteem. Furthermore,
conformity to peer norms becomes important for social integration and avoiding social exclusion. The desire to fit in and gain approval from their peer group often outweighs the desire for parental approval as adolescents navigate their social world and strive for autonomy.
Question 3: What advice would you give Jordan’s mother, Monica, that would teach him how to make better choices and decisions? Discuss a specific strategy that Monica may implement to help her son make better decisions.
Monica can help Jordan make better choices by fostering open communication and guiding him through a structured decision-making process rather than simply dictating rules. A specific strategy Monica can implement is the "STOP and THINK" method. When faced with a decision, Monica can encourage Jordan to first STOP and pause before acting impulsively. Next, he should THINK about the potential options available, the possible positive and negative consequences of each option (both short-term and long-term), and how his values align with each choice. Finally, he should OBSERVE how his decisions play out and learn from both positive and negative experiences. Monica can practice this with Jordan in low-stakes situations initially, gradually increasing the complexity, and acting as a supportive guide rather than a judgmental authority, helping him develop his own critical thinking skills.
Question 4: If you were in Monica’s shoes, how would you feel? Explain why a better understanding of Monica’s perspective could result in more constructive advice.
If I were in Monica's shoes, I would likely feel a mix of worry, frustration, and perhaps even a sense of helplessness. Witnessing my child make choices that seem risky or against my advice would be concerning, as a parent's primary instinct is to protect their child. The feeling of being less influential in my child's life compared to their peers could also be disheartening. A better understanding of Monica's perspective is crucial for providing constructive advice because it allows for empathy and tailored recommendations. Recognizing her emotional state – her fear for Jordan's well-being and her potential feeling of losing influence – enables advice that acknowledges her feelings and focuses on strategies that strengthen her connection with Jordan while respecting his developmental need for independence, rather than simply offering generic solutions that might feel dismissive of her experience.
Sample Answer
Question 1: What happens inside the brain of a teenager that makes it difficult for Jordan to weigh the risks and rewards of his behavior? Describe how the adolescent brain weighs risk and reward.
During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant structural and functional changes, particularly in the prefrontal cortex,
which is responsible for executive functions like planning, impulse control, and evaluating consequences. This area matures more slowly than the limbic system, which is heavily involved in emotions and reward processing. As a result, Jordan's brain is likely experiencing a heightened sensitivity to immediate rewards and a less developed capacity to fully consider the long-term risks associated with his actions. The adolescent brain tends to weigh risk and reward with a bias towards the immediate gratification offered by risky behaviors, driven by a surge in dopamine and a still-developing ability to inhibit impulsive choices based on potential negative outcomes.