Clinical Psychology Discussion: Adolescent Development and Analysis

This discussion post analyzes the development of a 14-year-old girl, examining her physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes during adolescence. The analysis highlights the growth spurt, cognitive development, emotional fluctuations, and social interactions. The post also explores the influence of both nature (genetic predispositions) and nurture (environment and experiences) on the individual's development, referencing relevant research. It discusses the interplay of genetic factors and environmental influences, such as friendships and learned behaviors. The post emphasizes the importance of understanding these multifaceted aspects of development, as well as the individual's unique characteristics. The assignment is supported by references to academic sources that provide evidence for the claims made in the analysis.

Running Head: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Clinical Psychology
Name
Institution

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2
Clinical Psychology
Mary is a 14-year old girl who is in adolescence stage. Thus, Mary is experiencing
changes in her physical, cognitive, emotional and social development. She has experienced
sudden increase in physical growth where the growth spurt in her case started at the age of 11
years. The growth spurt is one aspect of puberty where she reaches sexual maturity where
primary sex glands generate increased levels of sex hormones. Mary developed breasts, begin to
menstruate and her hips widen. In cognitive domain, Mary become capable of logical thought
where they can solve problems on their own (Sanders, 2013). She has also adopted an approach
called dogmatism-skepticism where they alternate between blind faith in some authority, as well
as doubting everything. In regard to emotional perspective, Mary is wildly emotions-she
experience massive swings in mood along with turbulent outbursts of emotion. The swings in
mood occur more quickly. In addition, Mary is in a period of great stress and unhappiness. Social
development in the case of Mary is seen where she forms friendship with members of her gender
(girls) and sometimes boys. She is part of extensive social networks comprising friends, as well
as acquaintances (Yurgelun-Todd, 2007).
Nature is what the adolescent think as pre-wiring and is influenced by genetic factors
along with other biological factors whilst nurture is the influence of external factors that include
experience, exposure, and learning of the adolescent. Mary development has been influenced by
nature that is the genetic elements that is inherited and the environment where she was raised.
Nurture affected Mary’s development based on experience with friends and what she learned and
experienced while growing (Levitt, 2013).

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 3
References
Levitt M. (2013). Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour. Life Sciences, Society and
Policy. 9(2):13-19.
Sanders, A.R. (2013). Adolescent Psychosocial, Social, and Cognitive Development. Pediatrics
in Review. 34(8): 76-185.
Yurgelun-Todd, D. (2007). Emotional and cognitive changes during adolescence. Curr Opin
Neurobiol. 17(2):251–257.