PSY105 Introduction to Psychology: Case Study Analysis

This case study, prepared for PSY105, delves into the complexities of adolescent development, focusing on the poor decisions made by Gloria's 16-year-old son. The analysis explores the impact of brain development, hormonal surges, and peer influence on his behavior, emphasizing the importance of parental strategies to guide him towards better choices. The study further examines Reggie's fixed mindset and its effect on his test preparation, utilizing neuroplasticity to explain how he can cultivate a growth mindset. It suggests various study techniques such as activating retrieval cues, using mnemonic devices, and getting sufficient sleep to help him prepare for his compliance test. Additionally, the case study touches upon the Big Five personality traits of Gloria and Lakeisha and how emotional regulation can help Gloria navigate her interactions at work. The document offers a comprehensive understanding of adolescent psychology and strategies for personal and interpersonal development.

Page 1PSY105 CASE STUDY
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Introduction to Psychology
September 6, 2024
Reason behind Gloria’s son making poor decisions
The 16-year-old son of a single mother Gloria is making poor life decisions. He even
went to a party and got drunk right before an important exam. Since he is a teenager his
brain is developing, he still cannot make sound judgments. There is a selective pruning
of unused neurons and connections. As he matures his frontal lobes also continue to
develop. The growth of Myelin will enable better communication with other brain regions
bringing improved judgment, impulse control, and long-term planning to teenager’s brain
(Arain, et al., 2013). Hormonal surge and limbic system development during puberty
lead to teens’ occasional impulsiveness, risky behaviors, and emotional storms. They
are unable to make long term planning and thus indulge in risky tasks that sounds more
rewarding to them. They can develop social anxiety due to peer pressure, self-esteem,
substance abuse, and conflicts with parents and friends. The influence of parents
diminishes and that of peers grows, thus the start disobeying the former.
Strategies to help her son make better decisions
However, the parent can control the child’s association by selecting a neighborhood and
school in which the child will socialize. Thus, Gloria can think upon whether her
neighbor's or her son’s school’s atmosphere is having a negative impact on her child’s
behavior accordingly. She should empathize with him and encourage him to develop

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hobbies and set career goals. She must avoid being aggressive with him and never
criticize him for his behavior (Kobak, Abott, Zisk, & Bounoua, 2017).
How these strategies will be effective?
These strategies will prove to be effective as the focus will be on regulating his mind
and thoughts before he makes any decision. If Gloria change her neighborhood or her
son’s school from where he is getting know children who has negative impact on him
and put her in association of friends with which he can have productive time her
problem will be solved up to great extent. Listening to him and encouraging him to be
productive will also improve her relation with him and he will be ready to listen to her in
future as well.
Impact of Reggie’s mindset on his test preparations
Reggie’s fixed mindset is forbidding him to prepare for the test. The beliefs and thoughts
are the key factors that shape a person’s intelligence. Fixed mindset people tend to get
discouraged whenever they face a challenging task. They think they have limited
intelligence and talent.
Neuroplasticity and growth mindset
As the studies of neuroscientists, it has been proven that the brain is constantly rewiring
itself and growing connections in response to our experiences. While learning new
things our brain creates new connections between neurons called synapses. These
connections are strengthened through the formation of myelin, a fatty substance that
surrounds the axons of the neurons fired during practice. This helps in faster and more
accurate recalling next time (Rhew & Piro, 2018).

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Reggie should instead of giving excuses take the challenges. In his thoughts, he should
add the word “yet” to his doubts. It allows accepting current beliefs or skill levels
temporarily. He should also recognize the fact that mistakes are evidence of learning.
Thus, Reggie should replace his fixed mindset with a growth mindset and believe that
intelligence, talent, and success are not predetermined but are rather the outcome of
planning and hard work.
Strategies to prepare for the test
To prepare for the test Reggie should start preparing beforehand and adopt following
techniques-
 Activating retrieval cues- Mentally re-create the situation and the mood in which
your original learning occurred. Jog your memory by allowing one thought to cue
the next.
 Using mnemonic device- Associate items with other words that can help in
remembering information. It includes acronyms and rhyming words.
 Get enough sleep- Sound sleep boost memory. Reggie should consider having a
sound sleep during the days he is preparing for the test (Groch, Schreiner,
Rasch, Huber, & Wilhelm, 2017).

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Big five personality traits
Following are the “Big Five” Personality Factors
(Source:
www.measuringsel.casel.org)
Gloria and Lakeisha differ the most on openness to experience. While Lakeisha tries to
micro organize each and everything despite being not much experienced, Gloria adopts
old school ways of working (Soldz, 2018).

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Emotional regulation
In order to control showing her disliking for Lakeisha’s working style, Gloria needs to
practice self-regulation.
 Regulating behaviors
Gloria should carefully respond to Lakiesha. She should think before she acts by asking
herself questions that would interpret the situation. She should focus on growing her
skills and appreciating herself for the efforts she is making.
 Regulating body
Having a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. It also helps in efficiently regulating
emotions. Gloria should focus on keeping her body fit so that she can perform well in
the office and get involved in the hard projects. Gloria should calm herself before
making decisions. This would help her steer her emotions and act rationally. Deep
breathing and short walks are suggested (Ochsner & Gross, 2014).

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References
Arain, M., Haque, M., Johal, L., Mathur, P., Nel, W., RaisAfsha, . . . Sharma, S. (2013).
Maturation of the adolescent brain. Dovepress, 9, 449-461.
Groch, S., Schreiner, T., Rasch, B., Huber, R., & Wilhelm, I. (2017). Prior knowledge is essential
for the beneficial effect of targeted memory reactivation during sleep. Scientific Reports.
Kobak, R., Abott, C., Zisk, A., & Bounoua, N. (2017). Adapting to the Changing Needs of
Adolescents: Parenting Practices and Challenges to Sensitive Attunement. HHS Public
access, 15, 137-142.
Ochsner, K., & Gross, J. J. (2014). Cognitive Emotion Regulation: Insights from Social Cognitive
and Affective Neuroscience. HHS Public Access, 153-158.
Rhew, E., & Piro, J. (2018). The effects of a growth mindset on self-efficacy and motivation.
Cogent Education.
Soldz, S. (2018). The Big Five Personality Traits and the Life Course: A 45-Year Longitudinal
Study. Journal of Research in Personality, 208-232.