CASE STUDY QUESTIONS
- What do you see as the major problems or issues to be addressed?
For me the major issue that needs to be addressed in the case study is drug abuse. Another major issue is peer pressure.
- What do you see as the goals in this situation?
The main goal in the case study is to help the four boys stop abusing drugs without embarrassing them. By this I mean that to have the four boys stop taking drugs without involving higher authorities that would probably blow the case out of proportion.
- What would you do as the major educator or person in authority (cannot be a parent or student) in this situation?
As a major educator, I would refer the four boys to a guidance counselor rather than deal with them myself. I would do this because the person in question would handle the case more professionally than I might handle it myself.
- What theories and or concepts do you see manifested in this study? NOTE: You need to use at least one piece of a theory or one concept recently addressed in class.
- Name the Theory or Concept:
Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning
- Give a BRIEF definition of the theory or concept:
With regard to the case study, the theory claims that at conventional level, adolescents tend to make decisions based on what their peers approve. Accordingly, a behavior is right if it is approved by the peers and it is wrong if peers do not approve it.
- Give a SPECIFIC example of this theory or concept from the study
From the case study, Don approves drug taking because his friends approve it. For this reason, he would not consider stopping it because his friends would disapprove him if he would stop taking those drugs.
- Name the Theory or Concept
Erikson’s life-span theory of socio-emotional development (identity development)
- Give a BRIEF definition……
With regard to the case study, the theory claims that between the age of ten and twenty years, the youths engage in risky behaviors as they try to discover themselves. As a result, they might engage in taking drugs as they try to discover their identities.
- Give a SPECIFIC example……
From the case study, we see Don and his friend engage in drug abuse as they try to discover themselves.
- Name the Theory or Concept
Piaget’s genetic constructivistic theory of cognition –
- Give a BRIEF definition…..
With regard to the case study, the theory claims that between the age of 11 and 15 years adolescents think that the world revolves around them. Accordingly, they do what they do thinking that everybody is watching them.
- Give a SPECIFIC example…
From the case study, we see the way the four boys behave when they go partying. They behave in a way that attracts the attention of other people.
- What theories and concepts would YOU use to remedy this situation? NOTE: You need to use at least one piece of a theory or one concept recently addressed in class.
You CANNOT take on the role of a parent or student or any other child.
- Name the Theory or Concept
B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning behavioral model
- Give a BRIEF definition
The model claims that punishment can reduce the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
- Give a SPECIFIC…..
From the case study, punishment may discourage the four boys from abusing drugs.
- Name the Theory….
Bandura’s social cognitive theory
- Give a BRIEF definition …
The theory claims that environment, behavior and cognition are important aspects in learning new skills.
- Give a SPECIFIC example……
As it can be seen from the case study, Don passes his examination by simply taking his teacher’s advice and using it. The same way this theory can be used to remedy the situation at hand.
- Name the Theory….
Social cognitive theory
- Give a BRIEF definition…..
The theory claims that people can be taught techniques to regulate and modify their behaviors.
- Give a SPECIFIC example…..
From the case study, Mr. Ray teaches Don a new learning method that helps Don pass his examination before the accident occurs.