PSY-358 Adult Development and Aging Changes from Adolescence to Adulthood Direct
ID: 107575 • Letter: P
Question
PSY-358 Adult Development and Aging
Changes from Adolescence to Adulthood
Directions: In 25-50 words for each age range, describe the changing brain structure or development happening for each range. Place your resources under the justification heading in proper APA formatting.
Jerry is an 18-year-old male.
While pregnant with Jerry, his mother suffered from extreme job-related stress after being injured at work. She abused painkillers during her 2nd and 3rd trimester. Jerry was born one month premature.
Jerry's parents divorced at the age of seven and he lived full time with his mother who was a very permissive caregiver; she moderately abused drugs and alcohol for a two-year span (Jerry was 12-14) and is currently in recovery. Jerry's grandmother became the primary caregiver during this time and continues to be a very positive force in Jerry's life. Jerry visited his father every Sunday, although they are not very close, his father is remarried with three children.
Jerry struggled academically during middle and high school but managed to graduate last year. He has problems reading, does not like to write, and rarely follows deadlines. He still lives with his mother and is working part time at a local restaurant. He is unsure if he wants to attend college, as he does not enjoy school and is undecided about future career goals.
Jerry is an introvert, has very few friends; but he enjoys playing the guitar. He smokes approximately one joint of marijuana per day, claiming it "calms him down." He rarely drinks alcohol and sleeps 11-13 hours per night.
As Jerry approaches early adulthood, he continues to live at home; but, has decided to take a class at the local community college. Jerry still does not know what he wants to do as a career and is taking it slow.
As Jerry reached his 30’s his grandmother, who was a positive role model in his life, passed away suddenly, causing his mother to relapse with alcohol. Changing Jerry’s home life once again.
Consider all of Jerry’s experiences thus far to begin thinking what the rest of his development may be like…
Explanation / Answer
The development of the brain of a child begans in the first few weeks of the conception. Most of the structural development of the brain begins during the embroynic period and the brain continue to grow during the fetal period. During the beginning of second trimester, the sulci and gyri began to appear on the surface of brains. Also the cerebral cortex begins to grow in thickness and synapse begins to develop. Also the myelin begins to develop on the axons of neurons which is responsible for the faster process of informtion. During the third trimester, reflexes like fetal breathing and responses to external stimula are more regular and cerebral cortex is responsible for early learning at this time. Since Jerry's mother was in stress after her injury at work so she was taking painkillers which could obstruct the proper development of the foetus and as a result the baby was born premature.
At the age of 7 his parents divorced which could have a negative effect on the Jerry brain. Because this is the time the brain is in process of development. In this stage the children are more curious about the outer world, show interest in reading or writing, the children gain confidence and use words to express their feelings. Since Jerry's parents are divorced this could affect his study and also his disinterest in knowing about the outer world and also loss in confidence in expressing his feelings.
At the age of 12-14 the child experiences hormonal changes and puberty begins. This is also the time when child undergoes physical, mental and social changes. This is also the time when the child can use alcohol, drugs and sex due to peer pressure. Also there can be eating disorders and depressions in the child. The child at this stage becomes independent and makes choices about friends, school, sports and studying. This is the time at which the children develop a strong sense of right and wrong. The separation of his parents, his mother using drugs and remarriage of his father and having three children have a negative effect on this. Due to which he lose interest in studies and he is unsure of his future goals. He becomes introvert and has few friends and also smokes marijuana to calm down. This is the sign that he may be suffering from depression.
At age of 30 the brain is fully development and is least sensitive to the peer pressure and other conditions. Though the sudden death of his grandmother who was the only positive force in his life and also his mother again having alcohol and changing life once again can have a bad effect on his brain.
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