Judgment and Decision Making in Adolescence, Essay Example

Introduction

Case scenario

Bob, a highly intelligent 14-year-old male adolescent, is asking his parents about  types of developmental changes to expect. Although his intelligence is above average, physical and social development is delayed. In the following paragraphs a brief description of adolescent development will be outlined. Next the relationship of adolescent development to  the given scenario will be explained followed by a theoretical application of adolescent development.

Adolescent development in a male child

According to Randall Jones (2014) adolescent development is characterized by an identity crisis. This was identified after a study pertaining to male identity development whereby Erikson’s theory was referenced. They confirmed that the physical changes emerging due to puberty become a catalyst for adolescent development. Essentially, these acute physical adjustments challenge childhood identity to which the growing child had become familiar. They struggle to align with present conceptions of the self; their personal ideological perspectives as well as values. These features of physical and psychosocial development predict their future aspirations. Specific pubertal changes in males implicate their sexual identity.This study conducted by Jones (2014) investigated impacts of age, grade and physical development on male adolescent identity (Jones, 2014).

However, this section of the report will focus on normal physical development in adolescent males. The distinct features are characterized by first enlargement of the testicles and scrotum. These  organs are part of the male reproductive system being classified  as sex  organs. The testicle size doubles and scrotum begins secretion of semen. With increased secretions in the scrotum male hormones are intensified in their production. This change is accompanied by thinning of the skin around the scrotum. It becomes darker and hangs down between the legs from the body. Usually the left testicle hangs lower than the right. Dotted bumps begin to appear on the skin surface. These are called hair follicles (Dorn & Biro, 2011).

The next significant change pertains to the appearance of pubic hair.  Adjustments emerge due to extensive activity of male testosterone hormone. Pubic hair appears quickly after testicular and scrotum adaptations come into being. About the same time some hair appears at the bottom of the penis. These hairs usually have a light color in comparison to those on a boy’s head. As the adolescent gets older hair becomes darker, increases in amount, curly while developing a course texture. A triangular pattern is created by this pubic hair. It takes a number of years for hair to cover the entire pubic area. About two years later hair growth progresses towards the navel. This extensive hair growth moves to the chest, legs, arms, underarms and face (Dorn & Biro, 2011).

Penis enlargement is another significant change. Studies show where some boys at age thirteen (13) could have an adult size penis. At the beginning of puberty the penis lengthens and then widens or develops in circumference. Teenage boys tend to exert much time inspecting their penis admiring its extensions even comparing the manhood emergence with other boys their age. There is progressive growth of this organ during puberty. By the time adoescents arrive at age eighteen (18) the penis is fully developed into an adult size. The sexual organ should also be functional to produce a pregnancy. Some boys are not aware that the penis growth prepares them for sexual function. Therefore, parents ought to explain this change to their boys (Albert & Steinberg, 2011).

Before the penis growth spurt becomes visible, boys gain some weight becoming plump slightly fat in appearance. The arms become long and legs proportionate to the body’s trunk. This can be noticed soon as puberty begins to make other adjustments in preparation for the manly physical characteristics to appear. Similar to girls a growth spurt of all the boys’ organs occurs, but it comes two –to three years later in boys. Muscular maturity is a significant change in comparison to broadening of hips and breast development in girls as puberty surfaces. This muscular modification continues late into adolescence. By the time he arrives at the age of 18 years old most of the body fat with which puberty began is dissolved into muscle just leaving about 12% (Albert & Steinberg, 2011).

Relationship of adolescent development to scenario

However, while some boys begin puberty at an early age and it ends at the appropriate time others have delayed onset as Bob in the case scenario. Research has shown where puberty could be delayed, but still occur normally. This is known as constitutional delay. Constitutional delay of puberty is recognized by scientists as healthy physical development. Other factors influencing delayed puberty are malnutrition, systemic diseases; deficits in the reproductive system and the body’s response to sex hormones (Jones, 2014).

Theoretical application of adolescent development

Research has revealed that there are immense variations in the age at which puberty occurs across cultures. Precisely, they contend that the normal age is very wide. Adolescent changes leading to puberty can take between 5 -10 years across cultures. More importantly, analysts argue that since the gap is so wide it is difficult making a pathological diagnosis regarding the apparent irregularity. If menarche does not occur by age eighteen (18) or testicular growth not apparent by age 20, then there is a need for investigation (Traggiai & Stanhope, 2003)

In specific relation to the case scenario, Bob’s mental capabilities are above average. As such, there is no obvious cognitive delay due to his adolescent development and he is otherwise normal. Research has shown where children experiencing constitutional delay of puberty have a history of being smaller in stature than their peers. They are usually shorter, but their height is appropriate for the bone structure. This could well be the situation being experienced by Bob (Traggiai & Stanhope, 2003).

However, when delays are suspected due to medical conditions investigations are conducted. They include referrals to a pediatric endocrinologist, who is expected to conduct a complete medical history.  The history focus usually pertains to growth and development. This is done to evaluate whether the irregularity is constitutional delay; an underlying medical issue such as malnutrition or a latent endocrine disorder. If a diagnosis unrelated to constitutional delay is made management of the condition begins. Measures are taken to initiate the onset of puberty (Traggiai & Stanhope, 2003).

Conclusion

Measures are taken to reassure clients if the condition is perceived to be a late onset. When an endocrine disorder is found the necessary therapy begins either as oral or intramuscular treatment. Approaches vary among pediatricians and cultures. However, in concluding this case scenario concerning Bob’s delayed puberty onset  it seems as though before he reaches twenty years old an onset will be achieved.  The onset of puberty varies among cultures, races and genders. Bob is not an isolated case. There are many situations of delayed puberty among Asian adolescents.

References

Albert, D., & Steinberg, L. (2011). Judgment and Decision Making in Adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence 21 (1): 211–224.

Dorn, L., &  Biro, F. (2011). Puberty and Its Measurement: A Decade in Review. Journal of Research on Adolescence 21 (1): 180–195

Traggiai, C., & Stanhope, R. (2003) Disorders of pubertal development. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 17 (1): 41–56.

Jones, R. (2014). Antecedents of the Male Adolescent Identity Crisis: Age, Grade, and Physical Development. Youth Society. Retrieved on August 27^th 2015 from http://yas.sagepub.com/content/early/2012/03/02/0044118X12438904