Sammy's Case
Question:
Base on what have learned in this course, your textbook and any reference books that you may have read, what are the problems that the main character has? What possible solutions would you suggest to solve the problems?
Introduction:
After my in-depth study of Sammy’s case, I think Sammy has three main problems and each of them will produce some negative consequences at the same time. In this essay, I will try to point out the three problems in details. Then, I will suggest some possible solutions to solve those problems.
Problem:
1. Lack of Self-understanding
According to Erikson’s (1963) eight psychosocial stages, Sammy is in stage five and she needs to develop her personal identity. However, it seems that she fails to complete this developmental task because her self-concept is weak, such as she does not know what she likes and dislikes and she is confused who she is. In long term, it is difficult for her to achieve happiness and she may feel depressed easily due to lack of self-knowledge and she seems to rely too much on external source like television and Internet. Also, Prof. Charles Tart claims that if people do not answer the question “Who am I”, they may never be able to distinguish between what your essential self wants and what others manipulate them to want (Tart, n.d.). And the decision of whether to continue study is the example in this case. From psychological perspective, James Marcia believes that identity in the period from puberty to adolescence; depends on two factors, including sense of crisis and sense of commitment (Marcia, 1980). The former one means the urge of exploration to meaningful life and new experience. The latter one means the clear directions of life goals and values. Unfortunately, the two factors are absent in Sammy’s case which further prove that she has poor self-concept.
2. Low self-esteem
These are many symptoms show that Sammy’s self-esteem is low. First of all, studies have found a significant
Base on what have learned in this course, your textbook and any reference books that you may have read, what are the problems that the main character has? What possible solutions would you suggest to solve the problems?
Introduction:
After my in-depth study of Sammy’s case, I think Sammy has three main problems and each of them will produce some negative consequences at the same time. In this essay, I will try to point out the three problems in details. Then, I will suggest some possible solutions to solve those problems.
Problem:
1. Lack of Self-understanding
According to Erikson’s (1963) eight psychosocial stages, Sammy is in stage five and she needs to develop her personal identity. However, it seems that she fails to complete this developmental task because her self-concept is weak, such as she does not know what she likes and dislikes and she is confused who she is. In long term, it is difficult for her to achieve happiness and she may feel depressed easily due to lack of self-knowledge and she seems to rely too much on external source like television and Internet. Also, Prof. Charles Tart claims that if people do not answer the question “Who am I”, they may never be able to distinguish between what your essential self wants and what others manipulate them to want (Tart, n.d.). And the decision of whether to continue study is the example in this case. From psychological perspective, James Marcia believes that identity in the period from puberty to adolescence; depends on two factors, including sense of crisis and sense of commitment (Marcia, 1980). The former one means the urge of exploration to meaningful life and new experience. The latter one means the clear directions of life goals and values. Unfortunately, the two factors are absent in Sammy’s case which further prove that she has poor self-concept.
2. Low self-esteem
These are many symptoms show that Sammy’s self-esteem is low. First of all, studies have found a significant
References: Erikson, E. (1963). Childhood and society. New York: Norton. Baker, K., Beer, J., and Beer, J. (1991). Self-esteem, alcoholism, sensation seeking, GPA, and differential apti-tude test scores of high school students in an honor society. Psychological Reports (pp. 69, 1147-1150). Baron, R. A. (1990). Understanding human relations: A practical guide to people at work. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Harris, T Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence (pp. 62). NHS’s A Self Help Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2012, from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/98780/0023944.pdf Hanna, S.L., Suggett, R., & Radtke, D. (2010). Person to Person: Positive relationships don’t just happen (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall KidsHealth