Case Study:
Angela is 10 years old. Her parents divorced when she was about eight-months old, and she spent a lot of time with hergrandmother until she was about five. Her mother was working, and her father no longer lived in the area.Angela has recently moved to a new location with her mom (farther from her grandma and into a new school district).Imagine that you are Angela's guidance counselor. Her teacher came to you recently and said, "Angela is really quiteintelligent and super creative, but I have noticed she is having a difficult time making friends. Do you think you could helpher?"Of course you are willing to help one of your students, and you begin by observing Angela on the playground.You have decided to have a couple of meetings with Angela to get to know her and then hope to bring her mom into theconversation.
Using your developmental psychology background (e.g., attachment, temperament, self-esteem), determinethe following:
1. What type of attachment would you predict that Angela has with her caregivers? How would you predict that thishas impacted her adjustment?
2. In psychology, we know that labels can be dangerous. How would you have a conversation with Angela's motherabout how Angela's temperament and peer status might be impacting her adjustment without giving Angela anegative label?
3. You have the impression after meeting with Angela and her mother that they are on-board with being proactive increating positive change for Angela. What three steps would you suggest Angela and her mother take that wouldimprove Angela's self-esteem and emotional maturity?