Joe: The Case of An Underprivileged Youth

Lorna Carrasquillo, Stephanie Russell, Courtney Moore, Derek Palmisano

An Introduction

• Sherry teaching the 6th grade for 6 years• Joe struggles academically and socially• Sherry decides to take action – Joe has average abilities (does OK in Math)– 5 siblings, 2 are mentally handicapped– Father is a night watchman, Mother sick and unable to

work (even around the house)

• Sherry formulates a plan to boost self-confidence and and self-image!

Defining the Problem

Who can I look up to?

• No available role model– Father is rarely home,

working– Mother is obese,

health problems, can barely do housework

– All teachers mentioned are female

***Adopted from slides by Katherine Picho

Identity diffusion= have not explored, more likely to be absent from school, perform poorly

***Adopted from slides by Katherine Picho

***Adopted from slides by Katherine Picho

Motivation?

• Lacks extrinsic motivation- obtain an outcome distinct from the activity (p. 267)– No home based reinforcements

• and intrinsic motivation- reward is activity itself (p. 267)

• Amotivation- “individuals simply go through the motions and are not willing to act” (p. 305)– Don’t value the activity (New World example)– Don’t feel competent (doing the best I can)– Not expecting to get desired outcome (watchman)

View of Self

• Low self-concept- individual perception of a cognitive aspect

• Low self-esteem- how an individual feels about components of him or herself

• Low self-worth- one’s overall evaluation of worth as a person

• Self-fulfilling prophecy- “unfounded expectation that become true because it was expected” (p. 36)

Maslow’s Hierarchal Needs

http://meerasinha.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/800px-maslows_hierarchy_of_needssvg.png

Social Competence

• Developments of social competence impacted by family life– Withdrawl, negativity in peer relations– Parental insensitivity/ unresponsiveness effects

emotional/social resources needed to build and keep peer relations

– High stress in parents (eg. poverty) often correlated to lack of social competence in children

What else?

• Neglected youth= neither popular nor aggressive (p. 39)

• Lack of attendance, description of home life… neglect?

• Past experiences with teachers – had not expected Joe to perform well– Glenda= a lot of praise, a lot of attention, gave up,

just wanted to get him to the next grade

Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Model of Human Development

***Adopted from slides by Katherine Picho

Sherry’s Actions

• Sherry attempts to boost Joe’s perception of self, wants him to perceive education as valuable

• In summary, her plan is thoughtful and mostly positive, however room for improvement…

• Let’s take a closer look.

The Good!

• Shows interest in Joe’s personal well-being (goes out of her way, asks others)

• Her questions brought insight without threatening– “You do better in math than other subjects, do you

like math?”• Group Project Idea a GOOD start…but room

for improvement

In Need of Improvement

• NOT a spokesperson – Counterproductive! Added pressure in social

situation to make him more uncomfortable!• Cooperative Project with Sherry NOT a good idea– Added work to an already busy student– Single him out when he needs to fit in– He won’t ask others…shy and responsible

• Praise AND Constructive Feedback to develop intrinsic motivation

Possible Solutions

For the family

• Unresponsive parents encourage school involvement

- Homework assignments with parental involvement - Newsletters

• Neglect?? -Contact social services

As a Teacher

• Develop social competence• Encourage intrinsic

motivation• Balance rewards with

feedback and constructive criticism

As a teacher• Instead of ignoring incorrect

answers, provide constructive criticism.

• Foster the development of friendships through activities that involve cooperation and collaboration or through rituals that involve all members of the class.

• Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities.

• Make connections between the materials and Joe’s interest

In School

• Increase opportunities for students to interact with and work with one another during the school day

• Have a career day, which will open the students eyes to different careers or options for their future, so they know their possible opportunities.

• Arrange for a positive male role model to help mentor Joe.

Questions or Comments?

Thank you!