Case Study: Genie Wiley PDF

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Clinical Psychology Example/insights: -One of the examples present is that Genie Wiley had a learning disability she wasn’t able to speak -They were diagnosing her language deficiency -There is a critical period in everyone’s lives where you learn to speak and after a certain age you can’t learn new languages or speak fluently in any language. An important lesson we learned about the case study using a clinical psychology approach is that there is a critical period in everyone’s lives where you are able to learn languages easily and speak in them more fluently. However, Genie Wiley had passed that stage and was unable to learn a new language. Although she was able to make out a few words in English and her brain was still curious about learning new things, she was unable to make proper sentences to communicate with others. This is because neuroplasticity usually decreases as an individual grows older, which basically means the brain becomes less able to modify itself in response to experiences. Developmental Psychology Example/insight: -She wasn’t able to walk -She was 13 but, her body development looked like the age of 6 as her body didn’t develop properly -She didn’t develop the mindset of a 13-year-old

An important lesson we learned about the case study using a developmental psychology approach was that nurture plays an important role in the development of an individual. In Genie Wiley’s case the lack of nurture resulted in her overall development being hindered. Since, she was not exposed to any childhood experiences, or social interactions and wasn’t brought up by anyone resulted in stunted growth and failure to develop as expected of a child her age. This was present in this case study as she wasn’t able to develop a sense of language, she wasn't exposed to the real world, she didn’t have the mindset of a 13-year-old, her body didn’t develop properly and she was exposed to any human interactions that would help with her overall development. Abnormal Psychology Example/insight: -

She was not supposed to make noise in the room because the father would beat her up At her first foster home, she painted every wall what her room looked like

What we learn from the case study using an abnormal approach is that health plays a key role in behaviour. In Genie Wiley’s case, her health and weight dropped gradually. Losing weight too fast may increase your risk of side effects including muscle loss, lower metabolism, nutrient deficiencies, gallstones and many other risks. She wasn’t eating properly, her weight was not increasing, and depression took over her. In the lifestyle she had growing up, she was not able to have normal behaviour. Her overall behaviour was not good for her at this age.

Personality Psychology Example/Insight: -Physical/Mental health was going down -Behaviour and language regressed What we learn from the case study using a personality approach is that language holds a major role in personality, and in Genie Wiley’s case, her personality was not formed. When Genie was going to different foster homes, they abused her and left her out. As a result, her physical and mental health severely deteriorated, and her newly acquired language and behavioral skills very rapidly regressed. In January 1978, Genie's mother forbade all scientific observations and testing of Genie. When Genie was 18, she suffered from depression as she was with her mom, in her old house. Then, her mom couldn’t take it anymore, and she was sent to state care....