Terri's Terrible Temper Case Study

Terri's Terrible Temper case study describes the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Smith and their daughter Terri Smith. Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith were experiencing infertility issues, so they chose adoption as their next best option. The Smith's adopted Terri while she was only a few months old. Mr. and Mrs. Smith disclosed that everything was going in a right direction up until Terri turned two years old last year. The Smiths stated that Terri's behavior has become uncontrollable, and the couple doesn't know what to do with her behavioral issues. Mr. and Mrs. Smith stated that they often will allow Terri to have her way because of her loud tantrums that she throws at home and in public. Mrs. Smith's sister suggested they the family seek professional …show more content…
The social learning approach states that children are most likely to repeat behaviors that they are being awarded for (Hutchison, 2015, p. 146). Mr. and Mrs. Smith disclosed that they often allow Terri have her way she has behavioral outbursts. Although Terri is given what she wants because her parents are tired of fighting with her, she still might see it as a form of an award. Terri has learned that resisting her parents will give her what she desires without any consequences. Terri uses Bandura's Social Learning Approach to observe that her behaviors eventually leads her to do this activity or not going to bed on …show more content…
If Mr. and Mrs. Smith don’t work toward getting Terri’s behavior under control Terri could be facing cumulative disadvantages. Sociologist Robert Merton defined cumulative disadvantages as early disadvantages that position a person for future disadvantages (Merton, 1968). Terri’s behavior problems at her age can eventually be a disadvantage to her as she grows older. Mr. and Mrs. Smith disclosed that Terri’s school is threatening to remove her from the institution. Terri being expelled can become a disadvantage for her in the future. Schools may not want to accept Terri because of her previous behavior problems. These type of disadvantages can lead to oppressions in Terri’s life. Oppressions are restrictions that are placed on a person (McIntosh, 1988). Schools and other institutions will review Terri’s past history and can discriminate against her based on her past behavior problems. Risk factors can become an issue within the Smith family since the factors can decrease the stages of development in future stages (Hutchison, 2015). Terri would lack developmental skills in her older stages of life is she doesn’t grasp the concepts now. Terri will need to understand building relationships, sharing, and the difference between punishments and rewards. The Smith family may experience oppressions and risk factors if Terri’s behavior doesn’t