An example of an intensive experimental study of the individual as exemplified in the cases of Lydia, Denis and Martin

• Main Author: Garcia, Rosemary A.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1973
• Subjects: Educational counseling > Case studies; Counseling
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/216
• Institution: De La Salle University

v. 2. Denis problems, center around his immature behavior, lack of self-control, quick temper and hyper-activity. These traits seem to have been his problems all throughout school and in his social contacts as well. Yet, Denis is a likeable youngster, intelligent, but flighty generous, respectful, comes from a good, religious family who shows keen interest in his development. It is the purpose of this counselor, who is one of his teachers as well, to help Denis become more mature in his behavior to become more tactful in social contacts with his peers, more patient and tolerant with himself and with others more disciplined in mind in order to improve academically. Initially, data were gathered from counselees school records, observations, interviews and tests (Iowa Basic Skills Test, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, IPAT Children's Personality Questionnaire and Sacks Sentence Completion Test) administered to him. Then, several teacher-pupil conferences with regard to Denis disturbing and erratic behavior, centering in his classroom behavior preceded the counseling relationship. At the end of the school year, the counselor observed a definite change in Denis. Others, including his parents, teachers, his peers, as well as himself also witnessed the change for the better. In conclusion, the counselor believes the good purpose of the case study has been accomplished in that Denis did improve his undesirable qualities and become more tranquil, patient, tolerant, and thoughtful of others. v. 3. When Martin was referred to this counselor, he came with a long history of trouble with school since the first grade. Through the years his teachers have complained about his lack of interest, consistently substandard and sometimes failing performances, odd and sometimes disruptive behavior and particularly, his poor motivation throughout. This counselor singled out Martin Philips for this case study because of his long history of trouble with school, the completeness of the school records and psychological test data (Iowa Basic Skill Achievement Test, Frostig Developmental Test of Visual Perception, Wide Range Achievement Tests, Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities, Lorge-Thorndike Intelligence Test, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and Bender-Gestalt Test) available and the availability of Martin himself for counseling. The records showed that his teachers, throughout the years, considered Martin a poor student, though tests of his mental capability diverged widely from his teachers evaluations. There seemed to be bafflement on the part of his teachers as to what was wrong with Martin nothing seemed to work with him. This problem was to try to get at the root of Martin's poor motivation and to seek some means to help him take a more positive attitude towards school. It was decided to administer tests to Martin in the areas of personality, study habits, and interests (Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes, California Test of Personality and SRA: What I Like To Do, An Inventory of Children's Interests), areas that were surprisingly not looked into in all his previous testing and in the hope that discussing the results of these new tests with Martin, it would assist him to get a good view of the root causes of his problems in school. The counselor believes that this procedure did help Martin gain some insight into his trouble and enabled him to set a more positive course for his future. The Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes showed Martin what had been his main problem a