Assignment: Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment of The Other Wes Moore
Overview:
In this assignment, you will apply theoretical frameworks to a real-world narrative by conducting a bio-psycho-social assessment of one of the two central figures in The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. You will be assigned either the author Wes Moore or the "other" Wes Moore. Your goal is to use theory and practice-based tools to assess your assigned individual through a human services lens.
This project includes three parts:
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A written bio-psycho-social assessment (approximately 4 pages, double-spaced)
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A hand-drawn or digitally created eco map
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A 1-page reflection reviewing your assessment
Assignment Components
1. Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment (4 pages)
Use the template provided below to organize your assessment. Draw upon specific events, relationships, and themes from the book. Where relevant, incorporate class theories (e.g., systems theory, risk and resilience, trauma-informed perspectives).
Your assessment should include:
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Biological: Health, physical development, genetic or medical issues, neurological information (if available)
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Psychological: Cognitive/emotional development, mental health, identity formation, coping strategies
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Social (this will and should be the longest section): Family dynamics, community, school experiences, socioeconomic status, exposure to violence or trauma, role models, peer relationships
2. Eco Map
The eco map should visualize the relationships, systems, and environments influencing your assigned Wes Moore at a key point in his development.
Indicate:
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The strength and nature of connections (positive, stressful, absent)
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Individual and environmental systems (family, school, work, criminal justice, peer group, etc.)
You may draw the eco map by hand and scan/photograph it, or use a digital tool (like Canva, Lucidchart, or Google Slides).
3. Review and Reflection (1 page)
Write a brief reflection that includes:
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What you learned by doing this assessment
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How your understanding of theory helped shape your analysis
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What is your take away from doing this?
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Ethical considerations or assumptions you had to be aware of in interpreting someone else’s story
Formatting Guidelines
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Length: 5 pages total (4-page assessment + 1-page reflection), double-spaced
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Font: 12pt, Times New Roman or Calibri
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Eco map should be attached at the end or submitted as a separate file
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Cite the book and any other course materials using APA format
Examples of what can, but limited to what is in a bio, psychosocial:
INDIVIDUAL (Micro)
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Age
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Gender roles/sexual orientation & identity
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Temperament
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Developmental or psychiatric disabilities
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Culture, race, ethnicity
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Class
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Religious, philosophical, spiritual values
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Finances
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Autonomy skills
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Social skills
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Social participation
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Power/privilege or powerlessness/abuse
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Education and work
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Physical or psychological symptoms
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Addiction and behavioral challenges
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Allocation of time
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Personal dreams
IMMEDIATE HOUSEHOLD (Micro-Mezzo)
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Type of family structure
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Stage of family life cycle
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Emotional climate
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Boundaries, patterns, and triangles
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Communication patterns
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Negotiating skills
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Decision-making skills
EXTENDED FAMILY (Micro-Mezzo)
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Relationship patterns
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Emotional themes, loss, secrets, family myths, taboos
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Socioeconomic level
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Work patterns
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Challenges (aka dysfunctions): addictions, illness, disabilities, violence
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Social and community involvement
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Ethnicity, religion, values
COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS (Mezzo-Macro)
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Face-to-face links between individual, family, and society
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Friends and neighbors
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Involvement with governmental institutions
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Self-help, psychotherapy, volunteer work
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Church, temple, mosque involvement or no religious affiliation
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Involvement in children’s school and activities
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Political action
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Recreation or cultural groups
LARGER SOCIETY (Macro)
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Social, political, economic issues
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Bias, discrimination, and oppression based on:
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Race, ethnicity
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Class
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Gender
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Sexual orientation and gender identity
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Religion
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Age
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Disability
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Family configuration
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Power and privilege based on how government institutions and policies are developed, implemented, and sustained
Clarification:
I’m doing Wes Moore 1 just for clarification.
📌 Recommendations for Improving the Paper
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Verify All Quotes Against the Correct Edition:
Please ensure that all quotes included in the paper are taken verbatim from The Other Wes Moore, and specifically from pages 6 to 150, as indicated by the student's version of the book. -
Visually Highlight Direct Quotes:
To make it easy for the student to identify direct quotes from the book, highlight each quote in a distinct color (e.g., blue or green). This helps clearly separate the author's original words from your analysis or paraphrasing. -
Use Quotation Marks for Direct Quotes Only:
Place quotation marks (" ") only around exact text taken from the book. If you’re paraphrasing a concept or summarizing a scene, don’t use quotation marks—this maintains academic accuracy. -
Cite Properly with Page Numbers:
Each direct quote should be followed by an in-text citation that includes the author’s last name, year of publication, and correct page number from the provided edition (e.g., Moore, 2011, p. 74). -
Offer Revisions Based on the Student’s Copy:
If needed, revise the assessment to match quotes with the specific edition the student is using. Ensure every cited line is cross-checked within pages 6 to 150 of that version.
The answer
Biopsychosocial Assessment Report: Wes Moore
Biopsychosocial Assessment
Many theories have been proposed about how mental illness affects a
person's development throughout childhood. Many of these theories suggest that
it may be caused by various factors, such as the person's environment and
socioeconomic status. An emotionally unbalanced relationship between a child
and their parents may be the cause. Many factors can also cause antisocial
behavior early in life. Studies have shown that a support system helps people
achieve their goals and improve their physical and mental health. One study
analyzed the factors that influenced Wes Moore's development. These were some
of the factors that could have helped Wes improve his mental health and fostered
the motivation to improve himself and his career. He also lacked a role model
in his life, which was a major problem today. Although his mother was a hard
worker and worked long hours, she could have enrolled him in various programs
to keep him busy and away from negative influences. These programs could have
helped Wes keep busy and motivated, but they also provided him with the tools
and skills needed to become a better person. These diversion programs are also
designed to help children improve their behavior and academic skills. Her
mother can also try to help Wes build a strong support system within the
family.
Biological Factors
Wes Moore, the author, was born in
1978 to a Jamaican-American mother and an American father. He was a child like any other, healthy, active and
strong, and showed no obvious genetic or medical conditions during his youth.
However, the death of his father had a direct impact on his development because
he died at a young age, a shocking event that left an emotional mark on his
development and affected him.
"That
is one of only two memories I have of my father. The other was when I watched
him die." (Moore, 2011, p. 32)
The impact of his father's absence
on his emotional state and health behaviors. His mother, Joy, ensured that he
received adequate medical care and nutrition, although his financial situation
limited their access to medical care and financial stability. Nevertheless, Wes
demonstrated remarkable physical development, participating in sports and
military training, which contributed to his physical flexibility and muscular
strength.
Psychological Factors
Psychologically, Wes's development was turbulent. He showed early signs of
emotional confusion, which eventually led to maturity. The crisis and trauma of
losing his father and witnessing domestic violence in his early childhood
exacerbated his emotional instability. His early behaviors also included
stubbornness, academic difficulties, and occasional delinquent behaviors.
"I
was becoming someone I didn’t recognize." (Moore, 2011, p. 89)
Wes benefited from the events in his life that shaped his personality in
spite of all these obstacles and hurdles. His mother's decision to send him to
military school was a pivotal point that contributed to his psychological
transformation. He began to form a disciplined identity, relying on structured
guidance and leadership training. He significantly shaped his identity during
adolescence, influenced by role models through a new lifestyle and environment.
"My
mother saw my downward slide long before I did." (Moore, 2011, p.
69)
Social Factors
Socially, Wes Moore was greatly influenced by the
environment in which he grew up, whether it was stimulating or fraught with
bitter difficulties. His mother, Joy, was his supporter, helper, and caring
mother. She worked hard at several jobs to provide him with a good education,
and at one point, she made the difficult decision to send him away from home in
search of a better future. His extended family also played a positive, albeit
limited, role. Wes grew up in tough neighborhoods like the Bronx and then Baltimore,
where he was exposed from an early age to crime, drugs, and violence. He was
influenced by his interactions with many older youths in his environment and by
a street culture that glorified quick profits through illegal means and a sense
of respect. Educationally, he went through a period of instability until he
transferred to the military academy, where he began to gain discipline and
discover a purpose for his life. Social and economic circumstances also had a
significant impact on his life. His family had experienced repeated financial
hardships, such as eviction and food insecurity. These harsh experiences
deepened his empathy for others and contributed to his awareness of social
justice. Furthermore, his father's death highlighted the significant
disparities in healthcare quality across social classes.
"He
died on a Friday night... Untreated because of the earlier misdiagnosis, my
father’s body suffocated itself." (Moore, 2011, p. 34)
At military school, having role models—both his classmates and officers—had
a profound impact on Wes Moore. They helped him overcome the negative company
he'd been surrounded by before, and created a sense of responsibility and
belonging, as if they had become his second family.
Reflection
After doing this biopsychosocial
analysis of Wes Moore's life, I have a greater understanding of how societal,
familial, and personal influences interact to influence a person's path.
Through it, I came to understand how familial dynamics, trauma, and environmental
factors may affect development and growth throughout life, not just in
childhood.
Wes Moore's story demonstrated to me the importance of early intervention and
the impact of guidance and counseling, even if only for a short period. Using
theoretical frameworks, such as systems theory and trauma-informed care, helped
me analyze the complex relationships surrounding Wes. I saw how changes in his
behavior were linked to shifts in his upbringing environment, especially after
his transition to military school, which provided him with structure, support,
a sense of belonging, and purpose.
Through risk and resilience theory, I realized that facing adversity doesn't
necessarily mean a bad end; rather, having strong support systems and
protective factors can tip the scales in an individual's favor.
One of the most important lessons I learned from this assessment is that a
person's life isn't determined by a single factor, but rather is the result of
a continuous interaction between their inner strength and the external support
they receive. Wes Moore's story was a clear reminder that a single opportunity
or someone who believes in you can change your entire destiny. This made me
reflect on the countless young people who may be one step away from truly transforming
their lives.
From an ethical perspective, I felt a responsibility to analyze another
person's life from a professional perspective. I had to be more careful,
approach their experience with empathy and respect, without making preconceived
judgments, especially since their life involved sensitive situations such as
loss, discrimination, and violence. Understanding any person's story requires a
great deal of humility and the recognition that our vision remains limited, no
matter how much we try to grasp its details.
Eco Map of Wes Moore
The following
environmental map illustrates the major social systems and influences on Wes
Moore:
References
Moore,
W. (2011). The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. Spiegel & Grau.