PYC4808 EXAM AND ASSIGNMENTS
INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY (Western) vs SYSTEMIC PSYCHOLOGY
Most of us have been socialized into a Western, Lockean scientific tradition.
Most individual psychology approaches rest on the assumptions of this linear
worldview. Systems theory directs our attention away from the individual
and moves towards and emphasis on recursion, reciprocity and mutual
influence. Discuss this fundamental shift in worldviews by referring to the
fundamental assumptions of both traditional individual psychology
approaches and systems theory. (10)
‘Individual psychology approaches are based on assumptions that are
fundamental to the western, Lockean tradition, while systemic family therapy
rests on a very different set of assumptions. Discuss this statement by
comparing the assumptions of systems theory. In your answer provide a
definition of epistemology. (20-25)
• Whereas individual psychology approaches are based on assumptions
fundamental to the Western, Lockean tradition, systemic family
therapy rests on a very different set of assumptions.
• Western, Lockean, scientific tradition.
• Modernism Linear casualty (A causes B)
• In Individual psychology, the assumptions are consistent with such
basic American values as individual responsibility and autonomy.
• Socialised in this way of thinking – consistent without communities + our
culture
• Reality is out there, outside our minds and the truth is to be discovered
• Objective reality – break down into smaller components and
uncover laws according to which the world operates
• Pursue knowledge by means of observation + experimentation
• These results are measurable and objective. The subject
(observing) remain separate from object and be value free
• In Systemic family therapy, however, the underlying
assumptions are contradictory to the traditional ways of
thinking in Western society.
• Hence, our use of the term ‘counter-cultural’ to characterise systems
1
,PYC4808 EXAM AND ASSIGNMENTS
theory and cybernetics.
• Systems theory/cybernetics directs our attention away from the
individual and individual problems viewed in isolation and toward
relationships and relationship issues between individuals.
• In contrast to the Lockean tradition, systems theory is consistent with
the tradition labelled as Kantian.
• Accordingly, the observer replaces the observed as the focus of attention.
2
,PYC4808 EXAM AND ASSIGNMENTS
• Subjectivity is seen as inevitable based on the assumption that the
one who is observing perceives, acts on, and participates in creating
his or her own reality.
• In addition, the interdependence of observer and observed is an
important aspect of a holistic perspective that takes into account the
context of their interaction.
• Such interaction is seen as a non-causal, dialectical process of
mutual exchange in which both have influence.
• Finally, understanding a family or other system requires assessing
patterns of interaction, with an emphasis on what is happening,
rather than why it is happening.
Individual Psychology (Western, Systemic Psychology
Lockean)
Asks WHY? Asks WHAT?
Linear cause-and-effect A -B Reciprocal Causality A and B exists = give
and
take actions
Subject or object dualism Dialectical
Either or dichotomies Holistic
Value-free science Subjective /Perceptual
Deterministic /reactive Freedom of choice / pro-active
Laws and law like external reality Patterns
Historical Focus Here and now focus
Individualistic Relational
Reductionistic contextual
Absolutistic relativistic
Focus on content Focus on process
Judgements about clients Logic behaviour in context
Reality – out there How we each participate in creating our
own
realities
The truth A story about stories
What caused the problem How the problem is being maintained and
the
solutions desired by the client
Treating patients Interaction, recursion, mutual influence,
perturbation
People in isolation People in context/interdependence
Who is in the room How the therapist THINKS about who is in
the
room
Define the following concepts and provide appropriate example in each one:
Epistemology (2-3)
• A set of rules about what reality is, based on how a group of people
think, talk and act.
• Epistemology pertains how rules that govern our thinking are created and
3
, PYC4808 EXAM AND ASSIGNMENTS
shared
– how we know what we know.
• How knowledge is created
• Your epistemology will shape your thinking as well as how
you view and understand the world.
4
INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY (Western) vs SYSTEMIC PSYCHOLOGY
Most of us have been socialized into a Western, Lockean scientific tradition.
Most individual psychology approaches rest on the assumptions of this linear
worldview. Systems theory directs our attention away from the individual
and moves towards and emphasis on recursion, reciprocity and mutual
influence. Discuss this fundamental shift in worldviews by referring to the
fundamental assumptions of both traditional individual psychology
approaches and systems theory. (10)
‘Individual psychology approaches are based on assumptions that are
fundamental to the western, Lockean tradition, while systemic family therapy
rests on a very different set of assumptions. Discuss this statement by
comparing the assumptions of systems theory. In your answer provide a
definition of epistemology. (20-25)
• Whereas individual psychology approaches are based on assumptions
fundamental to the Western, Lockean tradition, systemic family
therapy rests on a very different set of assumptions.
• Western, Lockean, scientific tradition.
• Modernism Linear casualty (A causes B)
• In Individual psychology, the assumptions are consistent with such
basic American values as individual responsibility and autonomy.
• Socialised in this way of thinking – consistent without communities + our
culture
• Reality is out there, outside our minds and the truth is to be discovered
• Objective reality – break down into smaller components and
uncover laws according to which the world operates
• Pursue knowledge by means of observation + experimentation
• These results are measurable and objective. The subject
(observing) remain separate from object and be value free
• In Systemic family therapy, however, the underlying
assumptions are contradictory to the traditional ways of
thinking in Western society.
• Hence, our use of the term ‘counter-cultural’ to characterise systems
1
,PYC4808 EXAM AND ASSIGNMENTS
theory and cybernetics.
• Systems theory/cybernetics directs our attention away from the
individual and individual problems viewed in isolation and toward
relationships and relationship issues between individuals.
• In contrast to the Lockean tradition, systems theory is consistent with
the tradition labelled as Kantian.
• Accordingly, the observer replaces the observed as the focus of attention.
2
,PYC4808 EXAM AND ASSIGNMENTS
• Subjectivity is seen as inevitable based on the assumption that the
one who is observing perceives, acts on, and participates in creating
his or her own reality.
• In addition, the interdependence of observer and observed is an
important aspect of a holistic perspective that takes into account the
context of their interaction.
• Such interaction is seen as a non-causal, dialectical process of
mutual exchange in which both have influence.
• Finally, understanding a family or other system requires assessing
patterns of interaction, with an emphasis on what is happening,
rather than why it is happening.
Individual Psychology (Western, Systemic Psychology
Lockean)
Asks WHY? Asks WHAT?
Linear cause-and-effect A -B Reciprocal Causality A and B exists = give
and
take actions
Subject or object dualism Dialectical
Either or dichotomies Holistic
Value-free science Subjective /Perceptual
Deterministic /reactive Freedom of choice / pro-active
Laws and law like external reality Patterns
Historical Focus Here and now focus
Individualistic Relational
Reductionistic contextual
Absolutistic relativistic
Focus on content Focus on process
Judgements about clients Logic behaviour in context
Reality – out there How we each participate in creating our
own
realities
The truth A story about stories
What caused the problem How the problem is being maintained and
the
solutions desired by the client
Treating patients Interaction, recursion, mutual influence,
perturbation
People in isolation People in context/interdependence
Who is in the room How the therapist THINKS about who is in
the
room
Define the following concepts and provide appropriate example in each one:
Epistemology (2-3)
• A set of rules about what reality is, based on how a group of people
think, talk and act.
• Epistemology pertains how rules that govern our thinking are created and
3
, PYC4808 EXAM AND ASSIGNMENTS
shared
– how we know what we know.
• How knowledge is created
• Your epistemology will shape your thinking as well as how
you view and understand the world.
4
