PYC4808 Assignment 5 Feedback Letter
Read the following case study, and answer questions 1-3 below.
Case Study:
Portia is a 26-year-old medical student, who is currently completing her internship at Baragwaneth
Hospital. Since she started her long work hours, she has developed insomnia. The lack of sleep has
started impacting on her performance at work, and her supervisor referred her to a psychologist to
assist with possible stress, and the triggers for the insomnia.
Tobias, the psychologist, suggested that she try listening to soothing music, take a hot bath before
going to bed, and limit screen time 1 hour before bed. After 2 weeks, Portia’s insomnia did not get
any better. Tobias then suggested that when she cannot sleep, instead of trying to fall asleep, Portia
should get up and clean the house.
Question 1:
The suggestion from the psychologist to ‘listen soothing music, take a hot bath before going to bed,
and limit screen time 1 hour before bed’ can best be described as:
1. Perturbation
2. First order change
3. Second order change
4. Maintaining the status quo
The correct answer is alternative 2,
Explanation: The psychologist’s initial intervention was based on a logical solution to the problem
which did not challenge the rules of the system. First order change is consistent with the rules of the
system, and does not alter the underlying organisation of the system. Therefore, the solution of
listening to soothing music and taking a hot bath before bed, is an attempt to address Portia’s
symptoms instead of addressing the systemic organisation that gives rise to her symptoms.
Question 2:
The suggestion from the psychologist to ‘instead of trying to fall asleep, Portia should get up and
clean the house’ can best be described as:
1. First order change
2. Second order change
3. Reductionistic
4. Modernist
The correct answer is alternative 2.
Explanation: The psychologist’s suggestion to get up and clean the house is counterintuitive and
illogical, as it requires her to do more work when she is unable to sleep. By doing this, Portia no
Read the following case study, and answer questions 1-3 below.
Case Study:
Portia is a 26-year-old medical student, who is currently completing her internship at Baragwaneth
Hospital. Since she started her long work hours, she has developed insomnia. The lack of sleep has
started impacting on her performance at work, and her supervisor referred her to a psychologist to
assist with possible stress, and the triggers for the insomnia.
Tobias, the psychologist, suggested that she try listening to soothing music, take a hot bath before
going to bed, and limit screen time 1 hour before bed. After 2 weeks, Portia’s insomnia did not get
any better. Tobias then suggested that when she cannot sleep, instead of trying to fall asleep, Portia
should get up and clean the house.
Question 1:
The suggestion from the psychologist to ‘listen soothing music, take a hot bath before going to bed,
and limit screen time 1 hour before bed’ can best be described as:
1. Perturbation
2. First order change
3. Second order change
4. Maintaining the status quo
The correct answer is alternative 2,
Explanation: The psychologist’s initial intervention was based on a logical solution to the problem
which did not challenge the rules of the system. First order change is consistent with the rules of the
system, and does not alter the underlying organisation of the system. Therefore, the solution of
listening to soothing music and taking a hot bath before bed, is an attempt to address Portia’s
symptoms instead of addressing the systemic organisation that gives rise to her symptoms.
Question 2:
The suggestion from the psychologist to ‘instead of trying to fall asleep, Portia should get up and
clean the house’ can best be described as:
1. First order change
2. Second order change
3. Reductionistic
4. Modernist
The correct answer is alternative 2.
Explanation: The psychologist’s suggestion to get up and clean the house is counterintuitive and
illogical, as it requires her to do more work when she is unable to sleep. By doing this, Portia no
