1
Cybernetic analysis of a UNISA system
PYC4808
Assignment 6
Unique no.: 820648
Date: 30 September 2021
, 2
Cybernetic analysis of a UNISA system
Table of contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….3
1 First order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a system………………………………...3
1.1 Morphostasis……………………………………………………………………………3
1.2 Recursion and mutual interaction…………………………………………………….4
1.3 Rules and boundaries………………………………………………………………….4
1.4 Openness and closedness…………………………………………………………….4
1.5 Goals and purpose……………………………………………………………………..5
2 Second-order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a system……………………………..5
2.1 Reality as a multiverse…………………………………………………………………5
2.2 Epistemology of participation………………………………………………………….6
2.3 Structural coupling and non-purposeful drift…………………………………………6
2.4 Openness and closedness…………………………………………………………….7
2.5 Structural Determinism…………………………………………………………………7
3
3.1 How FOC and SOC can be integrated in a complementary manner…………….7
3.2 Ethical considerations working from an ecosystemic perspective………………..8
3.3 How African ideologies and indigenous knowledge systems can be
incorporated into ecosystemic psychology………………………………………………9
3.4 merits and shortcomings of ecosystemic psychology……………………………..10
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….10
Reference list
, 3
Cybernetic analysis of a UNISA system
Introduction
It is important to remember that cybernetics is a type of systems theory, it is
not a theoretical paradigm in and of itself, but rather a theoretical model that may be
used to guide various research methodologies and theoretical frameworks (Becvar
and Becvar, 2012). The system can be monitored at the level of simple cybernetics
and determine if it is healthy or pathological. Second-order cybernetics rejects any
definition that implies that the system is good or harmful. A system's response to
diverse perturbations is consistent with its structure, therefore all systems do what
they do and cannot be considered abnormal until we designate it as that (Becvar &
Becvar, 2006).
Question 1
Higher education in South Africa has become increasingly crucial in
establishing a balance between compliance and transformation, especially in light of
the COVID19 epidemic. In First order cybernetics (FOC) based on the data provided
and patterns seen among the system's components, the researcher can analyse
systems from the outside, allowing observable components to construct an
examination into the consequences of the Pandemic on objective reality and the
"truth" of the observed occurrence.
1.1 Morphostasis: This process refers to system-enhancing behaviour that
promotes growth, creativity, innovation, and change, all of which are hallmarks of a
healthy system (Becvar and Becvar, 2014). What are the systemic interactional
patterns that encourage systemic change and adaptability (morphogenesis) and/or
stagnation and stability (morphostasis) of school systems within wider ecological
dynamics (during the Covid19 pandemic)? System boundaries should strike a
Cybernetic analysis of a UNISA system
PYC4808
Assignment 6
Unique no.: 820648
Date: 30 September 2021
, 2
Cybernetic analysis of a UNISA system
Table of contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….3
1 First order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a system………………………………...3
1.1 Morphostasis……………………………………………………………………………3
1.2 Recursion and mutual interaction…………………………………………………….4
1.3 Rules and boundaries………………………………………………………………….4
1.4 Openness and closedness…………………………………………………………….4
1.5 Goals and purpose……………………………………………………………………..5
2 Second-order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a system……………………………..5
2.1 Reality as a multiverse…………………………………………………………………5
2.2 Epistemology of participation………………………………………………………….6
2.3 Structural coupling and non-purposeful drift…………………………………………6
2.4 Openness and closedness…………………………………………………………….7
2.5 Structural Determinism…………………………………………………………………7
3
3.1 How FOC and SOC can be integrated in a complementary manner…………….7
3.2 Ethical considerations working from an ecosystemic perspective………………..8
3.3 How African ideologies and indigenous knowledge systems can be
incorporated into ecosystemic psychology………………………………………………9
3.4 merits and shortcomings of ecosystemic psychology……………………………..10
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….10
Reference list
, 3
Cybernetic analysis of a UNISA system
Introduction
It is important to remember that cybernetics is a type of systems theory, it is
not a theoretical paradigm in and of itself, but rather a theoretical model that may be
used to guide various research methodologies and theoretical frameworks (Becvar
and Becvar, 2012). The system can be monitored at the level of simple cybernetics
and determine if it is healthy or pathological. Second-order cybernetics rejects any
definition that implies that the system is good or harmful. A system's response to
diverse perturbations is consistent with its structure, therefore all systems do what
they do and cannot be considered abnormal until we designate it as that (Becvar &
Becvar, 2006).
Question 1
Higher education in South Africa has become increasingly crucial in
establishing a balance between compliance and transformation, especially in light of
the COVID19 epidemic. In First order cybernetics (FOC) based on the data provided
and patterns seen among the system's components, the researcher can analyse
systems from the outside, allowing observable components to construct an
examination into the consequences of the Pandemic on objective reality and the
"truth" of the observed occurrence.
1.1 Morphostasis: This process refers to system-enhancing behaviour that
promotes growth, creativity, innovation, and change, all of which are hallmarks of a
healthy system (Becvar and Becvar, 2014). What are the systemic interactional
patterns that encourage systemic change and adaptability (morphogenesis) and/or
stagnation and stability (morphostasis) of school systems within wider ecological
dynamics (during the Covid19 pandemic)? System boundaries should strike a
