Assignment 2 - 803610
Question 1
Systems thinking (also referred to as systems family therapy) is described as counter- cultural and is
a shift from the modernist perspective. Danie, a psychology student, describes himself as a
modernist thinker. Which of the following premises are consistent with the modernist way of
thinking, and which you would expect to be part of Danie’s descriptions of the world:
a. Causality is linear
b. Causality is recursive
c. We can discover reality which is separate from us
d. As an observer, we remain separate from that which we are observing
The correct answer is:
1. a) and c)
2. b), c) and d)
3. a), c) and d)
4. All of the above
Answer: 3
Question 2
At the heart of individualism, the individual is regarded as the primary agent. In order to best
understand the content we are learning, and ensure logical consistency, epistemologies, theories
and assumptions must be logically linked. Although many of the individualistic theories (e.g.
psychoanalytic psychology) do appreciate one’s relationships with others, which of the following
theorists do not fit epistemologically with the systemic theory?
1. Gregory Bateson and Paul Watzlawick
2. Sigmund Freud and BF Skinner
3. Jay Haley and Carl Whitaker
4. None of the above
Answer: 2
, Question 3
In line with being logically consistent, and of being aware of how it is that we think and perceive the
world and those around us, which of the following options accurately reflect a logically consistent
epistemology and a theory respectively:
1. Psychodynamic theory and Behavioural Theory
2. Social constructionism and Systems Theory
3. Systems theory and Classical conditioning
4. Social constructionism and classical conditioning
Answer: 2
Question 4
According to the framework of individual psychology, the appropriate scientific methodology is …
1. empirical and linear, and knowledge is pursued through observation and discovery.
2. constructionist and circular, and knowledge is pursued through observation and discovery.
3. constructionist and reciprocal, and knowledge is pursued through observation and discovery.
4. empirical and linear, and knowledge is pursued through interaction and reciprocity.
Answer: 1
Question 5
The process by which we learn, both explicitly and implicitly, about the ways of thinking, worldviews,
and appropriate behaviour of a particular social group (whether it be informal or formal) is called …
1. a paradigm
2. socialisation
3. systemic thinking
4. a paradigm indoctrination
Answer: 2
Question 6
When we are comparing individual theories and systemic theories, the individual theories can be
described as _______________, while systemic theory can be described as________________.
1. linear; circular
2. circular; linear
3. individualistic; linear
Question 1
Systems thinking (also referred to as systems family therapy) is described as counter- cultural and is
a shift from the modernist perspective. Danie, a psychology student, describes himself as a
modernist thinker. Which of the following premises are consistent with the modernist way of
thinking, and which you would expect to be part of Danie’s descriptions of the world:
a. Causality is linear
b. Causality is recursive
c. We can discover reality which is separate from us
d. As an observer, we remain separate from that which we are observing
The correct answer is:
1. a) and c)
2. b), c) and d)
3. a), c) and d)
4. All of the above
Answer: 3
Question 2
At the heart of individualism, the individual is regarded as the primary agent. In order to best
understand the content we are learning, and ensure logical consistency, epistemologies, theories
and assumptions must be logically linked. Although many of the individualistic theories (e.g.
psychoanalytic psychology) do appreciate one’s relationships with others, which of the following
theorists do not fit epistemologically with the systemic theory?
1. Gregory Bateson and Paul Watzlawick
2. Sigmund Freud and BF Skinner
3. Jay Haley and Carl Whitaker
4. None of the above
Answer: 2
, Question 3
In line with being logically consistent, and of being aware of how it is that we think and perceive the
world and those around us, which of the following options accurately reflect a logically consistent
epistemology and a theory respectively:
1. Psychodynamic theory and Behavioural Theory
2. Social constructionism and Systems Theory
3. Systems theory and Classical conditioning
4. Social constructionism and classical conditioning
Answer: 2
Question 4
According to the framework of individual psychology, the appropriate scientific methodology is …
1. empirical and linear, and knowledge is pursued through observation and discovery.
2. constructionist and circular, and knowledge is pursued through observation and discovery.
3. constructionist and reciprocal, and knowledge is pursued through observation and discovery.
4. empirical and linear, and knowledge is pursued through interaction and reciprocity.
Answer: 1
Question 5
The process by which we learn, both explicitly and implicitly, about the ways of thinking, worldviews,
and appropriate behaviour of a particular social group (whether it be informal or formal) is called …
1. a paradigm
2. socialisation
3. systemic thinking
4. a paradigm indoctrination
Answer: 2
Question 6
When we are comparing individual theories and systemic theories, the individual theories can be
described as _______________, while systemic theory can be described as________________.
1. linear; circular
2. circular; linear
3. individualistic; linear
