PYC4808 Ecosystemic Psychology (2022 - Semester 1 - Assignment 2)

PYC4808 – Ecosystemic Psychology 2022 – Semester 1 – Assignment 2 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 Question #2 At the heart of individualism, the individual is regarded as the primary agent. In order to best understand the content that 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? a) Gregory Bateson and Paul Watzlawick b) Sigmund Freud and B. F. Skinner c) Jay Haley and Carl Whitaker d) None of the above Question #3: In line with being logically consistent, and 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: a) Psychodynamic theory and Behavioural theory b) Social constructionism and Systems theory c) Systems theory and Classical conditioning d) Social constructionism and classical conditioning REMAINING ANSWERS ONLY AVAILABLE UPON PURCHASE OF THIS DOCUMENT Disclaimer: Extreme care has been used to create this document, however the contents are provided ‘as is’ without any representation or warranties, express of implied. This document is to be used for comparison, research and reference purposes ONLY. Directly submitting and/or reselling/distribution/reproduction any part of this document is not permitted. Question #4: According to the framework of individual psychology, the appropriate scientific methodology is … a) empirical and linear, and knowledge is pursued through observation and discovery. b) constructionist and circular, and knowledge is pursued through observation and discovery. c) constructionist and reciprocal, and knowledge is pursued through observation and discovery. d) empirical and linear, and knowledge is pursued through interaction and reciprocity. 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 … a) a paradigm. b) socialisation. c) systemic thinking d) a paradigm indoctrination Question #6: When we compare individual theories and systemic theories, the individual theories can be described as ___, while systemic theory can be described as ___. a) linear; circular b) circular; linear c) individualistic; linear d) straight; round Question #7: The idea of linear cause-and-effect in individual psychology can be summed up as follows: a) Communication is vital in a relationship. b) What is done on one side should be done on the other side. c) A influences B, which in turn influences C. d) A and B influence each other, and both influence C Question #8: Systems theory is regarded as a metatheory, and it includes a both/and way of thinking. Which statement below best fits with this assertion? a) First-order and second-order cybernetics can be used at the same time. b) There are multiple realities, but one version is usually more accurate and true than the other versions. c) There is interaction between the observer and the observed, who continually and equally influence each other. d) Systems theory does not reject other theories and is able to appropriately incorporate different ways of thinking, depending on the context. Question #9: Systems theory (in particular second-order cybernetics) acknowledges that we participate in creating our own realities in relation to others and recognises that reality is seen as subjective. This implies that: a) It assists us in describing relationships and patterns of interaction from an expert perspective. b) It assists us in describing relationships and patterns of interaction between individuals without taking into consideration the contexts in which we live. c) It assists us in describing relationships and patterns within the context in which we live, and so a systemic therapist cannot see an individual for psychotherapy. d) It assists us in describing relationships and patterns within the context in which we live Question #10: According to the postmodern tradition and second-order cybernetics, identified problems are seen as problems when ___. This is in comparison to the modernist tradition, and a first-order cybernetic perspective where the problem is identified by ___ in line with principles of normality. a) the definition of the problem is a function of the way the members of a system construct problems; an expert b) other people inform an individual that their behaviour is problematic; the person themselves c) an individual displays symptoms of a mental disorder; a psychiatrist d) an individual displays problematic behaviour; the system Question #11: The paradigmatic shift of systems theory gave rise to a distinction between first-order and second-order cybernetics, each of which are underpinned by certain concepts/principles to help in describing a system. Read the following statement and choose the correct answer that best describes the pattern of interaction according to the first-order cybernetic approach: “The more the father shouts, the more the child withdraws; the more the child withdraws, the more the father shouts.” a) Negentropy b) Entropy c) Boundaries d) Circular causality or reciprocity Question #12: According to Murray Bowen (1976), a dyad (two-person relationship) may be a relatively stable unit when things are going well. However, when a problem arises, one member of the dyad may draw in a third person, to create a ___ in an attempt to ___. a) symmetrical relationship; diffuse tension/conflict b) triangle; diffuse tension/conflict c) system; diffuse tension/conflict d) complementary relationship; change the system Question #13: If Tlou, a student, regards his lecturer, Prof. Ndaba, as being more knowledgeable and as having more experience, and views him as being in a position of authority, the relationship can best be described as ___; however, if Tlou regards the lecturer as an equal, and interacts with Prof. Ndaba in a manner that mimics a business deal, the relationship can best be described as ___. a) symmetrical; complementary b) symmetrical; problematic c) complementary; symmetrical d) interchangeable; symmetrical Question #14: Maturana’s statement that “each member of the same family lives in a slightly different family” implies that … a) each member of a family will experience the same situation in a different way. b) we live in a multi-perspectival, multi-constructed universe in which each individual participates in the creation of his/her own reality. c) family members have the same experiences, and therefore, a universal truth, or reality is created. d) each member of a family will experience the same situation in a different way, but there is usually only one true version of the same experience. Question #15: Devan, a 13-year-old, is the only child of Anthony and Nadia. Devan has started acting out in class, refusing to comply with the teacher’s instructions, disturbing other students, and even truancy. His parents, who have been married for 14 years, are worried about him, and take him to a psychologist. Anthony and Nadia inform the psychologist that Devan is still a child, and should adhere to all their rules, including no cellphone, no TV during the week, and no parties. According to first-order cybernetics, which concepts/principles can be used to describe the family system in the above case? a) Entropic, rigid boundaries, and the system tends to remain homeostatic despite the need for change. b) Entropic, diffuse boundaries, and the system tends towards morphogenesis. c) Open boundaries, enmeshed family boundaries, poor communication, and a triangle has formed between the parents and the psychologist. d) Negentropic, open boundaries, and the system tends to remain homeostatic despite the need for change.4808