PYC4808 Assignment 5 2023 Answers

ECOSYSTEMIC

PSYCHOLOGY

PYC4808

Assignment 5 Answers

2023
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Assignment 5
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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



ADDITIONAL NOTES QUESTION 1:

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.




HOW PSYCHOLOGIST WOULD APPROACH THERAPY FROM FIRST ORDER
CYBERNETICS AND SECOND ORDER CYBERNETICS

FIRST ORDER CYBERNETICS SECOND ORDER CYBERNETICS

 Psychotherapy is regards as a  The focus is on creation of contexts
corrective and normative means of on how people give meaning to
addressing the problems of the their world.
systems  The system is the main focus,
instead of individual interventions



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 Therapist seen as an expert who can  The aim is to create a context of
create change within a system change rather than impose changes
in the system


 The therapist is a change agent  The therapist is regarded as a
perturber.


 Individual is not the target of  Prefers an observing system with
intervention instead the system is. the inclusion of the therapist’s own
context
 Make objective observations to  Objectivity is rejected and instead
discover facts. we understand our experiences as
subjective
 FOC is aimed at behavioural changes.  SOC aimed at epistemological
changes
 Therapist objectively assesses family  Therapist is thus part of the system
system and diagnoses the pathology – and co-creates the shared reality
from outside the family system (mutual interaction and effect).
(separate).
 Therapist uses therapeutic dialogue
as a tool and emotional posture
(body language) is crucial in
influencing the therapeutic dialogue
 System is regarded as problematic.  Therapist effects change by
perturbing the system from within.
 The psychologist views the system
from an objective position and  The therapist doesn’t
imposes changes influence/change the client, they
influence the context
 Therapist assess, diagnose and
intervene to correct and change the
system.



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