1
PYC4808
ASSIGNMENT 6
2023
MEMORANDUM
ECOSYSTEMIC
PSYCHOLOGY
, 2
Case Scenario
Covid-19 has brought about many new challenges across various contexts. In order
to slow the infection rate, a national lockdown was enforced, which on one hand was
aimed at protecting the population from the effects of Covid-19 and slowing down
the spread, with new terminology such as "lock-down, self-isolation, social
distancing, flatten the curve....new normal" surfacing (Pillay & Barnes, 2020). On the
other hand, the solution to the problem created many individual, familial, social,
community, educational, occupational, financial and other challenges. Reflect on the
changes that took place both in the country, but within the context of academia,
teaching and learning. You may even find it helpful to write a page of your own
personal challenges and insights gained over the last two years with regards to the
changes we have all experienced, to varying degrees.
Once you have thoroughly reflected on the above, answer the questions below, in
relation to you as a student at Unisa.
Question 1
In view of the above excerpt, as a student of Unisa, a Open Distance Learning
Education Institution, provide a first order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a system.
In your answer, describe the context as a first order cybernetic thinker, and apply at
least five (5) first order cybernetic principles/concepts to your analysis. (25 marks)
Question 2
In view of the above excerpt, as well as your answer for question 1, include yourself
in the observed, and provide a second-order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a
system. In your answer, describe how a second-order cybernetic thinker would
contextualise Unisa, and apply at least five (5) second order principle/concepts to
your analysis. (25marks)
Question 3
Second order cybernetics can be viewed as a meta-perspective. In line with this
premise, answer the questions below:
3.1 According to Becvar and Becvar (2014), systemic thinking is not an either/or
approach. Discuss this statement and justify how FOC and SOC can be integrated in
a complementary manner. (10 marks)
3.2 In all professions there are both explicit and implicit ethical guidelines, which
have been drawn up to ensure efficacy and competency. Discuss the ethical
considerations to bear in mind if you were working from an ecosystemic perspective
(include the ethical considerations for both FOC and SOC). (10 marks)
3.3 In your opinion, how can African ideologies and indigenous knowledge systems
be incorporated into ecosystemic psychology? (10marks)
3.4 Provide a critique of ecosystemic psychology in which you cover both its merits
and its shortcomings. (10 marks)
Question 4:
This is not a question, however, a mark will be awarded for referencing. You need to
include
PYC4808
ASSIGNMENT 6
2023
MEMORANDUM
ECOSYSTEMIC
PSYCHOLOGY
, 2
Case Scenario
Covid-19 has brought about many new challenges across various contexts. In order
to slow the infection rate, a national lockdown was enforced, which on one hand was
aimed at protecting the population from the effects of Covid-19 and slowing down
the spread, with new terminology such as "lock-down, self-isolation, social
distancing, flatten the curve....new normal" surfacing (Pillay & Barnes, 2020). On the
other hand, the solution to the problem created many individual, familial, social,
community, educational, occupational, financial and other challenges. Reflect on the
changes that took place both in the country, but within the context of academia,
teaching and learning. You may even find it helpful to write a page of your own
personal challenges and insights gained over the last two years with regards to the
changes we have all experienced, to varying degrees.
Once you have thoroughly reflected on the above, answer the questions below, in
relation to you as a student at Unisa.
Question 1
In view of the above excerpt, as a student of Unisa, a Open Distance Learning
Education Institution, provide a first order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a system.
In your answer, describe the context as a first order cybernetic thinker, and apply at
least five (5) first order cybernetic principles/concepts to your analysis. (25 marks)
Question 2
In view of the above excerpt, as well as your answer for question 1, include yourself
in the observed, and provide a second-order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a
system. In your answer, describe how a second-order cybernetic thinker would
contextualise Unisa, and apply at least five (5) second order principle/concepts to
your analysis. (25marks)
Question 3
Second order cybernetics can be viewed as a meta-perspective. In line with this
premise, answer the questions below:
3.1 According to Becvar and Becvar (2014), systemic thinking is not an either/or
approach. Discuss this statement and justify how FOC and SOC can be integrated in
a complementary manner. (10 marks)
3.2 In all professions there are both explicit and implicit ethical guidelines, which
have been drawn up to ensure efficacy and competency. Discuss the ethical
considerations to bear in mind if you were working from an ecosystemic perspective
(include the ethical considerations for both FOC and SOC). (10 marks)
3.3 In your opinion, how can African ideologies and indigenous knowledge systems
be incorporated into ecosystemic psychology? (10marks)
3.4 Provide a critique of ecosystemic psychology in which you cover both its merits
and its shortcomings. (10 marks)
Question 4:
This is not a question, however, a mark will be awarded for referencing. You need to
include
