Pyc 4808 Assignment 2

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Table of contents Question 1 p. 1 Question 2 p. 1 Question 3 p. 2 Question 4 p. 2 Question 5 p. 3 Question 6 p. 3 References p. 5 Question 1 First-order cybernetic approach First order cybernetics (or simple cybernetics) views reality from the outside. According to this approach we are observers of reality and we are not part of it. It has a “black box” effect (Becvar & Becvar; 2009). We can observe what goes into and out of the box. We are not influenced by other people’s realities or by their therapeutic process (from a therapist’s point of view). Reality is objective. Second-order cybernetic approach According to second-order cybernetics we are a part of each other’s realities, being influenced by them and influencing other people’s realities. We are part of that which we observe. Reality is seen from a subjective point of view (you are personally involved). QUESTION 2 First-order cybernetics According to first-order cybernetics, families usually go to therapists because one of the members has or is a problem. The therapist decides if the family is healthy or/and pathological according to his/her observations. The therapist then gives labels, make diagnoses and recommend solutions for the problem. Second-order cybernetics In the second-order cybernetic approach, therapists are a part of the system. He/she does not make diagnoses or give labels. The family decides if something is healthy or not, pathological or not. If they view something as being negative, they find their own solutions in the therapeutic process. The more energy they give in positive things, the less they have for negative things, and the other way around. QUESTION 3 First-order cybernetics First-order cybernetics focuses on boundaries, openness and closed-ness, and especially on order. There are certain rules in a system, and if the members of the system
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