Critically Compare the Epistemologies Governing the First- and Second Order Cybernetic Approaches

ECOSYSTEMIC PSYCHOLOGY

PYC 4808

ASSIGNMENT 02

Unique nr: 826739

Critically compare the epistemologies governing the first- and second order cybernetic approaches

H van der Watt

Table of contents | Page |

1. Reality as seen by each approach | 3 |

2. Health and Pathology | 4 |

3. Therapy from each approach | 4 |

4. The role and function of the therapist in each approach | 5 |

5. Critical ethical concerns about each approach | 5 |

6. Ideas regarding how first – and second order cybernetic approaches can be integrated in a useful way | 6 |

7. References | 7 |

1. Reality as seen by each approach

Ecosystemic psychology is the analysis of mental life from an ecological point of view which includes a person’s surroundings, interactions, biological and physical environment. Cybernetics is the study of communication systems and how parts of the system interact with each other. Within Ecosystemic psychology there are two approaches: First order cybernetics and Second order cybernetics.

First order cybernetics can be defined as a system that is observed from the outside by an observer. In Second order cybernetics, the observer is part of the system that is studied.

Reality can be defined as something that exists and really happens in life; something that is a fact and not just imagination.

First order cybernetics and reality

Reality from a Frist order cybernetic view can be described as something that can be discovered or seen by observing a process or a system. The observer can, without begin influenced by the process/system, identify problems according to his/her own perceptions and then initiate solutions.

Second order cybernetics and reality

In Second order cybernetics the observer is part of the process/system and reality is only true as far as each person’s perception allows. Each component/person has their own reality and the observer is aware of this fact.

Both approaches view reality as a construction of a perception that may...