Ecosystemic Psychology

ASSIGNMENT 02

(1) How is reality seen by each specific approach?

First order: Reality is seen as something that can be discovered through a process of observation without being influenced by this process.

-Reality has a single construct or value.

-It is a truth that is discoverable and obtainable.

Second order: The observer is also the observed

-Reality is self-referential with no reference to an outside environment.

-The system is seen as closed with intact boundaries where negative feedback may be defined. It can never be completely understood from another individual in an absolute truth.

(2) How is health and pathology addressed by each approach?

First order: Focuses on identifying and labelling the problem, that is, the patient as a system-maintaining part of the family.

-Pathology is seen objectively outside as apart from the family.

Second order: The internal structure of the process and individual reality is stressed

-Dysfunctionality exists relative to a given framework of reasoning. Behaviour in a conceptual framework is pathological if it is inconsistent with that framework.

-A problem is valid only if the client perceives it as such.

(3) How does each specific approach deal with therapy?

First order: changes the structure and organisation of the system or family.

-Restructuring may have an effect in behaviour and new experiences will arise.

Second order: sets a context for change but does not interfere or attempt to change the system save for a little nudge in another direction.

-The therapist is an involved party and thus to change the system he/she must adjust his/her behaviour in accordance with the system and react to reactions in an ongoing modification process.

-The second order cybernetic makes use of the environment to effect change.

-The therapist adjusts to the changing world of the client.

(4) What is the role and function of the therapist in each specific approach?

First order: the therapist attempts to...