Ecosystem Psychology

PYC4808 - Ecosystemic Psychology

Assignment 2 Unique No. 536910

August 2014

1. First order cybernetics. 1.

In first order cybernetics, reality is discovered through observation without the observer being influenced in process. To ensure such, the observer place themselves outside the system, where they can observe what is goes into and comes out of it so that they can initiate change (Becvar & Becvar, 2006). The first order is like adaption. The species will adapt in a certain way. This introduces the principle of cause and effect.

2. Second order principles.

In second order cybernetics, the observer is recognised as a part of, or participant in that what is observed. Perception of both the observer and the observed is recognised. Reality is constructed other being recognised as something that is out there. The second order approaches is aware that it is not possible to understand another’s reality without being part of it during the process. This introduces the observer effect. Baron, P. (2007).

3. How reality is seen by each specific approach.

Becvar & Becvar 2006 is cited as stating that, first and second order cybernetics are consistent with each other in the assumption that, reality is understood as perceptually constructed or created. (Becvar & Becvar, 2006). Noted that, reality from first cybernetics approach may be explained and interpreted from an isolated remote position, while a second order approach is aware that it is not possible to understand other’s reality without being a part of it during the process. The focus on context and communication is of utmost relevance in both approaches. The therapists attempt to understand the context through examination of individual perceptions, meanings and prevailing social system within which the relationships are included. Becvar & Becvar (200) emphasized that, from a...