INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY (Western) vs SYSTEMIC PSYCHOLOGY
Most of us have been socialized into a Western, Lockean scientific tradition. Most individual psychology approaches rest on the assumptions of this linear worldview. Systems theory directs our attention away from the individual and moves to...
individual psychology western vs systemic psychology
• socialised in this way of thinking
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University Of South Africa
PYC 4808 (PYC4808)
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PYC4808 EXAM AND
ASSIGNMENTS
INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY (Western) vs SYSTEMIC PSYCHOLOGY
Most of us have been socialized into a Western, Lockean scientific
tradition. Most individual psychology approaches rest on the
assumptions of this linear worldview. Systems theory directs our
attention away from the individual and moves towards and
emphasis on recursion, reciprocity and mutual influence. Discuss this
fundamental shift in worldviews by referring to the fundamental
assumptions of both traditional individual psychology approaches and
systems theory. (10)
‘Individual psychology approaches are based on assumptions that
are fundamental to the western, Lockean tradition, while systemic
family therapy rests on a very different set of assumptions. Discuss
this statement by comparing the assumptions of systems theory. In
your answer provide a definition of epistemology. (20-25)
• Whereas individual psychology approaches are based on
assumptions fundamental to the Western, Lockean tradition,
systemic family therapy rests on a very different set of
assumptions.
• Western, Lockean, scientific tradition.
• Modernism Linear casualty (A causes B)
• In Individual psychology, the assumptions are consistent
with such basic American values as individual responsibility
and autonomy.
• Socialised in this way of thinking – consistent without communities
+ our culture
• Reality is out there, outside our minds and the truth is to be discovered
• Objective reality – break down into smaller
components and uncover laws according to which the
world operates
• Pursue knowledge by means of observation + experimentation
• These results are measurable and objective. The
subject (observing) remain separate from object and
be value free
• In Systemic family therapy, however, the
underlying assumptions are contradictory to the
traditional ways of thinking in Western society.
1
,PYC4808 EXAM AND
ASSIGNMENTS
• Hence, our use of the term ‘counter-cultural’ to characterise systems
theory and cybernetics.
• Systems theory/cybernetics directs our attention away from
the individual and individual problems viewed in isolation
and toward relationships and relationship issues between
individuals.
• In contrast to the Lockean tradition, systems theory is
consistent with the tradition labelled as Kantian.
• Accordingly, the observer replaces the observed as the focus of
attention.
2
,PYC4808 EXAM AND
ASSIGNMENTS
• Subjectivity is seen as inevitable based on the assumption
that the one who is observing perceives, acts on, and
participates in creating his or her own reality.
• In addition, the interdependence of observer and observed is
an important aspect of a holistic perspective that takes into
account the context of their interaction.
• Such interaction is seen as a non-causal, dialectical
process of mutual exchange in which both have
influence.
• Finally, understanding a family or other system requires
assessing patterns of interaction, with an emphasis on what
is happening, rather than why it is happening.
Individual Psychology Systemic Psychology
(Western,
Lockean)
Asks WHY? Asks WHAT?
Reciprocal Causality A and B exists =
Linear cause-and-effect A -B give and
take actions
Subject or object dualism Dialectical
Either or dichotomies Holistic
Value-free science Subjective /Perceptual
Deterministic /reactive Freedom of choice / pro-active
Laws and law like external reality Patterns
Historical Focus Here and now focus
Individualistic Relational
Reductionistic contextual
Absolutistic relativistic
Focus on content Focus on process
Judgements about clients Logic behaviour in context
How we each participate in creating
Reality – out there our own
realities
The truth A story about stories
How the problem is being maintained
What caused the problem and the
solutions desired by the client
Treating patients Interaction, recursion, mutual
influence,
perturbation
People in isolation People in context/interdependence
How the therapist THINKS about who
Who is in the room is in the
room
Define the following concepts and provide appropriate example in each
one:
Epistemology (2-3)
• A set of rules about what reality is, based on how a group of
people think, talk and act.
, PYC4808 EXAM AND
ASSIGNMENTS
• Epistemology pertains how rules that govern our thinking are
created and shared
– how we know what we know.
• How knowledge is created
• Your epistemology will shape your thinking as well as
how you view and understand the world.
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