PYC4808
Assignment 6
Abstract
Covid-19 has brought about many new challenges across various contexts. In
order to slow the infection rate, a national lockdown was enforced, which on one
hand was aimed at protecting the population from the effects of Covid-19 and
slowing down the spread, with new terminology such as "lock-down, self-
isolation, social distancing, flatten the curve....new normal" surfacing (Pillay &
Barnes, 2020). On the other hand, the solution to the problem created many
individual, familial, social, community, educational, occupational, financial, and
other challenges. Reflect on the changes that took place both in the country, but
within the context of academia, teaching, and learning. You may even find it
helpful to write a page of your own personal challenges and insights gained over
the last two years with regards to the changes we have all experienced, to
varying degrees
,Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................2
Question 1........................................................................................................................................................3
In view of the above excerpt, as a student of Unisa, an Open Distance Learning Education Institution,
provide a first order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a system. In your answer, describe the context as a
first order cybernetic thinker, and apply at least five (5) first order cybernetic principles/concepts to your
analysis.........................................................................................................................................................3
Question 2 ......................................................................................................................................................7
In view of the above excerpt, as well as your answer for question 1, include yourself in the observed, and
provide a second-order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a system. In your answer, describe how a second-
order cybernetic thinker would contextualise Unisa, and apply at least five (5) second order
principle/concepts to your analysis .........................................................................................7
.......................................7
Question 3......................................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................................17
Respect is seen as central to the second order approach where the therapist is aware of how his/her own
behaviour may perturb the client. I wonder what would have happened if second order approaches were
not incorporated into psychology practice. Could it be that first order approaches were getting out of hand?
An approach that defines reality in terms of its own framework, pathology is differentiated from normalcy,
right from wrong, leads me to believe that the future of first order approaches may be seen as a canvas of
black on the left and white on the right. When I look around my natural world I see integration. I do not see
finite lines, exact sequences, and polar opposites. In fact I only see that in the man made world where
buildings, cars, medical tests and engineering exist. In my natural world there exists enmeshment, broken
boundaries and patterns that have no explanation other than of itself by itself. However, I would not be
able to see a boundary, an enmeshment or understand an explanation unless I lived in a world where these
things have been punctuated in a first order society.....................................................................................17
Question 4......................................................................................................................................................18
, Introduction
According to new research (Visser & Law-van Wyk, 2021), the Covid-19 pandemic and the hard
lock-down had a huge impact on many lives. This research was done three months into the
pandemic and investigated the influences of the Covid-19 related experiences concerning the
emotional well-being and mental health of South African university students. A sample data was
gathered from 5074 students by means of a survey. Students conveyed many difficulties having to
cope with psychological challenges during the lockdown:
45.6% and 35.0% students had subjective experiences of anxiety and depression.
Students showed a low score on the mental health scale.
Using a hierarchical stepwise multiple regression analysis, it revealed different factors that
brought on emotional difficulties/well-being and mental health.
Students had difficulty to adjust academically.
Students felt socially isolated which was a big contributor to emotional difficulties.
Students studying in their early years, especially females and those students living in
informal areas were mostly at risk of experiencing emotional difficulties.
The mental health of students was foreseen by their hopefulness.
