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Question 1
(a) Discuss how each of Thulani’s four basic psychological needs, as
conceptualised by Grawe (2007), was compromised and/or supported. (4)
There are four basic needs: The need for Attachment; the need for Control/Orientation; the
,need for Pleasure/Avoidance of Pain; and the need for Self-Enhancement. In the case of
Thulani all these needs were compromised.
Control/Orientation: Grawe cites Seymour Epstein (1990) as one who believes that
the need for orientation and control is the fundamental human need. Epstein believes
we create our own conception of reality, a model of reality, into which we try and make
sense of our experiences. Thulani could’nt handle his situaltion well shich affected his
attitude towards his workand customers. He could not control his emotion as was not
able to channel his emotions accordingly.
Attachment: The human reliance on others, our attachment to people, is one of the
most basic and powerful neurobiological/psychological needs. After being infected with
Covid, Thulani’s colleagues changed their attitudes towards himwhich made him feel
lonely,isolated and with no one to rely on. He was’nt even able to communicate with
his family which made matters worse.
Pleasure/Avoidance of Pain: We are motivated to attain pleasant experiences or
states and to avoid unpleasant or painful ones. Thulani was not ableto dealwith his
unpleasant situation and even struggled to sleep because of constantly worrying about
the safety of his family.
Self-Esteem Enhancement: The need to enhance our self-esteem (and to protect it),
is a need that develops along with a sense of self—sometime after the other needs in
an individuals developmental timeline. This need is also a specifically human need, as
it requires an ability to have a developed self-awareness and to think reflectively. In his
situation, Thulani lost his sense of self,becamedemotiveted, felt isolated and felt that
he was not ableto control his situation which resulted in his workplace performance
being negatively affected.
(b) Explain how Thulani’s wellness was affected, by referring to the eleven African
roots of African psychology (Nwoye, 2015). (11)
African spirituality- for example, Thulani’s mother is known as a great woman of faith,
and her opinion is respected in the family. His mother sent a message to Thulani,
urging him to attend to his spiritual needs, as she does not believe his problem will be
fixed with pills. He found a church close to where he lives, in Mamelodi East, and he
found it helpful to talk to the pastor there.
Human condition and mystery- for example, Thulani still gets nightmares, he has
gotten in the habit of praying when he wakes up, until he feels calmer, because he
believes that divine protection is sent to his family when he prays.
, Concept of culture-bound rationality/reason- for example, Thulani’s mother Thulani,
urged him to attend to his spiritual needs, as she does not believe his problem will be
fixed with pills.
Capacity for synoptic time consciousness- for example, Thulani recovered well
during his two-week quarantine period, but when he returned to work, everything was
different. He carried the stigma of being the first employee to have contracted the virus,
and his colleagues were cold and distant. Some would make sarcastic remarks when
he entered the room. He felt isolated in the truest sense – with his family so far away,
work was family to him.
Theory of perception- for example, even though Thulani had recovered well, how his
colleagues perceived him was different, he still carried the stigma of being the first
employee to have contracted the virus, and his colleagues were cold and distant.
Some would make sarcastic remarks when he entered the room.
Theory of truth- for example, when things were not going well for him, Thulani stayed
true in his spirituality and believes that divine protection is sent to his family when he
prays.
Theory of knowledge- for example Thulani’s mother Thulani, urged him to attend to
his spiritual needs as she does not believe his problem will be fixed with pills.
Theory of reality- for example while others believe in the western medicine as cure,
others depend on their spirituality and faith.
Notion of life and the origins of death- for example, even when Thulani was facing
death after contracting death, he was still concerned about the wellbeing and safety of
his family back home.
African concept of the human being- for example, Thulani trusted his mothers’
spirituality and faith.
Nature/world- for example Thulani found a source of strenght and peace in prayer, he
believed that his prayers would protect his family.
Question 2
Causation in psychological well-being and maladjustment is complex. Demonstrate your
insight of the causation of psychological well-being/maladjustment by answering the following:
(a) Provide three examples, from the case study, of contributory causal factors
regarding Thulani’s wellness challenges. (3)
Contributory causes refer to all the factors that may play a role in increasing the chances that
a disorder will develop, although these factors may not be necessary or sufficient causes of