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SOC moves beyond the therapist being an outside observer of a system that exists in an objectively knowable universe where he/she is the expert and will recommend some intervention to resolve the problem. In SOC, there is no expert, in fact, if there were one it would be the client themselves, as they are the experts of their own lives. Rather, the therapist and client are equal, working in collaboration with each other. The therapist approaches the therapy from a not-knowing stance, and have previously formed perceptions of the situation, but rather take on a curious stance, in order to understand the nature of the problems from the clients' perspective.
The therapist partners up, alongside the client and works collaboratively with the client to deconstruct the story the client brings to therapy and together they work together in deconstructing an old problem saturated narrative and co-construct a new story that will enable the client/s to effectively manage their relationship (Baron, 2007).
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For example, a therapist will assist both Layisha and Devan to deconstruct their underlying feelings and get them to understand firstly their own perceptions and then each other's perceptions, in order to help them resolve their marital problems. Both the context in which the clients problem/s exist, as well as the meaning of the problem described by the client are the focus (Baron, 2007). The focus is on the client and no diagnosis takes place. Pathology only exists insofar as the client/s deem it to be so.
Reality as a Multiverse: The idea of there being a single universe is contrary to the view by SOC who view reality as a multiverse of individual, observer-dependent realities.
Each individual has their own perception of reality created by themselves based on their unique beliefs, values, genetics, experiences, assumptions and perceptions. Each person's reality is both true and valid for them (Baron, 2017). Example: Layisha and Devan have their own perceptions of reality; she perceives their marriage as drifting apart, while Devan does not perceive this to be the case, resulting in him brushes her off.
Autopoiesis: The term autopoiesis refers to a system's capability of reproducing and maintaining itself. It is a systems' process of self-generation and this occurs by the way parts interact with each other, rather than the actual nature of the parts. The relationships and dynamics between the parts are what construct the system and distinguish the boundaries of the system. The system is directed to maintain itself, thus there is no separation between the product and the producer. SOC is concerned mainly with negative feedback, where the systems status quo is maintained (Becvar & Becvar, 2014). For example: The way the Naidoo family relate to each other, as opposed to who they actually are as individuals, has caused the family to be dysfunctional. Through therapy Devan and Layisha can develop new ways of how they communicate and think of each other and in so doing the system will automatically restructure itself.
Structural Determinism: A system does what a system does and what it does is not pathological unless the system defines it as being so; what a system does is always correct (Becvar & Becvar, 2014). In other words, a system is limited to what it can or cannot do by virtue of its structure. A system can be changed by an independent event, through perturbation or as a result of autopoiesis. The extent of any structural changes will be determined by the system itself, in order to maintain its identity or integrity (Becvar & Becvar, 2014). A system's structure limits what it can and cannot do, and a family system is limited by its' members' willingness to change; if a system is not open to new information it may still continue as the system it is structurally determined to be. Thus, in an effort to create a context for change, the therapist may cause a disturbance in the system (perturb the family system) (external event), but the autonomous family system will accept the change only if its structure allows for it (Maturana, 1978). Environmental perturbations will only provide the context for change and not what change will occur in the system (Becvar & Becvar, 2014). For example: The diagnosis of Layisha being HIV positive is a disturbance in their family system. An external event has caused a perturbation in their family system resulting in a change and the system will go into a state of autopoiesis in order to try and maintain itself and return to a homeostatic state. However, the system can only restructure itself in as much as it is structurally determined to do. So, for example, if Devan is not an emotionally inclined person, he may be completely unable to understand and enter into Layisha's panic over what the end result will be from her diagnosis and the only way he knows how to deal with such situations is to disengage from the family.
Structural coupling and non-purposeful drift: Systems exist within a medium that includes other systems and observers. Structural coupling refers to the degree with which systems are able to mutually co-exist. Becvar and Becvar (2014), posit that organisms survive by fitting in with one another and with other parts of their environment and caution that if the fit is unsatisfactory, they will die. Accordingly during structural coupling, systems survive only when they are congruous with one another among other aspects in their context. Conversely, they will die if there is disunity therein (Maturana & Varela, as cited in Becvar & Becvar, 1999). If we imagine people and families who prosper in comparison to those who do not, we may be able to understand whether or not structural coupling has taken place. Systems that function according to the rules and laws of society do much better than those who choose to violate social norms. Changes in the structure of a system may effect change in context. In this way the contexts in which a system exists is non-deterministic. The environment doesn't determine a systems structure. There is no linear cause and effect; rather the life of a system is a process of non-purposeful drift within a medium. Their structures are formed through their interaction with other structures through reciprocal feedback and mutual influence (Becvar & Becvar, 2014). For example: When the therapist has started to 'fit' into the family system, we say structural coupling has taken place and comments, such as "I understand" or " I agree" indicate this has occurred. For example: When Layisha enters therapy with the psychologist and she has narrated her story, the therapist will try and perceive Layisha's situation and feelings. If he/she is able to do so and this is well received by Layisha and they appreciate what it is Layisha is going through, one can say structural coupling has occurred.
Epistemology of participation: No observer can claim to have a better understanding of reality. From a SOC perspective, it is not possible to understand another's reality without being a part of it (Baron, 2007). The observer and the observed are bound up with each other, making objectivity impossible. This is referred to as the epistemology of participation. Reality is thus not an external 'truth' we observe, but is created by each individual's perception. An epistemology of participation thus refers to how participants, the client and the therapist for example, join together and create new and different ways of perceiving situations, interfacing with each other and coordinating their actions and in so doing result in an interpersonal reality (Becvar & Becvar, 2014). For example: Devan needs to gain an insight into Layisha's perspective of their marital situation by trying to view and gain an understanding of the situation from her perspective. Vice versa will apply where Layisha needs to try and understand Devan's perspective. If they are able to do this, they will gain an enlightened awareness of each other's perspectives of the family situation and so find more effective, functional ways of interacting, in order to generate change in their family system.
Second Order Cybernetics. (2019, Dec 17). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/second-order-cybernetics-essay
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