M.A. (Psychology) / The present study represents an attempt to develop a metatheory with regard to counseling theory and practice. The metatheory is based upon principles abstracted from the General Systems Theory, whereby it is possible to encompass all levels of client functioning in the explanation of behavior and the application of helping strategies. The present state of theory in counseling was taken as the point of departure. Counseling theory is shown to be hindered by a state of seperateness and fragmentation. It is also shown that there currently exists a tendency towards the integration of different theories and the helping strategies involved. Eclecticism is studied as a way of integrating different counseling strategies. It is shown that although applicable as a method of integration, eclecticism is theoretically unsatisfactory because of its subjective and unsystematic character. Other methods of integration and its implications to the development of a meta theory in counseling is then discussed. The General Systems Theory is then discussed in terms of its value to the development of a metatheory in counseling. It is shown that by differentiating between the complex systems representing an individual's functioning, and the cybernetic feedback cycles involved in these systems, valuable guidelines for the implementation of helping strategies can be obtained. Two cybernetic feedback cycles that ought to be closely moni- . tored during the counseling process is mentioned. They are (a) the interactions amongst biological and physiological factors, thinking, feeling and acting, and (b) the feedback patterns in the larger social systems of which the client forms part, for example family and career functioning...
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:8010 |
| Date | 04 February 2014 |
| Creators | Crafford, Gert Deon |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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