Building on Bion Roots: Origins and Context of Bion's Contributions to Theory and Practice (International Library of Group Analysis, 20)

This stimulating collection of papers explores the formative influences affecting Bion's emotional and intellectual development. The contributors, coming from the fields of psychoanalysis, group analysis, management consultancy and social science, revisit the origins of Bion's ideas, setting them in the context of his World War I experiences, his contact with Trotter, and his later work with the Tavistock Clinic and psychoanalysis. This is a collection of original and insightful papers which, along with its companion volume Building on Bion: Branches (ISBN 1-84310-711-2), will not only deepen understanding of Bion's contributions to theory and practice, but will also be invaluable to those who work with groups, in both therapeutic and management contexts. Both volumes are also available as a set, ISBN 1-84310-731-7). Two volumes of original papers by leading thinkers and practitioners of group therapy... The diverse collection that has informed and stimulated my thinking.'- International Journal of Group Psychotherapy'The concepts that I liked were about the truth, the unknowable and unknown, and the functions he devised to communicate what is going on in the patients'world to other psychoanalyst.I am glad that I read these books with their wide range of ideas and I have gained insights which will make me more aware in my psychodrama practice.'- British Journal of Psychodrama.'The book begins with a wonderful introduction by James Grotstien, a theorist whose grasp of Bion is enriched by his own formidable ideas. He sets the stage for what's to follow, toucing on Bion's groundbreaking work with groups, his formalizing of psychotic experience and several key concepts, like Bion's elaboration on the concept of projective identification. Grotstien's prose is remarkable. He conveys ideas about the most complex internal states with a clarity and reach that is unparalled, even by Bion himself. This is without a doubt a richly rewarding and ultimately exhausting text.'- www.mentalhelp.netThis stimulating collection of papers by distinguished international contributors from the fields of psychoanalysis, group analysis, management consultancy and social science explores formative influences affecting Bion's emotional and intellectual development. The authors revisit in depth the origins of Bion's ideas, setting them in the context of his World War I experiences, his contact with Trotter, and his later work with the Tavistock Clinic and psychoanalysis. Chapters discuss the roots of his epistemology, re-examining and extending basic assumption theory; links between Bion and Foulkes; group mentality and Bion in Italy. Through these the spirit and shape of his work can be discovered by those new to Bion, and rediscovered by those who feel well acquainted with him.This is a collection of original and insightful papers which, along with its companion volume Building on Bion: Branches, will not only deepen understanding of Bion's contributions to theory and practice, but will also be invaluable to those who work with groups, in both therapeutic and management contexts. This book has contributions, largely related to group analysis, from an international selection of well-known group analysts, psychologists, psychiatrists and academics. There is a very clear overview and prcis of Bions's thoughts by James Grotstein followed by ten chapters each developing an aspect of Bion's ideas and work'. - Journal of Analytical Psychology 'Intended to deepen understanding of Bion's significant contributions in addition to assisting practitioners in the field of group analysis, these volumes constitute an impressive tribute to Bion, his work, and its current and future applications.' - Hamilton Alumni Review The enduring influence of Bion's work - the many rich applications of his ideas to group psychology, organizational dynamics and group therapy in the present day and looking to the future - is the central theme of this book. Chapters by distinguished international contributors from the fields of psychoanalysis, group analysis, management consultancy and social science cover work with large groups, Bion and the Tavistock conferences, and his ideas about thinking and learning, dreams and mentality. They clearly demonstrate Bion's originality and passion as he sought the distinctive essence of psychoanalytic learning and how such a pursuit and such learning can be shared and advanced. This is a collection of original and insightful papers which, along with its companion volume Building on Bion: Roots, deepens understanding of Bion's contributions to theory and practice, and is invaluable to those who work with groups, in both therapeutic and management contexts. This book has contributions, largely related to group analysis, from an international selection of well-known group analysts, psychologists, psychiatrists and academics. There is a very clear overview and précis of Bions's thoughts by James Grotstein followed by ten chapters each developing an aspect of Bion's ideas and work'.- Journal of Analytical Psychology'Intended to deepen understanding of Bion's significant contributions in addition to assisting practitioners in the field of group analysis, these volumes constitute an impressive tribute to Bion, his work, and its current and future applications.'- Hamilton Alumni ReviewThe enduring influence of Bion's work - the many rich applications of his ideas to group psychology, organizational dynamics and group therapy in the present day and looking to the future - is the central theme of this book. Chapters by distinguished international contributors from the fields of psychoanalysis, group analysis, management consultancy and social science cover work with large groups, Bion and the Tavistock conferences, and his ideas about thinking and learning, dreams and mentality. They clearly demonstrate Bion's originality and passion as he sought the distinctive essence of psychoanalytic learning and how such a pursuit and such learning can be shared and advanced. This is a collection of original and insightful papers which, along with its companion volume Building on Bion: Roots, deepens understanding of Bion's contributions to theory and practice, and is invaluable to those who work with groups, in both therapeutic and management contexts. Annotation The Enduring Influence Of Bion's Work --the Many Rich Applications Of His Ideas To Group Therapy, Group Dynamics And Organizational Dynamics In The Present Day And Looking To The Future--is The Central Theme Of This Book. Chapters By Distinguished International Contributors From The Fields Of Psychoanalysis, Group Analysis, Management Consultancy And Social Science Cover Work With Large Groups, Bion And The Tavistock Conferences, And His Ideas About Thinking And Learning, Dreams And Mentality. Bion's Legacy To Median And Large Groups / Mark F. Ettin -- Large Group And Its Conductor / Gerhard Wilke -- From Groups To Group Relations / Mannie Sher -- Alcoholics Anonymous As Medical Treatment For Alcoholism / Jeffrey D. Roth -- Attacks On Linking And Alpha Function As Two Opposite Elements In The Dynamics Of Organizations / Hanna Biran -- Learning At The Edges Between Knowing And Not-knowing / Robert French And Peter Simpson -- Narcissism V. Social-ism Governing Thinking In Social Systems / W. Gordon Lawrence -- Transcending The Caesura / Lia Pistiner De Cortiǹas -- So You Want To Write A Fugue? / Jacquelyne P. Colombier -- Preconception And Realisation / Steven R. Brown. Edited By Robert M. Lipgar And Malcolm Pines. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. Annotation This Stimulating Collection Of Papers Explores The Formative Influences Affecting Bion's Emotional And Intellectual Development. The Contributors, Coming From The Fields Of Psychoanalysis, Group Analysis, Management Consultancy And Social Science, Revisit The Origins Of Bion's Ideas, Setting Them In The Context Of His World War I Experiences, His Contact With Trotter, And His Later Work With The Tavistock Clinic And Psychoanalysis. Re-discovering Bion's Experiences In Groups / Robert M. Lipgar -- Bion's War Memoirs / Paulo Cesar Sandler -- Gregariousness And The Mind / Nuno Torres -- Group Dynamics / Matias Sanfuentes -- Anthropological Psychoanalysis / Claudio Neri -- Pairing Bion And Foulkes / Dennis Brown -- Group Mentality And Having A Mind / Robert Hinshelwood -- Incohesion, Aggregation/massification / Earl Hopper -- Building On 'o' / Victor L Schermer -- Bion And Foulkes On Empathy / Malcolm Pines. Edited By Robert M. Lipgar And Malcolm Pines. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 9 Introduction: Early Bion......Page 11 Part 1. Roots and Early Developments......Page 29 1. Re-discovering Bion's Experiences in Groups......Page 31 2. Bion's War Memoirs......Page 61 3. Gregariousness and the Mind......Page 87 4. 'Group Dynamics: a Re-view'......Page 120 5. Anthropological Psychoanalysis......Page 134 Part 2.: Bion's Context......Page 153 6. Pairing Bion and Foulkes......Page 155 7. Group Mentality and 'Having a Mind'......Page 183 8. Incohesion: Agregation/ Massification......Page 200 9. Building on 'O'......Page 228 10. Bion and Foulkes on Empathy......Page 256 The Contributors......Page 265 Subject Index......Page 267 Author Index......Page 272 The enduring influence of Bion's work - the many rich applications of his ideas to group therapy, group dynamics and organisational dynamics in the present day and looking to the future - is the central theme of this book. Chapters by distinguished international contributors from the fields of psychoanalysis, group analysis, management consultancy and social science cover work with large groups, Bion and the Tavistock conferences, and his ideas about thinking and learning, dreams and mentality. They clearly demonstrate Bion's originality and passion as he sought the distinctive essence of psyc A variety of microcosmic experiential, laboratory group methods have been applied to study, simulate, or potentially solve macrocosmic societal problems.