Personal Transformations in Small Groups: A Jungian Perspective (The International Library of Group Psychotherapy and Group Process)

The first book to look at small group functioning from the perspective of analytical psychology. Reflecting more than twenty years of research, it will be of interest to those working with small groups or interested in group research. Behavioral Sciences Book Cover 1 Half-Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Figures and tables 8 Contributors 9 Introduction 11 References 22 Chapter one The Matrix Model 24 The small group from six points of view 24 The structural point of view 26 The developmental point of view 28 The adaptive point of view 28 The transactional point of view 31 The Gestalt point of view 33 The content point of view 33 The three primary tasks 35 Identity 36 Emotionality 41 Reality-adaptive 44 A concluding statement 48 References 49 Chapter two Methodology for the study of the development of consciousness in the small group 51 The small group from the perspective of analytical psychology 51 Theoretical framework 55 Descriptions of the archetypal themes 57 Development of the categories 58 Indications of archetypal influences 61 The Uroboric theme 62 Awareness of the Great Mother 62 Separation of the World Parents 62 Separation of the Good Mother and Bad Mother 63 Struggle with the Great Mother 63 Fixation with the Bad Mother 64 Resolution of the Great Mother 64 Separation of the Good and Bad Father 64 Struggle with the Great Father 65 Fixation with the Terrible Father 65 Resolution of the Great Father 66 Journey of the Hero 66 Description of the coding procedure 66 The unit of observation 67 The coding manual and form 67 The coding process 68 Training of the observers 69 Interjudge agreement 70 Validity of the coding categories 70 Face validity 70 Construct validity 71 Measurement bias 71 Summary 71 Notes 72 References 73 Chapter three Understanding group transformation through the focal person concept 75 The influential group member: a critical review 76 Forms of the symbolic influential member 78 Relationship of focal person to prior studies of influential member 84 The conceptual basis for the focal person concept 87 The symbolic approach to the focal person 87 The archetypal paradox 89 The Great Individual and the focal person concept 91 The focal person concept: case examples 93 Representation of the unconscious concerns of the social system 93 Critique of the current social order 97 A voice of transformation 99 Summary and conclusion 101 References 104 Chapter four Grief work 107 Social grieving from the perspective of analytical psychology 107 The theoretical basis for the framework 109 Grieving 109 Grieving—a psychoanalytic perspective, 1900–1960 110 The developmental perspective on grieving 111 Concluding comment 117 The methodology to identify social grieving in small groups 118 Formulating descriptors—establishing content validity 118 A concluding note 123 An empirical study 123 An analysis and discussion of the findings 125 Implications for theory and practice 129 Theoretical implications 129 Practical implications 130 A concluding statement 131 References 133 Chapter five A conceptualization of individuation in learning situations 135 The traditional point of view of individuation 135 Individuation in learning groups 137 The thematic point of view of individuation 138 An empirical investigation of the conceptualization 140 Bond and episodes of individuation 142 Bond 142 Discovery of newness 143 Turmoil 143 Empowerment 144 Self-responsibility 144 Integration 145 Interiority 145 Summary 146 References 147 Chapter six The anima and animus in the transactions of small groups 149 Overview 149 Conceptual framework 150 Topological view 151 Structural view 155 Dynamic view 155 Developmental view 158 The stages of anima and animus 159 Observing the anima and animus in small groups 159 Procedural steps in the development of descriptors 161 Anima’s four stages 162 Anima: stage I 162 Anima: stage II 163 Anima: stage III 165 Anima: stage IV 166 Animus’s four stages 169 Animus: stage I 169 Animus: stage II 171 Animus: stage III 172 Animus: stage IV 173 An empirical study 175 Case studies 181 A concluding statement 187 References 187 Chapter seven Mary 189 Personal transformation and the psychic dilemma 189 Mary 192 The group 192 Biographical data 193 The emergence of the psychic dilemma 194 Movement toward transformation 198 Interpretations and discussion 204 Some concluding observations 210 References 211 Chapter eight Facilitating personal transformations in small groups 213 The starting point 213 The group as a social system 216 The individual member 224 The group leader 228 Why the metaphor? 229 Of what subject matter are metaphors composed? 232 What are the content topics of the metaphors? 233 What are the occasions when an intervention may be helpful? 235 What considerations should be taken into account in making interventions? 236 Epilogue 242 References 244 Index 245 The theoretical propositions of analytical psychology are difficult to verify and usually rest on the empirical evidence of reported case material. In this book, Robert D. Boyd and his colleagues break new ground by subjecting case material to a rigorous analysis in their report of a research programme which has focused on the expansion of consciousness in the small group and the interrelated phenomenon of personal transformation.A matrix model, conceptualizing the small group as a dynamic structural system, frames the empirical studies in the book. These include the exploration of symbolic archetypal themes and the observation of influential members who play crucial roles in group transitions. The book describes a new methodology for studying the social grieving brought about at times of transition, and the small group personal transformations that occur as individuals work through episodic themes of individuation. It also shows how personal transformations are affected by behaviours evoked by the anima and animus. Each chapter contains case materials and an extensive review of the relevant literature.These are pioneer studies in the field, reflecting more than twenty years of research. The different ways put forward of analyzing small group dynamics have practical implications for group leaders, and the methodologies described in the book can serve as both a model for research and as a source of research tools.Personal Transformations in Small Groups is the first book to look at small group functioning from an empirical perspective of analytical psychology and will be of considerable value to all those working with small groups or interested in group research.