SOC3704 assignment 2

Michiel Coenraad Welgemoedt

66391946

SOC3704

Assignment 02

11/06/2021



The contributions of the psychodynamic approach to the

study of groups and collective life




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, Table of contents

1 Introduction 3

2 Historical introduction of the psychodynamic approach 4

3 Bion’s contributions to the psychodynamic approach 4

4 Three levels of analysis in the psychodynamic approach and group processes 5

4.1 Intra-psychic level 5

4.2 Interpersonal level 5

4.3 The group as a whole 5

5 Unconscious group processes 6

5.1 Unconscious motivation in groups 6

5.2 Early childhood influences trigger anxiety in groups 7

5.3 Defence mechanisms in groups 8

5.4 Unconscious communication of mental states in groups 8

5.5 Consequences of unconscious communication 9

5.6 Basic assumptions/mental states in groups 10

5.6.1 Fight or flight 10

5.6.2 Dependency 11

5.6.3 Pairing 11

5.7 The concept of group mind 12

6 Practical application of the psychodynamic approach 12

7 Conclusion 14

Resources 15



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