Michiel Coenraad Welgemoedt
66391946
SOC3704
Assignment 02
11/06/2021
The contributions of the psychodynamic approach to the
study of groups and collective life
1
, 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
‘
2
66391946
SOC3704
Assignment 02
11/06/2021
The contributions of the psychodynamic approach to the
study of groups and collective life
1
, 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
‘
2
