The Social Psychology of Groups and Group Psychotherapy: One View of the Next Century

Will fields that study groups in general, such as social psychology, and fields that use groups to achieve therapeutic goals, such as group psychotherapy, move toward unification in the future or will they drift apart? One possible future assumes that these two approaches to groups will become better integrated as (a) societal changes increase individuals' reliance on groups; (b) research and theory on group processes become more sophisticated; and (c) basic and applied researchers work together more closely in examining groups. Such unification requires, however, changes in the training, outlook, and procedures used by both practitioners and researchers.     

Collective Consciousness and the Psychology of Human Interconnectedness

The authors explore the nature of consciousness from the perspective that our species aggregates, such as groups and intergroups, not only organize but have the capacity for consciousness. They insist that the individual serves as a medium, but not as the sole carrier of consciousness. Tapping on their interconnected reflective capacity allows social systems to transform. They give examples from their work with groups and organizational consultation.     

Where Is Group Treatment Going in the 21st Century?

The author contends that group psychotherapy can be a dynamic force for social change. He shows how group psychotherapists have developed tools that reach far beyond the limits of that particular profession; they deal with the basic interaction among all peoples everywhere in all societies. These tools can be demonstrated, taught, and experienced. In as much as they can be learned, group therapists have to start teaching them to people at the earliest levels of cognitive development. That means that it has to start in our school systems as part of the educational process. A particular kind of specialist has to be trained who can function within the system itself and yet think psychodynamically. The author maintains that this can be accomplished.     

Clinical Improvement in Adolescents Comorbid for Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Diagnoses Through Multiple Group Psychotherapy

In a pilot study, the authors examined the outcome of group psychotherapy for the treatment of 19 adolescents, comorbid for substance abuse and psychiatric diagnoses, in terms of symptom reduction. They compared presenting symptomatology of treatment completers with treatment noncompleters. A retrospective study of the outcome of a multiple group psychotherapy treatment program using the Drug Use Screening Inventory-Revised Version (DUSI-R) to assess change over time was conducted. Depressive disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric diagnoses (68%), and marijuana was the substance most commonly abused on a frequent basis. Treatment completers showed improvement in behavior problems, health status, and social competence. As part of an integrated treatment program, multiple group psychotherapy is a promising treatment modality for adolescent patients, comorbid for substance abuse and psychiatric diagnoses, pending further assessment of the complex issues involved in combined treatment.     

Hatred in Group Therapy: A Rewarding Challenge

Hatred is a powerful affective experience that can be disruptive to the work of a therapy group, yet it may also enhance a member's capacity to deal with strong affects. This paper explores a particular aspect of hatred, the hate directed at one member of a cotherapy team. An effort is made to explore the experience from an intersubjective and motivational systems perspective, focusing primarily on the therapist and one patient. The impact of the cotherapy relationship is also considered, as well as the whole group's capacity to contain and work with this powerful affective response. The way that the group managed this explosive situation speaks to the power of group therapy in healing and transforming its members.     

The Psychodynamic Assumptions of the U.S. Constitution

The U.S. Constitution is a blueprint for the design of a government which reflects the consistent application of an understanding of the emotions and interests driving the political activity of individuals and groups. This understanding is articulated in the writings of key proponents of the Constitution, and clarified by its historical and philosophical context. Their theories are congruent with psychoanalytic perspectives on narcissism, leadership, group dynamics, and the role of transitional space in cultural life. The concept of interests, reformulated in psychoanalytic terms, is a useful addition to our understanding of political behavior.     

The Listening Partners Program: An Initiative Toward Feminist Community Psychology in Action

The Listening Partners intervention is described and analyzed as a synthesis of feminism and community psychology, within a developmental framework. Working from an empowerment perspective, this social action, peer group intervention supported a community of poor, rural, isolated, young, White mothers to gain a greater voice, claim the powers of their minds, and collaborate in developmental leadership—creating settings that promote their own development and that of their families, peers, and communities. High quality dialogue, individual and group narrative, and collaborative problem-solving were emphasized, in a feminist context affirming diversity, inclusiveness, strengths, social-contextual analyses, and social constructivist perspectives. The power of enacting a synergy of feminism and community psychology is highlighted.     

THE EFFECTS OF RECIPROCAL PEER TUTORING AND GROUP CONTINGENCIES ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

We evaluated the effects of reciprocal peer tutoring combined with group reinforcement contingencies on the arithmetic performance of 12 underachieving fifth-grade students. Results indicated that the intervention increased the students' arithmetic performance to a level indistinguishable from their classmates during treatment and 12-week follow-up phases. Pre-, post-, and follow-up sociometric data indicated that the students who participated in the treatment groups increased their amount of peer affiliation with other treatment group members.     

THE USE OF PEER MONITORS TO REDUCE NEGATIVE INTERACTION DURING RECESS

The negative interactions of a mildly retarded child, Dennis, were reduced in three daily recess periods, withthe use of a point system. Adult monitors initiatedthe intervention inthe morning recess; reductions achieved during adult monitoring were maintained in that recess during two subsequent conditions: peer monitoring and self-monitoring. Dennis' negative interactions were reduced next inthe afternoon recess by peer monitors. Again, reductions were maintained during a subsequent self-monitoring condition. Finally, duringthe noon recess, Dennis was trained to serve as a peer monitor for Ed, a moderately retarded classmate. Dennis' rate of negative interactions quickly decreased following his appointment as a peer monitor. The results show that a point system, originally designed for adult monitoring, can be adapted without loss of program effectiveness for peer monitoring or self-monitoring. The results also suggest that classmates who serve as peer monitors may benefit significantly from their role. The conditions under which these therapeutic effects occur andthe role that treatment order effects may play in this process require further investigation.