Contents Vol. 24.1
to be published July 2024
Articles
The Explanatory Models of Mary Douglas and Melanie Klein compared, in the context of an Institutional Case Study
Michael Rustin
Abstract
This article brings Mary Douglas’s theory of the four elementary and universal forms of social ordering – grid-group theory – into juxtaposition with the Klein object-relations tradition in psychoanalysis. Klein and her successors have proposed fundamental orientations – the paranoid-schizoid, depressive, and narcissistic “positions” – as universal attributes of personality development. Bion’s theory of containment is considered as a development of Klein’s ideas. The question explored is whether these different models, the first concerned mainly with forms of social behaviour, the second with the dispositions of individuals, have any illuminating relation to one another. This exploration takes the form of a case-study of changes which have been taking place in the organisation of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, which is the largest institutional embodiment of a wider Tavistock tradition. The argument is that these changes can be understood both in the terms, following Douglas, of its dominant form of “social ordering”, moving from “hierarchy” towards “individualism”, “enclavism”, and “isolation”. And in Klein’s and Bion’s perspective, the shift is away from more “depressive” and “contained” dispositions and relations. These (contested) changes represent a significant break with the Tavistock earlier traditions, and in this reflect wider changes taking place in society.
The Unconscious Online: an exploration into the emotional experience and behaviours of virtual working
Kalina Stamenova, Irene O’Byrne-Maguire, Bryan Maguire
Abstract
The new normal in the wake of the global covid pandemic means that more organisations are working virtually. Whilst this new working environment offers opportunities, a particular challenge relates to working together, mediated through technologies, while being physically apart. Online communication platforms have emerged as dominant virtual places of social, professional and educational encounters. Spurred by the researchers’ experiences of using these platforms at work, an online exploratory research project was developed to examine how the design affordances and constraints of these platforms influence the emotional experiences and behaviours of those using them. The researchers applied their own backgrounds to the study of unconscious processes at work in social systems to the exploration of these platforms. Self-selecting, psycho-dynamically informed practitioners were invited to join three online exploratory studies. These pilots aimed to study the conscious and unconscious influence of the online platforms (Zoom and MS Teams) on the groups’ perceptions, emotions and behaviours. An adaptation of group relations methodology was used to allow processes to develop naturally within carefully designed boundaries of time, space and roles. Key themes identified from direct observations, using researchers’ free-floating attention and subjective experiences, related to role, identity and presence.
Trapped below surface: the effects of hope and spirituality on the sophisticated work-group mentality
Matías Sanfuentes
Abstract
This article analyses the role that hope and spirituality play in enhancing the capacity of work teams and organizations to face extreme contexts of crisis and disasters. The study utilizes Bion’s concept of sophisticated work group mentality to examine how these phenomena can contribute to the generation of new capabilities within the group to address the dilemmas and challenges that emerge in times of crisis. It addresses an iconic case of catastrophe – the case of the Chilean Miners rescued in 2010 after surviving entrapment for almost 70 days – in order to analyse the relationships that unfold within and around the hopeful endurance of disaster. The paper empirically examines the constructive dimension of basic assumptions mentalities, contrary to the predominant view in the socio-analytic field that emphasizes the regressive and disabling nature these phenomena have on the achievement of the group’s task. For this purpose, the concept of work-group pairing (French and Simpson, 2010) is used to show the productive nature of hope on the group members’ psychic functioning. Thus, this paper contributes original insights on the role of hope in in the psycho-social construction of pathways for organizational recovery and resilience during and after a crisis.
Do Nations Have Missions? American Identity. In: Finding a Place to Stand: Developing Self-Reflective Institutions, Leaders and Citizens
Edward Shapiro
The editors of Organisational and Social Dynamics recognize that 2024 is a significant year for presidential elections in several countries, including South Africa, Mexico, India the United Kingdom, and the United States, among other elections. Edward Shapiro published an article in our journal in 2003, examining the issues of polarization and identity related to the U.S. presidential elections of 1996 and 2000 that have only grown in relevance to our current political climate. Dr. Shapiro revised the original article as a chapter in his book Finding a Place to Stand (2020). We provide it here with permission from the publisher.
Speaking Out
Metalogue: The Hostile Container
Martin Ringer and Fiona Martin
Abstract
This paper explores what we call “the hostile container” and how it influences the capacity of a writer to think about and write about ideas. The hostile container is an intrapsychic space that diminishes the capacity to think and write. The notion of the hostile container emerges from the idea that the process of thinking – and hence of writing – is largely an unconscious dialogue between two parts of the dual self (Meares, 1992). We postulate that thinking is a combined conscious and unconscious dialogue between two parts of self (Ringer, 2022). The “declaring” part is “heard” by the “receiving” part. If the receiving part is a hostile internal object, the dialogue is severely impeded because the declaring part will avoid being attacked. We develop this core concept to help to understand intrapsychic processes that both enhance and impede the ability to write. This paper is presented in the form of a “metalogue” (Bateson, 1972) between the authors.
Book Reviews
All that We Are: Uncovering the hidden truths behind our behaviour at work,
by Gabriella Braun.
London, 2022, Piatkus, Little, Brown Book Group. ISBN 978-0-349-42730-0
Reviewed by David Armstrong
The Covid Trail: Psychodynamic Explorations
Editors: Halina Brunning and Olya Khaleelee
Karnac Books, 2022, 290pp ISBN 978-1-80013-136-1
Reviewed by Jonathan Gosling
Leading with Depth; the impact of emotions and relationships on leadership
By Claudia Nagel
Bicester: Phoenix, 2024, 340 pp, ISBN 978-1-80013-229-0
Reviewed by Tim Dartington
The Social Dream-Drawing Workshop A Handbook for professionals.
By Rose Redding Mersky
Routledge, 2022, 136 pp 25 B/W Illustrations ISBN 978-0-36722-562-9
Reviewed by Bob Hinshelwood