`Differences are the raison dW'tre of human beings' (Henri Lopes, African author, interviewed in Information, 22, February 1991). This paper argues that `diversity' can function as a third object in dissolving an overcohesive matrix symbolizing the mother-child dyad and sets out a triangular, oedipal model to develop the thesis of diversity as a group-specific factor. The concepts of group cohesion and coherency are discussed in terms of their respective therapeutic and countertherapeutic possibilities.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Agazarian, Y.
and Peters, R. (1981) The Visible and Invisible Group. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
2.
Bion, W.
(1961) Experiences in Groups. London: Tavistock.
3.
Bion, W.
(1962) `A Theory of Thinking', International Journal of Psycho-Analysis43: 306-310.
4.
Elliot, B.
(1986) `Gender Identity in Group-Analytic Psychotherapy', Group Analysis19(3): 195-206.
Foulkes, S.H.
(1964) Therapeutic Group-Analysis, London: Allen and Unwin. Reprinted London: Karnac, 1984.
7.
Horwitz, L.
(1984) `The Self in Groups', International Journal of Group Psychotherapy34(4): 519-540.
8.
Igra, L.
(1989) Objektrelationer og Psykoterapi (Object-Relations and Psychotherapy). Copenhagen: Reitzel.
9.
Lakoff, G.
and Johnsen, M. (1980) Metaphors We Live By. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
10.
Leal, R.
(1982) `Resistances and the Group-Analytic Process', Group AnalysisXV (2): 97-110.
11.
Olivier, C.
(1986) Jokastes børn (Les Enfants de Jocaste). Copenhagen: Reitzel.
12.
Pines, M.
(1979) `How a Group Develops over Time', Group AnalysisXII(2): 109-113.
13.
Pines, M.
(1982) `Reflections on Mirroring', Group AnalysisXV(2); Supp.: 1-26.
14.
Pines, M.
(1986) `Coherency and its Disruption in the Development of the Self', British Journal of Psychotherapy2(3): 180-185.
15.
Pines, M.
(1989) `The Group-As-A-Whole-Approach in Foulksian Group Analytic Psychotherapy', Group13 (3 and 4): 212-216.
16.
Rohde-Dachser, C.
(1988) `Zwischen Idealisierung und Entwertung, Therapeutinnerolle und Weibliche Identitiit', paper presented at the Sixth Group Analytic Symposium, Heidelberg.
17.
Thygesen, B.
(1971) `Faderens betydning for Konsrolleudviklingen' ('The Importance of the Father for the Development of Gender-rôle'), Nordisk Psykologi23(3): 273-289.
18.
Winnicott, D.W.
(1974) `Transitional Objects and Transitional Phenomena', in D.W. Winnicott (ed.) Playing and Reality, pp. 1-30. Harmondsworth: Penguin.
19.
Zinkin, L.
(1983) `Malignant Mirroring', Group Analysis16(2): 113-126.
