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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 24, 2002, at 2:06:05
Hi, everyone,
I thought I'd share one way to look at group dynamics. Maybe it'll help us get through these rough times?
Bob
--------
W. R. Bion on Group Dynamics
http://www.geocities.com/bhagat266/b/groupdynamics121399.htmlBion's basic assumption theory
http://www.uddannelsesafdelingen.dk/indhold/outline_and_assess.htmDefense Mechanisms in Teams
http://www.workinlife.com/group_defenses.htm
Posted by Dinah on July 24, 2002, at 6:41:12
In reply to Group dynamics, posted by Dr. Bob on July 24, 2002, at 2:06:05
I'm afraid my eyes glazed over after the first sentence or two. I could bring the printout to my therapist for explanation, but....
How about a grounding example or two. If you don't want to use real posts you can make some up.
I, too, however have been thinking about group dynamics lately, and if I could understand what on earth you are talking about, I think perhaps you and I would be seeing the same phenomenon at work.
A perplexed,
Dinah
Posted by Lini on July 24, 2002, at 9:30:56
In reply to Group dynamics, posted by Dr. Bob on July 24, 2002, at 2:06:05
I have some thoughts on our abilitiy to be a "working group" and our tendency to focus on variables not relating to the actual task.However, I want to wait until the links start working again -- wouldn't want everybody to miss out on my briliant observations ;)
Posted by somebetter on July 24, 2002, at 10:34:31
In reply to Group dynamics, posted by Dr. Bob on July 24, 2002, at 2:06:05
Watchin from the sidelines - do you think this might be a good time to introduce the fight vs flight discussion?
Posted by tabitha on July 24, 2002, at 15:03:18
In reply to Group dynamics, posted by Dr. Bob on July 24, 2002, at 2:06:05
Well, I got through the one about defense mechanisms. It's hard to discuss what seems relevant to our group without naming names, and I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate.
Is this all just food for thought? Do you think there's anything you/we can do to address dysfunctional group dynamics that might be happening here?
Posted by Dinah on July 25, 2002, at 8:53:48
In reply to Re: Umm, Dr. Bob. Huh? » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on July 24, 2002, at 6:41:12
Can someone do a Group Dynamics for Dummies for me? Simple words, short sentences, maybe some of those cute "Did you know?"'s?
I seem to have the same mental block for psychobabble that I do for calculus.
Posted by Lini on July 25, 2002, at 9:56:32
In reply to Anyone?, posted by Dinah on July 25, 2002, at 8:53:48
I'll try (reaching back to my psych classes in college here). I think that the articles are referring to a general concept that this guy Bion (rythmes with Zion?) has put forth regarding what it takes for a group to be a "working group" or one which is focused on its task. In our case, our task would be to be supportive to one another regarding mental health issues (incidentally, our task in my opinion does not jive with the faith board, but I digress). The articles seem to be discussing the reasons that groups can get sidetracked from their task and what the particular way that the group has been side tracked implies about the group's dynamics. For example, our expectations or idealization of Dr. Bob as the moderator may be directly linked to dealing with change as a group (addition of boards, SAR's death, Lou's posts etc.).
In our case here on psychobabble, we are often VERY off task, and in doing so, direct alot of our energy to anything but the "task" or purpose of these boards. I think that Dr. Bob posted the articles to try to get posters to evaluate how much their reactions to things on this board relate to their fear of, or inability to, deal with the task of the board.
It is interesting to me personally because of the different type of connection I feel to this group when I am posting on PBA vs. the other boards (it is easier for me to post on PBA). And find the fact that it may relate to my ability to actually be supportive to people dealing with issues similar to mine, and interesting thing to think about. I think that there could be some truth to the fact that it might be hard for me to be supportive to others when someone else's need for support is kind of scary for me. For example, SAR's death really made me think more about my attempts at suicide and my emotional feelings about that, could easily make me want to focus on how much I don't like new boards or Lou's incessant "Road" posts, rather than the loss that we as a group felt and continue to feel.
Wait, did you say you needed short and easy to understand sentences? Sorry!(oh yeah, and humor can be a way to avoid focusing on a task as well. Go figure!)
Posted by Dinah on July 25, 2002, at 10:02:03
In reply to Re: Anyone? » Dinah, posted by Lini on July 25, 2002, at 9:56:32
Why thank you Lini. That was just the summary I needed. Complete with examples, too! Now with that background I'll try wading through the articles again.
Your post displayed a real gift of summarizing complex topics. You aren't a teacher or writer by chance, are you?
(And I sure would like it if people chose humor as their way of avoiding difficult tasks.)
Posted by judy1 on July 25, 2002, at 10:51:00
In reply to Re: Anyone? » Dinah, posted by Lini on July 25, 2002, at 9:56:32
Posted by Lou Pilder on July 25, 2002, at 10:59:32
In reply to Re: Anyone? » Dinah, posted by Lini on July 25, 2002, at 9:56:32
Lini,
You said that you do not like Lou's insessant "Road" posts.
Could you clarify why you do not "like" the Road posts?
I feel that if you clarify why you dislike the "Road" poats, that we will be better able to bring out into the open your dislikes about the posts and we would be better able to discuss your dislike for the posts and, perhaps, benifit from the discussion.
Thanks,
Lou
Posted by somebetter on July 25, 2002, at 17:27:39
In reply to Re: Anyone? » Dinah, posted by Lini on July 25, 2002, at 9:56:32
OK, so maybe I worry too much. Lini may do it for you.
Posted by Dinah on July 25, 2002, at 19:51:46
In reply to Re: Anyone? » Dinah» Bob, posted by somebetter on July 25, 2002, at 17:27:39
> OK, so maybe I worry too much. Lini may do it for you.
Pardon? I'm confused again. Lini may do what?
Posted by Dinah on July 25, 2002, at 20:51:32
In reply to Group dynamics, posted by Dr. Bob on July 24, 2002, at 2:06:05
Now you see how ignorant I am of psychology. I saw a completely different set of group dynamics at work.
Posted by somebetter on July 26, 2002, at 8:59:48
In reply to Re: Anyone? » Dinah» Bob » somebetter, posted by Dinah on July 25, 2002, at 19:51:46
Sorry, Dinah, that was a rude way for me to post. I had been worried that Bob's links on group dynamics were being overlooked. I thought Lini's explanation was great. And I should have said Lini and Dinah. You seem to have opened up the discussion.
Posted by Lini on July 26, 2002, at 15:00:33
In reply to Re: Anyone? » Dinah » Lini, posted by Dinah on July 25, 2002, at 10:02:03
Posted by Medusa on July 30, 2002, at 9:39:53
In reply to Re: Anyone? » Dinah, posted by Lini on July 25, 2002, at 9:56:32
> (incidentally, our task in my opinion does not
> jive with the faith board, but I digresswhat is the "faith" board about?
I'm completely new here. I'm not sure what boards to go to. I don't think that religion is a constructive approach to my depression. So I'm wondering - is this a religious site?
Thanks.
Posted by mist on July 30, 2002, at 10:18:29
In reply to Religion board?, posted by Medusa on July 30, 2002, at 9:39:53
>I don't think that religion is a constructive approach to my depression. So I'm wondering - is this a religious site?
No it's not religious. In fact, I believe the faith board was created initially to keep lengthy discussions of religion off the other boards.
Posted by Medusa on July 31, 2002, at 6:07:06
In reply to Re: Religion board? » Medusa, posted by mist on July 30, 2002, at 10:18:29
> No it's not religious. In fact, I believe the faith board was created initially to keep lengthy discussions of religion off the other boards.
>
>Thanks!
Another question: is Dr Bob religious?
Posted by mair on July 31, 2002, at 12:46:35
In reply to Re: Religion board?, posted by Medusa on July 31, 2002, at 6:07:06
I will endorse what mist said - the faith board of very recent vintage, and may have been suggested to him by another poster.
Mair
Posted by Jai Narayan on October 16, 2004, at 9:59:54
In reply to Group dynamics, posted by Dr. Bob on July 24, 2002, at 2:06:05
These two links, below, didn't work. I would like to have the rest of the information.
I found the other fascinating. I copied it and will reread....so many interesting constructs.thanks
Jai
bion's basic assumption theory
http://www.uddannelsesafdelingen.dk/indhold/outline_and_assess.htmDefense Mechanisms in Teams
http://www.workinlife.com/group_defenses.htm
This is the end of the thread.
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