A Comparison of the Evolution and Entropy of Responses to Picture Choices on an “Absurdum Questionnaire” between Members of Two Different Training Groups

Abstract

The results of previous studies on a group-training program for group therapists supported the influence of group dynamics on the members' individual choices of pictures presented to them in an "absurdum questionnaire." The present analysis compared the responses obtained from previous studies with those from a group of psychiatric caregivers training to prevent and manage aggression of hospitalized patients. The evolution of the number and entropy of the responses to the picture choices were compared. The group analysis program was conducted at the Basque Foundation for the Investigation of Mental Health in Bilbao, Spain. The Preventive Approach and Controlled Intervention program for the prevention and management of aggression was held in Geneva, Switzerland. Data were collected from the participants in the group-analysis program during their 11 sessions of training and from those in the aggression prevention and management program during three days of a series of four-day courses. The participants were presented with an "absurdum questionnaire" containing 50 pairs of images, and were asked to choose one image from each pair. The evolution of the number of answers was not significantly different between the two training groups. The evolution of entropy revealed a clear difference with a gradual increase in the group-analysis program, and a decrease in the aggression-management training group. We interpret this difference in light of Bion's view of group dynamics, with the group-analysis training being driven by Bion's basic assumptions and the aggression-management training by Bion's work group.

An Update and Generalization of Group Unconscious Orientation in OMIE1 Group Training for Therapists

“…The setting of this experiment has been extensively described in the previous publications (Trojaola-Zapirain et al, 2014;2015;2016). For the purpose of this work it will be enough to recall that we have used a questionnaire composed of 50 pairs of figures.…”

“…This experiment has actually been conducted for the first time in the years 2009-2010 at the OMIE 1 group training for therapists that is part of the curriculum for psychologist at the University of Deusto (Bilbao, Spain). The analysis of the data of this experiment has been reported in three publications (Trojaola-Zapirain et al, 2014;2015;2016). The main conclusion of the study was that the data were suggesting evidence in favor of the building of a group unconscious in accordance with Bion's "basic assumptions", where a strong interaction between the psyches of the group 1 Osasun mentalaren ikerketarako ezarkundea Basque Foundation for the Investigation of Mental Health participants is established at the very beginning of the group experience, and then it slowly evolves in accordance with the group dynamics.…”

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“…In Figure 2 we report the evolution of the A's (most chosen picture in the 0'th questionnaire) along the 10 sessions for the parents and the adolescents. Compared to previous studies (Trojaola-Zapirain et al, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 this provides us with a very important information, i.e. the strong orientation of the initial choice happens before the group forms, and therefore there seems to be a sociocultural factor in the choice of the image.…”

“…In addition, sociodemographic data on adolescents were collected Each participant was given an identification code to keep their identity anonymous for the research. The general setting of this experiment has been extensively described in the previous publications (Trojaola-Zapirain et al 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019. For the purpose of this work it will be enough to recall that we have used a questionnaire composed of 50 pairs of figures.…”

“…Some of the authors of this paper have studied the interaction between the unconscious of two individuals in terms of quantum entanglement proposing the hypothesis that parts of the unconscious of two individuals together form a single entangled (non-separable) quantum system, in which distinct quantum entities form a single system, losing their individuality in favor of a single collective behavior. (Galli Carminati & Martin 2008;Martin, Carminati & Galli Carminati 2010;, Trojaola-Zapirain et al 2014, Trojaola-Zapirain et al 2015, Trojaola-Zapirain et al 2016, Galli Carminati, Martin & Carminati, 2017, Trojaola-Zapirain et al 2019Galli Carminati, Martin & Carminati 2017). Such a model can naturally be extended to a group of individuals (Galli Carminati & Martin 2008;Grinberg-Zylberbaum et al 1994;Martin & Galli Carminati 2007), where the entanglement between the different unconscious can bring to the formation of a single entity with a distinct behavior, explaining the correlations observed between group members (Marshall 1989).…”