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

Abstract

Introduction: this paper presents an update of a previous study we conducted to explore the presence and behavior of a common orientation among the participants to a group training for therapists via their answers to an "absurd questionnaire". Having measured a second class of trainees during their training, we are able to compare the results with those obtained by the first measurement.Methods: as in the previous study, during the training we have submitted to the trainees 11 questionnaires composed of 50 pairs of images asking them to choose one image from each pair. We have then analyzed their initial picture choices and how they evolved over time. We also present the analysis of the combined data of both experiments. Results:In both experiments we found statistical evidence that both the initial choices of the pictures and their evolution during the training are not simply governed by randomness. The initial picture choice in each pair is highly skewed toward one of the two pictures, and there is a statistically significant change in the picture choice in the first part of the training in both experiments. Conclusions:The results could be interpreted as a manifestation of group dynamics postulated by Bion with his "basic assumptions". We see patterns that suggest an initial "honey moon" (dependence from the leader) followed by a "fight-flight" attitude (frustrated dependence from the leader) and finally a "mourning" of the group and of the training experience. In spite of some statistically significant differences between the two experiment, the behavior is largely compatible. Bion himself used to say that "as you never bath yourself twice in the same river, you never enter twice the same group", being every human assembly unique and singular.

Slow Open Dialectical Behavior Group Therapy for Adolescents and Parents: Longitudinal Study of Unconscious Orientation

“…This is similar to what we found in a previous study of DBT closed groups (Fernandez-Rivas et al, 2020) at the end of the training. We observed a drop to 73% for PG1, an increase to 80% for PG2, a reduction to 62% for YG1, and 56% for YG2 (Fernandez-Rivas et al, 2020;Trojaola Zapirain et al, 2019).…”

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“…The most striking aspect is that the answers to Q00 are very skewed, with values around 70% for the choice of A and there is a sharp drop to values around 60% for Q01. In previous studies the orientation was around 70% in Q01 with fluctuations between 60% and 70% during the group experience (Trojaola Zapirain et al, 2019). The time between one data collection and the other in the current study is one week and was about a month for the previous study on the OMIE training.…”

“…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).…”