The Israeli Institute for Group Analysis for ending the war in Gaza

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The Group Analytic Group Matrix Concept

By Göran Ahlin

When the German-born, Jewish psychoanalyst and psychiatrist S.H. Foulkes in 1940 in England brought his analytic patients into groups for treatment reasons, he reportedly became intrigued and enthusiastic about all that which emerged in the group dynamics, over and beyond his original expectations from what he had learnt in psychoanalysis in Germany and in his new country England. He may have borrowed the term Group Analysis, GA, from Trigant Burrow – although he did not state that – and named the therapy he and his followers developed as Group-Analytic Psychotherapy. He became an ardent spokesman for therapy in groups and begun a lifelong exploration of the nature of personal change in groups, what he later, among other things, called ego-training in action.

During the following years, after WW2, the group-analytic frame of reference was developed by dr S.H.F. (as he referred to himself in writings) and his followers (de Maré, Pines, Skynner, Brown, Hearst, Hopper, and Cortecáo among others) primary as a treatment model the central concepts and meta-theory of which emerged subsequently. For the first, and soon central concept, describing the not conscious motivations and the driving forces under and behind the group dynamics in the GA therapeutic group, Foulkes et al. choose the Latin word Matrix.

Its connotations are manifold: mother; pregnant female animal; mould – for pouring molten material into for shaping sculptures and things; frame for arranging lead- types in pre-computer printing methods; way of organizing in mathematics; guide in designing. (Roberts 1982) The aim for defining the Group Matrix, GAM, was clearly to label, for the Group-as-a whole, on its unconscious level, a corresponding key concept to the psychoanalytic concepts about individual and interpersonal dynamics, in drive theories as well as in ego-psychology and object relations theories. Since the group has no physical body of its own, but, during face-to-face meetings, an assembly of member bodies and minds, its collective driving forces presupposed what in General Systems Theory is attributed to the Group-as-a-whole “something different and beyond the mere sum of its component parts” (Bateson ). Something new and in its parts different is claimed to emerge, when persons relate to each other as members of a group. The GAM is then defined as “the hypothetical web of communications and relationships of a given group” and further as “the common shared ground which ultimately determines meaning and significance of all events and upon which all communications and interpretations, verbal and non-verbal, rest” (Foulkes 1964)

According to Foulkes the Group Matrix is to be considered intra-psychically as well as in the group-as-a-whole, in contact and interaction in between the two locations. Foulkes described it as having two aspects: one Foundation Group Matrix created by past familiar, cultural, social and lingual experiences and one Dynamic Group Matrix emerging through the interactions and the relationships growing during the group process. Originally S.H.F. made no clear differentiation between GAM in psychic inner worlds and in the Group-as-a-whole. The interactions were labelled transpersonal, meaning (restlessly) passing through and soaking everybody present – also through the leader, although this is more unclear in S.H.F.’s texts. Depending on the extent of restless-ness attributed to the transpersonal interactions one may consider individuality as in fact non-existing, which is what Foulkes himself feared he had “discovered”, using the metaphor of “radiation” in order to clarify his use of the adjective 2 transpersonal (Foulkes, 1973). But, using an alternate metaphor of “diffusion over cell membranes in living humans and animals”, one may, again, see individual minds as formed and restricted by transpersonal processes over time – and yet partly separate and different from others: i.e. individuality still existing (Ahlin, 1985).

S.H. Foulkes was a well-educated psychoanalyst from Frankfurt and Vienna, focussing the earlier versions of Freudian ego- and drive-theory concepts. But he was also influenced by the Frankfurt School of social philosophy and Norbert Elias, the great Sociologist, was among those forming the group-analytic frame of reference. He was during his long professional life influenced also by other frames of thought and therapy e.g. General Systems Theory. The width of Foulkes thinking, moving between ego-psychology and social psychology, has been called in one end “Traditional Foulkes” and in the other “Radical Foulkes”, respectively, by Farhad Dalal (1998). Dalal is among those developing group-analytic theory further (e.g. Dalal, Nitzun, Blackwell), emphasizing power relationships and destructive aspects of the dynamic matrix as well, more than Foulkes himself did.

GAM is a major instrument for group-analytic therapists in their work with therapeutic group dynamics. Through participant observation, introspection and reflection over transferences and counter-transferences the group conductor is often very much helped by formulating observations – for him/herself in the first hand – of the actual GAM. Such formulations will help the therapist as conductor and form basis and support for grasping content of shared not conscious dynamic levels, also allowing for explicit interventions in the here-and-now, or later on. GAM has also been used on median sized and large therapeutic groups, and on groups in organizations and outside therapy – logically so since it is a construct, which might both be extended and applied differently – but with less explanation value and helpfulness due to the different qualities, communication and relating patterns of such groups when compared to small group analytic groups. The Group Analytic Matrix concept was originally formulated, and has its greatest value, in relation to small group analytic groups.

GAM can also be of great importance in research concerning group processes in group psychotherapy (Ahlin 1996). Since GAM, as Foulkes reminds us, is a construct dealing with unconscious levels of interaction, it cannot be directly seen, measured and observed, but must instead be researched through the actual behaviours and manifest interactions of on-going group meetings. The unconscious incentives can be thought to determine manifest behaviour via what I have proposed to be called determinants (idem). Eight such determinants have been defined which can be objects of study in process research about what happens in group therapy sessions from moment to moment and between sessions. (Ahlin, idem) This kind of qualitative research project is of crucial importance to further development of psychotherapy in groups.

The Group- Analytic Matrix concept, especially the Foundation Matrix aspect, was by Foulkes considered the prerequisite for the fact that strangers, meeting in groups, can be able to start relating to and communicating with each other. If they can… When they can… Or cannot. In an era of increasing streams of migration, refugees and social mobility this is nothing given, although of primary concern for a great number of reasons. The more analysed the more complicated the (personal and collective) Foundation Matrix appears. This has been one of the reasons in later years for alternate focus on the Social Unconscious which is nowadays sometimes a more used concept, although the two are not identical in content and meaning.

References

• Ahlin, G., (1985) On thinking about the Group Matrix. Group Analysis. 18(2) pp. 112-124.
• Ahlin, G., (1996) Exploring psychotherapy group cultures. Essays on group theory and the development of Matrix Representation Grid, an observation method for studying therapeutic group processes. Academic doctoral thesis. Karolinska Institutet Medical University, Stockholm, Sweden.
• Bateson, G. (1972) Steps to an Ecology of Mind.New York: Chanler Publishing C.
• Behr, H. & Hearst, L., (2005) Group-Analytic Psychotherapy. A Meeting of Minds.London and Philadelphia: Whurr Publishers.
• Blackwell, D., (1994) The Emergence of Racism in group Analysis. Group Analysis. 27(2) pp. 197 – 210.
• Brown, D. & Zinkin, L. (edits.) (1994) The Psyche and the Social World. Developments in Group Analytic Theory.London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
• Cortesao, E., (1970) On Interpretation in Group Analysis.Group Analysis. Vol. 4 pp. 39-53.
• Dalal, F., (1998) Taking the Group Seriously. Towards a Post-Foulkesian Group-Analytic Theory. London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley.
• Dalal, F., (2002) Race, Colour and the Process of Racialization: New Perspectives from Group Analysis, Psychoanalysis and Sociology.Hove: Brunner-Routledge.
• De Maré, P. B., (1972) Perspectives in Group Psychotherapy. A Theoretical Background.London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
• De Maré, P. B. and Piper, R.; Thompson, S., (1991) From Hate through Dialogue to Culture in the Large Group.London: Karnac Books.
• Elias, N., (1939 / 1978 / 1982 / 1994) The Civilizing Process. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Foulkes, S. H., (1964) Therapeutic Group Analysis. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd. Later: reprint Karnac Books.
• Foulkes, S. H., (1975) Group-Analytic Psychotherapy. Method & Principles.London: Gordon and Breach. Later: reprint Karnac Books.
• Garland, C., (1982) Group Analysis: Taking the Non-problem Seriously. Group Analysis. Vol. 15(1) pp. 4-14.
• Hopper, E., (1997) Traumatic Experience in the Unconscious Life of Groups: a Fourth Basic Assumption. 21st SH Foulkes Annual Lecture. Group Analysis. Vol. 30(4) pp. 439 – 701. 4
• Hopper, E., (2001) The Social Unconscious: Theoretical Considerations. Group Analysis. Vol. 34(1) pp. 9 – 27.
• James, C. D., (1994) Holding and Containing in the Group and in Society. Chapter in D. Brown & L. Zinkin, (edits.): The Psyche and the Social World.London: Routledge.
• Kreeger, L., (edit.) (1975) The Large Group. Dynamics and Therapy. London: Constable. Later: reprint Karnac Books.
• Nitsun, M., (1996) The Anti-Group. Destructive Forces in the Group and their Creative Potential.London: Routledge.
• Pines, M., (edit.) (1983) The Evolution of Group Analysis. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
• Pines, M. & Schermer, V., (edits.) (1994) Ring of Fire: Primitive Affects and Object Relations in Group Psychotherapy. London and New York: Routledge.
• Pines, M., (1998) Circular Reflections. Selected Papers on Group Analysis and Psychoanalysis. Library of Group Analysis. London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley.
• Roberts, J. P., (1982) Foulkes’ Concept of the Matrix. Group Analysis. Vol. 15(2) pp. 111-126.
• Skynner, A. C. R., (1976) One Flesh: Separate Persons. Principles of Family and Marital Psychotherapy.London: Constable.
• Van der Kleij, G., (1982) About the Matrix. Group Analysis. Vol. 15(3) pp. 219 – 234.
• Zinkin, L., (1983) Malignant Mirroring. Group Analysis. Vol. 16(2) pp. 113 – 125.

Göran Ahlin goran.ahlin@ahlin-post.se

Group Analytic Societies & Institutes

Group-analytic Societies La Asociación de Psicoterapia Analítica Grupal (APAG – Spain)

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GAS Portugal (SPGPAG)

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Irish Group Analytic Society

The Irish Group Analytic Society is the professional body for Group Analysts in Ireland and a member of the psychoanalytic section of The Irish Council of Psychotherapy… More

IDeutsche Gesellschaft für Gruppenanalyse und Gruppenpsychotherapie (D3G) e. V.

Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gruppenanalyse und Gruppenpsychotherapie (D3G) wurde am 15. Oktober 2011 in Berlin von 138 Mitgliedern gegründet und zählt inzwischen über 400 Mitglieder.

Ryhmäanalyysi (Finland)

Ryhmäanalyysiyhdistys ry – Föreningen för Gruppanalys ry on perustettu vuonna 2003. Yhdistyksen tavoitteena on ryhmäanalyysin tuntemuksen lisääminen maassamme sekä ryhmäanalyysin tieteellisten ja ammatillisten toimintaedellytysten edistäminen… More

Gruppeanalytisk Selskab (Denmark)

Gruppeanalytisk Selskab arbejder for at fremme gruppeanalytisk teori og praksis inden for gruppeterapi, organisationspsykologi og kulturforståelse… More

Society of Group Analysis (Russia)

The Society of Group Analysis, the SGA, is a non-state professional society of specialists (psychotherapists and psychiatrists, consulting psychologists, social workers, human resource and… More

Group Analysis Sweden

Gruppanalytiska Institutet i Stockholm (GAI) är en ideell förening som bildades 1981 för samverkan, erfarenhetsutbyte och utveckling inom den gruppanalytiska traditionen.

The Group Analytic Institute, Stockholm (GAI) is a non-profit association which was founded in 1981 for cooperation, exchange of experiences and the development of the Group-analytic tradition… More

Group Analytic Society of Slovenia

Group Analytic Society of Slovenia is a voluntary, non-profit, independent organisation. The purpose of the Society is to develop and… More

Estonian Group Analytic Society

EGAS was founded at 2004 and is a nonprofit organization (NPO) uniting professionals of mental health and other close areas who use group analysis as… More

Lithuanian Group Analytic Society

Lietuvos grupinės analizės draugijos įkūrimas yra glaudžiai susijęs su Grupinės analizės mokymo programos atsiradimu Lietuvoje. 5 metų mokymo programa pradėta vykdyti 1995 metais… More

Belgrade Group Analytic Society

Ovaj sajt je namenjen profesionalcima koji već primenjuju grupnu analizu u svom radu, kao i onima koji žele da se edukuju da bi mogli da primenjuju ovaj psihoterapijski metod… More

Group-analytic Institutes

• List of Institutes in Germany
• Institute of Group Analysis London UK
• Groupanalisis (Spain)
• Institute of Groupanalysis in Aarhus (Denmark)
• Israeli Institute of Group Analysis
• IGA/Heidelberg
• Institut fuer Therapeutische und Angewandte Gruppenanalyse Muenster
• Institute of Group Analysis, Athens
• Institute of Groupanalysis in Copenhagen
• The Turvey Institute of Group-Analytic Psychotherapy
• Institute of Group Analysis Poland
• Institute of Group Analysis Norway
• Institute of Group Analysis, Ljubljana