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!)
poster:Lini
thread:6657
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020725/msgs/6719.html