Classification of Moreno psychology

[Adam Blatner]

Dear Kaya, my comments   From: k.kade at att.net   September 18, 2006 
    Subject: Classification of Moreno psychology  
          I am prepping my syllabus for the classes I am going to teach and believe it or not the text books that I have to use this semester as they are inheratited classes do not have Moreno or psychodrama in them.  So I am curious of the personality theories available the book has these broad categories:
   Psychodynamic  ab: Most psychodynamic theories can be illustrated by listing the defense mechanisms and portraying them as seductive voices, inner voices, internal roles, through empty chair, asides, etc.-- especially the defense mechanisms.
     Moreno's theory in my opinion is weak, but profound in a variety of insights, which, if developed, can thicken mainstream psychodyamic theory--especially (as Paul Holmes and others have written about), object relations theory (as noted in my Foundations of Psychodrama. It has been synthesized with psychoanalytic non-classical theory throughout South America and often in Europe...

 Behavorism   not much, in theory, but some: Mainly in providing behavioral training with the method of role playing as rehearsal.

Biological   not much, but a little, in that recent neurophysiological research supports the use of more embodied experiential therapies, healing experiences, rather than simple talk therapy

Humanistic   Mainly in this area of the four, though historically psychodrama really has its own line and has in turn spun off methods taken up by other theories. In this case, the encounter group is a partial derivative of group therapy and t-groups, and the latter was originally done with role playing and developed by pioneers who had been clearly partly influenced by Moreno.  Gerald Corey in his textbook, Theories and Practice of Group Counseling & Psychotherapy describes how psychodramatic methods can be used to facilitate learning, group processes. The emphasis on creativity in Morenian work is most closely associated with the thrust of ideas developed by Maslow.

   kaya:       Of those four categories which would people put Moreno..or would you create another classification i.e. role theory or something for him completely?  I plan to have the class break into these groups and do "role plays" from these groups and there is no way that I want to leave Moreno out.... All my classes will have to learn and know Moreno even though so far none of my books mention him....So I would love and appreciate ideas...thanks Kaya

     hope that's helpful, adam
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