everyday psychodrama

[Adam Blatner]

Peter asks an intriguing question. After warming up about the iPhone, I think what he's saying is that we might have something to offer that is as powerful and multi-task-applicable. I agree: I think Morenian contributions transcend the therapeutic context. Or as I've said on occasion, "This stuff is too good to be used only with patients." I think this is also the meaning of Moreno's opening line in his Who Shall Survive: A truly therapeutic procedure should have as its objective no less than the whole of mankind. (I'm not sure those are the exact words).  Point is that these approaches desever far broader application.

   My thinking is that they make a significant contributin to the infrastructure of skills people need to think creatively in the 21st century. People need role distance, they need to dis-identify with the roles they play, the parts of themselves. In doing so, they can better reflect on their thinking. To this end, ordinary techniques may be adapted, such as: 
:
   1. Enjoying and talking from parts of the self. The x part of me says a... while the y part of me says b... and on reflection, I even hear a bit of the z part of me.. Naming parts. Taking for granted that one has multiple parts.

   2. Sharing the voice over, doubling for oneself, what I wouldn't ordinarily admit, but since you're special,... to communicate with very select others how you may be more self-disclosing with them...  or moving up a notch of self-disclosure

   3. Role reversal.. well, correct me if I'm wrong, but based on what you're saying, if I were in your situation, I might also feel... or think...   a form of active empathy, open to being corrected. 

   4. rreplay... please might I try that over? .. and many others. 

         I mention some of these in the chapter I wrote on role playing or psychodramatic techniques in everyday life, in Gershoni's 2003 anthology, Psychodrama in the 21st century.

     We don't have to call this psychodrama. We can also use sociometric techniques and principles without having to use the terminology. We're not needing to sell the product in every context, but we can live in a way that shows that we are shifting frames of reference. Instead of walking our talk, we can co-playwright-co-direct our drama. (ha ha). 

        What do you think, Peter?
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Peter Howie 
  To: list at grouptalkweb.org 
  Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 10:41 PM
  Subject: Something to talk about


  Hi all,

  A marketing book I have been reading has presented me with a provocative thought and challenge. I will enter this discussion from a story telling point of view.

  Now if I lived in the USA and I could I would but the new iPhone. I would do this because I have become familiar with Apple and the remarkable products they concoct and produce. The Appple iPod has changed the way I run and walk for exercise - I mostly listen to radio science shows, discussion shows and in depth interview shows. I could happily talk about how the product has assisted me to extend time. I will happily sell Apple p[roducts because I like them and I am proud to have purchased them. The iPhone doesn't get here until nest year and I hope most of its foibles will have been ironed out. I will most likely but one anyway and think of it as my very last purchase in that field of mobile phone ...........

  Anyway you get the drift.

  What is/are the equivalent products/services/things that 'psychodrama' (here used as a generic term for all the Institutes and practitioners worldwide), what are the products that I will proudly exclaim and proclaim about to others? What are the psychodramatic things that I will do/will get/will undertake that I will show off to others that I have done much like I do with the iPod? Amd by others I don't mean the converted - I mean the pre-converted, innocent, ignorant, unknowing people.

  This is the area I am trying to come to grips with. First responses from me have me wondering about the over bias towards therapy and the negative/suspect connotations towards therapy. 

  Anyway - this challenge has me wondering and gettting creative.

  Cheers

  Peter Howie
  Brisbane, Australia







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