Some Aspects of the Therapeutic Value of Group Psychological Discussion

Abstract

As a student in adult education psychology classes I have often wondered what benefit people derive from the lectures and subsequent discussions. After some observation or adult students, especially of those attending classes year after year, and on a careful consideration of some of the incentives underlying the study of psychology I tried to find some method which could combine an acquisition of factual knowledge of the subject with some personality changes resulting from it. Changes of attitude, for instance, are exceedingly rare and slight in the conventional set-up of adult education classes, however, it must be assumed that the preoccupation with psychology as a subject should instil a more psychological point of view, and this can only be achieved where there are changes of attitude. The writer considers that this aim can not be achieved on a purely intellectual plane because of the disturbing presence of prejudices which depend on emotional factors. It appeared, therefore, essential to create some sort of situation in which the passing on of knowledge of psychological workings could take place in an emotional atmosphere. In a small discussion group in which such an atmosphere could be easily created, it was expected that the participants would relate their personal experiences, compare them with those of others, and in this process of verbalisation gain a capacity for insight which they did not possess before...