Friday Lunchtime Reading Group, 31 July 2015

Inter Subjectivity, Neuroscience and Psychodrama

Moderator: Gavin O'Loughlin

Moreno understood intuitively and wrote much that continues, and increasingly, to inform contemporary understanding of psychoanalysis, neuroscience and infant mental health. Moreno's understandings, assertions and theories about us in the world have some roots in this philosophical understanding.

He said, "Roles do not emerge from the self but the self may emerge from roles".

(Role Theory: The Role Concept, in Psychodrama Vol. 1, 1946, pp11-1V, 4^th Edition 1994)

Daniel Stern sees the confirmed existence of mirror neurons (Becchio and Bertone, 2005) as "implicit evidence for an inter subjective matrix suggestive of the human capacity to imitate understand empathise with and synchronise with others". (Daniel N. Stern, The Present Moment: In Psychotherapy and Everyday Life.  W.W Norton: New York, 97-103- 2007.

Existential phenomenology challenges the worldview of individualism, suggesting, "individual consciousness is actually a part or subsystem of a larger (inter-relational) consciousness" (Midgley, 2006, 100).

The 19th-20th century Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida said "It is not that there is experience because there is an individual but that there is an individual because there is an experience."  As quoted in Spinelli, Practicing Existential Psychotherapy: The Relational World. Sage Publications, Los Angeles - 2004, 11-17) 

This July Lunchtime Reading group further expands the discussion that Di Kearney began in the June Reading Group to include DanYaniv's viewpoint as set out in his article:

 
"Revisiting Morenian psychodramatic encounter in light of contemporary neuroscience: Relationship between empathy and creativity" - The Arts in Psychotherapy, 38 (2011) 52-58

How do the practices of psychodrama liberate the potential that sits within the new knowledge?  Does this change or deepen the concept of Tele? Is something new generated? How might this change our way of being or doing in psychodrama and in the world?

Lunchtime Reading Group
Last Friday of the month from 12.45 to 1.45 p.m

This group is designed to suit those with an hour to spare at lunchtime. Budding writers, trainees and practitioners are welcome! We will discuss psychodrama works; DVD’s and literature and other related material. A moderator who will send the material, or give it out at the previous meeting for reading or viewing, will lead the discussion.


Dates: 27 Feb, 27 Mar, (no April), 29 May, 26 Jun, 31 Jul, 28 Aug, 25 Sep, 30 Oct. & 27 Nov.

Fee: $10.00 per session includes freshly brewed coffee and selection of teas. BYO lunch.

Enquiries and RSVP: (text or phone only) 0403 597 685 (for reference material)