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Bion\u2019s theory of basic assumption groups, as he presents it, is essentially a theory of group-based defences. The basic assumptions of dependency, fight-flight and pairing each relate to a shared task of the members of a group, not necessarily consciously held, in which the group acts, for example, as if it has formed to fight or flee a threatening object. Bion uses the term work group to refer to the group engaged in a consciously shared task, for example, a committee meeting working through an agenda. The task of the work group is consciously acknowledged, the task of the basic assumption group must be inferred from the behaviour of the group \u2013 the group acts \u201cas if\u201d it is fighting or fleeing an enemy (baF), waiting for a messiah (baP), or waiting for a benevolent being to tend to its needs (baD).<\/p>\n
Bion cites Freud\u2019s mention of specialised work groups, the Church and the Army, and notes the connection between their conscious tasks and the basic assumption groups baD and baF respectively. He offers the aristocracy as an example of an institution functioning in baP \u2013 because of its interest in braiding. Nevertheless, he seems more interested in the way the basic assumptions serve as group-based defences helping to avoid the work task. Bion\u2019s work group has its own vitality and is concerned with the search for truth, while the basic assumptions, acting as defences, embody the hatred of learning by experience.<\/p>\n
French and Simpson (2010) assert that although the basic assumptions serve to defend against work, dependent, fight-flight and pairing relations, per se can also energise work groups to which they are appropriate.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt was our work with leaders that first led us to question the presentation of work-group mentality as an apparently undifferentiated state; that is, simply as W<\/em>, in contrast to the elaboration of the basic assumptions into baD<\/em>, baF <\/em>and baP\u201c <\/em>(p.1868)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
French and Simpson describe a case study in which a fight relation between two groups that was impeding work was redirected into successful work through the establishment of a pairing relation between the leaders of the two groups.<\/p>\n
You may find it useful to consider how the primary tasks of your own organisation are connected to dependent, fight, flight, or pairing relations. Organisations, characterised by dependent relations, include not only the church, but also hospitals, childcare centres and educational institutions. Fight flight organisations include the armed services, competitive sports, police forces, and disaster management services. Pairing, with its evocation of excitement and hope, underpins, gambling, entertainment, and advertising. In complex organisations, these types of relations may characterise different sections of the organisation.<\/p>\n
French, R. B. & Simpson, P., (2010). The \u2018work group\u2019: Redressing the balance in Bion\u2019s Experiences in Groups<\/em>, Human Relations<\/em>, 63(12):1859-1878<\/p>\n
To read the paper UWE Bristol<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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As a leader, you may find it useful to consider how the primary tasks of your own organisation are connected to dependent, fight, flight, or pairing relations. Bion\u2019s theory of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"You are warmly invited to an online launch of \u2018Group Relations and other Meditations\u2019 by Dr Carlos Sapochnik, presented in conversation with Julian Lousada.\r\n\r\nThis book examines the Tavistock tradition of using group relations conferences as temporary training organisations for groups and institutions, and how those can inform and enrich the theory and practice of experiential learning. It analyses the structures, rituals, and beliefs of the practice, drawing on the author\u2019s learned experience in the field, followed by meditations on the social nature of corruption, martial arts, Western culture\u2019s longing for creativity, and the use of drawing in social science research. It addresses the tension between psychoanalysis and systemic theory in group relations thinking, refining and re-defining key concepts, challenging notions of dependence and dependency, performative poetics, learning, the politics of power, nostalgia, and the unspoken reasons for the wish to join conference staff teams.\r\n\r\nRegistrations are free\r\nWhen: <\/strong>6-7pm 15 October 2021 UK time \/ 3-4pm 16 October AEST\r\nYou can book your place here<\/a>","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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