Table of Contents

Foreword (Claudio Neri). Preface (Malcolm Pines). Author's preface. Introduction. Prelude. PART ONE 1. Constructing reality in groups. 2. Internal working models. 3. Conscious, preconscious and unconscious. 4. Aspects of the unconscious, preconscious, and conscious that influence behaviour in groups. 5. Unconscious processes: language and symbolism. 6. Projection and other phenomena of the unconscious. 7. Patterns in the group as a whole. PART TWO: Introduction to Part 2: application of principles. 8. A psychodynamic view of experiential learning in groups. 9. Linking, containment, and affiliative attachment. 10. Enhancing group effectiveness through creating and maintaining a 'reflective space'. 11. Six perspectives on group leadership competencies. 12. Leaders as artists: unconscious processes in groups. References. Index

About the Author

T. Martin Ringer is a management consultant living in Auckland, New Zealand. He provides workshops for managers, group leaders, and consultants in many parts of the world and teaches group work at Lancaster University in the UK. Martin has extensive experience in working with groups in educational institutions, corporations and adventure therapy programs. He has published extensively in the areas of group work, experiential learning and organizational culture.

Reviews

'The author does a commendable job of taking what is known about groups, the unconscious, and psychodynamics in an academic sense, and grounding it in relevant experiential education examples. This book is appropriate for intermediate and advanced practitioners who want to stretch their own thinking about group processes and group management. Ringer's text provides a good bridge between academic journals (and contains an abundance of quality citations) and practical application related to group leadership...I [found] it engaging and thought provoking.' - Journal of Experiential Education 'Martin Ringer...offers explanations of group processes with examples (both extensive and quite brief) that illustrate both concepts and strategies. Also a rare phenomenon, he positively encourages readers to relax their concentration on the written word and to think, make associations and learn by reflection on their own experiences of being leaders and members of groups.' -Leadership & Organization Development Journal 'It gives huge assistance to a thinking group-worker...[it] brings alternative viewpoints and slants of lighting that open up familiar territory in fresh and stimulating ways...worth the read' -ANZPA 2002