IMPLOSIVE PSYCHODRAMA

Authors

  • JAMES M. GUMINA Author
  • JAY V. GONEN Author
  • JAMES HAGEN Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12926/6xjk9v53

Keywords:

PSYCHODRAMA

Abstract

The use of psychodrama as a therapeutic method has been fully described by Moreno (1946, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1966). Generally speaking, the aim of psychodrama is to arouse and sustain a patient's spontaneous emotional reactions during a dramatic event. However, since the inception of psychodrama as a therapeutic regimen, some practitioners have chosen to view the specific procedures in a different light than Moreno's unique metatheory of roles, spontaneity, and creativity. For example, Gonen (1971) has discussed the nature of drama itself, particularly in terms of classical Aristotelian and modern psychodrama. Issues relating to the therapeutic rationales of analytic ego psychology have also been offered by Polansky and Harkins (1969) as another theoretical approach. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the application of the theoretical framework of implosive therapy to the practice of psychodrama.

References

Gonen, J. Y. "The use of psychodrama combined with videotape playback on an inpatient floor," Psychiatry, (1971) 34: 198-213.

Laing, R. D. "Mystification, confusion and conflict." In I. Boszormenyi-Nagy and J. L. Framo (Eds.): Intensive Family Therapy: Theoretical and Practical Aspects, Harper and Row, 1965.

Moreno, J. L. Psychodrama, Vol. 1, Beacon House, 1946.

Moreno, J. L. "Psychodrama," In S. Arieti (Ed.): American Handbook of Psychiatry, Vol. 2, Basic Books, 1959.

Moreno, J. L. "The discovery of the spontaneous man with special emphasis upon the technique of role reversal," Group Psychotherapy, (1955) 8: 103-129.

Moreno, J. L. "Fundamental rules and techniques of psychodrama," In J. H. Masserman and J. L. Moreno (Eds.): Progress in Psychotherapy, Vol. 3, Grune and Stratton, 1958.

Moreno, J. L. "Therapeutic aspects of psychodrama," Psychiatric Opinion, (1966) 3: 36-42.

Polansky, N. A., and Harkins, E. B. "Psychodrama as an element in hospical treatment," Psychiatry (1969) 32: 74-87.

Stampl, T. G., and Levis, D. J. "Essentials of implosive therapy: A learning theory based psychodynamic behavioral therapy," J. Abnorm. Psych0l. (1967) 72: 496-503.

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Published

2025-01-07

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 1-2 (1973): Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama, and Sociometry

Section

Articles

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