Psycho-Social Theory is largely dealt with under 'The Theory'. It is the basis from which I work. There is an loose association with Social Analysis as practiced by Professor Elliott Jaques (Brunel University). His Social and Institutional understanding arose out of his Psychoanalytic insights into organisations, which operate like 'organisms'. There are some core principles underlying how I (we) practice. We do not separate out the individual psychology from the social context. They are inseparable and wholly open to investigation and analysis as a unified entity. The various components are identifiable, of course. Each component can be considered in its own terms but it is the combination of the social context and the individual psyche that determine the 'dynamics' at any one point in time, however much the 'history' may influences how the the individual presents right now. How we present to the world is based upon our past experience and practice. How others react to us now is determined by their own history of experience . Some histories are more inclusive and expansive than others. This is a natural consequence of differing experiences. The quality of experience is determined by the use we seek to make of it (the initiatives we take) and how readily we are allowed to engage and utilise the social world. That is; the opportunities that are available to us to actualise our initiatives. It is generally recognised that some people, who apparently have everything going for them and every apparent advantage in life, can make a complete mess of things. They may never know where they went wrong. Their initiatives may even be limited by the opportunities that are, or are not available to them. On the other hand, there are those who have had one social disadvantage after another, who go through multiple trauma and distress and yet come out all the stronger and assert themselves on the world in a way that benefits them and even others. Sometimes there are opportunities they are able to take or social inhibitions they are able to overcome Put simply, the Individual, from as early as they can, takes initiatives and acts on the world, initially to get their needs met. Each action gets a reaction, each action then progressively generates expectation of reaction (behavioural mechanism > cognitive recognition). Similarly, those reacting to other's initiatives, do so with an 'expectation' of these other's actions, and an 'expectation' of where the current initiative will take them. They may have some power of influence that can encourage the individuals initiative, or place some restriction upon it. This power to enable, encourage, restrict, disable, or stop a person's initiatives is what we call the 'social context'. What 'expectations' there are have a profound effect on the encouraging, or restricting the taking of initiatives. The expectations that we then each carry, place restrictions on the initiative that we feel we can take, and allow others to take.
| NOTE: This Document is still at some stage of development. You are invited to respond and comment on its content and its logic. If you return to the document at a future date, you will be able to see its continued development, hopefully reflecting your own and others commentary. I thank you, in advance, for any contribution that you make. Please also feel free to visit and contribute, in any valid way, to these and other social issues, through our Forums. There is also a Chat Room and protected Chat Space for more serious group discussions and individual counselling. Please feel free o use this space for your legitimate activities. Copyright: Although you will see very few reference to other formal writings in this document, I acknowledge general recognition to the discussions and debates that I have had with students, practitioners and clients over the years. Most of the ideas and theory has evolved through this rather pragmatic process (operational research), rather than any formal reading. If any content of this document describes concepts, theory, or ideas that have been established else where, (prior to my writing, either here or else where - in part or in full), I acknowledge their entitlement to claim them as their intellectual property for financial purposes, if they can evidence this. I also reserve the right to retain them as my intellectual property, with due recognition to those who have made direct contributions, including other writers, should I identify such a past influences. Other than this, I invite you to share and copy any content, to the benefit of intellectual debate and the benefit of individuals and groups, without restriction, other than it be used for constructive purpose, in the wider context of my writing. Should you wish to use any material presented here 'as is', I ask that you then make reference to myself and the web site. The 'Reading Date' would be a useful 'publishing date' for the Current Edition. 1980 is the core publishing date for most of the basic ideas and theory (unless stated otherwise). This 'Reading Date' may be an important part of this 'reference', as the document (by its 'internet fluid' nature) will be constantly changing and this may affect meaning and interpretation, for those following up on such a reference at a later date. Thank you for your cooperation. TRC. eMail: terry.couchman@visitweb.org |
