The Mythic Structure of Bion's Groups

Abstract

Despite its continuing influence, Bion's theory of small groups remains obscure. This paper hypothesizes that his basic assumption groups are shared fantasies, explicated by certain widespread societal myths and by recent studies of religious symbolism. The dependency group is homologous to the myth of the primordial earthly paradise and the dependency fight-flight group to three mythical versions of the fall of man. Similar to all sacred symbolisms, the basic assumption groups synthesize the members' images of the group with certain emotional states, give philosophical meaning to the existential crises through which the group must pass, and interpret and shape the ongoing working group.