Phases, Roles, and Myths in Self-Analytic Groups

Abstract

This paper describes a comparative study of the development of two self-analytic groups meeting over a period of nine months. Methodologically, the study employs a computer system of content analysis which reads verbal text and categorizes words and phrases into a set of psycho-sociological variables specified by the investigator. This method is applied to brief reports written weekly by group members. Analysis of variance and factor analytic methods are applied to the output of the computer system to develop a model of change in the social structure and culture of the groups. This model demonstrates that the groups passed through similar phases which were strongly influenced by the emergence of nonrational role specialists and given an underlying common meaning by an integrating group mythology.