role theory 10 June

[Jenny Wilson]

Hi Peter
 I am okay about this going on grouptalk. So will address to there. I do
wonder what others make of it but guess if I have these questions then
others may too.

Jenny

Peter Howie wrote:
> Hi Jenny,
> 
> Thanks for this. I did mean to send it to grouptalk - I keep missing the
> way it works. Maybe I will post it there anyway. You might have a
> different response by then.
> 
> My guess is that you have some well defined learning preferences and how
> we teach and supervise with role theory hasn't suited this, so far.
> 
> I am developing a very tentative hypothesis that you have an idea that
> others (the great and glorious ones) are able to use role theory in the
> moment, while they are working in dramas and other settings, able to
> make stuff up off the top of their heads, see stories clearly and
> immediately or near enough able to develop adequate role names and the
> like. Is this correct? I think I make it clear in my blog that I find it
> of most use after the fact. And if I talk about a person in a role in
> supervision this is very much after the fact.
> 
> Also on another point - and it might have been in your expression rather
> than intent. I don't find that all realities need to be accepted as
> valid or real. However I do need to accept the protagonist/client/other
> person/colleague and accept that as far as they have presented that they
> believe it is real and valid. So I am accepting them rather than their
> reality. And this is also a pretty major aspect of the method. The
> capacity to enter the other's world and re-enter my own.
> 
> I am off to aikido - cheers for the moment
> 
> Shall we go public?
> 
> Peter
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Peter Howie B.Sc, TEP
> Managing Director
> The Moreno Collegium for Human Centred Learning, Research and Development
> 0411 873 851
> www.morenocollegium.com.au
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 08/06/2009, at 4:11 PM, Jenny Wilson wrote:
> 
>> Hi Peter (I'm not sure whether to post this on grouptalk or not  - as
>> you sent to me I will just respond to you)
>>
>> Thank you for your thoughtful response to my questions/reflections. I am
>> really appreciating getting some different perspectives on this.  I
>> believe I am caught in the middle of a philosophical dilemma:
>>
>> On one hand the spirit of psychodrama embraces all realities and a major
>> part of the method (perhaps the major part therapeutically) is to fully
>> enter into the world of the protagonist. In this context all realities
>> seem to be accepted as valid and real. Reading the excepts from your
>> blog and Adams comments 1/6/09 I am reminded of how rich and full of
>> possibilities this way of being is, and how much I love this aspect of
>> psychodrama. The excitement and playfulness of psychodrama come alive in
>> your writing.
>>
>> On the other hand psychodrama is moving towards a more clearly defined
>> professional identity with writing assignments, thesis, and practical
>> assessments becoming more important and marking transition from one
>> level to the next and eventually resulting in a significant
>> qualification. These assignments are assessed against some criteria -
>> but the criteria are far from clear to me. Understanding role theory is
>> a significant component of ANZPA requirements - present in the social
>> and cultural atom paper and the presentation following practical
>> assessment.My experience to date indicates to me that some realities
>> regarding role theory are closer to what is required than others but are
>> not clearly stated as such, and shift depending on who is doing the
>> assessing and teaching. Not a problem in practice but anxiety provoking
>> when heading off for assessment!
>>
>> I know that a great deal of my exploration of the question of role is
>> driven by anxiety. To be assessed and found competent (or not) in an
>> undefinable construct where all realities are valued seems to be an
>> enormous paradox to me. Making the paradox clearer has been useful,
>> reduces my anxiety even, as I realise that what is not known by me is
>> also not clear in the minds of others. Overcoming some fantasy that
>> somehow others understand how this all fits together but somehow I do
>> not. Your haiku made me smile and reminded me to try and hold all this
>> more lightly.
>>
>> So far I have got clearer that I can work with roles on the stage even
>> if writing about roles is difficult. I agree with you about role theory
>> having most effect when working with an individual or group. Thankfully
>> I don't get so  bogged down with all this thinking while in action these
>> days.
>>
>> The personal crucible of facing assessment has brought this paradox into
>> sharp focus for me, however I imagine this paradox exists and will
>> continue for the psychodrama community in any attempt to evaluate and
>> write about the method. So all good grist for the mill.
>>
>> Anyway - thanks for reading/responding. I will have a look at your blog
>> shortly but not tonite as busy.
>>
>> Jenny
>>
>>
>