Moreno's role theory questions

[Adam Blatner]

cleaning up old emails...   Hi Grace, remind me of your last name:

   1.  you wrote in late December:  I am no expert in the role theory, nor of other 
theories of personality.  However, I do believe that there is much more that could be 
added to the written body of knowledge about Role than what was left to us by Moreno 
himself.  This would seem to be true from the anecdotal information shared with us over 
the course of this discussion.
         AB: Yes indeed, and cut loose from Moreno himself. He was a pioneer that opened 
the door but his theories and ideas are only the beginning. I would be very interested in 
drawing you forth on your thoughts about these things!

    2. The thing I really appreciate about the practical use of Role Theory is its 
immediacy and its strength-based focus.
 ab: Of course I agree, but would like to see a paper, post a paper written by you, as to 
your wording, your thinking about how this is so. I've said so in my words, but the 
importance is such that other viewpoints can enrich this nascent theory. (I call it 
nascent because it flourished briefly in social psychology and then disappeared. Moreno is 
often overlooked in modern textbooks!

3. G  > I find using a somewhat simplified version of a role analysis (an analysis of the 
functioning in a role... well developed, over developed,  under-developed, embryonic, 
conflicted etc, such as you would use in a role training session) is a very useful tool 
even with folk who have no psychodrama background.   ab: yes, I'd like to see this 
elaborated with examples. The field very much needs input from others who have been 
working with it, a variety of contexts, types of situations...

  4. G:  It immediately shifts people from a place of seeing ONLY the hole in the doughnut 
(the thing they did badly- and HOW VERY BADLY THEY DID IT) to a strength-based 
perspective.  Typically they immediately warm up to recognising that MOST of what they did 
was good and often only a very small adjustment is required for it all to be useful to 
them.  Much
more hope that way!  It also is very useful to assist them to see that the person with 
whom they are struggling is also a system of roles and the particular role they struggle 
with is not ALL of that person; much more hopeful.
    AB: well said!   I hope I can encourage you and others. I've posted a number of papers 
on role theory on my website, many more in my book and the anthology on theory (2007), but 
we need more. Sue Daniels' chapter is good, but what about your offering a number of 
examples and either posting them on your own, somebody else's, or I'll post it on my 
website?

   Warmly, Adam