Routledge The Tavistock Learning Group: Exploration Outside the Traditional Frame

In The Tavistock Learning Group: Exploration Outside the Traditional Frame, the authors attempt to expand the heuristic, theoretical, and applied dimensions of Group Relations paradigms by pairing classical Group Relations concepts with typically non-Tavistock psychology paradigms and social sciences concepts. Under the broad domain of psychologically-informed constructs, Lacanian psychoanalysis, existential philosophy and bioenergetics are applied. Under a somewhat broader range of social science conceptualization, the capacity for abstraction is linked with anti-work in groups, the large group is re-imagined as an extension of community dynamics and dysfunction, and the role of symbol systems, symbology and semiotics are examined in relation to sophisticated work groups. Lastly, non-Tavistock models of group development and conceptualization are re-interpreted and explained using a group-as-a-whole framework. Review "Reading this new book from Hazell and Kiel was very stimulating. Its wide-ranging and deep consideration of learning groups will be useful to those new to the theory underpinning Tavistock, or Group Relations, conference work, as well as those who have spent many years exploring it. The intersections between Tavistock learning groups, encounter groups, and therapeutic groups illuminate a rigorous focus on the 'boundary regions' among these types of groups and supports further research and potential enhancements to all types of group learning models. In addition, the application of Lacan's discourse model to seeing more fully what may be happening in learning groups, the discussion of what could/should serve as relevant data for understanding unconscious dynamics as these emerge in service of learning or not, the 'remembering with the body', and the exploration of 'partnering' in group consultation work, all provide opportunity for deepening our ability to understand and develop greater skills for effectively supporting learning in Tavistock and other forms of learning groups, My thanks to the authors."-- (05/24/2017) "This book is a must-read for group and organizational scholars and researchers, for organizational consultants whose thinking is informed by psychodynamic and socio-technical ideas, and for even very experienced Tavistock Group Relations Learning Conference consultants and staff members. There is much to be learned from this very sophisticated scholarly text by these and related audiences. Using core Tavistock Group Relations concepts, Hazell and Kiel creatively and brilliantly demonstrate how these ideas push the boundaries on these topics in a manner that can enhance our understanding of a subset of non-Tavistock dynamic and non-dynamic psychological and social sciences theories and research findings. They go on to present a series of unique and remarkably thoughtful and creative explorations of Tavistock Group Relations ideas and several surprising more traditional topics."-- (05/24/2017) About the Author Clive Hazell