West Coast Affiliate of the The A. K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems

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An Organization for the Study of Authority, Leadership, and Group Dynamics

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Group Relations

Group Relations theory serves as a model for working with groups. The model was developed at the Tavistock Institute for Human Relations in the United Kingdom, expanded on in conference settings by A. Kenneth Rice, and later brought to the United States by Margaret Rioch, who started the national organization called A. K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems (Hayden & Molenkamp, 2004). The theoretical roots of the group relations model can be traced to Wilfred Bion (1961), Melanie Klein (1946), and Kurt Lewin (1951). There are two components in group relations theory, psychoanalytic and systems theory. Psychoanalytic theory helps us understand the conscious and unconscious processes that affect individual and group functioning. ... Applications of systems theory facilitate the understanding of the context in which a behavior occurs and the sociopolitical factors that may influence an
individual’s behavior.

-- McCrae, M. & Short, E. (2010). Understanding groups as
psychodynamic systems in the context of racial and cultural factors. In M. McCrae & E. Short (Eds.), Racial and Cultural Dynamics in Group and Organizational Life: Crossing Boundaries, Chapter 1, 1-2.

Group Relations Fall Workshops 2017

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Fall 2017

Grex Group Relations Fall Workshops

October 21, 2017
&
November 4, 2017

Los Angeles, California

Download, Print, and Distribute the Fall Workshops Flyer

Grex is pleased to announce two one-day workshops on the theory and practice of group relations. The Fall workshops are designed for people who have attended a recent Group Relations Conference. The intention of the workshops are to deepen group relations thinking and to support those interested in becoming more involved in group relations work in general and Grex in particular.

The workshops’ design will include three components:

• Theoretical discussions of short readings provided beforehand
• Experiential small study group events
• Application discussions linking the workshop experiences to the key concepts of boundary, authority, role, and task, as well as here-and-now group-as-a-whole reflection in participants’ work life and organizations.

A central theme of the events will be the identification and development of core competencies, such as the ability to think and feel at the same time and to speak to one’s experiences while doing so. This competency is relevant to a broad range of roles and activities, including leadership in organizations, the practices of art, dance and psychotherapy, and training for consultancy to Group Relations Conferences and other organizations.

For more information and to register, select the desired date below:

October 21, 2017 – Grex Group Relations Workshop

November 4, 2017 – Grex Group Relations Workshop