(FOULKES GROUP MATRIX IN THE LIGHT OF INF ANT RESEARCH)

Foulkes describes the psychological processes, which interact in a gro up matrix as unconscious, intrapersonal and transpersonal. In the ther apeutic process, communication among the group members moves from an a rchaic-symbolic level to verbally articulated consciousness. The psych ological dynamics within the group matrix show great similarity to tho se described by the baby-watchers as the dynamics of the early mother- child-dyad which develop from an initial system of habitualized synchr onistic patterns of interaction to intersubjective nonverbal and verba l attunements. In addition, the perception mode of the group analyst i n the form of an ''artistic experience'' shows great affinity to the ' 'global-affective experience'' of the baby. Although Foulkes does not make or state these connections the author maintains that the dynamics of Foulkes's group matrix have their origins and their basis in the e arly mother-child-matrix. Furthermore, this matrix-dynamics open up ne w perspectives for the interaction between analyst and analysand. They point to the dialectic nature of the analytic relationship.