SILENCE IN A PSYCHODYNAMICALLY ORIENTED G ROUP - AN EMPIRICAL-ANALYSIS

Silence in a psychodynamically oriented group may indicate resistance as well as emotional involvement. 24.656 sequences (as defined by spee ch acts or silent periods) of a slow-open group were investigated in o rder to identify specific interaction patterns. The variables investig ated concerning the whole group were: manifest content, period of time (past, present etc.) and in-session behavior (working style in groups according to HILL 1962). A comparison was carried out between sequenc es introducing silence and all sequences. Significant differences were found for the content variable. The patients' interaction patterns (v erbal activity, frequency of silence introducing utterances) show corr espondence to their personality and/or symptoms.