The Social Unconscious in Persons, Groups, and Societies

'The much-needed group-analytic viewpoint and the concept of the social unconscious unifies and brings relational clarity to a collection of thoughtful essays on trauma and its transgenerational transmission. All societies, groups, and individuals are vulnerable and affected - I find myself thinking about this volume as I go about my work, and in attempting to understand myself.'- Richard M. Billow, PhD, Director of Postgraduate Group Program, Derner Institute, Adelphi University; Book Review Editor of the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy'Reflecting and encouraging a deep discussion of many aspects of societies of which their members are unconscious and pre-conscious, the foundation matrices of Japan, Brazil, Germany, Czech Republic, Britain and Ireland, as well as the Druze people, are herein investigated for their commonalities and their unique properties. This fascinating group-analytic study will enrich the minds of colleagues and students alike.'- Robi Friedman, PhD, President of the International Group Analytic Society'Indispensable reading for those interested in the social unconscious, this volume fills out the concept with specific and compelling examples of societal myths and foundation matrices from a variety of cultures, nations and peoples. A treasure trove of illuminations of the virtually unlimited potentials of the study of these topics.'- Robert Grossmark, PhD, New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis'This volume puts flesh on the bones of the field theory of the social unconscious, building up a picture of the way in which the hidden aspects of these processes at the societal 'level' and the unconscious aspects of these processes at the individual 'level' converge within the group-analytic matrix. We are enabled to compare and contrast several group analytical approaches to the study of such issues, and to consider many diverse questions about them.'- R.D. Hinshelwood, Professor in the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex'In their second volume on the social unconscious, the authors provide further valuable insights into the denial, forgetting and distortion of vital messages from the past and the present, strengthening our capacity to challenge the silence of oppression and trauma. All mental health professionals will gain knowledge and insight into these powerful processes.'- Morris Nitsun, PhD, Consultant Psychologist in Group Psychotherapy in the National Health Service (UK) and Group Analyst, Fitzrovia Group Analytic Practice'Sensing that the social unconscious as a concept has become en vogue and that we must consider various applications of it, the editors have facilitated a rich and diverse sample of studies of the foundation matrices of several societies and peoples. This book will undoubtedly be useful in the next steps of theory building.'- Dieter Nitzgen, MA, Former Head of the Psychotherapy Department Rehab Clinic Birkenbuck. Editor of Group Analysis