Systems psychodynamics: The formative years of an interdisciplinary field at the Tavistock Institute. History of psychology

Abstract

Systems psychodynamics is an interdisciplinary field amalgamating a triad of influences-the practice of psychoanalysis, the theories and methods of the field of group relations, and the task and boundary awareness of open systems perspectives. Although systems psychodynamics is not a new field of study, there has been a general lack of awareness of its roots, how its formative elements have become intertwined over the years, and the role of the Tavistock Institute in developments in the field. This article provides a synthesis of this history and focuses, in particular, on the intellectual foundations of the Tavistock method of working experientially with groups and the application of this method to the study of organizations. Systems psychodynamics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates three disciplines-the practice of psychoanalysis, the theories and methods of group relations, and open systems perspectives. Systems psychodynamics is "a term used to refer to the collective psychological behavior" (Neumann, 1999, p. 57) within and between groups and organizations. "Systems psychodynamics, therefore, provides a way of thinking about energizing or motivating forces resulting from the interconnection between various groups and sub-units of a social system" (Neumann, 1999, p. 57). Although systems psychodynamics is not a new field of study, there has been a general lack of awareness of its roots, how its formative elements have become intertwined over the years, and the role of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations (Tavistock Institute) in developments in the field. This article provides a synthesis of this history and focuses, in particular, on the intellectual foundations of the Tavistock method of working experientially with groups and the application of this method to the study of organizations. It will discuss the formative years of systems psychodynamics from the late 1800s, with developments in psychoanalysis and theories about groups, until I thank the following people for their assistance in the creation of this article