An Expansion of the Previous Post

These comments expand on my previous post. I want to be clear that the typical person I described is in a therapy or personal growth group and never volunteers to be a protagonist. However the director asks, "Who in this group needs a psychodrama?" and the group selects the person who has never volunteered. As I stated in my previous post,

                  "I feel this method of selecting a protagonist is cruel."

Sociometrically this is a horrible way to select a protagonist or a person to be the group's focus. It also indicates improper warm-ups that have failed to establish group trust to allow this person to express him/herself.

Additional structured warm-ups are necessary to build sociometry to include this person. Even if this person wants to remain withdrawn or isolated, I believe we should not force him/her to have a psychodrama. Many people learn about themselves by watching others' psychodramas. I am most concerned that this person self-disclose in the sharing and will do all I can to assist in the process.

If people are upset that the person does not want to have a psychodrama, that is grist for group process and may lead some to work on their feelings.

The psychodrama is for the group and trusting the group to make choices is part of the group process. What does it say about the director/group leader who wants to manipulate the group to force a person to work?

[Psychodrama training groups are an exception to the above because it is expected that all trainees work on personal issues. If in training the person's behavior must be confronted and processed.]