A Comparison of the Evolution and Entropy of Responses to Picture Choices on an “Absurdum Questionnaire” between Members of Two Different Training Groups

The results of previous studies on a group-training program for group therapists supported the influence of group dynamics on the members' individual choices of pictures presented to them in an "absurdum questionnaire." The present analysis compared the responses obtained from previous studies with those from a group of psychiatric caregivers training to prevent and manage aggression of hospitalized patients. The evolution of the number and entropy of the responses to the picture choices were compared. The group analysis program was conducted at the Basque Foundation for the Investigation of Mental Health in Bilbao, Spain. The Preventive Approach and Controlled Intervention program for the prevention and management of aggression was held in Geneva, Switzerland. Data were collected from the participants in the group-analysis program during their 11 sessions of training and from those in the aggression prevention and management program during three days of a series of four-day courses. The participants were presented with an "absurdum questionnaire" containing 50 pairs of images, and were asked to choose one image from each pair. The evolution of the number of answers was not significantly different between the two training groups. The evolution of entropy revealed a clear difference with a gradual increase in the group-analysis program, and a decrease in the aggression-management training group. We interpret this difference in light of Bion's view of group dynamics, with the group-analysis training being driven by Bion's basic assumptions and the aggression-management training by Bion's work group.