ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the history of role theory, beginning in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with precursors and contemporaries of Moreno and moving on to Moreno himself and later developments of his theories by the Blatners, Clayton, Williams and Bustos. Moreno’s concept of role bridges social and individual dynamics, and he regards role as a tool for measuring what goes on in groups and for working therapeutically. Psychodramatic role theory creates a link between social sciences and psychiatry. Every role has individual and collective dimensions. The three categories of role, somatic, social and psychodramatic are defined. The chapter culminates in a description of the London Centre approach to role analysis, the methodology and training that underpins the work of the various contributors to this book.
