ABSTRACT
Sources of hostility include: overwhelming anxiety, vulnerability to attack, prejudice and fear of exclusion, loss of control and narcissistic injury. One of the most frequent causes of hostility in the phase of group development is narcissistic injury. Sources of hostility in reactive phase include: self-confrontation through another, sibling rivalry, transference, and premature termination. Although premature termination can occur during any phase of group development, it evokes the greatest hostility during the reactive phase. Since some members are ambivalent about belonging, their envy of the departing member's apparent freedom may be expressed in hostility. The leader must appreciate the positive, as well as the negative, value of hostility in order to be therapeutic. The therapist who views hostility as bad discourages its expression and exploration. The destructive aspects of hostility are familiar. Narcissistic injury presents as hostility. In responding to such hostility, the leader must distinguish between narcissistic injury and injury to a member with a narcissistic character.
