ABSTRACT
Wilfred Ruprecht Bion's concept of the "basic assumption" group as distinguished from the "work group" is a psychoanalytic concept. Identifying the irrational aspects of the group as distinct from the rational aspects makes possible a distinction between a regressed and a more maturely functioning group. Bion, however, emphasizes that in every group there is one aspect which functions on an "as if" basis, i.e., on a basic assumption basis. Bion worked at interpreting the group. A. Kenneth Rice, in developing the group relations conferences, was at pains to offer members opportunities to explore the irrational aspects, that is, the basic assumption aspects of groups. The central opportunities to learn, provided by Rice in his group relations conferences have come to be concerned with authority. Rice was also concerned with how to help organizations to work more effectively to accomplish more of what they set out to do.
