ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a simplified outline of field theory and general systems theory as a background for theoretical development, together with other theoretical constructs. General systems theory is the second element that contributed to the theory of the invisible group. Since systems theory and field theory have a common ancestor in gestalt psychology, systems analysis is compatible with field theory, which in turn is compatible with psychoanalytic theory. K. Lewin's field theory postulates that an individual's behavior can be predicted from knowledge of his life space. Lewin depicted life space as an egg-shaped 'map' that portrayed the individual in interaction with his perceived environment. In the visible group, interactions can be thought of as potential transactions which are encoded in messages sent from one member to another or to the group, or even in messages sent internally to themselves. Information theory states that ambiguity, redundancy and contradiction produce noise in the communication system.
