Introduction

This chapter presents the most up-to-date exemplars that give systems psychodynamics its shape and meaning. The "systems" designation refers to the open systems concepts that provide the dominant framing perspective for understanding the structural aspects of an organizational system. The essential element of W. R. Bion's theory of group life was to differentiate between behaviours and activities geared toward rational task performance, and those geared to emotional needs and anxieties. One of the origins of open systems theory was significantly influenced by the work of K. Lewin, who recognized the importance of studying groups as a whole. However, the more contemporary version of open systems theory originated with E. J. Miller's important paper on boundary differentiation and A. K. Rice's work at the Tavistock Institute, where he was a member of the team that conducted its major project. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.