ABSTRACT
J. L. Moreno considered himself the “father” of sociometry, psychodrama, and group psychotherapy. There have been no serious contenders for that honor with respect to sociometry and psychodrama, but Moreno shares the title of originator of group psychotherapy with several others. The most frequently mentioned in this respect is Joseph H. Pratt, MD, based on his work with tuberculosis patients in 1905 (1917/1963). Moreno’s claim has to do with his group work with the prostitutes of Vienna in 1913. It is also widely accepted that Moreno coined the terms group therapy and group psychotherapy. Curiously, neither man was involved with psychiatric patients or psychiatry when they conducted the work for which they are credited with originating group psychotherapy.
