The Diagnostic Use of the Social Atom

Jane A. Taylor

Authors

Jane A. Taylor Author

Keywords:

Atom

Abstract

Psychodramatists, group facilitators, ·and other professionals in group work throughout the world make use of the concept of the social atom. Over the years a body of information has evolved about the diagnostic keys that purportedly can be observed in the social atoms produced by subjects with paper and pencil. After developing a systematic procedure for obtaining and examining such social atoms, the drawings produced by a sample of 30 subjects (10 normals,'' 10 chronic psychotic, 10 not guilty by reason of insanity) were examined for intra- and inter-group differences. The results indicate the presence of validity in this body of knowledge and, consequently, open the way for additional uses and research:

References

Allen, S. E. (1978). Exploration of the social atom. Unpublished research paper, Saint Elizabeths Hospital.

Brannigan, G. G., Schofield, J. J . , & Holtz, R. (1982). Family drawings as measures of interpersonal distance. Journal of Social Psychology, 117, 155-156.

Burton, A., & Sjoberg, B. (1964). The diagnostic validity-of human figure drawings in schizophrenia. Journal of Psychology, 57, 3-18.

Delatte, J. G., & Hendrickson, N. J. (1982). Human figure drawing size as measure of self-esteem. journal of Personality Assessment, 46, 603-606.

Dennis, W. (1958). Handwriting conventions as determinants of human figure drawings. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 22, 293-295.

Dennis, W., & Raskin, E. (1960). Further evidence concerning the effect of handwriting habits upon the location of drawings. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 24, 548-549.

Goldstein, H., & Paterson, H. (1969). Shading as an index of anxiety in figure drawings. Journal of Projective Techniques and Personality Assessment, 33, 454-456.

Hamner, E. F. (Ed.) (1958). The clinical application of projective drawings. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

Handler, L., & Rey her, J. ( 1965). Figure drawing anxiety indexes: A review of the literature. Journal of Projective Techniques and Personality Assessment, 29, 305-313.

Hjorth, C. W., & Harway, M. (1981). The body-image of physically abused and normal adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 37, 863-866.

Hollander, C., & Hollander, S. (1978). The warm-up box. Denver: Snow Lion Press.

Hollander, S. (1974). Social atom: An alternative to imprisonment. Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, 27, 17 3-183.

Jennings, H. (1941). Individual differences in the social atom. Sociometry, 1, 269-277.

Maxwell, C. (1973). Psychodrama with the hysteric. Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, 26, 31-46.

Milzkovitch, M., & Irvine, G. (1982). Comparison of drawing performances of schizophrenics, other psychiatric patients, and normal school children on Draw-A-Village task. Arts in Psychotherapy, 9, 203-216.

Moreno, J. L. (1953). Who shall survive? Foundations of sociometry, group psychotherapy and sociodrama. Beacon, NY: Beacon House.

Shearon, E. M., &Shearon, W. (1973). Someusesofpsychodramaineducation. Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, 26, 47-52.

Tavantzis, T. N. (1982). Family counseling, family drawings, and the initial interview.Joural of Specialists in Group Work, 7, 125-131.

Vershup, E. (1977). On graphic suicide plans. Art Psychotherapy, 3, 17-22.

Wechsler, I. (1962). The sociometric field: A new training and research tool. Group Psychotherapy, 15, 123-215.

Zeleny, L. (1949). A note on the social a t o m - a n illustration. Sociometry, 12, 341-343.

The Diagnostic Use of the Social Atom

Authors

Keywords:

Abstract

References

Published

Issue

Section

License