The purpose of Division 49, Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy, shall be to promote the development and advancement of the field of group psychology and the modality of group psychotherapy through research, teaching and education, and clinical practice and to further the general objectives of the American Psychological Association.
About us
Overview
In the Beginning...
In the early 1980's, special sections of people interested in group psychotherapy formed in several divisions of the American Psychological Association. This occurred first in Division 29 (Psychotherapy), and then in Divisions 12 (Clinical Psychology) & 17 (Counseling Psychology). An Interdisciplinary Council on Group Psychotherapy was created in 1989 to coordinate the activities (e.g., workshops and convention programs) of these special sections. As that group developed, its members realized the value of creating a new APA division devoted entirely to group psychology and group psychotherapy.
Creating the new division was not easy; several obstacles had to be overcome. These obstacles included identifying the requisite number (over 600) of potential members, and navigating the political currents within APA at that time. But thanks to the efforts of Dr. Art Teicher and others, Division 49 was approved by APA's Council of Representatives in February of 1991. Later that year, the Division offered its first official program of convention activities in San Francisco.
Much has happened since then, but rather than try to summarize it here, we urge you to read a paper by Dr. Michael Andronico that recounts the history of Division 49 in much more detail. That paper appears in a book entitled Unification Through Division: Histories of the Divisions of the APA (Volume 3), edited by Dr. Donald Drewsbury and published by APA. It makes for fascinating reading...
To join Division 49 and become a part of the Division's history, please click on the following link:
Mission
The purpose of Division 49 shall be to promote the development and advancement of the field of group psychology and the modality of group psychotherapy through research, teaching and education, and clinical practice and to further the general objectives of the American Psychological Association. Essentially, Division 49 is an organization that welcomes all psychologists interested in the study and application of group dynamics. The division sponsors a journal, Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice. Division members also receive a newsletter, The Group Psychologist. Division activities include:
- developing and testing new theories about group processes;
- applying knowledge about group processes to help solve psychological and social problems;
- expanding the training of graduate students to include group dynamics; and,
- educating the public about the value of group dynamics and the benefits of group psychotherapy.
The Division 49 By-Laws - download at bottom of page
Publications
Division 49 provides two publications to members:
Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice publishes original empirical articles, theoretical analyses, literature reviews, and brief reports dealing with basic and applied topics in the field of group research and application.
The editors construe the phrase group dynamics in the broadest sense—the scientific study of all aspects of groups—and publish work by investigators in such fields as psychology, psychiatry, sociology, education, communication, and business.
The journal publishes articles examining groups in a range of contexts, including ad hoc groups in experimental settings, therapy groups, naturally forming friendship groups and cliques, organizational units, self-help groups, and learning groups.
Theoretically driven empirical studies of hypotheses that have implications for understanding and improving groups in organizational, educational, and therapeutic settings are particularly encouraged.
The Group Psychologist (three issues per year)
