Why Theory

Group Psychology

51 snips
May 26, 2025
Ryan and Todd dive into Freud's insights on group psychology, revealing how it shapes individual behavior and dynamics. They explore the tension between authority and follower suggestibility, contrasting Freud with Le Bon. Relationships are examined through film examples, highlighting how love affects group cohesion. The psychological implications of authoritarianism and romantic affiliations in political movements are discussed, alongside the complexities of translating Freud’s ideas. Finally, they tackle the 'Death Drive' and its role in destructive group behaviors.
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INSIGHT

Group precedes individual psyche

  • Freud argues that group psychology is primary to individual psychology, not derived from it.
  • The group imprints upon the individual's psyche and licenses the individual's identity.
INSIGHT

Libidinal ties underlie suggestion

  • Prestige and suggestibility explain why people follow leaders but don't fully account for group bonds.
  • Libidinal investment underpins why people are suggestible to their group's leader.
INSIGHT

The dynamics beyond positionality

  • Positionality limits perspective but is not absolute; people can act against their positionality.
  • Some positions garner more investment, influencing power dynamics beyond mere symbolic placement.
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