Abstract

RASERA, Emerson F.  and  JAPUR, Marisa. Constructionist's contributions for the study of group work. Psicol. Reflex. Crit. [online]. 2001, vol.14, n.1, pp. 201-209. ISSN 0102-7972.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-79722001000100017.

Social constructionism, as a human sciences paradigmatic crisis elaboration, rebuilds some conceptions of knowledge production and psychotherapeutic processes. In this article, we point out how the emphasis on the relational processes and the centrality of language promoted by constructionism change the study of group work. Using an empirical example, we consider some methodological implications of constructionist assumptions for the study of group work, as i) the constructed character of the group and its negotiating process, ii) the discursive approach of person construction and the consequent group homogeneity redefinition and iii) the social constraints of group processes. We conclude this article pointing out other theoretical and methodological developments necessary to unfold these contributions to group study.

Keywords : Constructionism; group psychotherapy; qualitative research.