Sociodrama

Sociodrama and Action Methods (SAM) are based on the work of Dr. J.L. Moreno (1889-1974), better known for his creation of psychodrama, a method of group psychotherapy. Sociodramatic approaches are profoundly effective and are used worldwide in organisational and professional settings. Emphasis is placed on understanding how individuals, teams, and organisations function.

Sociodrama is a method to explore inter- and intra-group systems in societies, be they local, national, global or universal. The practitioner learns to analyse such systems, by setting them out physically (concretising) using objects or group members as representations, giving voice to these identified roles within the system and, through role exploration (role reversal, doubling, mirroring etc.), to become a change agent by assisting the group to identify where new responses might be possible and practise the necessary skills to achieve the desired change.

Action methods offer a wide range of techniques and approaches that draw on role theory, role training, sociometry and sociodrama to create highly successful experiential training, planning and group management practices.

Sociodrama and Action Methods may be used:

• to assist communication, negotiation, conflict management and team building;
• to do stakeholder analysis, action research and strategic planning;
• to assist in career planning and recruitment;
• to predict outcomes or rehearse implementation.

In addition Sociodrama & Action Methods may be used in teams and organisations:

• to explore group, community, cultural and political concerns;
• to develop a practitioner’s understanding of a systemic approach to organizations;
• to develop a wide role repertoire of responses to new or challenging situations;
• to supervise managerial or training problems;
• to devise problem-solving methods that enliven, enlighten and are effective.