Beyond Ourselves: How the Social Unconscious reveals what lies beneath

Written by Yahya Mayet, Working With Groups Faculty

Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

Have you ever wondered why you feel a certain way in a group? Or why do societies seem to repeat patterns of behaviour? The concept of the social unconscious might offer some insight. While it sounds complex, it is a powerful idea that can help us understand ourselves and the world around us better.

The social unconscious, like gravity, is an unseen force that shapes our lives. It suggests that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by the unconscious beliefs, values and anxieties of the groups and societies we belong to. It is about how we are all connected.

S.H. Foulkes introduced the concept of the social unconscious to illustrate the interrelatedness between the individual and the systems and the context they live (and work) in. So, what does this mean? This means that the inner processes someone experiences are a direct reflection of the group processes happening around them.

So, how is this important to you?

• Understanding Everyday Interactions: Recognizing the social unconscious can help you see beyond individual actions. For example, when someone reacts defensively in a meeting, it might be rooted in the unspoken power dynamics of the workplace rather than just their personality.

• Making Sense of Social Phenomena: The social unconscious helps explain why large-scale events like social movements or even discrimination occur. These events and movements are often driven by deeply ingrained assumptions that many people are not even aware of. For example, the #FeesMustFall movement which began in 2015. The movement highlighted the broader issues of inequality and exclusion, resonating with a collective desire for social justice and equality.

• Improving Mental Health: By understanding the social unconscious, therapists can better address the impact of social pressures and cultural norms on their patients' well-being. For example, someone struggling with anxiety might be reflecting societal anxieties about economic instability or social exclusion.

Where else can we see this concept in action?

• Cultural Transitions: When people move between cultures, they often experience a sense of alienation and struggle to adapt. This highlights the influence of the social unconscious – their ingrained values and assumptions clash with those of the new culture.

• Institutional Racism: Even when individuals consciously reject racism, institutions can perpetuate discriminatory practices due to embedded biases and power imbalances in the social unconscious.

• Impact of Trauma: Collective trauma, like war or natural disasters, leaves a mark on the social unconscious, influencing how communities and future generations respond to similar events.

Thinking Beyond the Individual

The social unconscious is not about denying individual responsibility. It is about acknowledging the powerful influence of social forces that we often do not see or question. Recognizing these forces can help us challenge social norms, become more aware of dynamics, and organise for social change in small ways.

The next time you are in a group setting, consider the unseen forces at play. Recognizing the social unconscious can open a new understanding of how we connect and impact each other. This understanding has the potential to transform not only our individual lives but also the larger systems we are part of.

If this form of curiosity intrigues you, there are two courses available next year to explore:

·       Group Work Matters: Introduction to Group Analysis (In-person workshop- 15 to 16 February 2025)

·       Working With Groups Introduction (Hybrid course – 14 March to 16 November 2025)

Please contact Safiya Bobat at wwg@ububele.org or Patricia Johnson-Peterson at patricia.soaringwings@gmail.com for more information