I N C L U S I O N A N D E X C L U S I O N F R O M P S Y C H O L O G I C A L

P E R S P E C T I V E

M G R . L E N K A RU Š A ROV Á

C L I N I C A L P S Y C H O L O G I S T ,

P S Y C H O T H E R A P I S T

I N F O @ P S Y C H O K O N Z U L T . S K

World is divided into insiders and outsiders and at any given moment we can find ourselves in

either group.

CALIBRATING, ATTUNING OURSELVES– ALL THE TIME AND UNAWARE

Observe yourself for a while …

Aren´t you comparing yourself in subtle ways?

… do I speak better English than she does? ... am I dressed adequately?...am I allowed to

comment?... how did they like what I said?...am I too much? ... do I seem smart? ...they all seem

younger here than me...

... so am I IN or am I OUT?

Childhood – navigating ourselves through the world of powerful giants

Belonging means safety

Belonging (identity) is organized around similarity

LAZY BRAIN

• Efficient – patterns and stereotypes, intuition (80%)

• Automatic - decreased critical thinking

• Could include patterns we do not agree with anymore, we would dismiss if we knew them –

e.g. inherited models, past experiences ...

BASIC HUMAN NEEDS IN GROUPS

1.INCLUSIONIN – OUT

Issue :

‘ Who must I be to gain membership of this Group ?’

Safety versus Anxiety

Concern = loss of identity, not being accepted

Talking is superficial,

providing easy information about the self

Structure :

Loose individuals - each for him/herself

(seeking contact with each other)

1.INCLUSIONIN – OUT

Topic : rushing into task

discussion on objectives, procedures

(keeps anxiety at a reasonable level)

Relation to authority:

dependency

teacher is the only clearly –differentiated individual

point of comparison

evaluation of performance

1.INCLUSIONIN – OUT

Role of the authority

give enough structure (info, get to know each other)

define expectations and roles, setting

2. INFLUENCEUP – DOWN

Issue :

‘Will I be able to gain the same amount of

influence as I’m used to ‘ ?

Power !

Gaining recognition and acceptance to reinforce my identity

Focus on the dissimilar other

Heavy confrontations

Conflicts over roles and expectations

2. INFLUENCEUP – DOWNStructure :

subgroups - conflicting cliquesTopic :

focus on structure (clear roles , how to

come to decisions/conclusions….)

Relation to authority :counter dependency

focus on group members

authority is not needed anymore to form identity, informal leaders

‘ does the authority choose side?’

2. INFLUENCEUP – DOWN

Role of the authority

take distance

focus on group process – fair, objective

help the team to makes conflict explicit, to discuss the conflicts constructively

don’t judge

help them to find structure, be coach

3. INTIMACYCLOSE – FAR

Issue:

‘ Who are we to one another in the context of

the group space?’

How much do I care for the others and the others for me?

Group members are able to deal openly and productively with conflicts

‘ We ‘

Cohesion combined with respect for individual differences

Need for readdressing earlier issues

Trust , talking about emotions , feelings,…

Feedback is possible and accepted

3. INTIMACYCLOSE – FAR

Structure: tightly interwoven network

Topic: the issue is available as a topic

less need for proceduresorganic leadership

realistic evaluation of own contributionconflicts can be discussed

Relation to authority:co-operative interdependency

contribution according to expertiseneed for feedback from authority

interest in leaderdeep/warm conversation

3. INTIMACYCLOSE – FAR

Role of the leader

give them the responsibility

keep attention for the group process

individual counselling is possible

SOCIAL BEINGS

Basic human dilemma:

„How to stay connected and maintain yourself?“

Life-long dilemmas, everlasting tension, process of

approaching and losing balance between:

• In and Out

• Close and Far

• Similar and Different

• Old and New

NEED TO BELONG

• Need for social acceptance

• Self-regard

• Acting Prosocial

• Expectations drive (content wise, relaxed or compulsive or resigned)

• What groups I choose (acceptance guaranteed, undemanding groups...)

• High self esteem ...“hawk“

• Low self esteem ... „dove“

Belonging means safety

Being out:

• Emotional/social pain (equals physical pain)

• Handling pain requires mental energy

• Restricted mental capacity results in lower performance

ALONE VS LONELY

• Alone and not lonely

• People around and alone

OUTSIDERS

Outsiders want to get inside.

Do they?

Difference between being an outsider of choice or if others decide.

OUTSIDER STRATEGIES

• Pass off

• Proud Outism

• Flip Flop

• Mediator

DIS/ADVANTAGES

• Insiders – status, admiration...obligation to maintain

• Outsiders - no expectations, achieve a lot with small resources (start up)

WHY MAY INSIDERS NEED OUTSIDERS?

- creativity

- vigilance

- understanding rules (not just imitating)

- flexibility

• Diversity is not the problem. The problem is closed-mindedness (Dr. Steve L. Robbins)

(migration is not the problem, problem is integration)

• Insiders are like investors, give resources to outsiders (financial, social) to become insiders

• Privilege goes hand in hand with responsibility

Replacing assumptions with curiosity

Awareness brings choices