210118 SE G2/G10 (Engl.): Large-Group Psychology (2006S)

Seminar 1: Large-group identity

Large-group identity refers to thousands or millions of individuals' sharing a sense of sameness (we are Austrians, we are Arabs, we are Catholics, we are communists). Large-group identity issues contaminate "real world" issues such as economic, legal or military events. Since people go to wars or kill "others" in the name of large-group identity it is necessary to study this concept and its various components.

Seminars 2 & 3: Signs and symptoms of large-group regression

Like individuals large groups may regress due to various reasons such as being attacked by "others," having a paranoid leader or suffering from economic difficulties. There are 20 signs and symptoms of large-group regression ranging from rallying blindly around a political leader to attempting to purify the large-group identity from unwanted elements. The later, for example, may have malignant political and societal consequences.

Seminar 4: Massive trauma, inability to mourn and entitlement ideologies

There are direct links between massive societal traumas at the hands of "others" and the development of political ideologies of entitlement ("Megali Idea," irredentist concerns). Such links and the concept of "transgenerational transmission" of trauma will be studied.

Seminar 5: "Chosen trauma" : The reactivation of the mental representation of the Battle of Kosovo

The reactivation of the shared mental representation of the Battle of Kosovo and its malignant consequences will be studied.

Seminar 6 : Political leaders' personality organizations

When a large group is regressed the personality organization of its political leader becomes very important. Political leaders play a significant role in taming or inflaming large-group processes. The concept of "narcissism" will be discussed.