Psychodrama and role theory

V teoretičnem delu magistrskega dela sem predstavila dosedanje ugotovitve na področju teorije vlog, predstavila psihodramske tehnike in raziskala elemente, ki povezujejo psihodramo in dramsko terapijo kot eno izmed disciplin pomoči z umetnostjo. Raziskava je osredotočena na potencial poglavitne psihodramske tehnike, igranje vlog, ki na področju dramske terapije in na ostalih področjih psihosocialne pomoči še ni dovolj raziskan in izkoriščen. V empiričnem delu sem v procesu z lastno udeležbo s kvalitativno študijo proučevala primer ene odrasle osebe. Ta se je vključila v skupinski proces psihodrame, s ciljem osebnega razvoja in morebitnih sprememb v načinu svojega izražanja in sporazumevanja. Spremljala sem njegovo doživljanje igranja različnih vlog in spremembe, ki jih je ob tem zaznaval, ter beležila, kakšen pomen je pripisoval udeležbi v tem procesu. Ugotovila sem, da je analiza vlog pomembna za prepoznavanje vedenjskih, miselnih in čustvenih vzorcev, ker uporabnik lahko sam sistematično spremlja svoj razvoj skozi vlogo. Uporabnik je ozavestil vedenjske, miselne in čustvene vzorce v svojem življenju. Prek zamenjave vlog je ozavestil in razvijal svojo zmožnost empatije, prek odigravanja vlog pa se je soočal s svojimi obrambnimi mehanizmi, kar mu je pomagalo pri širjenju spektra doživljanja in izražanja ter tako omogočilo spremembe v vedenju, čustvovanju in mišljenju. Raziskava omogoča redek in poglobljen vpogled v prakso psihodramskega procesa, ki pomeni doprinos k psihodrami, dramski terapiji in drugim praksam pomoči, v katerih se uporabljata igra in analiza vlog. Ugotovitve v magistrskem delu se nanašajo zgolj na okoliščine te raziskave in jih ni mogoče posploševati na izvedbo procesa v drugačnih okoliščinah.In the theoretical part of the paper I have presented findings that exist in the field of role theory, as well as psychodrama techniques, and researched the elements that link psychodrama and drama therapy as one of the branches of arts therapies. The research is focused on the potential of the main psychodrama technique, i.e. role playing, which in the field of drama therapy and other fields of psychosocial support still desires to be thoroughly examined and used. In the empirical part I have, through a process of personal participation, used a qualitative study to analyse a case of one adult individual. The individual has joined a group process of psychodrama, with a purpose of personal development and possible changes in his manners of expression and communication. I have observed his experience of playing different roles and changes he became aware of, and recorded what meaning he attributed to his participation in the process. I have come to the realisation that role analysis was important for recognising behavioural, thought and emotional patterns because the user may himself or herself systematically observe his or her own development through a role. The user became aware of the behavioural, thought and emotional patterns present in his life. Through role swapping he became aware of and developed his ability for empathy, and through role playing he came face to face with his defence mechanisms – that helped him widen the spectrum of experiencing and expression which in turn made changes in behaviour, feeling and thinking possible. The research allows for a rare and in-depth insight into the psychodrama process in real life and as such contributes to the fields of psychodrama, drama therapy and other support practices in which playing and role analysis are used. The findings presented in the paper refer only to the circumstances of this particular research and may not be applied in a general manner to a process taking place in different circumstances