From False-Self to False-Ourselves

Psychoanalysis of groups

Abstract

This article is devoted to the phenomenon of "Self" in psychoanalytic discourse through the theoretical aspects of the False-Self and True-Self, their functions, psychodynamics of formation and their influence on the development of the individual's personality. The issues of the role and influence of the leader's False-Self on group members are also explored. The author introduces the "False We" metaphor to describe the group state of subconsciousness and reflects on what can have a prevailing influence on its formation and what the group is after all – an object that is influenced, or a living organism with its own values, meanings, fantasies and resources that is capable of both self-development and self-destruction, with a certain influence on its members.