I see Kemi has been banging on about both Reform and Labour being involved in something called a "psychodrama" in relation to, respectively, defecting Tories joining Farage, and the Andy Burnham shite. She's trying to cast the Tories under her leadership as "serious people" who are above all that mallarkey (well, good luck with that, though she might arguably be right if she keeps shedding malevolent loonies like Braverman & Jenrick).
"Psychodrama" is one of those politically fashionable words or phrases that modern politicians like to bandy about a lot - like "throw(ing) people under a bus", and so on. I realised that beyond it being something that was a right waste of time and to be avoided if at all possible, I have no idea what a "psychodrama" actually is.
So I looked it up. Wikipedia says :
Psychodrama is an acting method, often used as a psychotherapy, in which clients use spontaneous dramatization, role playing, and dramatic self-presentation to investigate and gain insight into their lives. Developed by Jacob L. Moreno and his wife Zerka Toeman Moreno, psychodrama includes elements of theater, often conducted on a stage, or a space that serves as a stage area, where props can be used. A psychodrama therapy group, under the direction of a licensed psychodramatist, reenacts real-life, past situations (or inner mental processes), acting them out in present time. Participants then have the opportunity to evaluate their behavior, reflect on how the past incident is getting played out in the present and more deeply understand particular situations in their lives.
Psychodrama offers a creative way for an individual or group to explore and solve personal problems. It may be used in a variety of clinical and community-based settings in which other group members (audience) are invited to become therapeutic agents (stand-ins) to populate the scene of one client. Besides benefits to the designated client, "side-benefits" may accrue to other group members, as they make relevant connections and insights to their own lives from the psychodrama of another. A psychodrama is best conducted and produced by a person trained in the method, called a psychodrama director.
So maybe not such a waste of time- if it helps people. Labour too is not absolved of having used the term in a derogatory way - especially about the Tories.
Maybe people should quit bandying it about.
"The opportunity to serve our country: that is all we ask.” John Smith, May 11, 1994.
- By davidjay