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The Psychic Prison Metaphor
The document discusses the psychic prison metaphor, which depicts how people can become trapped in limited ways of thinking and perceiving reality. It originated with philosopher Plato's allegory of the cave, where prisoners saw only shadows on the cave wall. The metaphor is now used in organizational behavior, with examples like groupthink leading to poor decision making. Understanding organizations through concepts like unconscious desires, family dynamics, and symbols can provide insights, though it also has limitations like neglecting conscious ideological factors.
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The Psychic Prison Metaphor
- 1. The Psychic PrisonMetaphor What is a Psychic Prison? • • A metaphor coined in 1986 by Organizational Theorist Gareth Morgan Intended to depict human condition of being trapped in: • Modes of Thinking; & • Constructions of Perceived Reality... ...That, at best, offer an “imperfect” grasp of the world... • People may become “imprisoned”, “confined” or “controlled” by, or within organizations
- 2. Plato’s ‘Cave’ Allegory •First exploration of Psychic Prison metaphor by Greek Philosopher Plato in his work „The Republic‟ (c. 380 BC) • Prisoners were chained to an underground cave wall • They could not move, or view the outside world • Interpretation of shadows comprised their entire reality • A liberated prisoner discovered that the world beyond the shadows was richer, more complex & rewarding • Upon return to cave, his experiences terrified compatriots • He could not remain & stagnate • They could not change or move forward • They perceived him as “dangerous”
- 3. The Psychic PrisonMetaphor in Organizational Behaviour Groupthink What is Groupthink? • Defined by Psychologist, Irving Janis in 1952 • Organizational, social & cultural traps that retard problem solving by preventing recognition of alternate avenues of thought, discussion & action • Group illusions of invulnerability, morality & unanimity foster “assumed consensus” which inhibit expressions of doubt & engender misguided decision-making
- 4. Groupthink (examples) • The Bayof Pigs Invasion Fiasco (1961) • President Kennedy & his advisors developed illusions of unanimity & invulnerability; doubts were inhibited & suppressed • The Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster (1986) • After 55 successful missions NASA felt invincible • Fatally ignored crucial warnings about faulty equipment • Ireland: Ryan Report (2009) & Nyberg Report (2011) • „National Groupthink‟ implicated as “dissenting voices on economy & clerical child sex abuses” ignored
- 5. Organization & TheUnconscious • Psychoanalysts such as Sigmund Freud suggest: • Much of visible culture reflects “preoccupations & concerns” of the unconscious psyche • People become psychic prisoners through repression of their desires & thoughts • We may try to understand & interpret these phenomena across dimensions that include: • Sexuality • Family Dynamics • Mortality • Anxiety • Artefacts (Objects & Symbols) • Shadows & Archetypes
- 6. Organizations reflected in… • • RepressedSexuality Obsessive-compulsive & neurotic traits such as those personified in Puritan Frederick Taylor directly impacted: • The Establishment of Formal Organizations • • • e. g. armies, religious orders, industrial society, bureaucracies The Creation of „Scientific Management’ Innovations, ideas, planning & productivity • • Historical replication of Patriarchal systems occurred: • • Family Dynamics Such Organizations were authoritarian, aggressive & chauvinistic (negative) or brave, heroic & decisive (positive) Matriarchal approach now seen as increasingly effective: • Empowering Organizational trust, creativity & co-operation
- 7. Organizations impacted by… • Death& Immortality • Human beings, aware of the impermanence & vulnerability of life, use Organizations (through culture) to: • • • • Search for meaning & permanency Preserve a sense of belonging & identity Manage, organize & motivate themselves Imagine the achievement of immortality through recorded beliefs, deeds, roles & material objects • Anxiety • Childhood development includes persecutory & depressive phases causing adult maladaptation in Organizations via: • Dependency: projection of leadership onto unsuitable people • Pairing: unfulfilled expectancy of Messiah-like figures • Fight / flight: distorted concepts of enemy / friend / competitor
- 8. Organizations interpreted through… • Artefacts •“Transitional objects” (e. g. toys) & symbolic experiences help people cope with change. But, over-reliance may: • Facilitate resistance to progress (e. g. hoarding of objects) • Block creativity & innovation in Organizations • Make effective Organizational transition impossible if not managed correctly (needs voluntary participation & control) • Shadows & Archetypes • “Holistic view” of human psyche as emphasized by Psychiatrist Carl Jung • Archetypes (patterns & ideas) link the “collective unconscious” to individuals & perpetuate recurring Organizational themes • Shadows: repressed & rival instincts of individuals compete to influence Organizational decision-making
- 9. Strengths & Limitations Strengths: Limitations: •Assists understanding of Organizational change • Releases positive energies for transformation & integration • Understands links between irrational & rational • Improves holistic approach to Organizational life • Recognises ethical dimensions • Neglects conscious ideological factors of Organizational life • Over-emphasizes cognitive processes • Encourages “Utopian speculation” • “Raises the spectre” of “Orwellian” manipulation of the unconscious mind Conclusion • The Psychic Prison Metaphor is of complex nature, combining theories which originate in: * Philosophy * Organizational Theory * Psychiatry * Psychology * Psychoanalysis * Sociology * Cultural Studies & others • It may offer profound psychological insights into the nature & complexity of Organizations both at the unconscious & conscious level
Editor's Notes
- #2 Reference:Morgan, G. (1997). Images of Organization. 2nd edition. London, UK: Sage Publications Ltd.
- #3 Reference:Morgan, G. (1997). Images of Organization. 2nd edition. London, UK: Sage Publications Ltd.
- #4 Varieties of GroupthinkBandwagon Effect: often referred to as “herd behaviour” describes how people frequently believe something simply because others believe the same thing.Spiral of Silence: asserts that a person holding a minority view is less likely to voice their opinion for fear of consternation or isolation from the majority. Peer Pressure: the observed tendency of people to follow the actions of others (despite not wanting to) because it is less risky to conform. Group Polarization: term used to describe how decisions made by groups tend to be more experimental and risky than those made by individuals acting alone (Eccleston and March, 2011:145-158).Reference: Eccleston, C and March, F. (2011) Global environmental policy - concepts, principles and practice. Florida: CRC Press.
- #5 References: Moorhead, G., Ference, R. & Neck, C. P. (1991). Group Decision Fiascos Continue: Space Shuttle Challenger and a Revised Groupthink Framework. Human Relations, Vol. 44, No. 6. June issue. p.539-550.O'Brien, B. (2011). We need to start cherishing our irritating contrarians. The Irish Times [online] 23 Apr. Available at: <http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0423/1224295311055.html> [accessed 29 Mar. 2012].
- #6 Reference:Morgan, G. (1997). Images of Organization. 2nd edition. London, UK: Sage Publications Ltd.
- #7 Example of Repressed Sexuality - Freudian ReadingFredrick Taylor’s controlling personality can be read through Freud’s theory of repressed sexuality in that Taylor had an “anal-compulsive approach to life.”Example of Patriarchal system - most organized religionsBy prohibiting the ordination of female priests and with a hierarchy dominated by male influence, many people believe the Catholic Church continues to treat women as “second class”.
- #8 Abraham Zaleznikof the Harvard Business School has conducted important research into the impact of anxiety on, and within organizations. Example of Anxiety – union organizingPatterns of unconscious anxiety exert a direct influence on coalition building within organizations. Fearing for their own position individuals often collectivize into labour unions (safety in numbers).
- #9 Psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott was responsible for key research in the area of ‘object relations’ with implication for the understanding of the impact of symbolic artefacts and ritualistic behaviours on the development of organizations.It could be argued that psychiatrist Carl Jung’s definition of ‘Archetypes’ was later echoed by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in Chapter 11 of his seminal work ‘The Selfish Gene’ (1976) in which he first coined the term ‘meme’ (analogous to a gene) to describe a transmittable psychological unit which carries cultural ideas, thoughts, practices and symbols across societies and organizations.
- #10 We declare that this assignment which we submit in partial fulfilment of the assessment requirements on MN202 is our own work, attributes relevant quotes and/or ideas to the respective authors/owners of such quotes/ideas, adheres to the Harvard style of referencing, and has not been submitted as an assignment elsewhere. Self-check space on Turnitin – No.