Abstract
Concretization is a concept that has different meanings in different psychological theories and varying manifestations in different psychotherapies. In psychodrama, much of the available information on concretization draws on J. L. Moreno’s initial conceptualization, descriptive case studies, and interpretations in the various approaches. However, concretization has not been empirically studied as a concept or as a therapeutic mechanism of change. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to generate an empirically based conceptualization and operationalization of concretization as well as to identify its clinical benefits in psychodrama. To this end, semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with seven experienced psychodrama therapists. Using a grounded theory approach for the data analysis, the model that emerged consists of three pathways toward concretization: realistic concretization, symbolic concretization, and integrated concretization. The findings suggest a sequential multistep operation that can be linear or nonlinear, depending on the protagonist’s need. The findings also underscore four benefits of concretization as a mechanism of change in psychodrama: reducing the ambiguity of the problem, externalizing the protagonist’s problem, enhancing the therapist-protagonist therapeutic bond, and bypassing the protagonist’s defense mechanisms. The model is discussed in light of the findings and the literature, and future directions are suggested.
Highlights
Psychodrama is an experiential psychotherapy in which guided role-play is used to gain insights and work on personal and interpersonal problems and possible solutions (Orkibi and FenigerSchaal, 2019)
This qualitative study implemented the constructivist grounded theory method (Charmaz, 2015), which was chosen given the lack of empirical studies on concretization in the psychodrama literature, for “grounded theory is well known as a method that can be employed where existing theories or areas of research are under-defined or patchy” (Tweed and Charmaz, 2012, p. 134)
Realistic Concretization Concretization as a mechanism of change in the realistic dimension facilitates the transition of the selected content into
Summary
Psychodrama is an experiential psychotherapy in which guided role-play is used to gain insights and work on personal and interpersonal problems and possible solutions (Orkibi and FenigerSchaal, 2019). One of the key core mechanisms of change in psychodrama is concretization, which so far has not been empirically studied. The purpose of this qualitative study was to generate an empirically based conceptualization and operationalization of concretization as well as to identify its clinical benefits. The term concretization comes from the verb to “concretize” that means “to make something concrete, specific, or definite” (Concretize, 2020). Concretization has appeared in various psychological theories over the years. Some scholars have used the term concretization explicitly, though without necessarily providing a definition, while others have alluded to its meaning without explicitly using the term. We present several examples of the diverse uses of the term and the resulting variations of meaning
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call