Defenses in movement: Video-analysis of conflict patterns in group communication

Abstract

This article introduces a new research methodology relevant to dance movement therapy and body psychotherapy. A case study of a non-clinical group, a four-women public administration team during their regular team meeting, exemplifies pattern analysis of defensive behavior in a conflict situation versus a non-conflict situation. Pattern analysis with THEME (Magnusson, 2000)1 preserves the complexity of the original behavior data and allows an integrative look at verbal and nonverbal behavior patterns. Specifically, this research assessed talking times, back channeling, gaze patterns, affect display, and movement qualities, with a particular focus on efforts and pre-efforts (Kestenberg & Sossin, 1979). Pre-efforts were used to operationalize defensive movement. Results suggest patterns within and between verbal and nonverbal codes. In the selected sequence, the team leader was trying to convince a long-term team member to write a newspaper article on a topic of public interest, but the team member was feeling overwhelmed. Here pre-efforts used related to insecurity, social influence, conflict of interests, and defense against face-threat as predicted by Kestenberg Movement Profiling (KMP) theory. Clinical implications are discussed.