The unconscious online: An exploration into the emotional experience and behaviours of virtual working

Abstract

The new normal in the wake of the global Covid pandemic means that more organisations are working virtually. Whilst this new working environment offers opportunities, a particular challenge relates to working together, mediated through technologies, whilst being physically apart. Online communication platforms have emerged as dominant virtual places of social, professional, and educational encounters. Spurred on by the researchers’ experiences of using these platforms at work, an online exploratory research project was developed to examine how the design affordances and constraints of these platforms influence the emotional experiences and behaviours of those using them. The researchers applied their own backgrounds to the study of unconscious processes at work in social systems to the exploration of these platforms. Self‐selecting, psychodynamically informed practitioners were invited to join three online exploratory studies. These pilots aimed to study the conscious and unconscious influence of the online platforms (Zoom and Microsoft Teams) on the groups’ perceptions, emotions, and behaviours. An adaptation of group relations methodology was used to allow processes to develop naturally within carefully designed boundaries of time, space, and roles. Key themes identified from direct observations, using researchers’ free-floating attention and subjective experiences, related to role, identity, and presence.