Psychodynamic group psychotherapy works on the basis of two major premises: 1) Individuals will present themselves, complete with strengths and weaknesses, in a group in fundamentally the same ways as they live out their lives; and 2) the various behaviors that occur within groups are interconnected via group associations and group contagion. A brief example will serve to illustrate both points. Let us suppose a group of eight strangers is meeting for the first time. All eight individuals will adopt their own characteristic styles for coping with that situation. One may boisterously assume dominance by helping with introductions, acting as chairperson, and generally presenting a self-confident image. Another individual may sit mutely throughout the meeting. Still another member may demonstrate and speak of the anxiety of the situation. Yet another may plead or demand that the leader assume more responsibility for the meeting. In other words, from the very moment they enter the group room, individuals will begin to demonstrate their characteristic styles for coping and living. One may presume that the initial meeting of a therapy group presents each member with a fairly constant stimulus. The situation evokes for everyone, including leaders, issues of basic trust. Will this be a safe situation? Will I be treated with respect or abuse? How can the blind lead the blind? Will there be enough time and attention for me? What can I do to protect myself and to gain something for myself? Do I dare risk allowing others and myself to know what I feel? The individuals cited above indicated their first-line defenses against these concerns. We noted a counterphobic refusal to acknowledge the fear, or at least an attempt to master it by active assertiveness; we saw a regression to a mute, totally passive position; we noted one member acknowledged the anxiety verbally and behaviorally; and we noted one member who demonstrated a pervasive dependency and entitlement that implied it was the responsibility of the leader to remove the anxiety. From the moment the group begins, the patients not only talk about their problems, they have them, not just in the transference but in the real interactions within the minicommunity. We may assume that the styles presented by individuals in groups are not newly developed for just this situation, but rather that we are privy to observing styles that have been historically utilized by these individuals.