Activity Group Therapy takes a fascinating look into the psycho-therapeutic practices of the 1950s. Using hidden cameras and microphones, the film captures 10 year old emotionally troubled boys participating in play therapy with only a neutral therapist looking on. The boys have problems such as aggressiveness, anxiety, and effeminacy. The therapist does almost nothing as the boys play out their anxieties with each other, including setting a hot plate on fire, ransacking cupboards not meant for them, and hitting each other with saws. This kind of therapy does not exist in this form anymore, but at the time, this film was made to educate professionals on how to provide this non-structured play therapy. The film presents the development of each boy over time, attempting to show how the therapy has worked in each case. Activity Group Therapy is a startling look back at a time when the ethics of psychology had not been ironed out.
Included Films:
Activity Group Therapy
Activity Group Therapy
Produced: 1950
Length: 50 Minutes
Activity Group Therapy takes a fascinating look into the psychotherapeutic practices of the 1950s. Using hidden cameras and microphones, the film captures 10 year old emotionally troubled boys participating in play therapy with only a neutral therapist looking on. The boys have problems such as aggressiveness, anxiety, and effeminacy. The therapist does almost nothing as the boys play out their anxieties with each other, including setting a hot plate on fire, ransacking cupboards not meant for them, and hitting each other with saws. This kind of therapy does not exist in this form anymore, but at the time, this film was made to educate professionals on how to provide this non-structured play therapy. The film presents the development of each boy over time, attempting to show how the therapy has worked in each case. Activity Group Therapy is a startling look back at a time when the ethics of psychology had not been ironed out.
