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Sociodrama (E. Paul Torrance)

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According to Paul Torrance in Sociodrama as a Creative Problem Solving Approach to Studying the Future (The Journal of creative behavior Sep 1975), Sociodrama is "a creative problem solving procedure which uses dramatic techniques to produce and test alternative solutions in group or social conflict." This technique was invented by Torrance and is based on the work of J.L. Moreno (1946, 1975), the founder of sociometry, psychodrama, and sociodrama. 

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Sociodrama has 8 process steps:

  1. Defining the problem

  2. Establishing the situation

  3. Casting characters

  4. Warming up

  5. Acting out

  6. Cutting the action

  7. Discussion

  8. Future planning

 

Sociodrama can be useful to:

  1. Provide opportunity to practice the confrontation and resolution of interpersonal conflicts

  2. Make yourself aware of your attitudes and provide opportunity to explore change

  3. Become educated about the emotions that arise in conflict situations

  4. Practice decision making and implementation skills

  5. Create opportunities to practice training

  6. Explore the connections between the present and the future

  7. Examine social roles both self and common societal roles

  8. Put yourself in another's shoes

  9. Use as a warm-up to stimulate creative production in groups

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Further reading:

  • Torrance, E.P. (1979). Sociodrama as a creative problem-solving approach to studying the future. Journal of Creative Behavior, 9, 182-195.

  • Torrance, E.P. (1978). Sociodrama and the creative process. New York: Geigy Pharmaceuticals.

  • Torrance, E.P. (1981). Use of sociodrama in teaching emotionally troubled children. In M.M. Wood (Ed.), Developmental therapy sourcebook, Volume II, Fantasy and make believe. Austin, TX: Pro-ed.

  • Torrance, E.P., Murdock, M.C. & Fletcher, D. (in press). Socio-drama as creative problem solving. Buffalo, NY: Bearly Limited.

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