Greetings Friends,
I have been following the threads in the "What is Depth Psychology" discussion group, especially the Lively Discussion thread. There seems to be something bubbling up that I cannot quite put my finger on. I know one is Linda's question about experimenting or doing research on members through the discussion groups without informed consent. She is concerned that this may be occurring. And, I just don't understand Aleksander and his comments.
Anyway, as one has time to read and comment, that might be good. I would love to hear thoughts too in the board forum if there is something interesting or of concern bubbling up.
Hope everyone is well and will see you the 10th.
Jess
Replies
Hello All,
I too, have been following the discussion on "What is Depth Psychology" and know precisely what Jesse is referring to here as I believe I opened the lively discussion chat. Alexsander has been quite active on my webinar chat group as well and has been a challenge to follow. It may be language and certainly it is a cultural difference. He is trying to engage and make sense of concepts that are new to him. Linda also has been active on that site and she and Alexsander have had quite a number of conversations. They are not always clear to me either but I would not worry too much as they seem to have established some relationship between themselves although it appears rather obscure to those of us on the outside.
I have made comments where I can. Linda has been active throughout my recent webinar as well and I don't have the sense that she is concerned about her safety in this group.
I think James' idea about a 2-tiered level may be a useful one for those who feel that they want a more private group. However, we are each responsible ultimately for the visibility that we expose here. It is not meant to be therapy group. I have in the past experienced this issue of vulnerability in writing groups I have attended and it is certainly an issue in dreams groups where what we share is arising out of the unconscious long before the conscious mind has had a chance to decipher the meaning of the images and message.
Perhaps, we can clarify to people that what is revealed on DPA is not confidential in the sense that therapy would and point them back as Bonnie already has to the Depth List for therapy is they so feel the need to explore the unconscious realms of psyche.
Lastly, taking Depth psychology "out into the streets" moves us into the world and out towards activism. Therefore, perhaps we need to further explore how to do this safely. Inevitably, we will draw in people who have not engaged in inner work and do not yet understand metaphor. Is more education and clarification important here?
I'm reminded of a basic tenet in developing company policies--for the most part, they aren't needed for those who use common sense and are respectful of others. Putting policies in writing is important for the individual who isn't thinking, or takes advantage, or takes exception (leading to litigation). At their best, policies help people get their needs met. They also are part of a risk management strategy.
One factor is how frequently the issue comes up. I don't know what the likelihood is that others share Linda's concern. If we think it should be spelled out, we could have a click-policy statement that one must accept upon joining any group that defines how content and ideas expressed in the group may be used. In addition to basic respect for confidentiality, it could notify group members (officially) of the public nature of the forum, and (possibly) define how information from the posts can be used (or not).
Michael, I am glad you didn't see the comment initially, because I didn't either! Jesse, as you reposted her comment here, I became curious as to what (and who) she thinks the DPA is and what it is about.
Perhaps part of the over-arching concerns of people's information being mined for undisclosed purposes (such as FB)? Since we are about soul and depth, sharings often are very raw and honest, making one vulnerable.
This also brings up the need to discuss this further, I think, as we open up the DPA to the public. Will people like Linda, who want a place to explore depth psychology and their own thoughts and processes feel naked, exposed, and open to unsympathetic eyes? Just a thought...
Jess, Michael, and Donna,
First of all, anyone, anywhere might be subject to someone doing 'research' without obtaining consent. Asking someone to fill out a survey about what kind programs they would like is not anything like human subject research (if only Jungians were actually interested in that kind of empricism!).
My main point though, is to address Donna's observation that "...sharings often are very raw and honest, making one vulnerable." For me, this is another excellent reason for developing a 2nd tier of the DPA (i.e. certain things only available to paid subscribers). Paid subscribers would be able to join groups and discussions that are not open to the public and that are more closely moderated, have confidentiality requirements/requests, etc.
James
Thanks Jess. I missed that somehow. I'd be curious to know what prompted that concern. It is certainly not one that crossed my mind.
Greetings,
I didn't quite understand the researching "without informed consent". Is that in the "What is DP?" forum? I read Linda's comments and couldn't find anything that sounded like that, but maybe I missed it.
Blessings,
Michael
Michael,
This is the section from Linda that I was specifically referring to:
"I specifically and directly want to know from Aleksandar or the DPA Board – are we virtual research subjects? If so, and I am participating in someone’s current or future research projects, papers [a virtual test subject]; then, and at a minimum, I want to be informed ahead of time and have opportunity to consent or not > Reasonable in virtual land or not?
After all, I am sharing personal and experientially from across my lifespan, especially the sharing of my “rude awakenings/healing journeys that plummeted me in/out of raw existential angst. And if my story, the sharing of my life experience content, as released into the DPA community is going to be used in anyone’s publication, will I be informed, have opportunity to provide or deny consent if that is even an option in virtual community spaces?
Are these reasonable "virtual reality" questions this morning as we venture down the panel discussion road considering DPA future? "
Jess