A Note on the Protomental System and "Groupishness": Bion's Basic Assumptions Revisited

In identifying the unconscious "basic assumption" behavior of groups, Bion made a significant discovery. Although he toyed with explaining this behavior as instinctive, he ultimately postulated that it was a postnatal defense. However, there is a strong case for the biogenetic explanation. This sharpens our understanding of some group and organizational processes that have been hitherto described in terms of psychoanalytic concepts. It may also have implications for management of, and interventions in, groups and larger systems.