The Northfield Experiments, which were conducted during World War II, mark an important moment in the development of psychiatry and in the therapeutic community movement. This volume records the experiments in detail. Through work with soldiers suffering from neurosis, two forms of group psychotherapy were developed. These challenged the traditional view of psychiatric patients as passive recipients of treatments. The First Experiment, conducted over the winter of 1942-43, was led by Wilfred Bion and John Rickman and emphasized the importance of the here-and-now experience, relationships within groups and the relevance of the social setting to the patient. The Second Experiment was based on more traditional psychoanalytic concepts and was evolved by Sigmund Foulkes during his work at the hospital. This study locates the experiments within the progress of social psychology during the early 20th century, and the development of a new theory of military psychology. Harrison describes what actually happened within the hospital, drawing on interviews and letters as well as published material.
As well as providing an account of a significant advance in psychiatry, the book demonstrates the importance of the experiments for psychiatrists working today.