Jacob Moreno: Founder of Psychodrama and Sociometry

Jacob Moreno

Jacob Levy Moreno (1889–1974) was a Romanian-American psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and social scientist, renowned as the founder of psychodrama, sociometry, and a pioneer of group psychotherapy. His innovative approaches have significantly influenced modern psychotherapy, social psychology, and the study of interpersonal relationships.(心理学维基)

🧠 Early Life and Education

Born on May 18, 1889, in Bucharest, Romania, Moreno moved with his family to Vienna during his childhood. He pursued medical studies at the University of Vienna, earning his degree in 1917. During his time in Vienna, Moreno developed a keen interest in improvisational theater and the dynamics of human interaction, which later became foundational to his therapeutic methods. (Michigan Psychodrama Center, Michigan Psychodrama Center)

🎭 Psychodrama and the Theater of Spontaneity

In the early 1920s, Moreno established the "Theater of Spontaneity" in Vienna, introducing a form of improvisational theater that emphasized spontaneous expression and role-playing. This theatrical approach laid the groundwork for psychodrama, a therapeutic method where individuals enact scenes from their lives to gain insight and achieve emotional catharsis. (维基百科)

🌐 Sociometry and Social Network Analysis

Moreno introduced sociometry, a quantitative method for measuring social relationships within groups. By mapping interpersonal connections, sociometry aimed to uncover the underlying structures of social groups, facilitating better understanding and improvement of group dynamics. (维基百科)

🇺🇸 Career in the United States

In 1925, Moreno immigrated to the United States, where he continued to develop and promote his therapeutic techniques. He founded the Beacon Hill Sanitarium in New York and established the Therapeutic Theater, further advancing the practice of psychodrama. In 1942, he founded the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, solidifying his influence in the field. (维基百科, Cambridge University Press & Assessment)

📚 Selected Works

Who Shall Survive? (1934)
Psychodrama Volumes 1–3 (1946–1969)
Sociometry, Experimental Method and the Science of Society (1951)
The Theatre of Spontaneity (1947)(维基百科, 维基百科)

🧬 Legacy

Jacob Moreno's contributions have left an enduring mark on psychotherapy and social sciences. His development of psychodrama and sociometry provided novel ways to explore and understand human behavior and relationships. Today, his methods continue to be utilized in various therapeutic and organizational settings worldwide. (Michigan Psychodrama Center)