Social dream-drawing: a socioanalytic method for studying identity work

Abstract

Rooted in socioanalytic methodology, social dream drawing is presented in this chapter as a novel method for studying identity work. Social dream drawing entails facilitating a small-group work session along a systematic procedure to draw on both the conscious and unconscious aspects of identity work. Social dream drawing provides a space for reflective thinking aimed at surfacing participants’ associative unconscious thoughts and experiences and to consciously explore these for new insight and meaning. The chapter presents a case study example of a small group of women reflecting on their work-life challenges, demonstrating how the method generates a rich pool of data reflecting identity tensions and the identity work dynamics at play in attempting to resolve them. Social dream drawing draws on action research principles in that identity work is simultaneously facilitated and studied in the work session.