Psychoanalysing Social Issues: Robert Still and the Imago Group.

In this article I correct previous misconceptions about the London-based Imago Group (1954–71). In doing so I provide the first ever detailed history of the group, and of the role of the composer, Robert Still, in founding it in 1953 as an analysand society geared to its members using their experience of having been psychoanalysed in seeking to understand social issues and improve society. Examples are given of papers presented in this vein during the group's history of monthly meetings beginning in February 1954. Reasons for the group's demise following its meeting in July 1971 are also indicated as are examples of its inspiring similar groups in Canada and in Britain, including the Oxford-based New Imago Forum concerned with psychoanalysing social issues today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]