How do members of a group typically respond during negative transference?

During instances of negative transference within a group setting, members often project their unresolved feelings and experiences onto the therapist or leader. This can manifest as challenging behaviors. When individuals experience negative transference, they may see the therapist not as a supportive figure but rather as a representation of someone from their past whom they have unresolved conflicts or negative feelings towards.

Challenging the leader continuously reflects this dynamic, as group members may express their frustrations, doubts, or criticisms in a way that signals their internal conflicts rather than any actual deficiencies in the leader's approach. This confrontation can serve as a way for members to work through their feelings and reactions, potentially leading to a therapeutic benefit if managed appropriately.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the typical responses to negative transference. For example, praising the leader would suggest a positive relationship, and embracing the therapist's guidance implies a trust that is unlikely amidst negative transference. Ignoring the therapist's presence may occur in different contexts but does not directly relate to the process of negative transference as a form of conflictual projection. Understanding that members challenge the leader reflects a significant aspect of the therapeutic process where members are working through their issues rather than forming a straightforward positive dynamic.