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Psikodramada Spontanlık ve Yaratıcılığın Nöral Dinamikleri: Bütünleşik Bir Nöro-Psikodramatik Model

Year 2026, Volume: 18 Issue: 1, 163 - 177
https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1700533

Abstract

Psikodrama, etkililiği kapsamlı nitel ve nicel araştırmalarla doğrulanmış, klinik olan ve olmayan bağlamlarda geniş bir uygulama alanı bulan deneyimsel bir psikoterapi yöntemidir. Günümüz kuramcıları ve yazarları, psikodramanın iki temel kavramsal dayanağı olan eylem ve spontanlık-yaratıcılığın, yöntemin terapötik etkinliğinin özünü oluşturduğu konusunda hemfikirdir. Ancak mevcut literatürde eylem, spontanlık ve yaratıcılığın terapötik etkilerini hangi nöral mekanizmalar aracılığıyla gösterdiğine dair kapsamlı bir açıklama bulunmamaktadır. Son dönemlerde nörobilim ve psikoterapi arasındaki artan diyalog, psikodramanın altında yatan nöral mekanizmalara ışık tutma potansiyeline sahiptir. Öte yandan psikodramanın eylem odaklı doğası, onu diğer psikoterapi yaklaşımlarından ayırmakta ve psikodramayı, bir başka disiplin olan ekolojik psikolojinin perspektifinden incelemeyi gerekli kılmaktadır. Bu makale, psikodramadaki spontanlık ve yaratıcılığın altında yatan nörobilimsel ve psikolojik mekanizmaları açıklamak üzere bütünleşik bir nöro-psikodramatik model önermektedir. Bu model, algı-eylem döngüsü çerçevesinde konumlandırılan ekolojik psikolojiye ait afordans kavramının psikodramatik spontanlık-yaratıcılığa nasıl aracılık ettiğini vurgulamakta ve bilişsel/davranışsal esnekliğin nöral temellerinin spontanlık-yaratıcılığın nöral temelleriyle gösterdiği paralelliği ortaya koymaktadır. Bu bütüncül model, teorik anlayışı derinleştirmekte, gelecekteki ampirik araştırmalara yön vermekte ve psikodramatik terapötik müdahalelerin çağdaş nörobilimsel ve psikolojik paradigmalar çerçevesinde geliştirilmesini amaçlamaktadır.

Ethical Statement

Bu bütünleştirici derleme yalnızca daha önce yayımlanmış çalışmaların ikincil analizlerini içermekte olup, katılımcılardan doğrudan veri toplanmamıştır. Bu nedenle etik onay ve bilgilendirilmiş onam gerekmemiştir.

Thanks

Yazar, kaynakça listesinin düzenlenmesine katkılarından dolayı Naime Hatice Gürler’e teşekkür eder.

References

  • Aron AR, Robbins TW, Poldrack RA (2014) Inhibition and the right inferior frontal cortex: One decade on. Trends Cogn Sci, 18:177–185.
  • Beaty RE, Seli P, Schacter DL (2019) Network neuroscience of creative cognition: Mapping cognitive mechanisms and individual differences in the creative brain. Curr Opin Behav Sci, 27:22-30.
  • Biancalani G, Orkibi H (2025) Development and initial validation of the state spontaneity scale. Psychol Aesthet Creat Arts, doi:10.1037/aca0000752
  • Blatner A (2000) Foundations of Psychodrama: History, Theory, and Practice. 4th ed. New York, Springer.
  • Borghi AM, Riggio L (2015) Stable and variable affordances are both automatic and flexible. Front Hum Neurosci, 9:351.
  • Cisek P, Kalaska JF (2010). Neural mechanisms for interacting with a world full of action choices. Annu Rev Neurosci, 33:269-98.
  • Cole MW (2024) Cognitive flexibility as the shifting of brain network flows by flexible neural representations. Curr Opin Behav Sci, 57:101384.
  • Çataldaş SK, Atkan F, Eminoğlu A (2024) The effect of psychodrama-based intervention on therapeutic communication skills and cognitive flexibility among nursing students: A 12-month follow-up study. Nurse Educ Pract, 80:104118.
  • Davelaar PM, Araujo FS, Kipper DA (2008) The Revised Spontaneity Assessment Inventory (SAI-R): Relationship to goal orientation, motivation, perceived self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Arts Psychother, 35:117–128.
  • Fox J, ed. (2006) The essential Moreno: Writings on psychodrama, group method, and spontaneity. New York, Springer.
  • Frydman JS (2016) Role theory and executive functioning: Constructing cooperative paradigms of drama therapy and cognitive neuropsychology. Arts Psychother, 47:41-47.
  • Fuster JM (2004) Upper processing stages of the perception–action cycle. Trends Cogn Sci, 8:143–145.
  • Giacomucci S, Marquit J (2020) The effectiveness of trauma-focused psychodrama in the treatment of PTSD in inpatient substance abuse treatment. Front Psychol, 11:896.
  • Gibson JJ (1979) The theory of affordances. In Perceiving, Acting, and Knowing: Toward an Ecological Psychology (Eds R Shaw, J Bransford): 67–82. Hillsdale, Erlbaum.
  • Gibson JJ (1986) The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception. NewYork, Psychology Press.
  • Grajzel K, Acar S, Dumas D, Organisciak P, Berthiaume K (2023) Measuring flexibility: A text-mining approach. Front Psychol, 13:1093343.
  • Grèzes J, Decety J (2002) Does visual perception of object afford action? Evidence from a neuroimaging study. Neuropsychologia, 40(2):212-22.
  • Gougelet RJ, Terzibas C, Callan DE (2020) Cerebellum, basal ganglia, and cortex mediate performance of an aerial pursuit task. Front Hum Neurosci, 14:29.
  • Hirvonen J, Monto S, Wang SH, Palva JM, Palva S (2018) Dynamic large-scale network synchronization from perception to action. Netw Neurosci, 2(4):442–463.
  • Holmes P, Karp M, eds. (1991) Psychodrama: Inspiration and technique. London, Routledge.
  • Hug E (2007) A neuroscience perspective on psychodrama. In Psychodrama: Advances in Theory and Practice (Eds C Baim, J Burmeister, M Maciel).. London, Routledge.
  • Hurley S (2001) Perception and action: Alternative views. Synthese, 129:3-40.
  • Ionescu T (2011) Exploring the nature of cognitive flexibility. New Ideas Psychol, 30(2): 190-200.
  • Khaleghi N, Hashemi S, Peivandi M, Zafarmandi Ardabili S, Behjati M et al. (2024) EEG-based functional connectivity analysis of brain abnormalities: A systematic review study. Inform Med Unlocked, 47:101476.
  • Kashdan TB, Rottenberg J (2010) Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clin Psychol Rev, 30:865–878.
  • Kellermann PF (1992) Focus on Psychodrama: The Therapeutic Aspects of Psychodrama. London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  • Kipper DA, Hundal J (2003) A survey of clinical reports on the application of psychodrama. J Group Psychother Psychodrama Sociom, 55:141–157.
  • Kipper DA, Davelaar PM, Herst S (2009) Cognitive inhibition and spontaneity: An exploratory study. J Group Psychother Psychodram Sociom, 62:15-25.
  • Krüger RT (2002) Psychodrama als Aktionsmethode in der Traumatherapie und ihre Begründung mit den Konzepten der Rollentheorie und der Kreativitätstheorie. Z Psychodrama Soziom, 2002;1:117–146.
  • Kupis L, Goodman ZT, Kornfeld S, Hoang S, Romero C, Dirks B et al. (2021) Brain dynamics underlying cognitive flexibility across the lifespan. Cereb Cortex, 31:5263–5274.
  • Lim M, Carollo A, Chen SHA, Esposito G (2021) Surveying 80 years of psychodrama research: A scientometric review. Front Psychiatry, 12:780542.
  • Lim M, Carollo A, Bizzego A, Chen SA, Esposito G (2024) Decreased activation in left prefrontal cortex during role-play: An fNIRS study of the psychodrama sociocognitive model. Front Psychol, 15:1234-1243.
  • López-González MA, Morales-Landazábal P, Topa G (2021) Psychodrama group therapy for social ıssues: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18:4442.
  • Menon V (2023) 20 years of the default mode network: A review and synthesis. Neuron, 111:2469–2487.
  • Moreno JL (1953) Who shall Survive? Foundations of Sociometry, Group Psychotherapy, and Sociodrama. West Sussex, UK, Beacon House.
  • Niendam TA, Laird AR, Ray KL, Dean YM, Glahn DC, Carter CS (2012) Meta-analytic evidence for a superordinate cognitive control network subserving diverse executive functions. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci, 12:241-268.
  • Orkibi H, Feniger-Schaal R (2019) Integrative systematic review of psychodrama psychotherapy research: Trends and methodological implications. PLoS One, 14:e0212575.
  • Pick H, Fahoum N, Shamay-Tsoory SG (2025) Creating together: An interbrain model of group creativity. Neuropsychologia, 207:109063.
  • Ragozzino ME (2007) The contribution of the medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and dorsomedial striatum to behavioral flexibility. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1121:355-375.
  • Sakreida K, Effnert I, Thill S, Menz MM, Jirak D, Eickhoff CR et al (2016) Affordance processing in segregated parieto-frontal dorsal stream sub-pathways. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 69:89-112.
  • Schacht M (2007) Spontaneity–creativity: the psychodramatic concept of change. In Psychodrama: Advances in theory and practice (Eds C Baim, J Burmeister, M Maciel). London, Routledge.
  • Scorolli C (2019) Re-enacting the bodily self on stage: Embodied cognition meets psychoanalysis. Front Psychol, 10:492.
  • Tarashoeva G, Marinova P, Kojuharov H (2017) Effectiveness of psychodrama therapy in patients with panic disorders: Final results. Int J Psychother, 21:55–66.
  • Talebi N, Prochnow A, Frings C, Münchau A, Mückschel M, Beste C (2024) Neural mechanisms of adaptive behavior: Dissociating local cortical modulations and interregional communication patterns. iScience, 27:110995.
  • Thill S, Caligiore D, Borghi AM, Ziemke T, Baldassarre G (2013). Theories and computational models of affordance and mirror systems: An integrative review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 2013;37:491–521.
  • Torraco RJ (2005) Writing integrative literature reviews: guidelines and examples. Hum Resour Dev Rev, 4:356–367.
  • Uddin LQ (2021) Cognitive and behavioural flexibility: neural mechanisms and clinical considerations. Nat Rev Neurosci, 22:167–179.
  • Warren WH (2006) The dynamics of perception and action. Psychol Rev, 113:358–389.
  • Withagen R, Araújo D, de Poel HJ (2017) Inviting affordances and agency. New Ideas Psychol, 45:11-18.
  • Wu Y, Koutstaal W (2020) Charting the contributions of cognitive flexibility to creativity: self-guided transitions as a process-based index of creativity-related adaptivity. PLoS One, 15:e0234473.
  • Yaniv D (2012) Dynamics of creativity and empathy in role reversal: contributions from neuroscience. Rev Gen Psychol, 16:70–77.
  • Yaniv D (2014) Do not just think there, do something: A call for action in psychological science. Arts Psychother, 41:336–342
  • Yaniv D (2018) Trust the process: A new scientific outlook on psychodramatic spontaneity training. Front Psychol, 9:2083.
  • Yi S, O'doherty J (2023) Computational and neural mechanisms underlying the influence of action affordances on value-based choice. SSRN, doi:10.2139/ssrn.4545253
  • Zabelina DL, Robinson MD (2010) Creativity as flexible cognitive control. Psychol Aesthet Creat Arts, 4:136–143.
  • Zhang M, Peng Y (2023) Anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex as a hub of self-regulation: combining activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis and meta-analytic connectivity modeling analysis. Brain Struct Funct, 228:1329–1345.

Neural Dynamics of Spontaneity and Creativity in Psychodrama: An Integrated Neuro-Psychodramatic Model

Year 2026, Volume: 18 Issue: 1, 163 - 177
https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1700533

Abstract

Psychodrama is an experiential psychotherapeutic method whose effectiveness has been validated through extensive qualitative and quantitative research, finding broad applicability in both clinical and sub-clinical contexts. Contemporary theorists and authors agree that action and spontaneity-creativity, the two conceptual foundations of psychodrama, constitute the therapeutic core underlying its effectiveness. However, the existing literature lacks a comprehensive explanation of the neural mechanisms through which action, spontaneity, and creativity exert their therapeutic effects. The recent and growing dialogue between neuroscience and psychotherapy is likely to shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying psychodrama. On the other hand, the action-oriented nature of psychodrama, which distinguishes it from other psychotherapy approaches, necessitates examining it through the lens of another discipline—ecological psychology. This article proposes an integrated neuro-psychodramatic model to elucidate the neuroscientific and psychological mechanisms underpinning spontaneity and creativity in psychodrama, highlighting how the ecological psychology concept of affordances, situated within the perception-action cycle framework, mediates psychodramatic spontaneity-creativity, and demonstrating how the neural bases of cognitive/behavioral flexibility parallel those underlying spontaneity-creativity. This integrative model enhances theoretical understanding, guides future empirical research, and aims to optimize psychodramatic therapeutic interventions within contemporary neuroscientific and psychological paradigms.

Ethical Statement

This integrative review analyzes only previously published studies and does not involve any direct data collection from participants. Therefore, the author did not seek ethical approval or informed consent.

Thanks

The author would like to thank Naime Hatice Gürler for her contribution to the article for editing the reference list.

References

  • Aron AR, Robbins TW, Poldrack RA (2014) Inhibition and the right inferior frontal cortex: One decade on. Trends Cogn Sci, 18:177–185.
  • Beaty RE, Seli P, Schacter DL (2019) Network neuroscience of creative cognition: Mapping cognitive mechanisms and individual differences in the creative brain. Curr Opin Behav Sci, 27:22-30.
  • Biancalani G, Orkibi H (2025) Development and initial validation of the state spontaneity scale. Psychol Aesthet Creat Arts, doi:10.1037/aca0000752
  • Blatner A (2000) Foundations of Psychodrama: History, Theory, and Practice. 4th ed. New York, Springer.
  • Borghi AM, Riggio L (2015) Stable and variable affordances are both automatic and flexible. Front Hum Neurosci, 9:351.
  • Cisek P, Kalaska JF (2010). Neural mechanisms for interacting with a world full of action choices. Annu Rev Neurosci, 33:269-98.
  • Cole MW (2024) Cognitive flexibility as the shifting of brain network flows by flexible neural representations. Curr Opin Behav Sci, 57:101384.
  • Çataldaş SK, Atkan F, Eminoğlu A (2024) The effect of psychodrama-based intervention on therapeutic communication skills and cognitive flexibility among nursing students: A 12-month follow-up study. Nurse Educ Pract, 80:104118.
  • Davelaar PM, Araujo FS, Kipper DA (2008) The Revised Spontaneity Assessment Inventory (SAI-R): Relationship to goal orientation, motivation, perceived self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Arts Psychother, 35:117–128.
  • Fox J, ed. (2006) The essential Moreno: Writings on psychodrama, group method, and spontaneity. New York, Springer.
  • Frydman JS (2016) Role theory and executive functioning: Constructing cooperative paradigms of drama therapy and cognitive neuropsychology. Arts Psychother, 47:41-47.
  • Fuster JM (2004) Upper processing stages of the perception–action cycle. Trends Cogn Sci, 8:143–145.
  • Giacomucci S, Marquit J (2020) The effectiveness of trauma-focused psychodrama in the treatment of PTSD in inpatient substance abuse treatment. Front Psychol, 11:896.
  • Gibson JJ (1979) The theory of affordances. In Perceiving, Acting, and Knowing: Toward an Ecological Psychology (Eds R Shaw, J Bransford): 67–82. Hillsdale, Erlbaum.
  • Gibson JJ (1986) The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception. NewYork, Psychology Press.
  • Grajzel K, Acar S, Dumas D, Organisciak P, Berthiaume K (2023) Measuring flexibility: A text-mining approach. Front Psychol, 13:1093343.
  • Grèzes J, Decety J (2002) Does visual perception of object afford action? Evidence from a neuroimaging study. Neuropsychologia, 40(2):212-22.
  • Gougelet RJ, Terzibas C, Callan DE (2020) Cerebellum, basal ganglia, and cortex mediate performance of an aerial pursuit task. Front Hum Neurosci, 14:29.
  • Hirvonen J, Monto S, Wang SH, Palva JM, Palva S (2018) Dynamic large-scale network synchronization from perception to action. Netw Neurosci, 2(4):442–463.
  • Holmes P, Karp M, eds. (1991) Psychodrama: Inspiration and technique. London, Routledge.
  • Hug E (2007) A neuroscience perspective on psychodrama. In Psychodrama: Advances in Theory and Practice (Eds C Baim, J Burmeister, M Maciel).. London, Routledge.
  • Hurley S (2001) Perception and action: Alternative views. Synthese, 129:3-40.
  • Ionescu T (2011) Exploring the nature of cognitive flexibility. New Ideas Psychol, 30(2): 190-200.
  • Khaleghi N, Hashemi S, Peivandi M, Zafarmandi Ardabili S, Behjati M et al. (2024) EEG-based functional connectivity analysis of brain abnormalities: A systematic review study. Inform Med Unlocked, 47:101476.
  • Kashdan TB, Rottenberg J (2010) Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clin Psychol Rev, 30:865–878.
  • Kellermann PF (1992) Focus on Psychodrama: The Therapeutic Aspects of Psychodrama. London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  • Kipper DA, Hundal J (2003) A survey of clinical reports on the application of psychodrama. J Group Psychother Psychodrama Sociom, 55:141–157.
  • Kipper DA, Davelaar PM, Herst S (2009) Cognitive inhibition and spontaneity: An exploratory study. J Group Psychother Psychodram Sociom, 62:15-25.
  • Krüger RT (2002) Psychodrama als Aktionsmethode in der Traumatherapie und ihre Begründung mit den Konzepten der Rollentheorie und der Kreativitätstheorie. Z Psychodrama Soziom, 2002;1:117–146.
  • Kupis L, Goodman ZT, Kornfeld S, Hoang S, Romero C, Dirks B et al. (2021) Brain dynamics underlying cognitive flexibility across the lifespan. Cereb Cortex, 31:5263–5274.
  • Lim M, Carollo A, Chen SHA, Esposito G (2021) Surveying 80 years of psychodrama research: A scientometric review. Front Psychiatry, 12:780542.
  • Lim M, Carollo A, Bizzego A, Chen SA, Esposito G (2024) Decreased activation in left prefrontal cortex during role-play: An fNIRS study of the psychodrama sociocognitive model. Front Psychol, 15:1234-1243.
  • López-González MA, Morales-Landazábal P, Topa G (2021) Psychodrama group therapy for social ıssues: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18:4442.
  • Menon V (2023) 20 years of the default mode network: A review and synthesis. Neuron, 111:2469–2487.
  • Moreno JL (1953) Who shall Survive? Foundations of Sociometry, Group Psychotherapy, and Sociodrama. West Sussex, UK, Beacon House.
  • Niendam TA, Laird AR, Ray KL, Dean YM, Glahn DC, Carter CS (2012) Meta-analytic evidence for a superordinate cognitive control network subserving diverse executive functions. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci, 12:241-268.
  • Orkibi H, Feniger-Schaal R (2019) Integrative systematic review of psychodrama psychotherapy research: Trends and methodological implications. PLoS One, 14:e0212575.
  • Pick H, Fahoum N, Shamay-Tsoory SG (2025) Creating together: An interbrain model of group creativity. Neuropsychologia, 207:109063.
  • Ragozzino ME (2007) The contribution of the medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and dorsomedial striatum to behavioral flexibility. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1121:355-375.
  • Sakreida K, Effnert I, Thill S, Menz MM, Jirak D, Eickhoff CR et al (2016) Affordance processing in segregated parieto-frontal dorsal stream sub-pathways. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 69:89-112.
  • Schacht M (2007) Spontaneity–creativity: the psychodramatic concept of change. In Psychodrama: Advances in theory and practice (Eds C Baim, J Burmeister, M Maciel). London, Routledge.
  • Scorolli C (2019) Re-enacting the bodily self on stage: Embodied cognition meets psychoanalysis. Front Psychol, 10:492.
  • Tarashoeva G, Marinova P, Kojuharov H (2017) Effectiveness of psychodrama therapy in patients with panic disorders: Final results. Int J Psychother, 21:55–66.
  • Talebi N, Prochnow A, Frings C, Münchau A, Mückschel M, Beste C (2024) Neural mechanisms of adaptive behavior: Dissociating local cortical modulations and interregional communication patterns. iScience, 27:110995.
  • Thill S, Caligiore D, Borghi AM, Ziemke T, Baldassarre G (2013). Theories and computational models of affordance and mirror systems: An integrative review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 2013;37:491–521.
  • Torraco RJ (2005) Writing integrative literature reviews: guidelines and examples. Hum Resour Dev Rev, 4:356–367.
  • Uddin LQ (2021) Cognitive and behavioural flexibility: neural mechanisms and clinical considerations. Nat Rev Neurosci, 22:167–179.
  • Warren WH (2006) The dynamics of perception and action. Psychol Rev, 113:358–389.
  • Withagen R, Araújo D, de Poel HJ (2017) Inviting affordances and agency. New Ideas Psychol, 45:11-18.
  • Wu Y, Koutstaal W (2020) Charting the contributions of cognitive flexibility to creativity: self-guided transitions as a process-based index of creativity-related adaptivity. PLoS One, 15:e0234473.
  • Yaniv D (2012) Dynamics of creativity and empathy in role reversal: contributions from neuroscience. Rev Gen Psychol, 16:70–77.
  • Yaniv D (2014) Do not just think there, do something: A call for action in psychological science. Arts Psychother, 41:336–342
  • Yaniv D (2018) Trust the process: A new scientific outlook on psychodramatic spontaneity training. Front Psychol, 9:2083.
  • Yi S, O'doherty J (2023) Computational and neural mechanisms underlying the influence of action affordances on value-based choice. SSRN, doi:10.2139/ssrn.4545253
  • Zabelina DL, Robinson MD (2010) Creativity as flexible cognitive control. Psychol Aesthet Creat Arts, 4:136–143.
  • Zhang M, Peng Y (2023) Anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex as a hub of self-regulation: combining activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis and meta-analytic connectivity modeling analysis. Brain Struct Funct, 228:1329–1345.
There are 56 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Social and Affective Neuroscience, Psychological Methodology, Design and Analysis
Journal Section Review
Authors

Pınar Kurt Combil 0000-0001-8980-7414

Publication Date October 9, 2025
Submission Date May 16, 2025
Acceptance Date August 4, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 18 Issue: 1

Cite

AMA Kurt Combil P. Neural Dynamics of Spontaneity and Creativity in Psychodrama: An Integrated Neuro-Psychodramatic Model. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry. 18(1):163-177. doi:10.18863/pgy.1700533

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