Brief Report

Language as potential space for relational positioning: Exploring language use as a manifestation of leadership anxiety dynamics

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 29 , issue 1 , 2019 , pages: 80–83

DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2019.1568002

Author(s): Aden-Paul Flotman Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, South Africa , Michelle S. May Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, South Africa , Frans Cilliers Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, South Africa

Keywords: colliquation , leadership attack , persecutory objects , potential space , transitional phenomena

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Abstract

This exploratory study considered language use as a manifestation of anxiety in work and everyday settings. Respondents were seven psychology practitioners from across the discipline (following a psychodynamic approach), who reflected on the dynamics of language use associated with their social and occupational roles. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis revealed the way in which participants characterised their language use in managing the language of titles and defining potential space for relational, regressive and defensive purposes.

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