Sociodrama is an action method using the techniques of doubling, mirroring, soliloquy to explore social issues, political and other conflicts between groups and societies. Unlike psychodrama, sociodrama involves people in their social roles in a special social context.

 

For example, in a ward team the representatives of the different job categories such as psychiatrists, nurses, administrators, psychologists, psychotherapists can work through their different views and interventions in their work with the patients. Controversial issues can be expressed  and solved verbally or in action. The different subgroups can change position with each other and gain a better understanding of the other categories’ professional approaches, way of thinking and in general, gain insight into their different aspects of the same situation.

 

Sociodrama is a method to cure society, which J L Moreno, the inventor of the method calls Sociatry.

 

Sociodrama is also a diagnostic and problem solving instrument on group level. Its focus can be put on a subject the groups wish to get a broader view of. For example, the refugee question can be explored by taking the position of the refugees, the inhabitants of the village or the island where the refugees arrive, the social authorities, the municipality, the volunteers, the families left behind and all other groups involved in the issue. Through representation of the different social categories, the values, wishes and experiences can be played out by spontaneous improvisation. After a sociodramatic enactment the group can study and analyse the global picture the members experienced from within.

Sociodrama can also evolve out of the actual group dynamics of a certain group

( Sociodrama in situ).

Sociodrama involves role theory, systemic theory, problem solving theories, conflict theories, action research and action methods.

It can be used to build up future social structures, organisational management, role training and role development.

Sociodrama can be carried out by one or more sociodrama leaders helping each other and the group to spontaneous play as catalyzers of the process.