The concepts of task, pretask and work in the theory of E. Pichon-Rivière

Abstract

It is not easy to differentiate “task” and “work” from the perspective of Pichon-Rivière’s conceptual framework, because both concepts have a fundamental place within his theory. The task is the march of a group or one subject towards their goal; it is a praxis or trajectory that can be characterized as multidimensional and dialectical. The work, like the task, is an activity that organizes individual and collective subjectivities, but there are important differences between them. The pre-task is a form of subjectivity (thinking, feeling and acting) opposed to the task: it expresses a resistance to change. Although frequently alienated and replicator of social inequality, work often generates – paradoxically – a strengthening of identity, satisfaction of acknowledgment needs and personal and social development. For these reason, work can be assimilated to a task, activity that is, by definition, healthy.