Double bind interaction

Double Bind is a communicative situation where a person receives different or contradictory messages. The term was coined by the anthropologist Gregory Bateson, and was an attempt to suggest a possible mechanism or underpinning for schizophrenia from an anti-biologist perspective (in other words to proffer an explanation without requiring the assumption of organic brain dysfunction). The phenomenon itself was functionally observed in its negative sense, and utilised in a therapeutic context, by Milton Erickson. The Double bind is based on paradox turned to contradiction.

In non-psychological circumstances, the phrase "catch-22" (based on the book of that title) has come into popular use to describe a less formal style of double bind, a cyclical conundrum, or "no-win situation". A Catch-22 situation, like a double bind, is also inherently self-defeating: the very act of trying to solve it prevents it from happening.

A double bind occurs when the following hold true (this is a less formal description, the technical description is given in source references). Because of the nature of his/her situation:
 * The person must (or cannot) do X.
 * The person must (or cannot) do Y, which conflicts with X.
 * The person cannot do neither of X and Y.
 * The person cannot ignore X and Y.
 * Any commentary on the absurdity of the situation is strictly forbidden.

Thus the essence of a double-bind is two conflicting internal demands, neither of which can be ignored, which leave the victim torn both ways in such a way that whichever demand they try to meet, the other demand is unacceptably (to them) being failed. "I must do it but I can't do it" is a typical description of the double-bind experience. It demands that they solve what is (to them) an unsolvable inavoidable problem.

Symptomatically, the person will often describe how, as they work towards some goal, "something keeps getting in the way" and pulling them back, until they are dragged back to the start repeatedly. Experienced this way, it is similar in impact to, and often connected with, secondary gains.

The contradictory message-complex can originate from one or several people. For example, different parents giving different messages, neither of which can be ignored, such as a mother saying one thing ("Tim, go to bed"), and by mediating another message through non-verbal communication (lying totally indifferent in front of the TV). But there are also situations where several individuals are involved in producing the double bind effect. A subordinate being assigned two contradictory tasks ("Get me some coffee"; "You're not supposed to make coffee, your assignment is to never leave that phone"), is a situation that presupposes two persons in addition to the victim.

The solution to a double-bind is in essence, to place the problem in a larger context, which admits of a solution, or to identify additional factors and information which allow the two conflicting needs to be reconciled internally.

Phrase examples

 * Have you stopped beating your wife yet? - (you will be condemned whether you answer yes or no.)
 * All generalizations are meaningless
 * A sign saying "do not read this sign"
 * The commands "be independent" and "question authority"