ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the phenomenon of verbal accessibility as a structural variable, an enduring facet of the client's personality. It concentrates on speech by clients that represents blocked, or partially-blocked, communication. There are two related features of verbal communications that the authors call duplicity. The aspect of duplicity derives from Kaiser's comment that the speaker does not appear to "stand behind his words". Kaiser does not explicitly define duplicity. Two main defensive functions are likely to be subserved by duplicity in communication. They may be labeled maneuvers to evade responsibility and maneuvers to retain control. The author characterizes such speech as representing "duplicity" in the interview. Some suggestions were made regarding modes of operation by the caseworker that may prove useful in helping the client overcome his tendency to use these defenses, momentarily or as part of a more pervasive life pattern.
