ABSTRACT
Term introduced by G.Bateson and P.Watzlawick in their research on schizophrenia for a pathological behavior pattern in which a speaker A simultaneously directs two contradictory messages to an emotionally dependent hearer B. Because of the asymmetrical relationship between A and B (e.g. parent-child), B is not in a position to criticize the paradoxical manner of behavior or to point out the absurdity of the expression. According to this theory, continued exposure to such contrary messages can lead to schizophrenic symptoms. The contradictory directions can be expressed through both verbal and non-verbal channels, e.g. words of approval combined with a look of rejection. A decisive factor in the double-bind theory is the impossibility of escape from the paradox.
