Gregory Bateson: Double bind

Question 37

Full double bind

Full double bind requires which four conditions to be met? (Source: Wikipedia…)

Answer 37

1. Contradictory injunctions or emotional messages on different levels of communication
2. No metacommunication is possible
3. The victim cannot leave the communication field
4. Failing to fulfill the contradictory injunctions is punished.

Question 55

What are the five necessary ingredients for a double bind situation?

(Source: Bateson 1972:206-207)

Answer 55

• Two or more persons
• Repeated experience
• A primary negative injunction
• A secondary injunction, conflicting with the first at a more abstract level
• A tertiary negative injunction prohibiting the victim from escaping from the field

Question 56

When is the complete set of ingredients no longer necessary for a double bind situation?

(Source: Bateson 1972:207)

Answer 56

When the victim has learned to perceive his universe in double bind patterns.

(Almost any part of a double bind sequence may then be sufficient to precipitate panic or rage.)