double bind

a situation in which an individual receives contradictory messages from another person. For example, a parent may respond negatively when his or her child approaches or attempts to engage in affectionate behavior but then, when the child turns away or tries to leave, reaches out to encourage the child to return. Double-binding communication was once considered a causative factor in schizophrenia. [proposed by British anthropologist Gregory Bateson (1904–1980)]

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

afterdischarge

n. continued production of nerve impulses after the stimulus that caused the activity has been removed.