Dobbeltbudskap

Dobbeltbudskap, often translated as double bind or double message, refers to a communication dilemma where an individual receives conflicting messages, and the conflicting nature of the messages prevents a satisfactory response. The recipient is placed in a situation where any response they make will be incorrect or lead to negative consequences, regardless of their choice. This often occurs within relationships where there is a power imbalance, such as between a parent and child or in certain therapeutic contexts.

The concept was first elaborated by anthropologist Gregory Bateson and his colleagues in the 1950s. They theorized that prolonged exposure to double bind situations could contribute to psychological distress. The key elements of a double bind typically include:

1. Two or more people involved, where one is in a primary relationship with the other.

2. Repeated experience of a complex injunction, which is a command or prohibition.

3. A secondary injunction, often at a more abstract level, which conflicts with the first.

4. A tertiary injunction that prohibits the victim from escaping the field.

For example, a parent might tell a child to "be more spontaneous," which is a command to act spontaneously, but the very act of commanding spontaneity undermines its authenticity. If the child asks for clarification or expresses confusion, they may be accused of not understanding or of being difficult, thus reinforcing the bind. The inability to comment on the contradictory nature of the messages further traps the individual.