Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Psychology) An unresolvable dilemma; a situation in which a person receives contradictory messages or demands from a powerful source, leading to psychological distress. This term originates from psychology and communication theory, describing a "no-win" scenario where any response to one demand violates another.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

Advanced Usage

• "To be in a double bind": To be trapped in such a contradictory situation.
• "A double-bind situation/communication": Used to modify nouns describing the context.

Variants and Related Words

• Double-bind (adjective, often hyphenated when used attributively): Describing a situation or communication of this type.
• Bind (noun): A difficult situation. "Double bind" is a specific, more severe type of bind.
• Dilemma (noun): A situation requiring a choice between two equally undesirable options. A double bind is a specific kind of dilemma with contradictory injunctions.
• Catch-22 (noun): A paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules. This is a close synonym, though "Catch-22" often implies bureaucratic absurdity, while "double bind" emphasizes relational power dynamics.

Synonyms

• No-win situation
• Paradoxical injunction (specialized term)
• Catch-22
• Lose-lose situation

Related Phrases

• "Damned if you do, damned if you don't": An idiomatic expression describing the essence of a double bind.

Notes on Meaning

The core of a "double bind" involves three key elements: 1) A relationship where one person feels dependent on another (the powerful source), 2) A primary, contradictory injunction (e.g., "Be spontaneous!"), and 3) The inability to escape or comment on the contradiction. It is more than a simple dilemma; it is a psychologically binding paradox imposed within a relationship.

Noun

1. (psychology) an unresolvable dilemma; situation in which a person receives contradictory messages from a person who is very powerful