Paul Watzlawick (Philosopher) - Palo Alto, United States

Paul Watzlawick — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:09:38 -0500

Paul Watzlawick, Ph.D (July 24, 1921 - March 31, 2007) was a theoretician in Communication Theory and Radical Constructivism and has commented in the fields of family therapy and general psychotherapy. He was one of the most influential figures at the Mental Research Institute and lived and worked in Palo Alto, California until his death at the age of 85.

Watzlawick's work "Pragramics of Human Communication" became a cornerstone work of communication theory.

Watzlawick derived a lot of his ideas from the works of Gregory Bateson, especially his theories of double-bind and the concept of schismogenesis.
Address: Palo Alto, United States
Contact: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/paul_watzlawick
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Gregory Bateson (Writer) - United States

Gregory Bateson — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:01:57 -0500

Gregory Bateson was a prominent anthropologist. He developed a concept of schismogenesis and the theory of double bind in schizophrenia.

According to Bateson, humans have a natural inclination towards schismogenesis (schismo – division, genesis – creation) – cumulative sequences of behavior that lead to the extreme. For example, schismogenesis can be found in dominance-submission patterns of behavior, contests and competitions, falling in love (with signs reversed), war. Schismogesis leads to escalation on both sides, until a certain "release" is reached, either through ceasing the activity or subjects' self-destruction (orgasm, argument, fighting, and so on).

There are two types of schismogenesis: symmetrical differentiation and complementary differentiation. Symmetrical differentiation usually manifests itself through similar behaviors on both sides, that feed on each other (for example, arms race, display of power, etc.), while complementary differentiation includes situations when the behaviors are totally different (dominance-submission, display-observation, etc.)
Both patterns of behavior, Bateson found, lead to escalation on both side until the relationship ceases to exist.
A way to avoid conflict, then, is to detect the pattern and stop escalation on one side, so that the pattern ceases to exist. For example, in case of arms race one side might respond complementary instead of symmetrically: instead of increasing the number of warheads, they might as well decrease it and with it attempt to reverse the pattern.

Studying Balinese tribes he found, however, that they had a different kind of behavior patters, which displayed elements of both complementary and symmetrical differentiation. Furthermore, these tribes never had major wars and very rarely – personal conflicts. Bateson assumed, therefore, that in order for a relationship not to lead to schismogenesis (and confict), it should contain both complementary and symmetrical patterns at the same time. This has been applied widely in many fields: from psychology to politics.

Bateson's theory of schizophrenia (double bind) states that schizophrenic behavior occurs when a subject is caught in a "catch 22" situation: it's impossible to do something, but it's also impossible not to do it. This evokes schisophrenic symptoms, which is simply a way of coping with this situation. An example might be when a child repeatedly hears from his parents: "Don't trust anybody" – this creates a double bind where accepting validity of this message means contradicting its contents.

His volume "Steps to an Ecology of Mind" is a good compilation of his essays, which inspired generations of anthropologists, psychologists, and social scientists.
Address: United States
Contact: http://www.oikos.org/baten.htm
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Paul Watzlawick (Philosopher) - Palo Alto, United States

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