Abstract
Clinical observations suggest a link between dissociative experiences in adult patients and underexposure to ambiguous communications during certain developmental phases. Formal characteristics of ambiguous and paradoxical communications are examined in detail. A theory is proposed which connects parental fear and intolerance of ambiguity with the offspring's inability to integrate paradoxical aspects of reality. This theory is contrasted with the double-bind theory which states that an abundance of certain paradoxical communications is schizophrenogenic. The therapeutic doublebind is seen as a replacement of essential paradoxical communications which were scarce and inadequate rather than overabundant during crucial developmental phases.
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