The Alienation Syndrome: A Triadic Pattern of Self-Other Orientation

Abstract

A social psychological theory of personality is presented which examines the crucial relationship between self and other as perceived by the individual and communicated by topological configurations of the self in relation to.significant others. The inadequacies of self and social guidance mechanisms for social adaptation are assumed to he associated with the concept of alienation. The alienation syndrome is defined as low self esteem, low social interest, and high self, centrality. This triadic pattern is shown to describe behavior problem children, neuropsychiatric patients, and to some extent, persons over 40 years of age and American Negro children. It is suggested that the processes leading from exclusion to the alienation syndrome may be a self fulfilling prophecy mediated by reduced social reinforcement. The Alienation Syndrome:1 A Triadic Pattern of Self-Other Orientation Robert C. Ziller University of Oregon The present approach to alienation attempts to clarify the proteam term by defining it in terms of the individual's perceptions mediated by self esteem and social interest and self centrality in interaction. Alienation is defined as an attitude of hopelessness resulting from an inability to structure the environment in terms of either a stable self orientation or a stable Other orientation, and a cessation in the individual's attempts to confront the social environment. Having no guidance mechanisms from self or Other, a sense of meaningless, powerlessness, and normlessness is generated. The alienated individual does not mediate environmental stimuli through the concept of self or the concept of Other. The alienated are not accepted as members within a significant subgroup and perceive themselves as unguided persons in an unchartered environment. Against this theoretical background it is proposed that alienation evolves under conditions which generate low self esteem and low social interest, and high self centrality. Three studies will be described which demonstrate the relationship between alienation and a recurring triadic pattern of self-other orientation.