How to Coach Yourself and Others Beware of Manipulation | Page 172

60. Double Bind
A double bind is a situation where a person has
a choice (typically between two options), but
whichever way they choose, they lose out, often
with the same result.
Usually in the double bind there is no
alternative, as the person is forced to choose and
does not have the luxury of not choosing (this
would be a third choice that could well be
preferable).
This situation may occur by chance, but in
persuasion it is often carefully engineered by the
persuader. Any alternative choices are either
removed or hidden so only the double bind
options appear valid.
Example
An impoverished unemployed person on state
benefits is offered a job that pays the same
amount as the benefit. In either case, they
remain poor.
A person whose car is broken down is offered the choice between towing it away or fixing it -- either
option costs about the same.
Why it works
The principle of the double bind is to offer a person a choice or put them in a position where they are
forced to choose, but where the outcomes of the choice either lead to the same result or else have
results that are equally desirable to the person who is managing the situation.
The double bind situation is often disadvantageous to the person affected. They may or may not be
aware of this, which means they may or may not be happy with the choice.
'Hobson's choice' is a principle of 'no options' that is related to the double bind.
The difference is that in Hobson's choice there is only one visible option, whilst the fact of a single
option is disguised in the double bind by the appearance of more. By way of history, Thomas Hobson
was a 16th century stable owner who offered his Cambridge customers the horse nearer the door or
none at all.

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