Abstract
The unconscious and the semiconscious nature of the likeness continuum model (Model8) described in the previous chapter renders it impossible for it to be measured unless it is elicited with relevant instruments, such as the Likeness Continuum Task (Andersen, Reznick, & Glassman, 2005; Bargh, 2007; Hassin, Uleman, & Bargh, 2005). However, it is possible to observe and evaluate how the likeness continuum is exhibited by three styles in intimate relationships by relying on the dialectical nature of that continuum. At a more visible and, therefore, measurable level, Model9 combines dialectically related symbiosis with alienation to yield abusive–apathetic (AA) and neglectful relational styles. Combining sameness with oppositeness yields reactive–repetitive (RR) relational styles. Combining similarity with differentness yields creative–conductive (CC) relational styles (L’Abate, 1983). AA styles are the most dysfunctional styles; RR styles are intermediate along a continuum of functionality; CC styles are the most functional styles. RR styles include cluster C disorders on the internalizing side and cluster B disorders on the externalizing side (Aalsma & Lapsley, 2001; Cunningham, Shamblen, Barbee, & Ault, 2005; Orner & Stolz, 2002). The most dysfunctional AA styles includes axis I disorders, cluster A of axis II, and coexisting disorders, such as addictions, physical, verbal, and sexual abuse, and extreme criminalities overlapping with psychopathological disorders. Derivations from these six conditions lead to a variety of dependencies with various outcomes, as included in Fig. 11.1.
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L’Abate, L., Cusinato, M., Maino, E., Colesso, W., Scilletta, C. (2010). Model9: Styles in Relationships. In: Relational Competence Theory. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5665-1_11
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