PASSIVITY

AARON WOLFE SCHIFF, B.A.

JACQUI LEE SCHIFF, M.S.S.W.

This paper represents the culmination of a renovation of our entire treatment ap -

severL.l years research on passivity carried on proach with both residential and outpatients
at the Schiff Rehabilitation Project. In the as a result of these findings.
past we have failed with certain patients
when, even with very concerted effort, we SYMBIOSIS
were unable to interrupt a pattern of passive Symbiosis is a normal condition of the
behavior; for some time we have been oral stage in the development of a child. It
aware that we must in some way be is experienced by both the mother and the
supporting or reinforcing the passivity. child as a merging or sharing of their needs.
In the summer of 1969 we witnessed a An example of normal symbiosis is a mother
dramatic resolution to psychosis in a who normally sleeps soundly but wakes
hebephrenic patient; what Eric Berne de- easily when her infant cries; if nursing, she is
scribed as "a flip-in." Much of our inves- likely to begin lactating.
tigation since that time has focused on the As the child grows he identifies himself as
several hebephrenic patients who have been feeling, thinking, and solving problems
available to us. The findings have been independently, therefore as a separate
confirmed as consistent with pathology as individual. It would appear that the function
demonstrated in paranoia, undifferentiated of the symbiosis is to insure the infants'
schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis, survival during a period when he is completely
depressions, hysteria, and other psycho- dependent.
neurotic disorders where passive-aggressive or Pathology is likely to result from dis-
passive-dependent behaviors are significantly turbances in the symbiotic relationship
present. We have not yet established these (examples, separation, unresponsiveness), or
findings as significant w i t h catatonic, in the differentiation of the child from the
characterdisordered, or obsessive-compulsive mother (examples, neglect or over-
paticnts due to the lack of patients with these protection). It is also likely to occur in
diagnoses in our program. instances where parenting is inadequate to
The identification of the complex of prepare the child to function as an
behaviors which we are treating as part of a independent person who can solve problems
passivity syndrome seems to have far - in the world.
reaching implications for the treatment of All games develop out of unresolved
psychosis. We are presently undertaking symbiotic relationships with discounting as the
mechanism and grandiosity as the

Transactional Anal. J. 1:1, January 1971 71

 PASSIVITY

justification. They represent a re-enactment of Example: the mother, when asked how
the symbiotic relationship in an attempt to Johnny gets along in the 4th grade, re -
get taken care of, or reacting to the sponds, "Oh, he doesn't do very well in
symbiotic relationship with anger. The exact s c h o o l - J i m m y i s the studious one," and
moves in the game are learned in the continues to respond to questions by
parent-child relationship and reinforce the attributing characteristics to each youngster
symbiosis. in a definitive way. In one instance a mother
The structure of a symbiosis is as fol- in a symbiotic family was asked to write out
lows, with the combined ego states which a developmental history of her son. She
described all of his development, "He talked
earlier than his brother but was toilet trained
later," with no external reference for either
of the children; thus, definitions in such
families occur only within the symbiosis,
with no reference to external reality, and with
all characteristics identified as extreme, i.e.,
Johnny and Jimmy may have similar
intelligence but Jimmy is defined as intel-
ligent and Johnny as outgoing or artistic. In
this situation Johnny is scripted not to
achieve academically (to do so would be
fratricide) and Jimmy may not have friends
or be creative.
The transactions within the symbiotic
relationship are structured to maintain the
are typical of transactions between two symbiotic cathexis. Example: Joe says, from
individuals resulting in the structure of one Child, "I need a ride to the depot." Sam
total personality. The purpose of the says, "What time is your train?" Joe tells
passivity is to maintain the non-functioning of him, and Sam says, "Okay, I can take you
those ego states which would challenge the then." Neither of them notice that Joe has not
dependency contract. asked Sam for a ride. Moreover, should it
When the passivity begins to break down become necessary for him to do so, Joe
there may be a competition for the would become very uncomfortable. He has
dependent Child position in the symbiosis. structured his transactions with other people
Since both individuals are relatively unaware in such a way as to decrease the probability
of alternatives to symbiosis, the competition is of a Child-*Child transaction. Asking a direct
perceived as a struggle for survival, the issue question or making a request recognizes the
being existence versus non-existence. existence of the other person and is likely to
The functions of the Child may also be precipitate a Child-Child response. If he is
divided up between two individuals, the required to ask a direct question, the
contract being that when Ci is cath ected, symbiosis would be threatened, and Joe is
C will cathect P or A. Example: Joe gets a likely to become agitated.
headache and Jane, who never gets Thus, when there is a symbiosis, it
headaches, cathects her Parent to take care becomes apparent that transactions are
of him or to criticize his weakness. structured so that it is difficult or unlikely
However, Jane, who is inclined to drink too for the response to be from the same ego
much, can always depend on Joe to take
care of her and drive home from parties.
The symbiosis can also be extended to
children within the family.

72 Transactional Anal. J. 1:1, January 1971

 AARON WOLFE SCHIFF & JACQUI
state as was cathected in the initial may be one of the characteristics of
transaction. Many patients will begin the self, or may be projected into the
acting crazy as an alternative to environment (distortion of
transactions which threaten the characteristics of persons or
symbiosis. situations). The grandiosity always
compensates feelings of inadequacy
and prevents the establishment of
DISCOUNTING tenable goals by providing a flexible
Discounting is the functional reality in which the patient can never
manifestation of either a effectively achieve or fail.
contamination or an exclusion. The The thinking which underlies
person who discounts believes, or grandiosity includes a delusional "I
acts as though he believes, that his can't stand it" position, which can be
feelings about what someone else has identified through such remarks as,
said, done, or felt, are more "I was petrified with fright," "He lost
significant that what that person control," "It hurt so much I couldn't
actually said, did or felt. He does not think," "I did it because I was so
use information relevant to a mad." The patient takes no
situation. responsibility for the decisions in-
There are four possible ways to volved in specific situations and
discount. describes the situations as
(1) Discount the problem. responsible for the behavior.
Example: The baby is crying. The
mother turns up the radio or goes to PASSIVE BEHAVIORS
sleep.
(2) Discount the significance of the We have identified four behaviors
problem. Example: The baby is as passive: (1) doing nothing relevant
crying. The mother says, "He always to solving the problem; (2) over-
cries this time of the day." adaptation; (3) agitation; and (4)
(3) Discount the solvability of the incapacitation or violence.
problem. Example: The baby is
crying. The mother says, "Nothing 1. Doing Nothing
satisfies him!" In a situation where there is a
(4) Discount the person. Example: problem and the response is
The baby is crying. The mother says, passively doing nothing (as opposed
"There's nothing I can do!" to cathecting Adult and deciding to
In our program we bypass do nothing), all of the patient's
analyzing games by confronting the energy is utilized in inhibiting
discount, which is identifiable as the responses. The Child is executive
initial unstraight transaction and is and contamination is motivated by an
the point at which the patient's Adult attempt to maintain the symbiosis
ceases to be aware of what is (thus the issue is survival). Patients
happening. Recathecting the Adult in report "not thinking," "I can't think,"
this transaction effectively stops the "I was too scared to think," while
 PASSIVITY
described in Brer Rabbit's encounter with the the person is over-adapted he can be given
Tar Baby. After several unsuccessful attempts information about his behavior, and offer a
to elicit a response, Brer Rabbit hits the great deal of objective data about his
Tar Baby and gets stuck in the tar. abilities and capacities. It is difficult, while
Example: Joe says to Jane, "I'm mad over-adapted, to continue discounting when
about your doing that!" Jane looks the passivity is confronted. Therefore, this
stricken, but does not respond. After an position is the most accessible to treatment.
interval of waiting, Joe becomes acutely We consider that we need to do a great
uncomfortable and begins to have impulses to deal more work in understanding the
rescue her. implications of over-adaption and how it
2. Over-Adaptation disrupts and enhances problem-solving.
Over-adaptation is the one of the passive 3. Agitation
behaviors which is most difficult to identify; Agitation is likely to occur between over-
it is also the most adaptive to the situation; adaptation and violence. It consists of
therefore it is most likely to be reinforced. It repetitive activities which are purposeless or
occurs when the individual does not identify a non-goal directed. The agitated individual is
goal for himself in attempting to solve a acutely uncomfortable and thinking is confused.
problem but tries to achieve what he The patient is trying frantically to defend the
believes to be someone else's goal. symbiosis against a threat; he knows he could
Grandiosity is projected onto what he solve the problem by "doing something" but
believes to be the other person's expectation, feels inadequate. A Parental injunction, "Sit
thus defining the problem as unsolvable and down and think about it," stated firmly and
the expectation as unreasonable. calmly, or stroking from the Parent position,
An example of this behavior occurred with is likely to restore over-adaptation. If there is
a physician who worked in an emergency pressure to "do something" the patient is
service. The hospital administration likely to become violent (incapacitated).
complained that the physician was too slow We do not know a way to cathect the
in processing patients. The physician responded patient's Adult while he is agitated; the
by feeling defensive, and in his head he built a recommended procedure is to restore the over-
case against the administration in which he adaptation to avert violence. The
maintained that they had no real concern for the seriousness of the agitated behavior should not
welfare of patients and that good medical be underestimated.
practice required more time per patient than Grandiosity is supported by the belief
they were willing to allow. In trying to hurry up, that the activity is productive. Example: The
in conformity to their goals, he be came patient thinks he is accomplishing something
increasingly agitated and inefficient. When he by pacing the floor. Actually he is working up
established as a goal for himself that he should hysteria in the direction of a violent or
not get fired from his position, he was able incapacitating discharge of energy.
to begin to think productively about ways to
process patients more efficiently without 4. Incapacitation or Violence
sacrificing medical standards. Incapacitation or violence occurs in the
Over-adaptation is the passive behavior in discharge of energy built up from passivity,
which the most thinking occurs. While and is an attempt to enforce the
74
Transactional Anal. J. 1:1, January 1971
 AARON WOLFE SCHIFF & JACQUI LEE SCHIFF
symbiosis at the time of breakdown. No ently using negative strokes (disapproval
thinking can be identified. The patient and punishment) and attempt to escalate
accepts no responsibility for the behavior. over the grandiosity. The patient is most
Following the discharge of energy, the likely to say, "I don't care," or, "You
Adult is likely to be cathectable. Violence can't make me," and it seems essential to
involves a switch in the game position, find ways to deal with this.
whereas incapacitation may or may not The first discount is consistently con -
involve a switch (Karpman's triangle). Both fronted in an attempt to avoid the indi -
incapacitation and violence are payoffs in the vidual's getting into the game. The passive
"I can't stand it" game, thus grandiose. person is expected to give a straight
answer as to why he was discounting, and to
take account of his feelings, and the
TREATMENT
feelings of other people involved (which
Reinforcing any one of the four passive
must be determined in transactions with
beha\ iors involves reinforcing the com-
them). It is extremely important that all
plex. Frequently there is environmental
three factors (1) the situation, (2) his
support for several or all of the behaviors; at
feelings, (3) other people's feelings be dealt
present we are working on the assumption that
with without discounting, in order to insure
intervention must come from the environment
that productive thinking is taking place.
in order to resolve the passivity.
Often the first indication of a discount is the
A very common reaction to passivity is
discomfort of one or more people involved
for the respondent to become more passive
in a situation. Example: A student reciting
than the initiator. Example: "Well, I just won't
before a classroom falters several times and
talk to him until he says something first." "I
becomes confused. Others in the class,
don't want anything to do with you until you
perhaps including the teacher, feel sym-
stop that!" This is the most common defense
pathetic and anxious about his poor per-
people utilize to protect themselves from the
formance. Afterwards the student says, "I
discomfoi t of taking the active position in a
knew the material but I go to pieces when I try
symbiotic transaction; it is not tenable as a
to talk in front of a group!" In looking carefully
way of breaking down passivity. We have tested
at the situation, it becomes apparent that the
this out many times and have always found
discomfort of the rest of the class may have
that attempting to outpassive a passive
exceeded that of the student who was
person only re-inforces the pathology. The
performing poorly. The student's information
passive person needs to learn that his
was sufficient for him to have done a good
environment can and will demand active
job (discount) and his poor performance
participation and problemsolving from him in
makes the rest of the group not all right. The
order to break down the grandiosity.
grandiosity is projected onto the group and the
To disrupt the symbiosis the passive
teacher's expectations.
individual must be made more uncomfortable
In checking out the three factors listed
(responsible for his feelings) than he can
above, it will become apparent that (1) the
make anyone else. This is done by
situation is that the student has the information
consistently confronting the discount at a level
and could perform well, (2) he feels that he
which cannot be ignored or acted on
cannot perform adequately, and (3) he
symbiotically. We are pres
believes the teacher or group to expect more
Transactional Anal. 1. 1:1, January 1971 than he can achieve. All of the above
include obvious dis
75
 PASSIVITY

counts which can be easily identified and hesitant, or halting in his expression. There
confronted. Similar discounts are present in will be uncomfortable pauses while he looks
any game situation, and brief questioning will away or gropes for words, or long silences
expose them. The person being confronted before he responds to simple questions. He
will then deal straight with the game, or he should be given negative strokes every time
will become confused. People on a passivity this happens and the expectation should be
confrontation program are expected to be established that he talk effectively and that he
aware, responsive, and demonstrate initiative answer immediately. Example: "I expect you
in activities and relationships; consequently, to answer! I'm not willing to stand here."
in most in, stances the games are The same expectation of immediate,
successfully confronted. appropriate behavior should be established
Grandiosity is the most difficult aspect of around all behaviors. If the patient does not
the problem to confront because it often have information about how to respond, he
occurs in thinking and is not clearly can stilt be held responsible for identifying
demonstrated in overt behavior. The person that as a problem, actively seeking infor-
should be checked out to see if his mation, communicating around the problem,
thinking includes clear cause-and-effect and utilizing all the information which he
relationships, or reasons for everything. He does have.
may need to be assured that there are, Over-adaptation appears in m a ny games,
indeed, reasons for everything, and an such as Look How Hard I'm Trying, If It
expectation that he consider reasons should Weren't for Him, Wooden Leg, etc. The
be established iiom the beginning of a patient appears to be seeking a solution to
passivity confrontation program. It is crucial the problem but is unable to come to a
that this be done in reference to all satisfactory resolution because, "I was too
positions in Karpman's game triangle; the scared," "out of touch with my feelings."
person is capable -)f presenting a complete, "just didn't know what to say," "didn't
cohesive account of how he uses passivity in think," "don't know," or any of a large
all positions of his game. number of excuses. The excuses and the
The patient who respond- to problematic presence of poor cause and effect thinking,
situations by doing nothing is very likely to involving a discount of reasons, is the best
precipitate a symbiosis. A, with Brer Rabbit, indication that over-adaptation is a problem.
the more active participant in a situation However, the over-adapted position is t_.e
frequently has a stronger reaction to uric with the most favorable prognosis. Since
occurrences and therefore is vulnerable to more thinking occurs from this form of
expressing feelings for both persons, cathecting passivity, resolution is most easily
his Parent and Adult in the process, both to accomplished. The passive individual is likely
find out what is happening and to inhibit to adapt to the expectation that he think and
anger, then eventually switching to enraged respond appropriately. He may need to be told
Child, with a corresponding switch of ego states that there are reasons for everything, that he
in the passive person who i- in a position to say, is responsible for knowing what is in his
"But I didn't do arything! What are you so head, and that he can solve problems. A
upset about?" combination of expectations and support may
Speech behaviors are often the easiest to be most helpful in precipitating a breakthrough
confront around this type of passivity. The of
patient will speak too quietly, be passivity. Although the patient may seem to be
responding appropriately to the
situation, his thinking is clearly deviant (as get out your handkerchief, and have a
determined by using the three criteria good cry, and then we can talk a little and
described previously), much projected pray a little, that's right, just have a good
grandiosity is involved, and it is necessary cry. .."
that there be external definitions of reality and Violence or incapacitation is the ultimate in
expectations. Punishment is effective in helping passive behavior, in that the person has given
the passive person to establish tenable goals. up any responsibility for thinking or
For example, he may not be motivated to problem-solving. We have not found a way to
perform the task for positive strokes, but effectively cathect the patient's Adult until the
may be motivated by wishing to avoid the energy worked up during the agitation
punishment, and therefore willing to period is discharged, but after the
establish a goal for himself consistent with discharge of energy, the patient is likely
the expectation. Example: The 4th grader to be rational and accessible to treatment,
may not learn his times tables, even though with a good deal of Child cathected, and a
he would like to have an A grade, until he readily cathectable Adult. This time can be
is told that unless he does the work he will effectively utilized to rescript the patient,
have to stay after school until it is completed. obtain information which may not be
Agitation is repetitive, non-productive available other times, and facilitate insight
activity which is motivated in an attempt to and an assumption of responsibility.
generate energy to inhibit behavior. The We have found passivity confrontation to
behavior is seen as threatening the be most effectively utilized in a resi dential
symbiosis. It is likely to be terminated in an or day care program, at least for the first
outburst of violence or incapacitation, and week or so. The patient can best be
should therefore be dealt with at a high confronted in a structure where there are
priority. Some agitated behaviors, such as things to do which will stimulate his interest
stuttering, are, in themselves, so and contribute to his comfort. He needs help in
incapacitating, that it is difficult to distinguish identifying the difference between his goals and
agitation and incapacitation. Ritualistic other people's expectations, and it should be
behaviors such as smoking, may play an checked out that these are realistic in view
important role in controlling agitation, or may of his abilities.
be agitated behaviors. We are finding that the majority of
The goal of confronting agitation is to patients who are passive are enthusiastic about
restore the patient to an over-adapted position. having the problem confronted and willing to
The usual procedure is to parent the patient in have it dealt with at high level. Within a few
several consecutively more complex behaviors hours of non-passive behavior, the patient
until he is well-adapted to the parenting, and begins to feel better and can generally actively
then deal with what is causing the behavior. participate in identifying and solving
We recently saw a clergyman deal very problems of passivity.
effectively with distraught and grieving
relatives in a hospital waiting room with, EXAMPLES
"Well, Brother Andrew, you just come
right over here, that's right, right over here Joe was supposed to pick up Johnny
where I can put my arm around you, that's after the ball game. His wife did not have that
right, you just sit right down here, sit right information. However, as they
down beside me, now have you got a 77
handkerchief? That's right, sit down and
Transactional Anal. J. 1:1, January 1971
 AARON WOLFE SCHIFF & JACQUI LEE SCHIFF

drove up to their home, Joe said, "Oh, we Therapist: Why can't you?
forgot to pick up Johnny!" Jane: Because I don't get any support
Symbiosis: Joe assumes his wife is equally from Joe.
responsible for his mistake.
Grandiosity: Joe projects that his wife Symbiosis: Jane cannot act independently
could be responsible without information. of Joe.
Discount: Joe is responsible, his wife is not. Grandiosity: Jane is inadequate; Johnny is
Passive Behavior: Doing nothing. unmanagable.
Discount: Jane could solve the problem.
Johnny is not unmanagable.
Therapist: (To Joe) How do you feel about
coming in for counselling? Passivity: Doing nothing.
Joe: I was willing to come.
Jane: I'm really furious about that! Joe:
Jane: But he didn't want to!
Therapist: (To Jane) Why did you say I know. Will you forgive me?
that? Symbiosis: Joe tries to get Jane to take care
of him.
Jane: Well, I wanted to!
Grandiosity: Jane's anger is overwhelming,
Symbiosis: Jane expresses Joe's feelings and
Joe is inadequate to deal with it.
thinks he should share hers.
Discount: That Joe is not responding to
Grandiosity: Jane thinks her feelings should
Jane's feelings.
control Joe's feelings.
Discount: Joe did not answer therapist's Passivity: Over-adaptation.
question. Jane responded relevant to Joe's
feelings. Joe is driving in a heavy fog. He says, "I can't
see anything," and lets go of the
Passive Behavior: Agitation. wheel, causing an accident.
Symbiosis: There is no one to take care
Jane: I can't make my 8-year old son turn of Joe.
off the television.
Grandiosity: Fog was overwhelming.
Discount: Joe could have stopped the car.
Passivity: Incapacitation or violence.

Transactional Anal. J. 1:1, January 1971

8