A more precise definition of double bind is based on Russell and Whitehead’s theory of Logical Types applied to communication.
Examples of modes of communication based on the correct use of Logical Types are play, non-play, fantasy, ritual, metaphor, humor, etc. .P. These signals are of a higher Logical Type than the messages they qualify. In humans, this structuring of messages and meaningful actions and their categorization are much more complex. However, it is noteworthy that everyday language is rather weak for such differentiation, and to convey these highly abstract but vital markers, we mainly rely on various non-verbal means — such as posture, gesture, facial expression, as well as the context of the communicative situation. Notably, people can falsify modal identifiers, resulting in artificial laughter, manipulative feigning of friendliness, cheating, pranks, and triple binds.
The situation in which a contextual paradox arises that does not allow the “victim” to determine which Boolean Type the message addressed to him belongs to is called double bind. According to Bateson, such situations can lead to schizophrenia. At the same time, the whole context is schizophrenogenic — i.e. it is pointless to treat a schizophrenic and let him go back to his family, because there the laws of communication will come into force again, in which he can be “right” only for “wrong” reasons, and the very possibility of indicating the existence of these laws will be forbidden by unspoken rules. Accordingly, after some time, such a patient returns to the hospital with the same diagnosis.