Asymmetrical relationship

In social psychology, the asymmetrical relationship describes a relationship between two people that contains a relatively large number of non-reciprocal elements, as the following examples of relationships show:

• Parents child
• Teacher - student (pseudosymmetry! - example: simulate "comfortable", "friendly" relationship - to encourage students to learn)
• Supervisor - employee
• Therapist - client or patient - doctor

So an asymmetrical relationship exists when one is higher than the other. The opposite of the asymmetrical relationship is the symmetrical relationship, in which both people stand equally high / have the same amount to say.

In analytical conversation therapy , when building an asymmetrical relationship, which is expressed in the patient's lying position facing away from the therapist , special importance is attached to the processes of free association and transference .

In an asymmetrical relationship, it is particularly important to maintain an equally weighted relationship between authority and care.