week 13 question 1

I believe that the competitive symmetry would be the most difficult to change in a person. "Competitive symmetry, both members fight for the one-up position." (pg 148) With this much competition within any relationship can get very dangerous and can cause much friction and tension with one another. Everyone is always trying to get ahead in our world and with this competitiveness, it's only human nature to feel this way to get ahead and beat everyone else out. The most damaging one to a relationship would be the rigid complementary, "when the submissive partner begins to resent always giving in or when dominant partner beings to tire of being in charge, dissatisfaction can result," (pg 148) it can dammage the relationship. They will be clashing in their rigid roles and this can lead to much anger and frustration for both people. When there was just one submissive and one dominant person in the relationship and the submissive becomes dominant then there will be two dominants and this will lead to control mayhem. The most damaging to the self esteem ofthe individuals involved would be the submissive symmetry where both parties struggle to relinquish control. We've all been there with friends when we decide where to go next with the struggle of deciding and just got back and forth until someone makes a final decision. It loses your self control and what you want because you cannot make a decision, it can ruin how to take control of your life and the decisions you make if this pattern does continue throughout their life.