Week 13, Question 2

1). Which pattern (rigid complementarity, competitive symmetry, or submissive symmetry) do you think would be the most difficult to change? Why? Which would be the most damaging to a relationship? Which would be the most potentially damaging to the self-esteem of the individuals involved?

Among the given patterns, the one I find most difficult to change is the rigid complemtarity. I believe that partners in this pattern fall into submissive/superior roles. If they begin this way, it's harder for them to break out of this. One partner will always feel dominated over the other and sometimes, they may even be oblivious to it. I think that when one is oblivious, perhaps he/she doesn't feel that there is anything wrong to begin with so this pattern might not be the most damaging. I also feel that relationships vary and maybe having a "rigid" pattern is what is viewed by our society but not others.

The patter that I feel is most damaging to the self esteem of individuals involed is the submissive semmetry. I think that when partners lose desire to make decisions, he or she has reached a stage where they have given up their self worth. Allowing the other individual to take control and being apathetic about it very damaging.

Competitive symmetry is damaging to the relationship because it causes individuals to compete. I personally feel that this is damaging because if one partner always wins, the other one almost feels as though they are less than the other. The one who wins all the time may also develop some kind of ego that causes him/her to think that they are better than their partner.