Feedback Reigns

Act on Climate Change

Symmetrical and Complementary Relationships as Feedback Cycles

Some therapists use symmetrical and complementary relationships to understand interpersonal dynamics. (Bateson, 1972, p. 323; Nichols, 2008, p. 30).

Sometimes symmetrical and complementary relationships are discussed without noting that both are amplifying feedback cycles, and this is what I want to emphasise, because I propose that humans are self-organising systems organised by feedback cycles.

Complementary relationships

Complementary relationships exist between two entities that differ; their contrasting roles fit together and reinforce one another, increasing mutual reliance.

For example, a relationship where one person uses a skill more, gaining experience and confidence, while the other loses skill and confidence, such as in cooking and driving.

Diagram: A complementary relationship in which one person gains cooking skills, and the other loses these skills.
A complementary relationship in which one person gains cooking skills, and the other loses them. (ZS50N2S1)

In this amplifying feedback cycle:

  • Alex cooks more, gaining skills & confidence, which tends to result in
  • Bill cooking less, decreasing his skills and confidence, which tends to result in
  • Alex cooking more, and the cycle continues, with Bill becoming increasingly dependent on Alex for cooking.

The evolution of humans and their gut microbes provides another example of a complementary relationship. See the link to my page on evolution.

Symmetrical relationships

Symmetrical relationships occur between two similar entities that mirror one another’s behaviour.

For example, when two people, Alex and Bill, both react to anger with anger, meaning that the slightest friction between them can escalate.

Diagram: A symmetrical amplifying cycle in which anger generates anger.
Diagram: A symmetrical amplifying cycle in which anger generates anger. (ZxxxN2Sa)

In this amplifying feedback cycle:

  • Alex’s anger tends to
  • increase Bill’s anger, which tends
  • increase Alex’s anger.

Countries can exhibit the same symmetrical dynamic. During the Cold War, the USA and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) both built enormous stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

Diagram: A symmetrical amplifying cycle driving an arms race between two countries.
Diagram: A symmetrical amplifying cycle driving an arms race between two countries. (ZS52N2S1)

 
Another example of a symmetrical relationship in my evolution page: the evolution of abilities in both predators and prey.

Wind Up

Symmetrical and complementary relationships both form self-reinforcing feedback cycles, organising another aspect of human functioning.

An overview of my counselling pages.

First loaded: 30 Dec 2025; modified 24 August 2026.