Summary Siblings tend to be defined as different or contrasting, a phenomenon called sibling deidentification. Normal sibling deidentification seems to be the product of conflict resolution and reconciliation with each sibling developing different identities in order to mitigate the constant competition and comparison that comes with sibling rivalry. On the other hand, in pathological deidentification, the natural flow of sibling conflict and reconciliation seems obstructed as one sibling is assigned the fixed identity of “devil” constantly harassing the other sibling defined as “angel” and parents are constantly intervening to protect the angel-victim. A clinical strategy designed to restore the flow of conflict and reconciliation is proposed in the treatment and prevention of psychopathology.
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Schachter et al. (1988) studied this question.
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