The theoretical concept of the double bind and the possibilities for researching it are discussed. The author has observed that theory and research, which should be reciprocal and mutually beneficial, have been working, as concerns the double bind, at odds with one another. Two approaches to empirically investigating the concept are considered via a review of the pertinent literature. The first is concerned with translating the phenomena into a valid operational form which can be studied; and the second is concerned with determining if schizophrenics are less able to discriminate double bind messages than other individuals. The author concludes that, generally, the reviewed studies have not provided a good test of the double bind. He does, however, note the two most significant among them, viz.: (1) Mehrabian and Weiner; and (2) Ringuette and Kennedy. He stresses the immediate need for further research which would help limit, clarify and operationalize the tenets of the theory and, resultantly, make it capable of empirical validation. (TL)