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Foundations

Architecture

Section from the interactive two-leg model reference: attachment and assertiveness legs, coping modes under stress, and tools that support balance.

Psychoeducation only. Concepts here support self-understanding and conversations with a qualified professional; they are not a clinical diagnosis or mode inventory score.
All sectionsCoping cardMode map

The architecture

Reference diagram for platform visualizations and psychoeducation. Source: E. Roediger, dimensional two-leg mode model.

Dimensional two-leg mode model (conceptual)Top: integrated MWe modes with flexible balancing. Two branches: attachment on the left (blue, other-directed) and assertiveness on the right (red, self-directed). Center band: four basic emotions from fear and sadness through disgust and anger. Side labels: critic toward self and critic toward others. Bottom: three linked coping styles — submission, withdrawing, dominance — with arrows from emotions and upward dashed arrows suggesting therapeutic movement toward integration.“MWe” — integrated modesHealthy Adult + Contented Childflexibly balancing attachment & assertivenessFlexible balanceAttachment“Blue leg” — other-directedLoving connection · trust · belongingWe · pro-social sideAssertiveness“Red leg” — self-centeredAutonomy · control · boundariesMe · healthy limitsFour basic emotions (child modes)Fear / SadnessDisgust / Angerattachment threat ⇄ assertiveness threatCritic (self)Critic (other)Three coping styles (maladaptive)SubmissionCompliant surrenderFollow / fawnWithdrawingDetached protector / self-sootherFlight · freeze · numbDominanceOvercompensatorFight · controlDashed curves: conceptual path back toward MWe in therapy — not automatic.Psychoeducation only · see Learn article for definitions
After E. Roediger — dimensional two-leg mode model. Refined for screen and print; not a clinical score.
                        "MWe"
                  ┌─────────────────┐
                  │  Integrated     │
                  │  Modes          │
                  │ Healthy Adult + │
                  │ Contented Child │
                  │ flexibly        │
                  │ balancing ⇌     │
                  └────────┬────────┘
                           │
          ┌────────────────┴────────────────┐
          │                                 │
   ┌──────▼──────┐                  ┌───────▼──────┐
   │ ATTACHMENT  │◄────────────────►│ASSERTIVENESS │
   │(other-      │                  │(self-centered│
   │ directed)   │                  │ "red leg")   │
   │ "blue leg"  │                  └──────────────┘
   └─────────────┘
   "We" side:                        "Me" side:
   Loving connection                 Autonomy
   Willing to trust                  Sense of Control
   Other-directedness                Self-centredness
   Pro-social side                   Anti-social side

           4 negative Basic Emotions ("Child modes"):
                  ┌──────────────────────────┐
                  │  Fear / Sadness ⇔ Disgust/Anger  │
                  └─────────────┬────────────┘
                                │
        Critic modes            │           Critic modes
        (about self) ◄──────────┤──────────► (about others)
                                │
           3 Behaviour styles ("Coping modes"):
   ┌────────────┐      ┌────────────┐      ┌────────────┐
   │ SUBMISSION │  ⇔   │WITHDRAWING │  ⇔   │ DOMINANCE  │
   │(self-      │      │(passive /  │      │(Overcompen-│
   │ sacrifice) │      │ active)    │      │ sation)    │
   │Follow /    │      │Freeze/     │      │  (Fight)   │
   │Surrender   │      │  Flight    │      │            │
   └────────────┘      └────────────┘      └────────────┘

Official YSQ-3 long/short forms and other schema inventories are copyrighted by the Schema Therapy Institute and sold through their order center. Theory and inventory overview: Schema Therapy Institute. This portal uses a Rasch YSQ-R style implementation for self-reflection—not those licensed forms.