Proceedings, Oxford, UK (2002) - World Federation of Music Therapy

Symmetrical
category
The category is a set of actions grouped according to the characteristics
of the communicative process that can be qualitatively identified in a
given timeframe. Each category mutually excludes another with
different qualitative characteristics.
The symmetrical category is characterised by periods of co-regulation in
which the communication between music therapist and child is
continuously co-ordinated and composed of contributions and creative
initiatives from both members of the dyad.
In practice, two different kinds of symmetrical category can be observed:
TYPE 1. During this timeframe both partners contribute to the innovation of a
theme by means of actions that mutually influence one another in a
continuously co-ordinated way.
TYPE 2. During this timeframe one of the two partners is responsible to a greater
Asymmetric
al category
degree for the development of a theme whilst the other observes him/her
and supports him/her expressively and/or participates as appropriate
when dialogue possibilities arise.
The asymmetrical category features timeframes in which the attention of
the music therapist and the child converge, however only one partner is
active in the innovation of the theme whilst the other is merely an
observer. The observer has a positive influence on the creativity of the
other partner, but is not actively expressive. The observer does not appear
to be bothered or bored.
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