The human capacity for agency – the feeling of being the author of one’s own actions – seems self-evident. Yet, beneath the surface of conscious will lies a complex architecture shaped by early experiences, social dynamics, and even the subtle sensations of our bodies. A surge of recent work, particularly from the research of Maximilian Heiler and colleagues, suggests that agency isn’t simply *present* or *absent*, but a spectrum of possibilities, vulnerable to disruption and capable of being rebuilt. This isn't merely academic refinement; understanding this architecture has profound implications for addressing everything from coercive relationships to fostering genuine resilience.
The Relational Roots of Control
For decades, psychology has grappled with the dynamics of abusive relationships, often focusing on individual pathology. However, a growing body of work emphasizes the *relational* origins of control, particularly through the lens of emotional coercion. Heiler’s recent papers [1, 2] propose a sophisticated, integrative model that traces emotional manipulation back to early attachment vulnerabilities. This isn’t a simple case of “bad parenting,” but a complex cascade of developmental factors. The model posits that early bindungsverletzung (attachment injury) – disruptions in the secure bond between caregiver and child – can lead to a fragile sense of identity and repeated experiences of trauma.
From 'Must' to 'Can': The Grammar of Volition
Heiler’s framework is unique in its use of “modal verbs” – words like ‘must,’ ‘should,’ ‘can,’ and ‘want’ – to map the landscape of volition. He argues that emotional coercion operates by shifting individuals from a state of ‘brauchen’ (needing/having to – a deeply ingrained, often unconscious compulsion) to a state of ‘müssen’ (must – externally imposed obligation). The key isn’t simply recognizing the coercion, but understanding how it bypasses the individual’s authentic ‘wollen’’ (wanting/willing) – their genuine desire. [2] details how this dynamic manifests in feelings of guilt, and how self-harm can, paradoxically, represent an attempt to *return* to a state of ‘brauchen,’ a desperate attempt to regain a sense of agency, however distorted. The coaching materials included with [2] – designed for family, couples, and individual use – are a practical application of this model, offering tools to identify these modal verb shifts and navigate towards healthier relational patterns.
Beyond Essentialism: Roles, Not Traits
Importantly, Heiler’s work explicitly rejects essentialist views of personality. Terms like “submissive” or “coercive” aren’t seen as fixed traits, but as situative Rollen (roles) enacted within specific relational fields [1]. This is a crucial point: it shifts the focus from labeling individuals to analyzing the dynamics of the interaction. The model isn't about identifying 'perpetrators' and 'victims,' but about understanding how patterns of control emerge and how they can be disrupted. The emphasis on observabler Schaden (observable harm), eingeschränkte Widerrufbarkeit (limited revocability), and the Unterordnung eigener Bedürfnisse** (subordination of own needs) provides concrete criteria for assessing the severity and reversibility of coercive dynamics.
Reclaiming Agency: The Logic of ‘Können’
Building on this foundation, Heiler’s work on ‘Können’ – or ‘ability’ – within the Cross-Logic System (CLS) [3] offers a hopeful perspective on reclaiming agency. He differentiates between exploratives Können (exploratory ability – trying out new things) and kompensatorisches Können (compensatory ability – overcoming limitations). Crucially, he introduces the concept of Widerrufbarkeit** (revocability) as a key criterion for genuine competence. True agency, in this view, isn’t simply about *being able* to do something, but about having the freedom to *choose* whether or not to do it.
Sustainable Competence: A Multifaceted Profile
Sustainable ‘Können’ isn’t just about skill; it’s a complex profile encompassing volitionaler Verfügbarkeit (volitional availability – the ability to act on one’s own desires), Kontextflexibilität** (contextual flexibility – adapting to changing circumstances), Regenerationsfähigkeit** (regenerative capacity – bouncing back from setbacks), relationale Nichtkontingenz** (relational non-contingency – not being overly dependent on others’ approval), and Sinnanschluss** (meaningful connection – feeling a sense of purpose). Heiler proposes the concepts of metaMotivation** and metaBindung** as potential drivers of this sustainable competence, offering avenues for future empirical investigation. The twelve empirically testable propositions outlined in [3] provide a roadmap for researchers seeking to validate this model.
Beyond the Psychological: The Body as a Ground for Experience
While Heiler’s work focuses on the interplay of relational and cognitive factors, recent research highlights the crucial role of the body in shaping our experience of agency. Xiong and Kilteni’s study on human ticklishness [4] offers a surprising window into this connection. Their cross-cultural analysis reveals a remarkably consistent bodily map of ticklishness, distinct from maps of touch, pain, and pleasure. This suggests that ticklishness isn’t simply a random sensation, but a deeply ingrained, psychophysiological response with a complex social function. The fact that ticklishness is strongest in areas rarely self-tickled supports Darwin’s hypothesis that it evolved as a signal of vulnerability and a way to solicit caregiving behavior. This research underscores the idea that our bodies aren’t just passive recipients of experience, but active participants in shaping our social interactions and sense of self.
The Neural Basis of Intentional Action
Complementing these relational and embodied perspectives, Duraivel et al. [5] shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying speech planning and execution. Their findings reveal that distinct neural processes are involved in *preparing* to speak and *actually* speaking. This suggests that the brain doesn’t simply translate thoughts into words; it orchestrates a complex sequence of processes, involving separate neural pathways for intention and action. While the abstract provides limited detail, this research hints at the intricate neural choreography that underlies even the most mundane acts of communication, further illuminating the neural basis of agency.
The Bigger Picture
Taken together, these lines of research paint a compelling picture of human agency as a dynamic, multifaceted phenomenon. It’s not a fixed trait, but a constantly negotiated balance between internal drives, relational influences, and embodied sensations. The emphasis on reversibility – the possibility of reclaiming agency from coercive dynamics – is particularly hopeful. Future research will undoubtedly focus on validating Heiler’s proposed constructs (metaMotivation, metaBindung) and exploring the neural correlates of ‘Können.’ Perhaps most importantly, this work challenges us to move beyond simplistic notions of individual responsibility and to recognize the profound impact of social context and early experience on the development of a truly autonomous self. Understanding the architecture of agency isn’t just a matter of academic interest; it’s essential for building a more just and compassionate world.
References
- Heiler Maximilian (2026). Von der Bindungsstörung zur rückkehrfähigen Entscheidungskraft: Ein integratives psycho-soziologisches Modell emotionaler Erpressung, sanktionierter Bewunderung und reparierbarer Submissivität. Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research).
- Heiler Maximilian (2026). Schuld, Selbstverletzung und der Rückkehrpfad zum Brauchen: Wissenschaftlicher Artikel mit Coaching-Blättern. Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research).
- Heiler Maximilian (2026). Können im Cross-Logic System: Vom familiären Bruch zur nachhaltigen Handlungsfähigkeit. Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research).
- Ziliang Xiong, Konstantina Kilteni (2026). Human ticklishness is a widespread, culturally shared and bodily organized sensory experience. Nature Human Behaviour.
- Suseendrakumar Duraivel, Shervin Rahimpour, Katrina Barth et al. (2026). Distinct neural processes link speech planning and execution. Nature Human Behaviour.