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History of Eric Berne

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A Summary of Transactional Analysis KeyIdeas

For more comprehensive descriptions of Transactional Analysistheory and practice you can also purchase Therapeutic Journey,Practice and Life. 2005, TA Press, Oakland California by JamesAllen M.D.(click here)or you can read or download: "A Summary

of Transactional Analysis Concepts I Use" by Fanita English(click here)and "Transactional Analysis; An Elegant Theory andPractice" by Claude Steiner PhD.(click here).

I'm OK - You're OK

"I'm OK - You're OK" is probably the best-known expression ofthe purpose of transactional analysis: to establish and reinforcethe position that recognizes the value and worth of every person.Transactional analysts regard people as basically "OK" and thuscapable of change, growth, and healthy interactions.

Strokes

Berne observed that people need strokes, the units ofinterpersonal recognition, to survive and thrive. Understandinghow people give and receive positive and negative strokes andchanging unhealthy patterns of stroking are powerful aspects ofwork in transactional analysis.

Ego States

Eric Berne made complex interpersonal transactionsunderstandable when he recognized that the human personalityis made up of three "ego states". Each ego state is an entire

system of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from which weinteract with one another. The Parent, Adult and Child ego statesand the interaction between them form the foundation oftransactional analysis theory. These concepts have spread intomany areas of therapy, education, and consulting as practicedtoday.

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Transactions

Transactions refer to the communication exchanges betweenpeople. Transactional analysts are trained to recognize which

ego states people are transacting from and to follow thetransactional sequences so they can intervene and improve thequality and effectiveness of communication.

Games People Play

Berne defined certain socially dysfunctional behavioral patternsas "games." These repetitive, devious transactions are principallyintended to obtain strokes but instead they reinforce negativefeelings and self-concepts, and mask the direct expression ofthoughts and emotions. Berne tagged these games with suchinstantly recognizable names as "Why Don't You, Yes But," "NowI've Got You, You SOB," and "I'm Only Trying to Help You."

Berne's book Games People Playachieved wide popular successin the early 60's.

Life Script

Eric Berne proposed that dysfunctional behavior is the result ofself-limiting decisions made in childhood in the interest ofsurvival. Such decisions culminate in what Berne called the "lifescript," the pre-conscious life plan that governs the way life islived out. Changing the life script is the aim of transactionalanalysis psychotherapy. Replacing violent organizational orsocietal scripting with cooperative non-violent behavior is the aim

of other applications of transactional analysis.

Contracts

Transactional analysis practice is based upon mutual contractingfor change. Transactional analysts view people as capable ofdeciding what they want for their lives. Accordingly transactionalanalysis does its work on a contractual basis between the clientand the therapist, educator, or consultant.

Additional Ideas

1999 Transactional Analysis Core Concepts(available inseveral languages)

Online Transactional Analysis information

Transactional Analysis Articles

Transactional Analyis and the Behavioral Sciences

ITAA

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