Transactional Analysis

You cannot teach a man anything.You can only help him discover it

within himself.-Galileo

Agenda

Sketch of Eric Berne

Origins of Transactional Analysis

What are Ego States?

Detailed Explanation of Parent, Adult,

Child Ego states

Development of Ego States

Transactions

Types of Transactions

Transactional Analysis: An Overview

A Sketch of Eric Berne

DoB: May 10, 1910; Place of Birth: CanadaStudied Medicine & received M.D. and C.M (Master of Surgery) - 1935Psychiatric residency at Yale University School of Medicine - 1936Began training as psychoanalyst at NY Psychoanalytic Institute in 1941Army psychiatrist during World War II

Practiced Group Therapy

Breakthrough on Transactional Analysis

Coveted title of Psychoanalyst was withheld in 1956

Spurred Eric Berne to develop new approach to psychotherapy

Presented first paper on TA in 1957 - Introduced ego states

Had started testing his theories on TA in the 1950`s itself in seminars

Ego States

Set of consistent and coherent patterns of thinking, feeling and

behaving-Berne

set: each ego state has more than one manifestation

consistent & coherent: clear & integrated self-awareness arising from diagnosis of

ego-statesthinking, feeling & behaving: total experiences of an individual

How were ego states discovered

Interviewing

Client felt like a child

Consistent pattern of child in behavior; No Pretense

Discovery of Child Ego State

Two-ways of thinking, feeling & behaving: Father & Own

Discovery of Father & Adult Ego States

Characteristics

Experience recorded in brain

Includes every experience, perception of events & feelings associated & distortionsCan be replayed & re-experienced

Ego States

P

A

C

Set of thoughts, feelings and behaviors learnt or borrowed from parents or other care takers

Parent

Critical Parent – prejudiced thoughts, feelings & behaviors

Nurturing Parent – Soft, loving and permission giving

P

ParentVocabulary: Should, don’t,

must, always, never, now what? Because I said so

I’ll take care of you, poor thing, there-there, come on, give it a try

Tone: Sneering, loud,

harsh,contemptuous,condescending, punishing, sympathetic,

encouraging

Gesture/Posture: Pointed finger, shaking head, arms folded on

chest, tapping feet/fingers,

Facial Expression: smile

encouragingly, set jaw, outthrust chin, raised

eyebrows

P

Parent

Don’t argue!

Shame on you!

Be quite!

That’s really bad.

Don’t worry!

There there!Let me help you.

Everything will be fine!

Don’t you DARE !

Have some fun.

Seat of emotions, thoughts, memories from childhood

Child

How one responded to early experiences and the positions one took about oneself & others

Feelings of happiness, fear ,anxiety, withdrawal etc.

Free Child – Spontaneous feeling, playful, authentic, emotional

Adapted Child – Comply with parental messages

Rebellious Child – Does not comply with parental messages

Types:

C

ChildVocabulary: Wow, give me what I

want, MINE, I wish, I’m scared,

help,

Tone: giggle,

chuckle, whine, swear, yell,

fast & high-pitched, whistle, playful,

ask permission.

Gesture/Posture: slumped, curled up, putting up

hand to ask question

Facial Expression: tears, pouting,

downcast or uplifted

eyes, tilted head, wide-eyed, fluttering

eyelashes, flirtatious, admiring

C

I don’t wanna !!

Pleeeeeeeeaassse!

I can’t!No-no-no!

O! that’s fun!

WOW-WEE!I want……!

Yayyyy….!I don’t care!

Look how tall my castle is!

Child

Adult

Oriented towards current reality and objective gathering of informationNo relation with a person’s age

Data processing center

Solutions based on facts and not solely on pre-judged thoughts or childlike emotions

A

AdultVocabulary: how, why,

when, where, what,

alternatives, results, yes, no, caused by, statistics, facts not opinions.

Tone:clear & calm, confident, factual,enquiring.

Gesture/Posture: straight (not

stiff), lean forward

to listen/look, relaxed,

thinking with hand on chin,

patient.

Facial Expression: thoughtful,

watching attentively,

questioning, alert, lively

Respect.

Aware.

Equality Rational

Assertive.

Open

Present

Objective

A

Sand looks interesting. Lets make a

castle!

Adult

Ego State

Acting, thinking, feeling like your parent

Dealing with current realities, gathering facts,

objectivity

Acting or feeling like u did when u were child

Examples

What will you do?

ParentControlling

What will you do?

ParentNurturing

P

A

C

Controlling

Nurturing

What will you do?

ChildAdapted

What will you do?

ChildFree

P

A

C

Controlling

Nurturing

Adapted Free

What will you do?

Adult

P

A

C

Controlling

Nurturing

Adapted Free


Child

Parent

Adult

P A C


C2

A2

P2

P1

A1

C1

Little Professor

Pseudo-parent

Proto-parent

Proto-adultPAC

P

A

2nd Order Structural

Analysis

Transactions

How people interact with each other

Which ego state in me is talking to which ego state in youCommunication can sometimes be straightforward, easy and smooth

It can also jumbled, confusing and unclearUnderstanding of transactions can help keep communication as clear as possible

P

A

C

P

A

C

Examples

Late for an important meeting

P

A

C

P

C

Examples

A

Yells and scolds

P

A

C

P

A

C

Examples

Apologizes and says ‘Sorry!’

A

P

A

C

Examples

C

P

Scared of Lizards. Expresses fear.

A A

C

Examples

C

P P

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care”

Complementary Transactions

appropriate and expected response

follows natural order of healthy human relationships

lines of communication open between the transactors

gestures, facial expression, body posture, tone included

P

A

C

P

A

C

Examples


P

A

C

P

C

Examples

A

Angry - scolds

Examples

A

C

A

P

C

P

Angry – yells back

Examples

A

C

A

PP

Apologizes meekly

C

Crossed Transactions

unexpected & highly unstableinappropriate ego state activated

people glaring, turning backs at each other or switch conversation in different directionconversation might end as well

Comparison

AC

sees self as

strategies used

sees others as

response to disapproval

inferior, entitled to

less

equal

childhood rules

spontaneous, context

appropriatebigger, more

entitledequal

Fear, guilt, aversion

objective appraisal

Comparison

A

sees self as

strategies used

sees others as

response to disapproval

intrinsically more

capable

equal

self & others

self

smaller, to be

protected

equal

cruel, mean fine

P

AgendaBrief Recap

Transactions

Definition

Strokes

Types of Transactions

Script Analysis

Life Script

Types of Script

Script Matrix

Life Positions

Brief Summary

A

-CP

-NP+NP+CP

+AC+FC

-AC-FC

Negative Controlling

Parent Mode

Negative Nurturing Parent Mode

Positive Controlling

Parent Mode

Positive Nurturing Parent Mode

Accounting Mode

Positive Free Child

Mode

Positive Adapted Child ModeNegative

Free Child Mode

Negative Adapted Child Mode

E g

o S

t a

t e

s

C2

A2

P2

P1

A1

C1

Little Professor

Pseudo-parent

Proto-parent

Proto-adultPAC

P

A


Analysis

Strokes

Strokes are any act implying recognition of another’s presence; Unit of social recognitionStrokes are like just the physical strokes given to infants, without which they will not surviveStimulation Hunger: Sensory Stimulation Eg Baby needs fondling and loveRecognition Hunger: Baby grows into adulthood, need for sensory stimulation changes into need for stimulation coming from social recognition, acknowledgement, affirmation

Types of Strokes

Positive Strokes: supportive of life and activity• I feel good seeing you do that•I`m very proud of you, well done!Negative Strokes: destructive of a person`s life or activity• I am sorry, I did not like it very much

Conditional Stroke: For ‘Doing’ or for performanceUnconditional Stroke: For ‘being; - no strings attachedPhysical Stroke: Physical touchSymbolical Stroke: Using Words

Transactions

how people interact with each other

which ego state in me is talking to which ego state in you

like a business deal, where one person gives something to another

and in exchange gets something backExchange types – Material or

RecognitionRecognition: Strokes - any time one person recognizes another with a

smile, a nod, a frown, a verbal greeting

Transactions

How people interact with each other

Which ego state in me is talking to which ego state in you

Communication can sometimes be straightforward, easy and smooth

It can also jumbled, confusing and unclear

Understanding of transactions can help keep communication as clear as

possible

Transactions

Transaction: Two or more Strokes

Types: Complementary, Crossed or Ulterior

Stroke: any time one person recognizes another with a


P

A

C

P

A

C

Examples


P

A

C

P

C

Examples

A

Yells and scolds

P

A

C

P

A

C

Examples

Apologizes and says ‘Sorry!’

A

P

A

C

Examples

C

P

Scared of Lizards. Expresses fear.

A A

C

Examples

C

P P

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care”

Complementary Transactions

appropriate and expected response

communication can continue indefinitely

lines of communication open between the transactors

gestures, facial expression, body posture, tone included

Other examples - Complementary Transactions

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

P

A

C

Examples


P

A

C

P

C

Examples

A

Angry - scolds

Examples

A

C

A

P

C

P

Angry – yells back

Examples

A

C

A

PP

Apologizes meekly

C

Crossed Transactions

unexpected & highly unstable

inappropriate ego state activated

people glaring, turning backs at each other or switch conversation

in different directionconversation might end as well

Ulterior Transactions

P

A

C

P

A

C

Transaction in which more than two ego are includedDisguised under socially acceptable transaction

Psychological

Social

Salesman

P

A

C

P

A

C

Teacher – Student / Boss - Secretary

P

A

C

P

A

C

Gallows Transactions

P

A

C

P

A

C

Ulterior Transaction which employs “an inappropriate laugh or smile”

expressing an individual’s destructive behavior

3 Rules of Communication

complementary transactions - communication remains open

crossed transactions - communication ceases

complex transactions - outcome is predicted only at psychological

level

All the world’s a stageAnd all the men and women

merely players.They have their exits and their

entrances;Each man in his time plays many

parts.Shakespeare

Life Scripts

Life Scripts

an unconscious life plan – decided on early in life in response to early

parental influencethe individual is programmed to move as it were relentlessly towards its final outcome

followed in all major decisions

Life Scripts

unconscious – soon after script is consciously formed, it is forgotten

- action perceived naturalearly parental influence – when the influences

perceived to contain hidden messages

programmed – freedom circumscribed & person doesn’t

know

Types of Scripts

Cultural

Subcultural

Family

Cultural Script

expected & accepted patterns in a society

determined by said & unsaid assumptions believed by majority of people

like theatrical script – themes, actors, roles, costumes

Cultural Script

may change or new theme may emerge with time

might be rejected due to irrelevance

“national character”

same drama may repeat for generations

Subcultural Script

each subculture evolves own dramatic actions

conflict very common

many exist in large & complex culture

defined by geography, religious beliefs, gender, age etc.

Family Script

passed on from Parent to Parent ego state

some families develop unique actions; insist on children playing

traditional rolestransmitted from generation after

generation

InjunctionsProhibiting messages, usually given as hidden messages and indirectly

Such messages – expressions of disappointment, frustration, anxiety

establish the don`ts by which children have to live

Given from Parent`s child ego state out of awareness of their adult ego

statesExamples – Don`t be, Don`t need, Don`t think, Don`t be a child, Don`t belong

Counter Injunctions

Parental directives on how to live in a socially acceptable wayMessages convey the “shoulds”, “oughts”, “dos” of parental expectationsConsist of certain permissions as well as prohibitions that assist child to exist in the societyCan become drivers to the childExamples – Be perfect, Hurry up, Be strong,

Program

Education given by parentsThrough their own examplesGiven to the Adult of the small child on how to live his or her life-scriptUsually constructive and PositiveExamples – Be perfect, Hurry up, Be strong

First permission and InjunctionDon’t Exist

Permission: For the infant to existIf ignored, kept at a distance etc. : will not experience permission to liveManifestation of Don’t Exist injunction–Overt suicidal behavior, significant

depression

“Go away”, “I wish you’d never have been born”

Permission - To have and be aware of sensations

Second Permission and Injunction

Don’t Feel Sensations

infant needs basic bodily sensations: hunger, pain, temperature and touch

may not use parts of sensations, if parents upset by them

mother annoyed by cries of hunger; disliked feeding

learned to stop crying and suppress his feeling of hunger

Third Permission and InjunctionDon’t Feel

Permission: To feel emotions

infant able to express satisfaction, dissatisfaction & severe stress

If parents discount his feelings, they transmit a Don’t Feel injunction

child may discount his feelings and substitute other feelings which his parents approve of

Fourth Permission and Injunction

Don’t Think

From “the Little Professor” stage, individual needs permission to think

It’s important for parents to respond reasonably, clearly, and with interest to ideas,

creativity and enthusiasms of the child

Discounting (ignoring and making fun) gives Don’t Think injunction

Script matrix

P

A

C

P

A

CP1

A1C1

2. Counter Injunction

1. Injunction3. Program

MotherFather

a diagram to show the transmission of script messages viewed in terms of ego-states.

Decisions & Re-decisions

• TA emphasizes our ability to become aware of our decisions that govern our behavior and the capacity to make new decisions that will beneficially alter our course of life• We look at the decisions made in response to parental injunctions and counter injunctions• Example 1- “Don’t make mistakes”Children fear taking risks that make them look stupid. They tend to equate mistakes to failurePossible Decisions – “I`m scared of making the wrong decision, so I simply wont decide”


• Example 2 – “Don’t be close”• Message interpreted as Don’t trust people and don’t lovePossible Decisions – “ because its scary to get close, i`ll keep myself distant”• Example 3- “Don’t be a child”Message says – Act Adult and keep control of yourselfPossible Decisions – “I`ll take care of others and wont ask much for myself. I wont let myself have all the fun”


Whatever injunctions people have received, and whatever the resulting life decisions were, transactional analysis maintains that people can make substantive life changes by changing their decisions—by re-deciding in the moment.Basic assumption of TA – Anything that has been learnt can be re-learnt

Psychological Positions• Mentally healthy position• Realistic people; can solve problems on

their own• Accepts significance of others

I’m OK, You’re OK

• Person feels victimized, So victimizes others

• Blame others for their miseries• Delinquents & criminals – extreme:

Homicide

I’m OK, You’re not-OK

• Feel powerless when compare with others

• Leads them to withdraw, to experience depression

• Severe case: suicidal

I’m not-OK, You’re OK

• Lost interest in living • Schizoid behavior• Extreme case: suicide or homicide

I’m not-OK, You’re not-OK

A

-CP

-NP+NP+CP

+AC+FC

-AC-FC

Negative Controlling

Parent Mode

Negative Nurturing Parent Mode

Positive Controlling

Parent Mode

Positive Nurturing Parent Mode

Accounting Mode

Positive Free Child

Mode

Positive Adapted Child ModeNegative

Free Child Mode

Negative Adapted Child Mode

E g

o S

t a

t e

s

C2

A2

P2

P1

A1

C1

Little Professor

Pseudo-parent

Proto-parent

Proto-adultPAC

P

A


Analysis

Transactions

Transaction: Two or more Strokes

Types: Complementary, Crossed or Ulterior

Stroke: any time one person recognizes another with a


Life Scripts

an unconscious life plan – decided on early in life in response to early

parental influencethe individual is programmed to move as it were relentlessly towards its final outcome

followed in all major decisions

InjunctionsProhibiting messages, usually given as hidden messages and indirectly

Such messages – expressions of disappointment, frustration, anxiety

establish the don`ts by which children have to live

Given from Parent`s child ego state out of awareness of their adult ego

statesExamples – Don`t be, Don`t need, Don`t think, Don`t be a child, Don`t belong

Script matrix

P

A

C

P

A

CP1

A1C1

2. Counter Injunction

1. Injunction3. Program

MotherFather

a diagram to show the transmission of script messages viewed in terms of ego-states.


• TA emphasizes our ability to become aware of our decisions that govern our behavior and the capacity to make new decisions that will beneficially alter our course of life• We look at the decisions made in response to parental injunctions and counter injunctions• Example 1- “Don’t make mistakes”Children fear taking risks that make them look stupid. They tend to equate mistakes to failurePossible Decisions – “I`m scared of making the wrong decision, so I simply wont decide”


• Example 2 – “Don’t be close”• Message interpreted as Don’t trust people and don’t lovePossible Decisions – “ because its scary to get close, i`ll keep myself distant”• Example 3- “Don’t be a child”Message says – Act Adult and keep control of yourselfPossible Decisions – “I`ll take care of others and wont ask much for myself. I wont let myself have all the fun”


Whatever injunctions people have received, and whatever the resulting life decisions were, transactional analysis maintains that people can make substantive life changes by changing their decisions—by re-deciding in the moment.Basic assumption of TA – Anything that has been learnt can be re-learnt

Ulterior Transactions

P

A

C

P

A

C

Transaction in which more than two ego are includedDisguised under socially acceptable

transaction

Angular Transaction

P

A

C

P

A

C

Salesman: "This one is better, but you can't

afford it."

Housewife: "That's the one I'll take."

Social level

Psychological level

Duplex Transaction

P

A

C

P

A

C

Boss: “I need you to stay late at the office

with me.”

Secretary: “Of course!” (with a wink)

Social level

Psychological level

Games People Play

Gamesa series of transactions - complementary (reciprocal), ulterior, proceeds towards

a predictable/definite outcome.

complementary are also said to be ulterior

predictable/definite: cross transaction will happen; communication ceases: Switch

feeling of guilt, anger, fear, tiredness etc.

Switch

P

A

C

P

A

C

Boss: “You should leave, it is late.”

Secretary: “OK!” (confused)

Social level

Psychological level

Reversal of role

Con

the hook which invites the person into the game

Boss: “I need you to stay late at the office with me.”

Gimmick

the interest in the hook

Secretary: “Of course!” (with a wink)

Cross-up

the immediate sense of confusion when the person realizes the fact that they have been

had

Secretary: “OK!” (confused)

Pay-offs

Instigator of the game feels justified & superior

Other feels deskilled & foolish

If and only if…Ulterior Transac

tion

Con + Gimmic

k

Switch

Cross-up

Pay-off

The Formula ‘G’

C + G = R > S > X > P

Karpman Drama Triangle

Victim

RescuerPersecutor


Victim

RescuerPersecutor

Provoke others to put them down, use or hurt them

Send “helpless” messages

Act confused


Victim

RescuerPersecutor

Make unrealistic rules Enforce rules in cruel

ways Pick “little” guys than

people of their own size


Victim

RescuerPersecutor

Offer phony helpfulness to keep others dependent on them

Don’t actually help Work to maintain

Victim role, so they can be Rescuer

Some Common GamesBlemish

Now I’ve Got you, you SOB (NIGYSOB)

Rapo

Wooden Leg

Kick Me

Schlemiel

Harried

Why Play Games?

gaining attention and stimulation, which are essential for our well being

Defending against internal fears and old unwanted feelings

the avoidance of a feared situation by playing the game

Providing players with pseudo-intimacy

P

A

C

P

A

C

Thank You!

Transactional Analysis

Education

Transcript of Transactional Analysis