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Transactional Analysis

Background Information
2 People primarily responsible for developing
Transactional Analysis are:
Eric Berne (initial theoretical rational)
Thomas A. Harris (reworked it & popularized it)


Transaction
The most basic unit of social interaction
occurring when one person acts as a
stimulus for another & the other responds to
the first




Transactional Stimulus and
Response
The initiator of the transaction is called the
transactional stimulus.
The response of the respondent is called
transactional response.
Ego States
Ego-States = logical systems of thought & feeling
manifested by corresponding patterns of behavior

When analyzing transactions we are really looking at
the dialogue between ego states
Ego States
Parent:
A huge collection of recordings in the brain
of unquestioned or imposed external events
perceived by a person in his early years.

Thoughts, feelings, attitudes, behavioral
patterns based on messages or lessons
learned from parents and other parental
or authoritarian sources
Ego States
Parent:
Filled with values, Shoulds and should nots;
oughts and ought nots; always and never,
good & bad

The individual feels, thinks, acts, talks, &
responds just as one of his parents did when
he/she was little
Parent Ego State
Prejudicial views (not based on logic or
facts) on things such as:
religion dress salespeople
traditions work products
money raising children companies
Nurturing views (sympathetic, caring
views)
Critical views (fault finding, judgmental,
condescending views)

Adult Ego State
Thoughts, feelings, attitudes, behavioral
patterns based on objective analysis of
information (data, facts)

Make decisions based on logic,
computations, probabilities, etc. (not
emotion)
Ego States
Adult:
Most rational & reality-oriented

Reacts to stimuli as it is actually
experienced

A computer processing info
without significant basis
Child Ego State
Thoughts, feelings, attitudes, behavioral
patterns based on child-like emotions, impulses,
feelings we have experienced

The little kid within us who feels, thinks, acts,
talks, & responds just the way he/she did as a
child at a certain age

Child-like examples

Impulsive
Self-centered
Angry
Fearful
Happy
Pleasure seeking
Rebellious
Happy
Curious
A major goal is to figure out which ego
state a person is using

The process of analysis is simple a diagrammatic
representation of the ego states are used
P Parent
C child
A adult
The Three Ego States
Parent- Do as I do
Child- What shall I do?
Adult- I will be frank with you

We Are
Child
Adult
Parent in our Transactions.
Biological conditions are irrelevant to
these ego states.
We shift from one ego state to another in
transactions.

Shift in Ego States
Parent- Why dont you prepare a time-
table?
Child- What is the point when one
cannot follow it? Becomes an Adult.
Transactional Analysis
Transactional analysis -
Transactions between people are seen as having
3 levels:
Complementary both people are
operating from the same ego state

Crossed the other person reacts from an
unexpected ego state

Ulterior two ego states within the same
person but one disguises the other
Types of Transactions
Complementary Transactions:
Appropriate and Expected Transactions
indicating healthy human relationships.
Communication takes place when
transactions are complementary. A stimulus
invites a response; this response becomes a
stimulus inviting further response and so on.
Transactions between 2 people may be complementary or
crossed. They are COMPLEMENTARY when the lines
representing the transaction are parallel
P
C C
A A
P
Transactions between 2 people may be complementary or
crossed. They are COMPLEMENTARY when the lines
representing the transaction are parallel
P
C C
A A
P
Transactions between 2 people may be complementary or
crossed. They are COMPLEMENTARY when the lines
representing the transaction are parallel
P
C C
A A
P
Types of Transactions
Crossed Transaction:
This causes most difficulties in social
situations.
May be, you should improve your
teaching.
You always find fault with me whatever I
do Parent-Child interaction.

There are 72 possible types of crossed interaction
P
C C
A A
P
Big Little
The type of interaction indicates that a person is responding from the level on
which he/she is being addressed. A transaction may be CROSSED if the person
responds on a level other than the one on which he or she is addressed.
P
C C
A A
P
Big Little
Big parent addresses Little child (you always think you can get away with
things,, but just wait..everyone gets what they deserve in the end), & Littles
adult responding in turn to Bigs adult (my observation is that people dont
always get what they observe)
P
C C
A A
P
Big Little
Data Exchange in Adult / Adult Transaction:
1. What is the yearly salary for this job?
2. It starts at $35,000.
P
C C
A A
P
1
2
Sympathetic Parent / Parent Transition:
1. Those children really miss their father.
2. Yes, lets take them to the park for a little fun.
P
C C
A A
P
1
2
Playful Child / Child Transaction:
1. I really like you.
2. I like you too.
P
C C
A A
P
1
2
Child / Nurturing Parent Transaction:
1. Im so worried about my son I cant concentrate on this report.
2. You can leave work early to go by the hospital and see him.
P
C C
A A
P
1
2
1. Boss: What time is it?
2. Secretary: Youre always in such a hurry!
P
C C
A A
P
1
2
1. Husband: Can you take the car to be serviced today?
2. Wife: Today I iron. Johnny expects a birthday cake.
The cat has to go to the vet, & now you want
me to take the car in! Are you crazy?
P
C C
A A
P
1
2
1. Boss: I need 25 copies of this report for the board
meeting this afternoon. Can you get them for
me?
2. Secretary: Arent you lucky youve got me around to take
care of you?
P
C C
A A
P
1
2
Scientist A: There may be some variables we havent considered for
this experiment.
Scientist B: So what, who cares around here?
P
C C
A A
P
A
B

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