LESSON NOTES ON ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR Semester 3rd, under BPUT Syllabus NOTE 19 By: Prof. A.S.

S.Mohanty TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS Definition When two people interact with each other, there results a social transaction. Analysis of social transaction is called Transactional Analysis (TA). Thus TA is defined as: TA is the study of moves people make in their social dealings with each other and is based on the idea that peoples interactions resemble moves in games. TA was introduced by Eric Berne in 1950 and was popularized by Thomas Harris in 1960. Advantages of TA The basics of TA are simple to learn. The validity of TA can be demonstrated. It provides a means for reducing the amount of bad feelings experienced by Individuals. It increases efficient use of time. It helps promote effective communication. It is applicable at home as well as at work. TA reinforces and implements other management development activities including communication, Leadership, brainstorming, MBO, job-evaluation, job-enrichment, conflict resolution, etc. Principles behind TA TA believes that every individual has the following 3(three) EGO States, which play active role in transactions between two individuals, when they interact with each other: The Parent Ego State The Adult Ego State The Child Ego State The Parent Ego State This state is also known as the Taught Ego State. It represents that part of a persons personality that is: Authoritative Nurturing Controlling Critical Dogmatic Over-protective These characteristics are usually learnt from parents or guardians at early stage of life. The Adult Ego State This is also known as the Thinking Ego State. It represents that part of a persons personality that is mature and rational. The characteristics under state are acquired as one matures in to adolescence and adulthood. Individuals gather relevant information, analyze carefully, generate alternatives, and make logical choices. In adult state, people therefore, do not act impulsively. They become fair and objective in their dealing. The Child Ego State This is also known as the Felt Ego State. It represents that part of a persons personality that is childish, dependent, immature, which is grown out of ones childhood experience. Behavior under this state is packed with emotions, insubordination, joy or rebellion. SOCIAL TRANSACTIONS According to Berne, people interact with each other from childhood, adult or parent ego state. Depending upon the ego state, it could be Complimentary, Crossed, or Ulterior Transaction. These are explained below: 1. Complimentary Transactions The Stimuli and Response are parallel and happen in the expected way. The behavior of the initiator is under the influence of the Parent Ego State and the response from the other person is under the Child Ego State. These being parallel transactions, communications flow freely, and there is no scope for Conflict.

2. Crossed Transactions Here the stimuli and response are not parallel, but crossed. Stimuli come from the first person under the Parent Ego State and the response from the other person is under the Child Ego State. There may be other such combinations that cross each other. Therefore, the conflict arises. Here the receivers response is not in the expected lines as expected by the initiator, or the sender. Such situations give rise to Dysfunctional Conflicts. 3. The Ulterior Transaction Like the Crossed Transactions, Ulterior Transactions cause much damage to interpersonal conflicts. Here one party says a thing to another party, but has a hidden intention, which is quite different from what uttered. This is a process where the mutual trust/faith in dealing is absent. The sender sends a stimuli under Adult Ego State-but actually he may be meaning it under Parent Ego State. There is no Response in true sense of it. Therefore, in a sense, transaction does not take place, as there is no response. Example: One might say I am busy now. However, you can come to me any time. But before coming to me, you please check up from my P.A. whether I am busy or not in my Office. This message could be interpreted as Dont meet me again on this issue, as it wont yield you any benefit. SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATION OF TYPES OF TRANSACTION (a) COMPLIMENTARY 1st Part 2nd Party (b) CROSSED 1st Party 2nd Party (c) ULTERIOR 1st Party 2nd Party

P
S R

S S

P = Parent Ego State

S ----- Stimuli A = Adult Ego State

R ----- Response C = Child Ego State

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