The Process Model

Personality Types,
Miniscripts & Adaptations
Taibi Kahler

process communication model can be utilised in so many different

areas of life. in motivation, in conflict resolution, in learning how
second by second, interaction by interaction an employee, colleague, family
member or friend can be motivated to be the very best they can possibly be.
www.pcmoceania.com contact@pcmoceania.com

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

Abstract
TheauthorchronicleshisProcessModel
fromtheminiscripttohisresearchbased
sixPersonalityTypes.PaulWaresDoors
areexpandedintosixperceptions,andhis
Adaptationsareidentifiedinminiscript
behaviorsofthreedegreesofdistress,in
cludingDrivers,failuremechanisms,
games,injunctions,rackets,egostates,
roles,myths,issues,impasses,probable
earlydecisions,andscripts.
Newevidenceispresentedincontrastto
classicaltheoryofthescriptingofcoun
terscriptsandinjunctions.
ThesignificanceofDriversandscripts,and
howtodealwitheachisexplained.
Treatmentapproachesforeachmini
script/Adaptationareoffered,withidenti
fyingthetransactionandperceptionto
contacteach,aswellastheissueupon
whichtofocus.Examplesofintegrating
Gestalt,Rogerian,Cognitive,RationalEmo
tive,Behavior,andAsklepieiontherapies
aregiven.
Myinterestinprocessbeganbyconcentrat
ingonfunctionalanalysisanddiscovering
Drivers(19691971).Astheyweredefined
anddescribedasfunctionalcounterscripts,
theywereobservablebywords,tones,ges
tures,posture,andfacialexpressions,un
liketraditionalstructuralcounterscriptsthat
weretheorizedandhypothesized.The
processadvantagesofDriversincludedas
sessingthemsecondbysecondtodifferen
tiatethemfromapositivefunctionalego
state,verifyingthattheylastedmomentar
ily,observingthattheyprecededrackets,
anddeterminingthattheywerehoused
functionallyinNPandAC.Further
more,asDriverswereneitherobservablein
anypositive(OKOK)functionalegostates,
norinaCP,VC,orACwithrackets,alogi
calcorollaryindicatedtheexistenceofa
fifthlifeposition:OKif(Ernst,1971;
Kahler,1975a),whichfurthercorroborated
aprocesssequence.
Myacademicinterestinprocessbeganwith
myMasterofSciencedegreethesis:The
effectsofteachermanagementprocess
codeviavideotapefeedbackontheverbal
behaviorofstudentteachers(Kahler,
1971).

Withthediscoveryoftheminiscript(1971
1972),Ibecamemoreinterestedinprocess
sequences:(1)anorderofcathectingnega
tivefunctionalegostates(KahlerwithCa
pers,1974,1975b);(2)anorderofinterring
theDramaTriangle(Karpman,1968;Kahler
withCapers,1974),withDriversattheRes
cuerorVictim(ofaRescuer)roles;(3)an
orderofstartinggames,withDriversatCon
andGimmick.(Berne,1970;Kahlerwith
Capers,1974).

Researchwasneeded.In1972Ireceivedmy
doctoratefromPurdueUniversity.Ihad
createdaTAinventoryanduseditinmy
research:PredictingAcademicUnde
rachievementinNinthandTwelfthGrade
MaleswiththeKahlerTransactionalAnaly
sisScriptChecklist(Kahler,1972).Inter
estedinfurthervalidatingmyinventory,I
continuedtogatherdatawithit.Aftera
sufficientlylargesamplepopulationsize,I
conductedafactoranalysisandaskeda
statisticsprofessorforhisevaluationand
interpretation.
Theresultswereatfirstdisappointing,in
thatthestrongestcorrelationswerejust
withDriversandscripts.Thestatistician,
however,pointedouttomethatwhateverI
wasresearchingdidhavesignificance.The
datanaturallyfellintosix,mutuallyexclu
siveclustersatahighenoughsignificance
nottoberandom.
SeveralyearslaterIrealizedthattheseclus
terswereactuallythefoundationforthe
ProcessCommunicationModel(PCM)
(Kahler,1982a)andtheProcessTherapy
TM
Model (PTM)(Kahler,1978)tobecom
prisedofsixPersonalityTypes.
Interestingly,thecorrelationsbetweenthe
Driversandmainlifescriptspresenteda
breakthroughinscripttheory.Someofthe
originalTAtheoristspostulatedthatthe
scriptwasaresultofscriptinjunctions.My
researchclearlyshowedcorrelationsbe
tweenDrivers(functionalcounterscripts)
andthelifescripts.
OfallhisworkIwasmostfascinatedby
Bernesexplanationandinterpretationof
thescriptdynamicsofMrs.Sayers,de
scribedinhis1961bookTransactional
AnalysisinPsychotherapy(Berne,p.124).

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

Hehadanalyzedherbehaviorsecondby
secondanddiscoveredherwholelifescript
whichshehadrepeatedlyplayedoutover
varyinglengthsoftimerangingfromapass
ingmomenttoseveralyears.Howin
crediblethetelescopingofawholescript
intoafewseconds.
Bythesummerof1971Ihaddiscovered
howDriversreinforcelifescriptsthousands
oftimesaday.AswemoveintoDrivers,
energyisdrainedfromtheAdult,andthis
affectshowwe(preconsciously)structure
ourthoughts,asevidencedbyDrivercon
taminatedsentencepatterns.(Kahlerwith
Capers,1974;Kahler,1975a;Kahler,1975c).
Iconfirmedmostofmyobservationsbya
researchstudy(Kahler,1982b),resultingin
thefollowinginformation.

andinjunctionsdeliveredfunctionally
throughCP,VC,andAC(+)determine
theintensityofthelifescript.
So,aprocessLifeScriptisafalsebelief
originatinginDrivers,reinforcedthrough
sentencepatterns,andreplayedthroughout
lifeinintensityasafunctionofdistress.
Knowingaclientsscriptallowsthethera
pistpredictabilityofbehaviorintreatment.
Thisisthecaseinlifeaswell:wefoundthis
predictabilityofscriptsveryusefulinwork
ingwithastronautsatNASA(Kahler,2008,
pp.241243).
AfterScriptTheseclientsoveradaptto
nonnurturingtherapists,andinsodoing
maysabotagetreatment.Theirexperience
is,Ihadafeelingthiswouldntwork.Ifelt
thetherapistreallydidntlikeme.
UntilScriptTheseclientsmayputoffdoing
new,therapysuggestedbehaviorsuntil
theycanbeassuredofdoingitperfectly.
AlwaysScriptSomeoftheseclientsTry
hardwithnonplayfultherapists,andmay
endupleavingtherapy,blamingthethera
pist.Someoftheseclientswhofendfor
themselvesinlife,interpretnon
confrontationaltherapistsasineffective
victims,andcornerthemwithmanipula
tionsofnonpayment,missedappoint
mentsorotherredefinitions.
NeverScriptTheseclientsmayneverfinal
izeanewtherapydecisionintoaction,es
peciallywithanondirectivetherapist.
AlmostIScriptTheseclientsalmostget
whattheywantmostfromtherapy.Thisis
mostlikelytohappenifthetherapistisnon
nurturingandnonplayful.

1982KahlerCommunications,Inc.

Inamannerofminutesitispossibletode
termineapersonswholelifescriptsimply
bylisteningcarefullytosentencepatterns.
Thishasshowntobeaccurateacrosscul
turesandlanguages.
Ina1975articleintheTAJcalledScripts:
ProcessandContent(Kahler),Iresolved
classictheorywithcurrentscriptdiscoveries
intoasynthesizedmodel.Drivers(func
tionalcounterscripts)formthelifescript,

AlmostII(professional)Clientswiththis
Scriptwillappeartohavegottenwhatthey
wantedintreatmentbutdonotgeneralize
andincorporateitintotheirprofessional
life.
AlmostII(personal)ClientswiththisScript
needtodealwitheitherorboth,Dont
enjoyorDonthavefun.Iftheywillfail
todealwitheitherinjunction,theyarelikely
toplaythemartyrintheirrelationships.
PaulWareandImetin1974,andbecame
lifelongfriends.Afterattendedaweeklong

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

seminarIhaddoneinearly1975inDulzura,
California,Paulhostedaseminarforme
laterthatyearinShreveport,Louisiana,in
whichI:(1)presentedsixbasicminiscripts,
eachreinforcingadifferentlifescript;and
(2)demonstratedthepositivetransactions
toofferwhenapersonshowsaDriver.
WhenofferedRespondwith
Beperfect(formeoryou)A

Bestrong(formeoryou)+CP

TryhardFC

FC

Pleaseyou+NP

FC

ThesesixformsofthefiveDriverswere
thosecorrelatedeachtoadifferentcluster
intheoriginal1972research(Kahler,
1982b),soIcontinuedtofocusprimarilyon
them.
In1976PaulWareandIcoledamarathon
inShreveport,Louisiana.
WhatIhadbeendoingbyselectingdiffer
enttransactionstousetoconnectwitha
clientdependingontheirprimaryDriver,
Paulwasdoingwithselectingfeelings,
thoughtsorbehaviorsinordertoconnect
withaperson.WhereasIfocusedoninter
veningatbeginningdistressedbehavior
(i.e.,withbeingpresentedaDriver),Paul
lookedatthepersonsOKfunctioning,
anddeterminedhowbesttoconnectwith
theclientinhis/herpreferenceoffeelings,
thoughts,orbehaviors.
Note:SevenyearslaterPaulhadrefinedhis
conceptoftherapydoors,andwhathe
calledsixAdaptations,andwroteanarticle
inthe1983TransactionalAnalysisJournal
entitledPersonalityAdaptations(Ware).
Thiswasamilestonecontributiontopsy
chotherapyasitfocusedontheindividual

client.
In1977IfinishedTransactionalAnalysis
Revisited(Kahler,1978).PaulWarewrote
theintroduction:Taibihasenlargedonhis
ProcessSchoolofTAhisProcessTherapy
willbecomeanimportantcontributionto
psychology.ProcessTherapyisexplained,
withcaseillustrations,clinicalapplications,
andscript(tape)supervision.

LaterthatyearIreceivedtheEricBerne
MemorialScientificAwardfortheMini
script(KahlerwithCapers,1974).
In1978IwrotetheProcessCommunication
ModelinBrief(Kahler,1978),andManag
ingwiththeProcessCommunicationModel:
Selecting,Retaining,Motivating(Kahler,
1979a).Ireasonedthatiftherearesixclus
tersofnegativebehavior(thesixscriptsand
thesixclustersfromthe1972research),
thentherearesixclustersofpositivebehav
iors.HedgesCapers(1974)hadsuggested
theOKminiscript.JackDusayhadconceived
oftheEgogram(1972),whichalthough
measuringbothpositiveandnegativeego
states,stillsuggestedthatwehaveanorder
ofpositiveegostatesinus.PaulWares
Doors(1983)stronglyarguedforanindivid
ualpreferentialsequence.
IcoinedthetermPersonalityTypesto
emphasizethattheyarenotclinicaldiag
nosticcategories,andthattheyhaveposi
tivebehaviorsassociatedwiththem.My
termsarePersister,Reactor,Workaholic,
Promoter,Rebel,andDreamer.PaulWare
isreferencedforhisDoorsandAdaptations.
In1979IwroteandpublishedtheProcess
TherapyinBrief.(Kahler,1979b),inwhichI
(1)separatedtheProcessCommunication
Model(fornonclinicalapplications)andthe
ProcessTherapyModel(forclinicalapplica
tions)byusingdifferentterminology,refer
encingPaulWareandcallingthePersonality
TypeAdaptations:Doubters,Overreactors,
Workaholics,Manipulators,Disapprovers,
Daydreamers,andaddaseventh,Cyclers;
(2)describedanddiagrammedthemini
scriptintermsofthreedegreesofdistress
words,tones,gestures,andfacialexpres
sionsaregivenforeach,aswellaslifeposi
tions,myths,androles;(3)offeredhowto
assessaclient:Quadrize,Contactize,and
Driverize;(4)created,presentedandex
TM
plainedtheAssessingMatrix :thevertical
axisisforgoal,thehorizontalforpeo
ple.Activeindicatesinitiatingandinter
nalmotivation,whilePassiveindicates
externalmotivation;(5)placedThoughts,
Feelings,Reactions,andActionstheAssess
ingMatrix;(6)placedDriversontheAs
sessingMatrix;(7)putOverreactors,
Doubters,Disapprovers,Manipulators,
Daydreamers,Workaholics,andCyclerson

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

theAssessingMatrix;(8)suggestedtraits,
Drivers,stoppers(functionalscriptinjunc
tions),rackets,games,scripts,anddynam
icsforeachType;(9)showedDriversand
scriptsontheAssessingMatrix;(10)pro
videdatableforwhatpositivetransaction
(Channel)andcontactareatousewitheach
Type;(11)gaveatableforthecontact,tar
get,andtrapforeachType;and(12)of
feredatablefortherapistclientpotentially
incompatibleAdaptations.
In1978Itheorizedthatpersonality
structureiscomprisedofsixPersonality
Types;discoveranddefinePhasesand
Phasing;andbeginresearch.Forseveral
yearsIhadbeenconceivingofpersonality
structureasalayeringofsix"positive"
PersonalityTypeswithineachindividual.I
wasnotjustlookingatclinical,distressed,
ormaladaptivebehaviorsofpeople,butat
allthepositivebehaviorsaswell.I
visualizedasixfloorhouse,withadifferent
setofpositivepersonalitytraitsoneach
floor.Ihypothesizedwhatthesepositive
traitswouldbeforeachofsixPersonality
Types,thatIcalledReactors,Workaholics,
Persisters,Dreamers,Rebels,and
Promoters.(Inowwantedneutralterms,as
IwasnotjustfocusingonmypreviousTA
clinicalminiscriptviewofthem.)Such
hypothesizedtraitsincluded:character
strengths,positiveegostates(personality
parts)andpositivetransactions(channelsof
communication),perceptions,
environmentalpreferences,management
andinteractionstyles,facialexpressions,
home/officepreferences,andpsychological
needmotivators.Iwasnolongerlookingat
justasinglenegativepatternofaperson
clinically,butratherseeingeachpersonas
havingapersonalitystructuremadeupof
sixPersonalityTypesavailabletohim,in
somemeasurableorder.AsIcontemplated
this,Iaskedmyselfquestionafterquestion:
Whyarepeoplemotivatedbydifferent
psychologicalneedsatdifferenttimesin
theirlives?Whydoesntapersons
primaryDrivereverchangeeventhoughhe
orshemighthaveadifferentdistress
sequence?Whydoesapersonhavea
differentscriptatdifferenttimesintheir
life?Whydosomepeopledemonstratenot
justonebuttwodistresssequences,

dependinguponthelevelofdistressthey
areunder?
AsIaskedmyselfthesequestions,Ithought
ofhowmanypeoplechangethroughout
theirlifetime,asifgoingthrough
passagesgrowingfromthepain
differentinattitude,butsameintheirbasic
structure.Irememberedwhatseemedlike
differentphasesofmylife.AsIdid,I
realizedthatineachofthesephasesIhada
differentminiscriptsequence,aswellas
differentpsychologicalneeds,althoughI
wasbasicallythesameperson.
Ihadaburstofinsight.Peoplestartout
withtheminiscriptthatmatchesthefirst
orBaseflooroftheirsixfloor
personalitycondominium.Whentheydont
getthepsychologicalneed(s)associated
withthePersonalityTypeonthatfloormet
positively,theyshowtheminiscriptofthat
Typeinordertogetthesameneedmet
negatively.
Furthermore,eachminiscripthasakey
issueassociatedwithit.Ifapersondoes
notdealwiththatissue,hewillbestuck
inthatfloorrelatedminiscript.Whenhe
finallyexperiencestheunderlyingauthentic
feelingandresolvestheissue,hewillthen
Phasetohisnextfloor,andhaveanew
miniscript,newpotentialissue,andnew
psychologicalneedmotivationinhislife.
Hestillwillhavetherelativeorderof
positivecharacteristicsoftheirpersonality
structure,justmore.
Researchwasneeded.Thetimingwas
perfect.IhadbeenhiredbyDr.Terry
McGuire,NASAspsychiatristinchargeof
selectionandcrewmanagement,towork
withhiminchoosingastronauts.Hundreds
ofthebestofthebestwerebeing
interviewed,butweneededamore
efficientselectionprocess.NASAhelped
fundaresearchvalidationofapenciland
paperinventorytodowhatweweredoing
inperson.Itgavemetheopportunityto
expandintononclinicalapplications,as
wellastestmyhypotheses.
Theresearchtookseveralyears.Byearly
1982theresearchwascompletedwith
interestingresults(Kahler,1982b).Nowthe
1972researchmadesense.WhenIwent
backtoitandinsertedthenewhypothesis,

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

thedatabecamesignificantatthe>.01level
(Kahler,2008,p.271).ThereasonthatIdid
notgetthecorrelationalsignificanceatfirst
wasthatIdidntfactorinPhasinginlife.
Forexample,onlyoneoutofthreepeople
withaPleaseyoudriver(BaseReactor
PersonalityType)willhaveallofthe
aforementionedminiscriptbehaviors,
becausetheyhavenotPhased.Twooutof
threeoftheseReactorswillhavePhased,
andconsequentlywillhaveadifferent
distresssequencethatofthefloor
PersonalityTypeofthePhase.The
TM
PersonalityPatternInventory was
validatedbothforclinicalandnonclinical
applications(Kahler,1982b).
Theseresearchfindingsincluded
confirmationofthesixpositivePersonality
Types,eachwithitsownmeasuredamount
ofenergyandorderofcharacterstrengths,
environmentalpreference,perception,
psychologicalneeds,managementstyle,
personalitypart,andchannel.Theresearch
alsoidentifiedthenormalmanagement
distresssequenceofthecurrentPhasethe
individualisin,aswellasthesevere
managementdistresssequenceofhisfirst
floorBasePersonalityType.Ivalidatedthat
eachPersonalityTypehasacertain
psychologicalneed(s),andthatwhennot
metpositively,theindividualwillattemptto
gettheverysameneed(s)metnegatively
withorwithoutawareness.Thisshowed
howandwhyPCMcouldaccuratelypredict
distressbehaviorsinastronautsandtherest
ofus.
In1982IwroteandpublishedtheProcess
CommunicationManagementSeminarwith
profilereport(Kahler,1982a)andthe
ProcessCommunicationModelSeminar
withprofilereport(Kahler,1983),each
computergeneratedbypaperandpencil
PersonalityPatternInventory(Kahler,
1982b).Theresultsoftheresearchstudies
wereputinseminarmaterial,copyrighted
andregistered,withthefirst3dayseminar
inApril,1982.InattendanceweresuchTA
notablesasHedgesCapers,MichaelBrown,
andLucieKing.
Thedatathatwasderivedfromthere
searchincludedthefollowing:

(1)PersonalityTypesarecorrelatedtoboth
positiveandnegativebehaviors.Paul
Wares3Doorsareshowntobesixmu
tuallyexclusiveDoors,behaviorallyob
servableasperceptions;
WareDoorsKahlerResearchPerceptions
FeelingsEmotions
ThoughtsThoughts
Opinions
Actions
BehaviorsReactions(likes/dislike)
Inactions(reflections)
Inotherwords,eachtimeapersonisinan
OKOKplace(i.e.,ononeofthepersonal
ityfloorsofhis/hercondominium),s/he
energizesthatperceptionandexperiences
lifethatway,asreflectedbybehaviors
especiallywords.Thefollowinggivesabe
ginningunderstandingofthesePersonality
Typeperceptionwords(Kahler,1982a).
Thoughts(logic)floor:IthinkWhatop
tionsDoesthatmeanWhoWhat
WhenWherefactsinformation
datatimeframes
Emotions(compassion)floor:IfeelIm
comfortablewithIcarehappysad
Iloveclosefamily
Opinions(values)floor:Inmyopinion
WeshouldIbelieverespectvalues
admirationcommitmentdedication
trust
Inactions(reflections)floor:Notsure
WaitformoredirectionHoldback
EasypaceOwnspaceDoesntmatter
Yourchoice
Reactions(likes/dislikes)floor:WowI
likeIdontlike[hate]Dontwant
[fun,slangphrases]Cantstand
Great!Yes!
Actions(initiatives)floor:Bottomline
MakeithappenGoforitEnoughtalk
Giveityourbestshot[imperatives]

(2)EachTypehas:astrongestpositiveego
state,apositivetransactionituses,three
significantcharacterstrengths,anenviron
mentalpreference,andmanagementstyle;

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

(3)Predictability.Psychologicalneed(s)are
identifiedforeachPhaseType(whennot
metpositively,resultinthatsamePhase
Typeminiscript2ndor3rddegreebehav
ior).Negative:eachTypehasitsown3de
greedistresssequence(miniscript),withits
ownDriver,FailureMechanism,role,myth,
injunctions,games,majorracket,negative
egostate(VC,CP,orAC),Script,andPay
off.Thesebehaviorswerepresentedin
management(PCM)andclinicalpresenta
tions(PTM);
(4)WareAdaptations(1983).Connections
wereidentifiedtoclassicaldiagnoses:Reac
torminiscriptcouldwarrantHystericaldi
agnosis;Workaholicminiscriptcouldwar
rantObsessiveCompulsivediagnosis;Per
sisterminiscriptcouldwarrantParanoid
diagnosis;Dreamerminiscriptcouldwar
rantschizoiddiagnosis;Rebelminiscript
couldwarrantPassiveAggressivediagnosis;
andPromoterminiscriptcouldwarrantAn
tisocialdiagnosis;
(5)Newscriptingevidence.Thereexistsa
significantcorrelationbetweenaDriverand
asinglePersonalityType.Inotherwords,a
givenPersonalityTypewillhaveaspecific
Driverandassociatedwithit,nomatter
whatthescriptingisoftheparents.For
example,WorkaholicBaseindividualswill
haveaprimaryBeperfectDriver,nomatter
whatinjunctionsorcounterinjunctionsare
deliveredbytheirparents.Therefore,a
verbal,consciousdecisionofacounterscript
inresponsetothe(parental)environment
asoriginallyproposedbySteiner(1966)and
thenothers(e.g.,JoinesandStewart
(2002))isnotsubstantiatedbyresearch
correlations.However,parentsmaywell
passonsecondaryDriversandsecondary
injunctions,aswellasinfluencewithother
environmentalfactorstheorderofPerson
alityTypesmakinguptheindividualsstruc
ture;
(6)Whenthepsychologicalneed(s)ofthe
Phasearenotmetpositively,apersonap
pearstoattempttogetthesameone(s)
metnegatively,andwithapredictable
miniscriptsequence,thetemplateofwhich
variesforinjunctions[dependingonthose
dealtwithinpreviousPhasesandthose
reinforcedbyparents],games,andscripts
[e.g.,aReactorBasepersoninaRebel

PhasewillnothaveanAlwaysscript,but
ratheranAlmostI];
(7)PrimaryDriversandPersonalityTypes.
ThereisoneandonlyoneprimaryDriver
associatedwitheachPersonalityType:two
ParentDriversandfourChildDrivers,
oneforeachType.AllotherDriversserve
littlepurposeclinically;
(8)HowtoidentifyaDriver:Allfivebehav
ioralcuesarerequiredtoconfirmtheDriv
er.Drivershavenorackets(feelings),last
onlyasecondortwo,precedeCP,VC,or
AC[+],andreinforceabehaviorallife
positionofOKifThefollowingsimplifies
Driveridentification(Kahler,1982a).
WorkaholicType:Beperfectforyou
Overqualifyingstatement:Imnotex
actlysure.
ReactorType:Pleaseyou
Overadapted:Maybeyoucould
PersisterType:Beperfectforme

Overqualifyingquestion:Whatexactly
doyou?
RebelType:Tryhardforyou
Notwantingtounderstand:Huh...I
dontgetit.
DreamerType:Bestrongforyou
Statementsuggestingothersorthings
areresponsibleforthoughtsorfeelings:
Ithurts.Itcametome.Thatfeels.
PromoterType:Bestrongforme
Youwhenreferencingself:When
yourepresenting,you
(9)ConfrontingDrivers.SinceDriverbe
haviormaybelinkedto2nddegreeimpasse
consequences,pointingouttheDriverisnot
advisable;norismerelygivingpermissionto
stopit.Driversaremostoftenanadver
tisementthattheindividualisrunningout
ofenergyattemptingtorespondtooffers
fromaPersonalityBaseTypedifferentfrom
his/hers.Inotherwords,whenapositive
transactionand/orperceptionisoffered
thatrequirestheindividualtomoveto
thatreceivingfloor,andtheindividualhas
nottheenergytodoso(thisbandwidth
energyisverifiableandidentifiedbyour
inventoryforegostate,transaction,and
perception),s/hewillshowtheDriverof
his/herBasePersonalityType,thusele

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

gantlyadvertisingtotheotherpersonwhat
positivetransactionandperceptionwould
beaccepted.Forexample,aWorkaholic
Base(A Awiththoughts)individualwith
Reactor(+NP FCwithemotions)onhis
fourthfloor,hasrunoutofenergytomove
tothatfloor,foranynumberofpossible
reasonsperhapsheisseeingaRogerian
therapistorReactorBasetherapist,who
naturallyusesoftenhis/herownfavorite
transactionandperception(+NP FCwith
emotions)(Kahler,1982a).
ConfrontingDrivers
ThefollowingareexamplesofeachDriver,
followedbythecombinationofperception
andtransactionalofferaimedatthePer
sonalityTypeBaseadvertisedbythat
Driver:
Tryhard(C):Huh.IdontgetDrivers.
FC FC+Reactions(likes/dislikes):
Weh!IhateitwhenIdontgetit.

Pleaseyou(C):Maybeyoucouldsaymore
aboutDrivers.
+NP FC+Emotions:Thankyou.Ifeel
Driversareimportanttoreview.

Beperfect(C):Imnotexactlysurewhata
Driveris.
A A+Thoughts:Ithinkareviewof
Driverswouldbegoodinformationforus
all.Doyouhaveapreferenceastowhich
Driverwediscussfirst?

Beperfect(P):WhatexactlyisaDriver?
A A+Opinions:ThebeliefinProcess
TherapyisthataDriverisabehaviorthat
startsadistresssequences.Dobelievethat
couldbeofvalueinfamilycommunica
tions?

Bestrong(C):Itoccurredtomethateve
ryoneshowsDrivers.
+CP A+Inactions(reflections):Reflect
onit,andimaginehoweveryoneshowsa
Driver.

Bestrong(P):Youwanttogetoutofthis
lectureandmakeithappen.

CP

A+Actions:Goforit.

(10)Evidencesupportstheconceptthat
personalitystructureiscomprisedofsix
PersonalityTypes,inorder,likenedtoasix
floorPersonalityCondominium,witha
strongestBaseTypeandPhase,whichde
terminestheforegroundpsychological
needsanddeterminesthecorresponding
miniscript.(720positivecondominium
orders,eachwithsixpossiblePhaseType,
equaling4,320totalpersonalitycombina
tions;however,onlysixminiscripts,each
varyinginPhasegames,injunctions,and
scripts);
(11)Connectingwiththeclient.Whatever
PersonalityTypeisBase(firstfloor),is
wheretoconnectwiththeclient.Paul
Ware(2009)agreesthatthiscorrespondsto
hisContactDoor,butexpandedtoinclude
oneofthesixperceptions.Inotherwords,a
therapistinterestedinmovingintoaclients
frameofreferencehassixpairsofpercep
tionplustransactionfromwhichtochoose.
Thisassessmentcanbefacilitatedbyknow
ingthecorrelatedbehaviorsofeachPer
sonalityType(Kahler,1982a);
(12)Interpretingtheclientsdistress.What
everthePhaseisdeterminesthecorre
spondingminiscriptdistresstheclientisin,
therebytargetingforthetherapistthecor
respondinginjunctions,games,failure
mechanisms,rackets,myth,role,andscript;
(13)DontassumeagivenAdaptationhas
acertaininjunction.(Ware,1983;Joines,
1986).MaryGouldingbelievedthatanyone
couldhaveanyoftheinjunctions,whileshe
toldmethatBobGouldingconsideredthat
theremaybecertaininjunctionscorrelated
withdifferentdiagnoses.(Goulding,1982,
2008).Myfindingsindicatedtheywere
bothright.
BasePersonalityTypeshaveagivenprimary
injunction,nomatterwhattheinjunction
scriptingoftheparents.Thisisbecause
thisbasicinjunctionservestodefend
againstthedealinginahealthywayofthe
moreimportantissueofthePersonality
Type.
Secondaryinjunctionsmayalsobeinherent,
andmaywellincludethepassingonof
parentalinjunctionsidentifiedinclassical

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

T.A.(Steiner,1966).Thefollowingtable
identifiesthecorrelationsfortheBasePer
sonalityTypeandprimaryinjunctions.(The
secorrelationswouldalsoberelevantfor
theassociatedAdaptations).
Miniscript/AdaptationandInjunction
BaseTypePrimaryinjunction
DreamerDontmakeit
PromoterDontbeclose
PersisterDonttrust
ReactorDontfeelanger
RebelDontgrowup
WorkaholicDontfeelgrief

PhasePersonalityTypes(currentfloorde
terminingpositivepsychologicalneeds,and
correspondingforsamenegativeneeds,as
reflectedinthatTypeminiscript)showa
layeringeffectofinjunctions,games,and
scripts.Therefore,sincetwothirdsofthe
generalpopulationhaveadifferentBase
andPhase,onecannotassumethatagiven
Adaptationthereforehasagiveninjunction.
(Thisisalsotrueforassumingthatwecan
lookatatablelistingAdaptationswitha
givenscriptorgame.)Furthermore,since
theAdaptationisdeterminedbythePhase,
onecannotlookupthatAdaptationona
table,andthenmakecontactusingthat
suggestedperception(Door)andtransac
tion,becausetheBasePersonalityTypeis
stillthecontactareaforperceptionand
transaction.
Forexample,consideraWorkaholic(Base)
inasecondfloorRebelPhase.Wecontact
clientsatBase.Inthiscase,usingA A,
andintheperceptionofthoughts.(Re
member,shouldweusetoooftenother
positivetransactionsorotherperceptions
thatthisclientrunsoutofpsychicenergy
towhichtorespond,s/hewillalertuswith
theBaseBeperfectDriver.Thisremindsus
toreturntoA Aandthoughts.)
RebelPhasemeansthatthispersonspsy
chologicalneedsarenowplayfulcontact
humor,fun,play,creativity,sports,music,
art,etc.Theminiscriptisthereforethatalso
ofaRebel,whichifintenseenoughcould
warrantadiagnosisofPassiveAggressive

Adaptation.WeknowthatthisWorkaholic
Phasedearlierinlifebyhavingamajor
loss,spenttimerepressingorsuppressing
sadness,probablysabotagedarelationship
orajob,andfinallygrieved,thusPhasingto
his/hernextfloor,whichhappenedtobe
Rebel.
AlthoughaBaseRebelwouldhaveapri
maryinjunctionofDontgrowup,aBase
WorkaholicinaRebelPhase(Workaholic
Rebel)wouldnothavethisinjunction.Why
not?BecausetheWorkaholichasgrown
up(infact,alwayswasgrownup),be
causehis/herthoughtsperceptionperme
atestheworldthroughtheAdult,aidedby
charactertraitsofbeingresponsible,logical,
andorganized.ThisWorkaholicRebel
wouldhavenoprimaryinjunction,butin
terestingly,wouldhaveacarryoversecon
daryBaseinjunctionofDontenjoy,plus
nowwhateverparental(i.e.,environmental)
secondaryinjunctions.Thiswouldalertthe
therapistastowhythisclientisnotlikelyto
besuccessfultotallyingettingRebelPhase
psychologicalneedofcontactmetposi
tively.Thisclientcanhavefun,butnotcon
tinuetheenjoyment.And,s/heislikely
usingthelackofjoyasfueltoblamesome
oneelse.(Thisstructureisoftengivenrise
tothephrasemidlifecrises);
(15)Whattoavoid.Whateveristhesixth
flooroftheindividualsPersonalityCondo
miniumdetermineswhatthetherapist
shouldavoidaddressing,intermsofoffer
ingtherelatedpositivetransactionandper
ception.Thiswouldalsoincludeexpecting
theclienttobeabletocathectorutilize
thatfloorrelatedegostateorcharacter
strengths.Evidenceoftheclientsinability
(i.e.,notvisitingthesixthfloorveryoften,
andhenceleaststrongthere)torespondon
thissixthfloorwouldbetheclientcounter
ingwiththeDriverofhis/herBasePersonal
ityType.PaulWare(2009)nowagreesthat
thiscorrespondstohisTrapDoor,thusex
pandingthreetosixtoavoidpossibilities
ofperception,andincludingtheassociated
transactiontoavoid;
(16)Howtotreatscripts.Thescriptofthe
Phaseisformedbythecombinationsofthe
BaseandPhaseDrivers(aswellasanyfloor
Typesinbetween).However,recallthata
scriptdoesnotbecomeaproblemunless

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

2ndor3rddistressisinvolved.Andthe
mostcommonreasonapersonexperiences
thislevelofdistressisthats/heissettling
forgettinghis/herpsychologicalneedsmet
negatively,whenthosesamepsychological
needswerenotmetpositively.
Therefore,thebesttreatmentfordealing
withthescriptissimplytogetthepsycho
logicalneedsofthePhasemetpositivelyon
aregularbasis.(Anyinjunctionsinhibiting
thisshouldbeaddressedsothattheposi
tivesatisfyingofthesePhaseneedscan
affordsocialcontrolandsymptomaticrelief
totheclient,aswellashelpingtoavoid
playingoutthescriptwiththetherapist.)
Ioriginallythoughtthatpermissionsand
socialcontrolAdultdecisionswerethe
waytodealwithscripts.Forexample,with
theUntilscript:1)Dotheworknowwith
client,notlater;2)Keepworkshort;OKto
workbeforeitsallfigured.
IwassoquotedinStanWoollamsandMi
chaelBrownsTA:Thetotalhandbookof
transactionalanalysis(Woollamsand
Brown,1979).Theydevotedanentiresec
tiontomywork:Unit10,TheScriptinAc
tion:ProcessandContentpp.191216,and
listScriptDisruptions,identifyingthecon
tentofmyseverallecturesattheirHuron
ValleyInstitute.
Thisoutdatedreferencewasunintentionally
creditedtoBrownandWoollamsandprop
agatedinPersonalityAdaptations(Stewart
andJoines,2002,p.201).

floorDreamer,fifthfloorRebel,andsixth
floorPromoter.Inordertogiveallsixmini
scripttemplatevariations,Iwillpresent
howthispersonspersonalitydynamics
wouldbothremainthesame(i.e.,orderof
positiveegostates,positivetransactions,
perceptions,andcharacterstrengths)
throughouthislifetime,buthowhisdis
tressedbehaviorwouldlookifhehad
Phasedfivetimes.Phasingoccurswhen:
(1)wearepresentedinlifewithanunre
solvedissuefromachildhoodDevelopmen
talStage(Kahler,2008);(2)donotdealina
healthywaywithit;(3)stayin2nddegree
PhaseTypeminiscriptbehaviorintensely
andconsistently,sooftenastowarranta
labelofanAdaptation;(4)finallyexperi
encetheunderlyingauthenticemotion,
whichliftsusuptothenextPersonality
Typefloorinourcondominium,resultingin
newpsychologicalneeds,andanewpoten
tialminiscriptwithitsrelatedissue.
Whatisimportanttonoticeishowthein
junctions,games,andscriptsvaryasafunc
tionofthispersonspersonalitycondomin
iumstructure.Itshowsclearlyhowwecan
notmakesimpletablelistsofAdaptations
comparedtoinjunctions,games,and
scripts,butratherneedtoseetheentire
personalitystructurepictureoftheindivid
ual.

FundamentalsofPersonalityStructure:the
sixPersonalityTypes
By1982theidentificationoftheProcess
TherapyModelpresentationshadbecome
computerized.Thereare720waysoforder
ingthesixPersonalityTypestoformanin
dividualspersonalitycondominium.First
floorisconsideredtheBaseType.
ThePersonalityPatternInventory(PPI)
(Kahler,1982b)measurestherelative
amountofenergyavailableoneachfloor
neededtocathectthecorrespondingego
state,positivetransactionandperception.
Anexampleof1ofthese720combinations
follows:aBaseReactor,secondfloorWork
aholic,thirdfloorPersister,fourthfloor

1982KahlerCommunications,Inc.

IfthisReactorBaseclientwerealsoina
ReactorPhase,theminiscriptwouldbe:
PsychologicalNeeds:

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

RecognitionofpersonandSensory

Mask:Attacker(CP)

st

1 Driver:Pleaseyou

Majorracket:Frustratedlyangry.

DefenseMechanism:Introjection

Role:PersecutorlookingforaVictim.

nd

2 FailureMechanism:Makesmistakes

Games*:NIGYSOB.Uproar.

WarningSignals:Invitescriticism.

Primaryinjunction*:

Showsselfdoubt.

PotentialSecondaryinjunctions*:

Myth:Youcanmakemefeelbademo
tionally.

Donthavefun.Dontenjoy.Dontgrow

Position:ImNotOKYoureOK

Dontgrowup.Dontbeimportant
rd

Mask:Drooper(AC)

3 Payoff:Experiencesnegativerecogni
tionforworkorideas.

Majorrackets:Sad.Confused.

Depressedandworthless.

Role:VictimlookingforaPersecutor.

Script:AlmostII(professional)

Games*:Kickme.Stupid.

Note:ThereisnoPrimaryinjunctionof
Dontfeelgrief,asthisisnotaproblem
forthePhasedReactor.Secondaryinjunc
tionsfromtheReactorBasenowinclude
DontgrowupandDontbeimportant.
AlthoughtheprimaryscriptforaWorka
holicisUntil,aReactorinaWorkaholic
PhasewillnotexperienceanUntil,but
ratheraprofessionalAlmostII.

Primaryinjunction*:Dontfeelangry.
PotentialSecondaryinjunctions*:
Dontbeimportant.Dontgrowup.
rd

3 Payoff:
Feelsunconditionallyrejectedasaperson.
Depressedandunloved.
Script*:After
TM

*TheProcessTherapyModelProfile ,
generatedfromtheclientsPersonality
PatternInventory,identifieseachofthese
elements,whichvaryforeachcombination
ofBaseandPhase.

IfthisReactorBaseclientPhasesagain,s/he
wouldbeinaPersisterPhase,andthemini
scriptwouldbe:
PsychologicalNeeds:
RecognitionofworkandConviction
st

1 Driver:Beperfectforme

Myth:FromFourMyths,(Kahler,1978a,b)

DefenseMechanism:Projection

Role:FromtheDramaTriangle,(Karpman,1968)

2 FailureMechanism:Pushesbeliefs

IfthisReactorBaseclientPhasesagain,s/he
wouldbeinaWorkaholicPhase,andthe
miniscriptwouldbe:

WarningSignals:Frustratedwithothers
whodontbelievethesame.

nd

PsychologicalNeeds:

Myth:Icanmakeyoufeelbademotion
ally.

RecognitionofworkandTimestructure

Position:ImOKYoureNotOK

st

1 Driver:Beperfectforyou

Mask:Attacker(CP)

DefenseMechanism:Rationalization

Majorracket:Righteouslyangry.

nd

2 FailureMechanism:Overcontrols

Role:PersecutorlookingforaVictim.

WarningSignals:Frustratedwithotherwho
dontthinkclearly.

Games*:NIGYSOB.Whydontyou.

Myth:Icanmakeyoufeelbademotion
ally.

PotentialSecondaryinjunctions*:

Position:ImOKYoureNotOK

Primaryinjunction*:Donttrust
Donthavefun.Dontenjoy.

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

rd

3 Payoff:Experiencesnegative
recognitionforworkorconvictions.
Depressedandhopeless.
Script:AlmostII(personal)
Note:ThesecondaryinjunctionsforaPer
sisterBaseincludedDontbelongand
Dontbeclose.AsthisclienthasPhased
throughReactor,theseinjunctionsnolong
erareproblematic.Andasthisclienthas
PhasedthroughWorkaholic,Dontbeim
portantandDontgrowuphavealso
beendealtwith.Althoughtheprimary
scriptforaPersisterisUntil,aReactor,
Workaholic,inaPersisterPhasewillnot
experienceanUntil,butratheranAlmostII
inpersonallife.
IfthisReactorBaseclientPhasesagain,s/he
wouldbeinaDreamerPhase,andthemini
scriptwouldbe:
PsychologicalNeed:Solitude
st

1 Driver:Bestrongforyou
DefenseMechanism:Dissociation
nd

2 FailureMechanism:Withdraws
WarningSignals:Passivelywaits.
Doesntinitiate.
Myth:Youcanmakemefeelbademotion
ally.

PhasedthroughWorkaholic.Theothersec
ondaryinjunctionsforaDreamerBasein
cludeDontbelongandDontbelose.
AsthisclienthasPhasedthroughReactor,
theseinjunctionsnolongerareproblem
atic.AlthoughtheprimaryscriptforaPer
sisterisUntil,aReactor,Workaholic,ina
PersisterPhasewillnotexperienceanUntil,
butratheranAlmostIIinpersonallife.Also
noticethateventhoughavictimlooking
forapersecutor,nogamesareidentified,
asthispersonwithdrawsindistress,not
needingtransactionalgamedynamicsto
internalizepersecution.
IfthisReactorBaseclientPhasesagain,s/he
wouldbeinaRebelPhase,andthemini
scriptwouldbe:
PsychologicalNeed:Playfulcontact
st

1 Driver:Tryhardforyou
DefenseMechanism:Displacement
nd

2 FailureMechanism:Blames
WarningSignals:Negativeandcomplaining.
Blameless.
Myth:Youcanmakemefeelbad
emotionally,soIllmakeyoufeelworse.
Position:ImOKYoureNotOK
Mask:Blamer(VC)

Position:ImNotOKYoureOK

Majorracket:Vengeful.Bored.

Mask:Drooper(AC)

Role:PersecutorlookingforaVictim.

Majorracket:Insignificant.Inadequate.

Games*:Yesbut.SWYMMD,IIWFY,
Corner,Schlemiel

Role:VictimlookingforaPersecutor.
Games*:
Primaryinjunction*:
PotentialSecondaryinjunction*:
Donthavefun.

Primaryinjunction*:
PotentialSecondaryinjunction*:
Donthavefun.
rd

3 Payoff:Experiencesnegativecontact.
Depressedandhelpless.

3 Payoff:Experiencesnegative

Script:Always

solitude.Depressedandlistless.

Note:TheprimaryinjunctionforRebelBase
isDontgrowup,andsecondaryofDont
makeit,bothofwhicharedealtwithhav
ingPhasedthroughWorkaholic.TheRebel
secondaryinjunctionofDontbecloseis
dealtwithhavingPhasedthroughReactor.
TheWorkaholicandPersistersecondary
injunctionofDonthavefunstilllingers

rd

Script:Never
Note:TheprimaryinjunctionforaDreamer
BaseisDontmakeit,andsecondaryin
junctionofDontbeimportant,bothof
whichhavebeendealtwithbyhaving

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

ironicallyasapossibleinjunctionforthis
RebelPhaseclient.
IfthisReactorBaseclientPhasesagain,s/he
wouldbeinaPromoterPhase,andthe
miniscriptwouldbe:
PsychologicalNeed:Incidence
st

1 Driver:Bestrongforme
DefenseMechanism:Seduction
nd

2 FailureMechanism:Manipulates
WarningSignals:Setsuparguments.
Createsnegativedrama.
Myth:Icanmakeyoufeelbademotion
ally,
Position:ImOKYoureNotOK
Mask:Blamer(VC)
Majorracket:Vindictive.
Role:PersecutorlookingforaVictim.
Games*:LYHF,RAPO,Schlimazel
Primaryinjunction*:
PotentialSecondaryinjunction*:
rd

3 Payoff:Experiencesnegativeinci
denceanddrama.Depressedandaban
doned.
Script:Always
Note:TheprimaryinjunctionforPromoter
BaseisDontbeclose,andsecondaryof
Dontbelong,bothofwhicharedealt
withhavingPhasedthroughReactor.The
PromotersecondaryinjunctionofDont
makeisdealtwithhavingPhasedthrough
Workaholic.ThePromotersecondaryin
junctionofDonttrustisdealtwithhaving
PhasedthroughPersister.Thepassedalong
WorkaholicandPersistersecondaryinjunc
tionofDonthavefunisdealtwithhaving
PhasedthroughRebel.Othersecondary
injunctionsfromparentsmaywarrantin
vestigating.
From1978to1982IlecturedonthesePro
cessModelconceptsatTAConferences,
Institutes,trainings,andinvitationalgather
ings;amongthem:August1978,atthe
I.T.A.A.Conference,Montreal,Canada;July
1979,atthe5thAnnualEuropeanAssocia
tionofTransactionalAnalysis,Paris,France;

August1979,attheI.T.A.A.Conference,
Snowmass,CO.;December1979,atthe7th
AnnualMidwestT.A.Conference,Dearborn,
MI.;January1980,attheWinterCongress
oftheInternationalTransactionalAnalysis
AssociationConference,SanAntonio,TX.;
February1982,attheDivisiondeEstudios
Superiores,FacultaddeContraduriaYAd
ministracion,UniversidadAutonomade
Chihuahua,Mexico;August1982,atthe
EuropeanTransactionalAnalysisBusiness
Conference,Ibiza,Spain.
Duringtheseyearsmyaudiencesincluded
VannJoinesandIanStewart.Vann,whenI
presentedmyProcessModelofsixPerson
alityTypesathisSoutheastInstitutein
ChapelHill,andIanwhenItrainedinLon
don,Englandin1981.AsIanwritesinthe
prefaceofhisandVannsbook,Personality
Adaptations(2002),Aboveall,Iwantto
acknowledgetheworkandgenerosityof
TaibiKahlerPhD,who,alongwithPaul
WareMD,developedmuchofthematerial
describedinthisbook.ItwasTaibiwho(at
amemorabletrainingworkshopinLondon,
1981)firstbroughthometomethepower
andusefulnessofthemodelofpersonality
Adaptationsandtherelatedideasthat
makeuphisProcessModel.(Although
JoinesandStewartagreethatwhattheycall
theProcessModelintheirbookismywork,
confusionhasarisen,primarilyduetotheir
referencingmyProcessModel,mostlyinits
outdated,1970spublications.)
In1983PaulWarepresentedhistheoryof
PersonalityAdaptations,publishedinthe
JanuaryissueoftheTransactionalAnalysis
Journal(Ware).
PaulandIhadlittlecontactfrom1978to
1998,aswewerebothbusywithourca
reersPaulwithclinicaltraining,private
practice,andhospitalwork,andmewith
startingaU.S.andinternationalbusiness.
SoPaulwasnotawareofmyresearch,
whichhadclassifiedhisDoorsintosixmu
tuallyexclusiveperceptions,eachcorre
latedtoaPersonalityType,withitsown
positivetransaction,northateachType
hadaprimaryDriverandscriptinjunction
correlatedtoit.
PaulisnowinagreementwiththeProcess
Modelpresentations,includingthatthe

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

orderofthesecondandthirdDoorsfor
eachAdaptationmayvary,dependingon
whattheorderoffloors26areinaper
sonsPersonalityCondominium.Forexam
ple,althoughmostHystericalAdaptations
[distressedReactorPersonalityType]will
havethoughtsasthenextDoorstatistically,
somewillhaveadifferentPersonalityType
astheirsecondfloor,resultinginopinions
[Persister],reactions[Rebel],actions[Pro
moter],orinactions[Dreamer]next.
TheIssueistheTarget
In1985Idiscoveredtheissueforeach
PhaseType,andbegancollectingdata.I
hypothesizedtheearlydecisionimpassefor
eachminiscript.
Ifoundthatiftheclientdoesnotaddress
thePhaseissue(immediately)withanau
thenticresponse,heorshecovers(repress
esorsuppresses)itwiththesamePhase
miniscript,stayingatseconddegreeoften
andintenselyenoughtowarrantanAdapta
tionlabel.Theseissuesarethetarget
doorforthetherapist.Thisclarifieswhich
authenticemotionandearlydecisionisin
volvedintreatmentforeachType.
Thepreviouslyhypothesizedtargetdoor
maybeabyproductoftherapy,butnotthe
targetissue.Inotherwords,thetargetis
thedistressed,unresolvedissue.Dealing
withthisissueresultsinthepersonPhasing
tothenextflooroftheircondominium,in
whicharehousedthepositiveperceptual
Doorsofthoughts,opinions,emotions,
reactions,actions,orinactions.So,Wares
terminologyoftheTargetDoorisnotthe
clinicaltarget,buttheresultingpositive
evidenceofthenewPhasefloorperception,
indicatingthatthepersonhasdealtwith
theoldPhaseissue.PaulWarenowagrees
withthis(Ware,2009).
Thefollowingtableidentifiestheissuethat
willcausetheminiscript/Adaptation[dis
tressed]behavioruntilthatissueisre
solved.AtwhichtimethepersonwillPhase
tothenextfloorofhis/hercondominium
andhaveanewpsychologicalneedand
newminiscript.Notethateachissueisthe
onlykeytoPhasingforthatPhase.Note
alsothatafeelingmaybearacketor
authentic,dependingwhetheritisexperi

encedfromanegativeegostateorpositive
one.

MiniscriptPhaseEmotion
[Adaptation][Targetissue][Racket][Auth.]

Reactorangersadangry

[Hysterical]
Probableimpasse:Theearlydecisionislike
lytobe,IfIexpressmyangeratyou,Iwill
havehurtyourfeelingsand/oryouwillre
jectme.ThereforeIwillpleaseyouand
holdinanger.
Workaholiclossfrustratedlyangrysad
[ObsessiveCompulsive]
Probableimpasse:Theearlydecisionislike
lytobe,IfIdontdothethinkingforyou,
thensomethingbadwillhappen.Therefore
Iwillbeperfectandnotmakeanymistakes,
andaslongasIamcriticalofyounotthink
ingclearlyIcanavoidmygrief.

Persisterfearrighteouslyangryafraid

[Paranoid]
Probableimpasse:Theearlydecisionislike
lytobe,IfIdontmakesureyoubelieve
therightwayanddotherightthings,then
somethingbadwillhappen.ThereforeI
expectyoutobeperfectandnotdothe
wrongthing,andaslongasIampreaching
atyou,Icanavoidmyownfears.

Dreamerautonomyinsignificantpotent
[Schizoid]
Probableimpasse:Theearlydecisionislike
lytobe,Thingsandpeoplecanmakeme
feelbad.ThereforeIwillwithdraw,andasI
becomepassiveIcanavoidmakingmyown
decisions.

Rebelresponsibilityvengefulsorry
[PassiveAggressive]
Probableimpasse:Theearlydecisionis
likelytobe,Ifyoudontdothethinkingfor
me,thenIwontbehappy.ThereforeIwill
justTryhard.Whenyoudontmakemefeel
good,thenitsyourfaultIfeelbad,andas
longasIblameyouIcanavoidtakingre
sponsibilityformakingmyselffeelgoodor
feelbad.

Promoterbondingvindictiveintimate
[Antisocial]

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

Probableimpasse:Theearlydecisionislike
lytobe:Thingsandpeoplecanmakeyou
feelbad.Thereforeyouwillhavetobe
strongandabandonanyonewhogetstoo
close.AndaslongasIabandonyou,Ican
avoidintimacyandbondingwithyou.

PersonalityAdaptations
In1986VannJoineswroteUsingredeci
siontherapywithdifferentpersonalityad
aptations,publishedintheTAJ(Joines,p.
153).Hestated,PaulWaresuggestsa
personcanmanifestanyoftheAdaptations
andbehealthyorbeanywhereonthetra
ditionalcontinuumofpsychopathology.
Joinesconcludes,Thus,theAdaptations
implyneitherhealthnorpathology,but
merelyadaptivestyle.
Thiswasnot,noris,Waresconclusionor
positiononAdaptations.Hehasalways
viewedthetermAdaptationtoreferto
psychopathologyandmaladjustment
(1983,2009).
However,Ihaveemphasizedthat:(1)an
individualiscomprisedofsixPersonality
Typesmakinguphis/herpersonalitystruc
turecondominium,whichreflectsanImOK
YoureOK,healthylifeposition(Kahler,
1982a);(2)anindividualexhibitspredict
abledistressed,sequentialminiscriptbe
haviorwhennolongerinanOKOKposi
tion(i.e.,outofthecondominium)(Kahler,
1983);(3)miniscriptbehaviorcanbela
beledanAdaptationwhenitimpairsorsig
nificantlyinterfereswiththecapacityto
meettheordinarydemandsoflife(i.e.,
whenconsideredadiagnosticAdaptation)
(Kahler,1979b;Ware,1983);(4)intermsof
lifepositions,thecondominiumreflectsthe
existentiallifepositionofImOKYoure
OK,whileaminiscript/Adaptationreflects
behaviorallifepositionsofOKif,ImOK
YoureNotOK,ImNotOKYoureOK,and
ImNotOKYoureNotOK(Kahler,1974;
Ware,1983).
Joinesfurtherwrote,Thesixare:1)Crea
tiveDaydreamer,traditionallycalledSchiz
oids;2)BrilliantSkeptics,traditionallycalled
Paranoids;3)CharmingManipulators,tra
ditionallycalledAntisocials;4)PlayfulCrit
ics,traditionallycalledPassiveAggressives;
5)ResponsibleWorkaholics,traditionally

calledObsessiveCompulsives;and6)En
thusiasticOverreactorstraditionallycalled,
Hysterics.
ThesetermsDaydreamers,Manipulators,
Workaholics,andOverreactorswerethe
onesIcoined,lecturedabout,andpub
lishedinProcessTherapyinBrief(Kahler,
1979b).
Joinesstates,ThefirstthreeAdaptations
aredescribedasprimaryAdaptationsbe
causetheydevelopinthefirstfiveyearsof
lifeinresponsetohowparentsinteract
withthechild.Warebelievesthatevery
individualhasatleastoneoftheseprimary
orsurvivalAdaptations:i.e.,whenfeeling
threatened,eachpersonrevertstooneor
moreoftheseAdaptations.Thelatterthree
Adaptationsaresecondarysincetheyde
velopinthesecondthreeyearsoflifein
responsetowhatparentsemphasizeabout
howtorelatetotheoutsideworld.
Joines(2009)nowbelievesthatAdaptations
cannotonlybedevelopedduringthespe
cificdevelopmentalstageswherethede
velopmentalissueismostpronouncedbut
alsoatanytimewherethatsameissueis
present.
PaulWare(2009)nowagreescompletely
withmyProcessTherapyModel:1)Base
PersonalityTypeandcorrespondingmini
scriptislikelypresentatbirth.AnAdapta
tionofthatTypecanoccurifthereissuffi
cientpsychological/physicaldistressinthe
childsenvironment.IntheUnitedStates
populationofPersonalityTypes,30%are
ReactorBase(potentialHystericAdapta
tion),25%areWorkaholicBase(potential
ObsessiveCompulsiveAdaptation],20%are
RebelBase(potentialPassiveAggressive
Adaptation),10%arePersisterBase(poten
tialParanoidAdaptation),10%areDreamer
Base(potentialSchizoidAdaptation),and
5%areBasePromoters(potentialAntisocial
Adaptation)(Kahler,2008);2)AnyPersonal
ityTypeBaseorPhasecanhavethedis
tressedbehaviortowarrantacorrespond
ingAdaptation;2)thereare36combina
tionsofBaseandPhase(outofapossible
4,320Base/Phasecondominiumorders).
Forexample,aWorkaholicBase(percep
tion:thoughts,egostate:Adult,transac
tion:A A)ReactorPhase(motivatedby

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

recognitionofpersonandsensoryneeds)
individualissusceptibletohavingaHysteric
Adaptationwhentheissueoffeelingau
thenticangerisnotdealtwith.IftheBase
issueoflossisagainpresentedinlife,and
thispersondoesnotfeelthesadness,then
anObsessiveCompulsiveAdaptationmay
bewarranted;3)thatanAdaptation
diagnosisismostoftentheresultofanun
resolvedPhaseissue,observableinsus
tained,intenseminiscriptbehavior.

thateachDriverissignificantlycorrelatedto
onePersonalityType,irrespectiveofenvi
ronmentalinfluences.Inotherwords,every
BaseFeeler(a.k.a.,HystericAdaptation
whenwarranted)willhaveaPleaseyou
Driver,nomatterhowtheparents
scriptedher(Base)withtheircounter
scriptsorDriversorinjunctions.Further
more,nootherPersonalityType(i.e.,mini
script/Adaptation)willhaveaprimary
PleaseyouDriver.Parentalscriptinghow
ever,doesinfluencesecondaryinjunctions,
andtheformationofthepossibleorderof
floors26.

JoinesfurtherspeculatesontheDriversand
injunctionsforeachAdaptation.However,
PTMresearch(Kahler,1972,1982),publica
tions,andlectureshadalreadyidentified

TheAssessingMatrixTM

1979KahlerCommunications,Inc.

ProcessTherapyModelintegratedwith
Redecisionandothertherapies.

indicationofwhatpositivetransactionplus
perceptiontousenext.

Althoughmypersonalpreferenceisthe
RedecisionTherapyapproach(Gouldingand
Goulding,1979),itisobviousthatPTMgoes
handinhandinmonitoringsecondby
secondtheexchangesbetweentherapist
andclient,especiallyasDriversgivethe

APTMtherapististaughttomonitorevery
transactionwiththeclient:(1)Listentothe
content;(2)identifythePersonalityType
floortransactionand/orperception(orif
theclientisindistress,thefirstdegree
Driverorseconddegreenegativeegostate

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

Mask);(3)respondwiththeappropriate
transactionandperceptiontotheprevious
step;and(4)attendtothecontent.

sisters;potentialParanoidAdaptation),but
mayinhibittheexperiencingatafeeling
levelthefearissue.

OfprimaryvaluetoRedecisiontherapistsis
thatPTMidentifiesthemini
script/Adaptationtargetissue,alongwith
theinjunctions,andprobableearlyimpasse
relateddecisionforeachofthesixmini
script/Adaptationtemplates.WhenanAd
aptationiswarranted,thepersonislikely
Phasing,whichalertstheRedecisionthera
pisttofocusontheissue.Injunctionssup
porttheissue.WhenaclientisnotPhasing,
thenfocusshouldbeontheinjunctionsthat
areinhibitinggettingthePhasepsychologi
calneedsmetpositively.

ABehaviorTherapy(LindsleyandSkinner,
1954),approachcouldconnectwith
Dreamers(potentialSchizoidAdaptation)
byfocusingonInactionswithpositiveCriti
calParent,andcanreinforcepositively
onesfeelingofpotencyinmakingautono
mousissuedecisions.

WhydopeoplePhase?Ifapersondidnot
successfullycompletetheoriginalPhase
relatedDevelopmentalStageandissue
(Kahler,2008),thenthisissueistested
againlaterinlife.Evidenceofthisissus
tainedminiscriptbehaviortotheextentof
beingconsideredanAdaptation.Theperson
isPhasingatthistime,andwilluntils/he
resolvestheissuebyexperiencingtheun
derlyingauthenticemotion.
Onecontentmodelsizedoesnotfitall.As
theclassictherapyfilmcalledGloriavividly
showed,thechoiceofanapproachdepends
onthestructureoftheclient(Foraprocess
interpretationofEllis,Perls,andRogers
workingwithGloriasee,ProcessTherapy,
2008,pp.226231).Thecautionwithusing
anonprocessorientedsingulartherapy
modelapproachisthatthetherapistsnatu
raluseofperceptionandtransactionmay
notbewhattheclientneedsinresolvinga
givenminiscript/Adaptationissue.Forex
amples:
ARogerianTherapy(Rogers,1959)ap
proachconnectswithFeelers(neeReactors;
potentialHystericAdaptation),butexpress
ingauthenticangermustbeencouraged.
ACognitiveTherapy(Beck,1967)approach
connectswithThinkers(neeWorkaholics;
potentialObsessiveCompulsiveAdapta
tion),butmayinhibittheexperiencingata
feelinglevelthesadnessrequiredtoresolve
thelossissue.
ARationalEmotive(EllisandDryden,2007)
approachconnectswithBelievers(neePer

AGestaltTherapy(Perls,Hefferline,and
Goodman,1994)approachcanconnect
playfullywithFunsters(neeRebels;poten
tialPassiveAggressiveAdaptation),andis
idealatinvitingtheclientintoexperiencing
theissueofresponsibility:Iamtheone
whomakesmefeelgoodorbademotion
ally.Note:Thisresultsintheabilitytoex
pressauthenticallybeingsorry(notthe
racketsorryoftheblameless,acerbic
distressedFunster).
AnAsklepieionTherapy(Groder,1977)ap
proachconnectswithDoers(neePromot
ers;potentialAntisocialAdaptation),andis
idealatcreatingtheDoerpositiveIncidence
needsinaprotected,caringsettingthat
fostersdealingwithabandonmentbybe
comingauthenticandintimatewithothers.
Inconclusion,theProcessTherapyModel
canbeusedwithanyothertherapyap
proachtomonitorthequalityofbeingon
trackwiththeclient,byknowingwhichpos
itivetransactionplusperceptiontooffer
secondbysecond.Evidenceofnotbeing
accepted(socialdiagnosis)bytheclientis
whensheshowsherBaseDriver(behavioral
diagnosis).ThisveryDriveralertstheproc
esstherapistastowhichpositivetransac
tionplusperceptiontousenext.
TM

TheProcessTherapyModelProfile
(Kahler,1994)reportontheclientidenti
fies:(1)Personalitystructureconsistingof
thesixPersonalityTypes(Feelers,neeReac
tors;Thinkers,neeWorkaholics;Believers,
neePersisters;Doers,neePromoters;Fun
sters,neeRebels;Dreamers);(2)orderand
strengthofpositiveegostates,transactions,
andperceptions;(3)howtoconnect;(4)
psychologicalneeds;(5)homework;(6)
BaseandPhaseminiscriptswithpotential
Adaptations;(7)games,rackets,injunc
tions,scripts,issues,andprobableimpasse

The Process Model: Personality Types, miniscripts, and Adaptations

earlydecisions,and(8)varioustherapy
modeltreatmentsuggestions.
Research
TheBasePersonalityTypeofanindividualis
eitherpresentatbirth(mybelief)ordevel
opssoonthereafter,andaccordingtotest
retestreliabilityresearchdoesnotlikely
changeinlife(Stansbury,1990).
Observationsfrom1978to1996ofmore
than20,000childreninBrevardCommunity
CollegeDayCareCentersbyProcesstrained
professionalParentEducators(Geier,2008)
supportthattheorderofthePersonality
Types(i.e.,theindividualsPersonalityCon
dominium)issetbyaboutsevenyearsof
age.
ResearchalsosupportsPhasingandPhase
issues,includingdealingwiththePhase
issueassociatedracketandunderlyingau
thenticemotion:Facevalidity:97%ofpar
ticipantsinourAdvancedSeminarwhohad
Phasedreportedthattheyhadexperienced
thePTMexpected(theorized)frequentand
intensePhase[miniscript]distresssequence
inresolvingthatissue,andthenPhased.Of
these,93%reportedthattheyhadexperi
encedthePTMexpected(theorized)the
issueracket,andthentheunderlyingau
thenticfeeling(Kahler,2008,p.275).
From1982toApril2009740,174people
havebeenprofiled,ofwhich24,122have
beenclinical.Inthegeneralpopulation,
33%havenotPhased,28%Phasedone
time,20%Phasedtwotimes,15%Phased
threetimes,3%Phasedfourtimes,andonly
1%Phasedfivetimes(Kahler,2008,p.275).
Itismyopinionthattheunsuccessfulincor
porationofaPhaseissueduringthesixDe
velopmentalStages(Kahler,2008,pp.195
215)resultsintheissuebeingtesteddur
ingthatPhaselaterinlife.Andsinceany
PersonalityTypewithitspredictableassoci
atedminiscriptcanbepresentatbirth
(Driver,injunction,issue,etc.),soisthere
thepotentialassociatedAdaptation,test
edbyparentingintheissuerelatedDe
velopmentalStage.
Todatetherehavebeenfifteendisserta
tionsdoneontheProcessModel(including
nineineducationandfiveinclinical),eight

theses(sixineducationandtwoinclinical),
twentyotherpublishedresearchpapers
(includingcorrelationalstudieswithMyers
BriggsandwithMcClellandsThematicAp
perceptionTest)themodelhasbeen
taughtorresearchsupportedinthirtyseven
collegesanduniversities.(Kahler,2009).
Note:IamindebtedtoJoinesandStewart
whohavevowedtocontinuetoclearup
anyconfusionabouttheoriginationand
contributionstomyProcessModel,includ
ingcorrectingoutdatedandnoncredited
referencesinfurthereditionsandtransla
tionsofPersonalityAdaptations(Joinesand
Stewart,2002).

TaibiKahler,Ph.D.,isaclinicalpsychologist,
TSTAinITAA,andpastTMinALAT.Heisthe
1977recipientoftheEBMSAforthemini
script.ForProcessTherapyModelinforma
tion,gotowww.taibikahlerassociates.com
intheU.S.;intheUnitedKingdom
www.processcommunication.co.uk;in
Francewww.kcf.fr/accueil.php3;inAustria,
Switzerland,andGermanywww.kcg
pcm.de;inSpainmsalvador@cop.es;inJa
panwww.kcjpcm.com;inAustralia
www.kahlercom.com.au.EmailTaibiat
kahlercom@aristotle.net.

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