Transactional Analysis

Prof. Shailja Bhakar

Prof. Shailja Bhakar

Transactional Analysis
A model for explaining why and how:
People think like they do People act like they do People interact/communicate with others

Based on published psychological work such as:

Games People Play (Dr. Eric Berne) Im OK - - Youre OK (Dr. Tom Harris) Born to Win (Dr. Dorothy Jongeward)

Prof. Shailja Bhakar

Our Brain (according to Berne)

Determines what we think and how we act Acts like a tape recorder while recording 1) Events 2) Associated feelings Has 3 distinct parts or ego states 1) Parent 2) Adult 3) Child
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Parent Ego State

Thoughts, feelings, attitudes, behavioral patterns based on messages or lessons learned from parents and other parental or authoritarian sources Shoulds and should nots; oughts and ought nots; always and never 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)
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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)

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Child Ego State

Thoughts, feelings, attitudes, behavioral patterns based on child-like emotions, impulses, feelings we have experienced Child-like examples
Impulsive Self-centered Angry Fearful Happy Pleasure seeking Rebellious Happy
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Curious Eager to please

Ego Portraits
People have favorite, preferred ego state, depicted by larger circle in a diagram Parent Adult Child
P
P P A

A
A C

C
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C
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Human Interaction Analysis

A transaction = any interaction or communication between 2 people People send and receive messages out of and into their different ego states How people say something (what others hear?) just as important as what is said Types of communication, interactions
1) Complementary 2) Crossed 3) Ulterior
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 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 communication, interactions

Prof. Shailja Bhakar

Complementary Transactions
Interactions, responses, actions regarded as appropriate and expected from another person. Parallel communication arrows, communication continues. Example 1: #1 How much time do you have? #2 Ive got half an hour.
P A C P A C

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Complementary Transactions contd

Example 2:

P
A

P
A

#1 #2

Youre late again! Im sorry. It wont happen again.

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Crossed Transactions
Interactions, responses, actions NOT regarded as appropriate or expected from another person. Crossed communication arrows, communication breakdown. Example 1 #1 What time is it now? #2 Theres a clock on the wall, why dont you figure it out yourself?
P P

A
C

A
C
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Crossed Transactions contd

Example 2
#1 #2 Youre late again! Yeah, I know, I had a flat tire.

P
A

P
A

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Ulterior Transactions
Interactions, responses, actions which are different from those explicitly stated
Example #1 How about coming up to my room and listening to some music?
P P

A C

A C
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Four basic life scripts:

Im OK, youre OK ideal Im OK, youre not OK get away from me Im not OK, youre OK Ill never get anywhere Im not OK, youre not OK get rid of each other

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The Johari Window

The Johari Window is a communication model that can be used to improve understanding between individuals. Developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham (the word Johari comes from Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham).

Two key ideas behind the tool:

Individuals can build trust between themselves by disclosing information about themselves. They can learn about themselves and come to terms with personal issues with the help of feedback from others.

Using the Johari model, each person is represented by their own four-quadrant, or four-pane, window. Each of these contains and represents personal information feelings, motivation - about the person, and shows whether the information is known or not known by themselves or other people.

The four quadrants are:

Quadrant 1: Open Area What is known by the person about him/herself and is also known by others.

 Quadrant 2: Blind Area, or "Blind Spot" What is unknown by the person about him/herself but which others know. This can be simple information, or can involve deep issues (for example, feelings of inadequacy, incompetence, unworthiness, rejection) which are difficult for individuals to face directly, and yet can be seen by others.

 Quadrant 3: Hidden or Avoided Area What the person knows about him/herself that others do not.

 Quadrant 4: Unknown Area What is unknown by the person about him/herself and is also unknown by others.

Key Points:
In most cases, the aim in groups should be to develop the Open Area for every person. Working in this area with others usually allows for enhanced individual and team effectiveness and productivity. The Open Area is the space where good communications and cooperation occur, free from confusion, conflict and misunderstanding. Self-disclosure is the process by which people expand the Open Area vertically. Feedback is the process by which people expand this area horizontally. By encouraging healthy self-disclosure and sensitive feedback, you can build a stronger and more effective team.