TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS

Founded by Eric Berne it is a system of

studying social transactions between
people.
Its objective is to provide better
understanding of how people relate to one
another so that they have better
communications and healthy relationships.

ELEMENTS OF TA
1. Life Scripts
2. Life Positions
3. Ego States
4. Transactions
5. Games
6. Stroking

A LIFE SCRIPT
An ongoing program, developed in early
childhood under parental influence, which
directs the individuals behavior in the most
important aspects of his / her life.
(Eric Berne)

THE CONTENT OF LIFE

SCRIPTS
1) A Basic Theme
2) Defined Outcome
3) A Protocol of Roles
4) A Definition of Good and Bad, Losing And Winning
5) A Clearly Defined Set of Role Behaviors
6) Preprogramming and Fixedness

WHY ARE SCRIPTS

IMPORTANT
1) They give a purpose to life
2) Provide acceptable ways to structure time
and behavior
3) Contain edicts which make life more
structured

A SAMPLING OF LIFE SCRIPTS

1. Success
2. Failure
3. Happiness
4. Sorrow
5. Guilt
6. Obedient Child
7. Dutiful Parent
8. Dutiful Sibling
9. Virtuous Person
10. Gods Servant

Man is a game playing animal

Eric Berne

G AM E S
Games are transactions with ulterior
motives. People use games when they
feel the need to enact a script or they feel
that a straight transaction will not yield
positive results / payoffs.

TYPES OF GAMES
1. Playful Games
2. Non-Serious Games
3. Serious Games
4. Life and Death Games

EGO STATES
Parent Ego State
Nurturing Parent, Controlling Parent

Adult Ego State

Child Ego States
Normal Child, Maladapted Child, Rebellious Child

EGO STATES

Parent
Adult
Child

Ego States
Every individual has three Ego States - Parents, Adult, Child. They are
independent of life stages.
Parent: The individual is in the same state of mind as one of his/her parents and is
responding as his/her parents would using the samed postures, Gestures,
Vocabulary, Feelings etc.
Adult: The individual acted carried out an objective appraisal of the situation and
is stating these thought processes, perceived problems or conclusions in a
non-prejudicial manner
Child: The individual reacts in accordance with how he/she would have done so
in earlier years of life.

LIFE POSITION &

COMMUNICATION STYLE
LIFE POSITION
SELF

OTHERS

MENTAL
STATE

KEY / CATCH
WORD

COMM.
STYLE

I am OK

Not OK

Arrogance

I, Me, My, WE

Controlling

I am Not Ok

OK

Submission

You

Relinquishing

I am not OK

Not Ok

Despair

Not I

Withdrawn

I am OK

OK

Hope

We, Us

Developing

Types of Transactions
I. Simple:
1. Complementary
2. Non-Complimentary or crossed
II. Ulterior:
3. Angular Transaction.
4. Duplex Transaction

Applications of TA: STROKING

Stroking is defined as any act of recognition for another. It applies to all

types of recognition; physical, verbal, nonverbal contact between
people.
TYPES: Positive
Negative
Mixed
Conditional
Unconditional

Types of Ulterior Transactions

1. Complementary Transaction

Types of Ulterior Transactions

P

2. Crossed Transaction

Types of Ulterior Transactions

1. Angular Transaction, when we talk we

give two kinds of signals i) overt, & ii)

covert. In angular transactions the
speaker gives overt signal to the one
ego state, but is actually talking in
covert signal to the other ego state. If
he gets response from the other ego
state (to which he has given the covert
signal)then it is complementary angular
transaction. It is commonly used but is
prone to breaking down because of the
superficial nature of communication,
and more opportunity for
communication to be misused.

Social Level
Psy
c

hol
og i
cal

Lev
el

Types of Ulterior Transactions

2. Duplex Transaction: occurs when there

is a conversation going on at one level or

ego state (overt), and in actual there is a
parallel conversation going on at at
different level or ego state. Certain
socially accepted signals or codes may
be used in this type of transaction as
people fear being caught, exposed or
fear that their exchange may be
overheard.

Social Level

Psychological Level

Life
Life Position:
Position: II am
am OK
OK -- Youre
Youre Not
Not OK
OK
Style is Controlling: (Arrogant)

There appears to have an Elitist mentality

The underling tone of Communication is dismissive of others
There is a tendency to impose personal views on others
Blame management is very common
Self - appraisal is minimal on part of the incumbent
The incumbent are at times labeled as dis-respectful depending on the
social set up

Life
Life Position:
Position: II am
am not
not Ok
Ok -- You're
You're OK
OK
Styles is Relinquishing: (Submission)
The person display lack of conviction of own opinion
The individual is basically a follower
Displays a lot of Agreement based behavior in social interactions
These people tend be bias in there interaction, with categories of
people they dont feel are OK
These people seldom believe talent all others are better then
themselves they tend to be resist in this respect

Life
Life Position:
Position: II am
am not
not Ok
Ok -- You're
You're not
not Ok
Ok
Style is Withdrawn: (Pessimistic)

The person tends to isolate oneself from issues concerning dealing

with reality
Externalization of Blame is very common. They all are wrong and I do
this because everyone does this.
The stress levels of these individual is very high and they end up in No
Win situations.
The life orientation is Exclusively Reactive.

Life
Life Situation:
Situation: Im
Im OK
OK -- Youre
Youre OK
OK
Style is Developing (hope)

The approach is based on mutual opinions

The primary orientation is synergetic
This is best suited for Group interaction
This is by far the most healthy style of communication available to the
person for productive interaction

Everyone has one dominate life position. This becomes the

primary bases of interaction. It is common to have a secondary
orientation. However in times of stress individuals fall back on
their primary dominance.

Transactional
Transactional Analysis
Analysis

Life Positions

Attitude towards
Self
Others

Mental State

Im OK

You are Not OK

Arrogance

Im Not OK

You are OK

Submissive

Im Not OK

You are Not OK

Pessimistic

Im OK

You are OK

Hope