#70 Transactional Analysis
People exhibit different behaviour patterns, view-points, vocabulary and posture over time. These differences can be explained by ego states. An ego state may be described phenomenologically as a coherent system of feelings, and operationally as a set of coherent behaviour patterns.
We have three ego states:
Parent ego state: Ego states resemble those of parental figures. This is exhibited in two forms:
Critical - is more likely to give instruction rather than look for understanding
Nurturing - focuses more on understanding and empathy
Adult ego state: Ego states which are autonomously directed towards objective appraisal of reality. The Adult is necessary for survival. It processes data and computes the probabilities which are essential for dealing effectively with the outside world.
Child ego state: Ego states which were fixated in early childhood. This is exhibited in two forms:
Adapted - one who modifies his behaviour under Parental influence - compliantly or precociously or by withdrawing or whining
Natural - is a spontaneous expression - rebellion or creativity
The unit of social intercourse is called a transaction. When people encounter each other in a social setting they are likely to acknowledge the presence of others. This is called the transactional stimulus. What the other person will say or do something related to this stimulus is called the transactional response.
Simple transactional analysis is concerned with diagnosing which ego state implemented the transactional stimulus, and which one executed the transactional response.
Complementary transactions are transactions where the response is appropriate and expected. Example - How are you doing? I'm doing great. It follows the natural order of healthy human relationships.
Crossed transactions are transactions where the response in inappropriate and unexpected. Example - Did you see my phone? Why don't you keep track of your belongings?
This post provides a summary of structural analysis and transactional analysis - as explained in Eric Berne's book - Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships.