TA identifies twelve key injunctions which people commonly build into their scripts. These are injunctions in the sense of being powerful “I can’t/mustn’t …” messages that embed into a child’s belief and life-script: Don’t be (don’t exist), Don’t be who you are, Don’t be a child, Don’t grow up, Don’t make it in your life, [...]

Communication failures are typically caused by a ‘crossed transaction’ where partners address ego states other than that their partner is in. Consider the above examples jumbled up a bit. Example 1a: A:  “Have you been able to write that report?” (Adult to Adult) B:  “Will you stop hassling me? I’ll do it eventually!” (Child to [...]

Transactions are the flow of communication, and more specifically the unspoken psychological flow of communication that runs in parallel. Transactions occur simultaneously at both explicit and psychological levels. Example: sweet caring voice with sarcastic intent. To read the real communication requires both surface and non-verbal reading. Strokes are the recognition, attention or responsiveness that one [...]

A little mini-series on Transactional Analysis [TA], looking at psychological games — why we get stuck in them, and how to get out. This video lays some groundwork, explaining TA’s concept of three different states of mind: Parent, Adult and Child …. Here is the link to the video. Recommended TA texts: 1) Ian Stewart [...]

TA is a theory of personality and a systematic psychotherapy for personal growth and personal change. As a theory of personality, TA describes how people are structured psychologically. It uses what is perhaps its best known model, the ego-state (Parent-Adult-Child) model to do this. This same model helps understand how people function and express themselves [...]

(Compiled by Fusun Akkoyun, Ph.D., CTA, TA 101 Instructor, in 2007) __________________________________________________________ A. CURE Gordon, E. (1980). Assessment of cure: A’ cure checklist’. TAJ. 10, 2, 107-114. ( It is proposed from the points of view both the therapist and the client.) Berne E. (1976). Minimal Basic Science Curriculum for Clinical Membership in the ITAA. [...]

I’m OK – You’re OK “I’m OK – You’re OK” is probably the best-known expression of the purpose of transactional analysis: to establish and reinforce the position that recognizes the value and worth of every person. Transactional analysts regard people as basically “OK” and thus capable of change, growth, and healthy interactions. Strokes Berne observed [...]

I was amazed to find another really interesting TA related video. What is even more amazing is to see that people do teach TA in school. Here is the synopsis of the video: The pupils and staff of Grange Middle School in Harrow use transactional analysis to help to develop emotional literacy and improve behaviour. [...]

Script is a life plan, directed to a reward. Script is decisional and responsive; i.e., decided upon in childhood in response to perceptions of the world and as a means of living with and making sense of the world. It is not just thrust upon a person by external forces. Script is reinforced by parents [...]

A simple, reciprocal transaction occurs when both partners are addressing the ego state the other is in. These are also called complementary transactions. Example 1 A:  “Have you been able to write the report?” B:  “Yes – I’m about to email it to you.”  —- (This exchange was Adult to Adult) Example 2 A:  “Would [...]