Transactional Analysis
TA is a technique for modelling human behaviour and interpersonal communications. It was developed by Eric Berne during the late 1950s The term Transactional Analysis develops from the concept that each communication between people is a transaction. During any one day we may be involved in dozens, even hundreds of transactions.
Transactional Analysis is underpinned by the philosophy that people can change and we all have a right to be in the world and be accepted
One of the key concepts of T A is that we speak from three main mental states. These mental or Ego States act as assumptions through which we view the world. The three Ego States are: Parent, Adult and Child.
While there are three main mental states we can expand this view to see five states:
Parent
We are all conditioned by parent figures: teachers, older people, our real parents, etc. Our Parent Ego State is embodied by phrases and attitudes built around the desire to guide, help or control other’s activity. We can see two types of Parent Ego state.
Critical Parent
In this Ego State, we copy people in authority over us. We use it when setting standards, making rules, being responsible, exercising control, and using authority.
Nurturing Parent
This aspect of the parent Ego State gives permission and support to others, allowing them to grow under our care and supervision.
Child
The Child Ego State is the part of each of us based on our earliest experiences dealing with the world.
Natural Child
This is the source of our natural spontaneous behaviour. It represents us as we were in early childhood exploring our environment, trying out new things. It recalls uninhibited behaviour when we knew no rules and operated without regard for others.
Adapted Child
In this state we behave as we did when we were learning, adjusting to the world and coming to terms with the fact that we couldn't just do as we pleased. We discovered what we had to do to gain the attention and approval of others, particularly our parents and other significant authority figures.
Organised societies reinforce this state by determining the behaviour that is acceptable if you want to fit in and belong.
Adult
This is the part of us that makes decisions based on facts. It is often referred to as the personality's computer and, like a computer, it gathers and sorts data logically and unemotionally then assesses the probability of success of a particular course of action.
In other words:
Parent is our 'Taught' concept of life
Adult is our 'Thought' concept of life
Child is our 'Felt' concept of life
Types of Transaction
Communications that occur involve transactions between people’s Ego States.
Transactions may be grouped as follows.
Complementary
These transactions occur when the messages sent from one Ego State get the predictable and wished for response from the other person.
Boss (parent to child): “Let me show you how to do that.”
Employee (child to parent): “Thanks; I needed your help.”
Crossed
These transactions occur when an unexpected response is made to a statement.
Boss (adult to adult): “Where is that report?”
Employee (parent to child): “Did you lose it after I gave it to you.”
After crossed transactions people can tend to withdraw or conflict could arise.
Ulterior
The transactions - sometimes called hidden transactions have a hidden meaning or a double message.
Boss: “We’re all a bit tired let’s call it a day now.”
