Chapter 10
Transactional Analysis
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
Eric Berne, the creator of Transactional Analysis (TA), believed that life is a series of decisions
to be made and problems to be solved, and that people have the rationality and the freedom to do
both. TA consists of four types of analyses that are the data of human nature and human
relationships: structural analysis, transactional analysis, script analysis, and game analysis. Based
upon transactions and scripts, Berne believed, children develop life positions that summarize
their concepts of self-worth and the worth of others. In practice, clients are taught the TA
vocabulary so that they can identify ego states, transactions and scripts. They can then use these
principles to analyze and improve their own behavior.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Explain the transactional analysis concept of personality.
2. Discuss the four types of analysis used in the explanation of personality and
relationships by transactional analysis.
3. Identify the categories of transactions and their healthy and unhealthy aspects.
4. Recognize and analyze games according to transactional analysis theory.
5. Discuss the similarities and differences between transactional analysis and other
theories.
6. Evaluate the limitations and contributions of transactional analysis.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
Eric Berne formed transactional analysis (TA) which is basically a statement describing the
human personality. Believing that life is a series of decisions to be made and problems to be
solved, Berne thought that people have the rationality and freedom to do both.
Berne had a positive view of the nature of people. He believed children were born princes and
princesses but were turned into frogs by their parents and environment. He believed people had
the potential to regain their royal status providing they learned and applied the lessons of TA to
their lives.
The TA theory of human nature and human relationships derives from data collected through
four types of analyses. The first is structural analysis in which an individual's personality is
analyzed. The second is transactional analysis in which what people do and say to each other is
studied. Script analysis deals with the specific life dramas people enjoy. Finally, game analysis is
concerned with which ulterior transactions lead to a payoff for the person. Structural analysis
suggests that each individual's personality is divided into three separate and distinct sources of
behavior or ego states - the Parent, the Adult, and the Child. Each of these three represent
skeletal-muscular and verbal patterns of behavior and feeling based on emotions and experiences
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perceived by people in their early years. The Parent aspect of personality contains instructions,
attitudes, and behaviors handed down mostly by parents and significant authority figures. The
Nurturing Parent manifests itself in nurturing or helping behavior and the Critical Parent
provides criticism, control, and punishment. The Adult operates logically and non-emotionally,
providing objective information by using reality testing and a computer-like approach to life. All
the childlike impulses common to everyone are in the Child State. The Child has two parts. The
Adaptive Child emerges as a result of demands from significant authority figures and can be
marked by passivity. The Natural or Free Child represents the impulsive, untrained, self-loving,
pleasure-seeking part of the Child. The well-adjusted person allows the situation to determine
which ego state is in control, striking an even balance among the three.
The second type of analysis is the study of transactions, the heart of TA. A transaction is a unit
of human communication or a stimulus-response connection between two people's ego states.
Transactions are grouped into three categories. Complementary transactions occur when a
response comes from the ego state to which it was addressed. Crossed transactions occur when a
response comes from one of the other two ego states. Covert, or ulterior, transactions involve
more than one ego state of each person and contain a psychological message that differs from the
overt message. The transaction sounds like one of the others but the actual message sent is not
spoken.
Script analysis involves a person's ongoing program for a life drama. It dictates where people are
going with their lives and the paths that will lead there. The way to learn about scripts is to
examine time and relationships. Scripts have main themes and three basic types: winner, loser,
and non-winner. The five components of scripts are directions from parents, a corresponding
personality development, a confirming childhood decision about oneself and life, a penchant for
either success or failure, and a pattern for behavior.
A game in TA is an ongoing series of complementary ulterior transaction progressing to a welldefined, predictable outcome. Games are basically dishonest. Examples of games that are to be
avoided in the counseling situation are "Why don't you; yes, but," "I'm only trying to help you,"
the Courtroom, "Kick me,” “NIGYYSOB," gossiping, wooden leg, "If it weren't for you," Red
Cross, and “Make some sad.” Woods’ game analysis goes beyond a recognition and
confrontation of covert communication to investigate how games are used as defense or
unconscious communication.
On the basis of transactions and scripts, children develop life positions that summarize their
concepts of self-worth and the worth of others. The four life positions are as follows. "I'm not
OK-You're OK" position is of those who feel powerless. "I'm not OK-You're not OK" is the
position of a person who can depend on no one. "I'm OK-You're not OK" is the position of the
person who feels victimized. "I'm OK-You're OK" is the position of the healthy person who has
realistic expectations, good human relationships, and constructive problem-solving ability.
Strokes and rackets are important concepts in TA. A stroke is any act implying recognition of
another person’s presence and can be either positive or negative. Rackets are collections of
excuses for behavior and feelings.
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In practice clients are taught the TA vocabulary. They can then use these principles to analyze
and improve their own behavior. The primary goal of transactional analysis is to help clients
achieve the "I'm OK - You're OK" life position. The following TA points are the most useful in
counseling children and adolescents:






Definition and explanation of ego states
Analysis of transactions between ego states
Positive and negative stroking (“warm fuzzies” or “cold pricklies”)
I’m OK, you’re OK
Games and rackets
Scripts
We recommend teaching that all of us have three parts that tell us what to do in certain
situations. For example, our Parent tells us what we should do, our Adult tells us how to figure
things out, and our Child tells us what to do for fun. Children learn to analyze their own
transaction, to identify the reasoning that goes into their decisions and types of transactions.
Several ways to teach these and other TA concepts are covered in this chapter.
KEY CONCEPTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
According to transactional analysis, a person's personality is composed of three parts: the
Parent, the Adult, and the Child.
Structural analysis is the analysis of a person's personality.
Transactional analysis is the analysis of the interaction between people.
Script analysis is the analysis of the specific life dramas a person consistently plays.
Game analysis is the analysis of ulterior transactions leading to a reward for the person.
On the basis of transactions and scripts, people develop life positions.
KEY TERMS, CONCEPTS, and PERSONALITIES
Adaptive child – Part of the Child component of the personality. The adaptive child emerges as a
result of the demands of authority figures, and contains emotional responses that have been
learned.
Complementary transactions – A healthy human relationship in which responses come from the
ego state that was originally addressed.
Covert transactions – Dishonest transactions in which the actual message being sent is not
spoken.
Critical parent – The Parent aspect of the personality that tells us the right thing to do.
Crossed transactions – Communication breaks that occur when a response comes from an ego
state not originally addressed.
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Eric Berne – The founder of Transactional Analysis who maintained a positive view of the
nature of people and believed individuals are capable of making their own decisions and solving
their own problems.
Game analysis – The process of understanding a series of ulterior transactions that are repetitious
and eventually lead to a predictable outcome.
Injunctions – Negative commands from the parent of the opposite sex.
NIGYYSOB – “Now I Got You, You SOB:” a game individuals play that attempts to trap others
in a double bind.
Nurturing parent – The Parent aspect of the personality that tells us that we are OK and takes
care of self and others in a manner that promotes healthy growth.
Script analysis – A way of understanding the nature of people. A script consists of an
individual’s program for life, and his/her behavior is based upon the ideas in the script.
Stroke – Any act implying recognition of another person’s presence.
Structural analysis – The breakdown of the personality into three sources of behavior: Parent,
Adult, and Child (PAC).
Transactional analysis – A study of individuals based on their interactions with others. These
transactions are defined as communication between ego states of individuals.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Berne believed that people are born:
A. as frogs.
B. as princes and princesses.
C. as witches and warlocks.
D. as sheep.
2. According to Berne, by what time in life is a person’s life script formed?
A. at birth
B. by school age
C. by puberty
D. by early adulthood
3. Name the three separate ego states presented by Berne.
4. What characterizes the well-adjusted person in relation to these ego states?
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5. What is the definition of transaction?
6. A person’s ongoing program for life, or plan for where they are going in life and how they
will get there is known as:
A. an injunction.
B. a life script.
C. a life program.
D. a game.
7. Berne believed that the main function of a game in life is:
A. to maintain homeostasis.
B. to have fun.
C. to compete with others for power.
D. to keep others at a distance from oneself.
8. Transactional analysis is especially suited to counselors who view the counseling process as
a
process.
A. collaborative
B. nondirective
C. teaching
D. static
9. The ultimate goal of TA is to achieve which life position?
A. “I’m OK, you’re not OK”
B. “I’m not OK, you’re not OK”
C. “I’m not OK, you’re OK”
D. “I’m OK, you’re OK”
10.
Warm fuzzies are an example of:
A. a game.
B. positive strokes.
C. negative strokes.
D. transactions.
11.
When utilizing TA techniques with children, it is important to remember:
A. that they are too young to understand ego states.
B. that they enjoy playing games.
C. not to ask children to give up games or rackets without their learning more effective
ways to get strokes.
D. not to talk about life scripts because they have not lived long enough to develop one.
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12.
Ricardo says, “Help me with my homework?” Beverly says, “You always ask me to do
your work.” This is an example of which of the following transactions?
A. (Ricardo) Parent – (Beverly) Child
B. (Ricardo) Child – (Beverly) Parent
C. (Ricardo) Adult – (Beverly) Child
D. (Ricardo) Child – (Beverly) Child
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. Berne presented three types of transactions. Describe and give an example of each.
2. Select two of the games examined in the text. Explain what each game entails and how it can
be used in a counseling session. Discuss ways a counselor might avoid these games.
ACTIVITIES
1. Reread the section entitled “THE PURSUIT OF STROKES.” Think about the last strokes
you received (positive and negative) and the last strokes you gave (positive and negative).
Over the course of the next week, see how many positive strokes you can give to others, and
notice the positive and negative strokes you receive.
2. With a partner, role-play several transactions. Switch roles between parent, adult and child
so that each person has a chance to play several roles. Pay attention to the dynamics and
hidden messages.
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