TRANSATIONAL ANALYSIS

BR.SARATH THOMAS BAPH, MSWsarathcthomas@gmail.com, 9495873890

INTRODUCTION The study of human behavior is very complex and

complicated concept. It is affected by the psychological factors such as perception, learning, personality and motivation.

• In addition to these factors, individual behaviour affects and affected by the behaviour of others.

Our Target here is to analyze and improve, the interpersonal relationships.

One basic approach to study interpersonal relations in an organisational system is transactional analysis.

This analysis deals with understanding, predicting and controlling interpersonal relationships.

• Transactional Analysis is one of the most accessible theories of modern psychology.

• Transactional Analysis has wide applications in clinical, therapeutic, organizational and personal development, encompassing communications, management, personality, relationships and behaviour.

THE MIND: AN INVISIBLE REALITY

•When a thought takes place, where does it take place..?• When an object is perceived, where is it perceived..?•When an action takes place, where does it initiate..?•Where is the mind located.?

• MIND is a private sphere to which no one but the owner has access. No one else can know our mind. They can only interpret what we consciously or unconsciously communicate.

• The mind does not occupy a space at all. It can be directly observable only by the person who owns it. Only the person him or herself can think his thoughts, feel his emotions and suffer his pain.

The human being is a psychological unity has an exterior and interior dimension.The twisted mind and the deprived spirit can make us physically sick.The body can affect mind and Mind can affect the body.

PROPONENT OF TA• Eric Berne (May 10, 1910 – July 15,

1970) was a Canadian-born psychiatrist.

• Born in Montreal,Canada.• His father died when he was young

and he was primarily raised by his mother.

• He was married 3 separate times all ending in divorce.

• During WWII, he served as an Army psychiatrist in Utah, where he started practicing group therapy.• Moved to California after the war and resumed the psychoanalytic training he had started before the war.• After being turned down for membership in the Psychoanalytic Institute he devoted his time to the development of transactional analysis.• Died in 1970 of a heart attack

3 PHILOSOPHICAL PREMISES OF TA1.People are OK; thus each person has validity,

importance, equality of respect2. Everyone has the capacity to think. 3. People decide their story and destiny, and these

decisions can be changed.Therefore:

– people can change – we all have a right to be in the world and be

accepted

Günther Mohr, TA, www.mohr-coaching.de

Transactional-Analysis(Berne and

first Generation)

Behavioral Th.(Skinner,Bandura)

Individual-psychology

(Adler)

AnalyticPsycholgy(C.G. Jung)

Psycho-Analysis(Freud)

Psycho-drama

(Moreno)

Hypno-therapy

(M. Erickson)

Gestalt-therapy(Perls)

NLP(Neuro-

LinguisticProgramming

Client-centered th.

(Rogers)

Theory-Development

of TA since1980

SystemicApproaches

FamilyConstel-lations-

(Hellinger)

Fieldspecificconzepts

(Organisation,Education,

Counseling, Therapy)

PERSONALITY STRUCTURETHE HEART OF TA

Each individual personality is divided into three separate and distinct sources of behavior

EACH OF US IS REALLY THREE PEOPLE!!!!

Person

Organisational world roles

Professional world roles

Private world roles

Community world roles

WHAT IS A SOCIAL TRANSACTION?A social transaction happens when two or more

people encounter each other.– The transaction happens when one or both either speak

or acknowledge the presence of the other. This is called the Transactional Stimulus.

– Then when the other party responds by saying or doing something in return it is reffered to as the Transactional Response.

TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS• A model for explaining why and how:– People think like they do– People act like they do– People interact/communicate with others

• Based on published ‘psychological’ work such as:– Games People Play (Dr. Eric Berne)– I’m OK - - You’re OK (Dr. Tom Harris)– Born to Win (Dr. Dorothy Jongeward)

Our Brain (according to Berne)• Determines what we think and how we act• Acts like a tape recorder while recording

1) Events2) Associated feelings

Ego PortraitsPeople have favorite, preferred ego

state, depicted by larger circle in a diagramParent Adult Child

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TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS

• Transactional analysis is a technique used to help people better understand their own and other’s behaviour, especially in interpersonal relationships.

• It is a good method for understanding interpersonal behaviour.

• Seeks to explain how each of us has developed into the people we have become by understanding everything around us

• A model for explaining why and how people think, act and interact like they do

IMPORTANT ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY TA ARE

Everyone is born ok. Each person has a right to be in this world and to be

accepted as they are. Everyone is responsible for themselves All seek physical and emotional nurturing so our

behavior is modified to achieve this

TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS IS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH FOLLOWING:

1.Analysis of self awareness2.Analysis of ego states3.Analysis of transactions4.Script analysis5.Analysis of life positions6.Stroking7.Games

1. ANALYSIS OF SELF AWARENESS• The interpersonal relationships are composed of

interself.• Self is the core of personality pattern which provides

integration.• Self awareness is an important concept, it describes the

self in terms of image, both conscious and unconscious.• Joseph Luft and Harrington have developed a diagram

to look at one’s personality including behaviours and attitudes that can be known and unknown to self and known and unknown to others.

• This diagram is known as the JOHARI WINDOW.• It comprising of 4 parts

JOHARI WINDOW

2. ANALYSIS OF EGO STATESIn the TA model a person is considered in 3 parts:

Parent ego-state nurturing

critical

Adult ego-state

Child ego-state rebellious

adapted

free

Everyone has three ego states based on their childhood experiences and role models

CriticalParent

NurturingParent

Adult

AdaptedChild

NaturalChild

Lecturing, Judging, Traditions, Criticizing, Should & Don’t

Consoling, Sympathy, Advising, Guides, Taking Care Of

Objective, Data, Rational, Problem Solving, Less Emotion

Manipulative, Submissive, Conform To Adult Expectations

Playful, Impulsive, Curious, Creative, Fun, Rebel

ChildAdapted - Co-operative (positive) and Compliant/Resistant

(negative).Free - Spontaneous (positive) and Immature (negative).• When parent rules are being recorded the internal feelings of

the Child state are also developing. • The child state includes the evaluation of the experience with

seeing, hearing, and feeling data.• These are recorded as “OK” or “Not OK” feelings.

• This is the seeing, hearing, feeling, and emotional body of data within each of us. When anger or despair dominates reason, the Child is in control.

Parent• Parent is now commonly represented as a circle with four

quadrants:

• Nurturing - Nurturing (positive) and Spoiling (negative).

• Controlling - Structuring (positive) and Critical (negative).

• This is our ingrained voice of authority, absorbed conditioning, learning and attitudes from when we were young. We were conditioned by our real parents, teachers, older people, next door neighbours, aunts and uncles.

• Typically embodied by phrases and attitudes starting with 'how to', 'under no circumstances', 'always' and 'never forget', 'don't lie, cheat, steal', etc, etc. Our parent is formed by external events and influences upon us as we grow through early childhood.

ADULT• The adult stage is developed through gathering

information and creating a thought concept of life. • It takes information from other stages and processes

it to validate it.– Example: The discovery that it is in fact unsafe to run in

the street. This information was instilled in the parent state.

• The adult in us begins to form at around ten months old, and is the means by which we keep our Parent and Child under control. If we are to change our Parent or Child we must do so through our adult.

Personality Operation

• Berne believed that people have the rationality and freedom to make decisions and solve their own problems

• The well adjusted person allows the situation to determine which ego state is in control attempting to strike a balance between all three.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Child to Child• Parent to parent• Child to Adult• Adult to Parent• Adult to Adult

Using this as Educators..

As educators you must find clues to help you decide what internal state the students are operating from.– Examples on following slides…

The parent stage is in action if…

• Physical: Furrowed brow, pursed lips, pointing index finger, head wagging, the “horrified look”, foot tapping, hands on hips, arms folded across chest, sighing…

• Verbal: Always, Never, For once and for all, Judgmental words, critical words, patronizing language

The ego-states and some typical expressions

• Words: you should, must, never; you cannot do that; that’s childish; everybody knows that; how could you?; proverbs, idioms, moralising comments

• Voice: sharp, decisive, strained, impatient, patronising, dressing-down

• Gesture, mimicry, attitude:

• Point-finger arouse, eyebrow high, head trembling, shoulders stiff;

CriticalParent (cP)

nurturingParents (nP)

Words: good, nice, lovely, you poor,We’ll arrange/ manage this, what kind of wishes do you have?, can I help you? Don’t worry, don’t get angry, ...

Voice: with love, smooth, comforting, attentive, soothing

Gesture, mimicry, attitude:Body towards the receiver, arms aremoving towards the r., stroking the other’s hair, with understanding, …

The adult stage is in action if…

• Physical: The face of the student will not be blank or dull, but the eyes, face and body will move continually with short periods of non movement showing they are listening.

• Verbal: Why, what, how, who, where, when, how much, in what way, comparitive expresions, reasoned statements, true, false, probably, possibly, I think, I realize, I see, I believe…

• Words: what, why, how, where, who; correct; practical; what are the facts?; What follows?; What is necessary, what fits?; I conclude …

• Voice: objective, balanced, correct, monotone

• Gesture, mimicry, attitude: thoughtful, observant, open, eye contact, upright, open-minded, interested, perceptive, testing, concentrated

Adult (A)

The child stage is in action if…

• Physical: Tears, pouting, temper tantrums, high pitch whining, rolling eyes, shrugging shoulders, teasing, laughter, hand raising for permission to speak, nail biting, giggling…

• Verbal: Baby talk, I wish, I don’t know, I want, I’m gonna, I don’t care, Oh No, things never go right for me, worst day of my life, bigger, biggest, best…

Free child (fC)

Rebellious child (rC)

adapted child (aC)

Words: Great!, nice!, *$!###great!; I need…; I don’t like …; I’m angry, Voice: loud, free, energeticGesture, mimicry, attitude:Laughing, direct anger, crying, bright-eyed, open mouth, lively, excited, relaxed, playful, spontaneous, curious, expressing feelings

Words: phh; i didn’t do it; no!!; you must be joking!; Why me?; I won’t take that; quit that!; you’re nuts!; that’s none of your ...........business!Voice: defiant, demanding, moody, loud, grumblingGesture, mimicry, attitude:Closed up, chin and lipsforward, sticking the tongue out, refusing, protesting

Words: thank you, please, perhaps, I hope so, i would like to…, I don’t know, I’ll try, that’s unfair, it’s always me…Voice: monotone, humble, tearful, soft, pleadingGesture, mimicry, attitude: restrained, sad, closed, hanging shoulders,, crossed arms and legs, shrugging, shy, fearful, gives in easily

DISCUSS..??– What types of language and ways of

speaking/communicating would you associate with the different ego states?

– Negative controlling parent– Positive controlling parent– Negative nurturing parent– Positive nurturing parent– Positive free child– Negative free child– Positive adaptive child– Negative adaptive child

– We all have stored memories or “tapes” that we quickly can invoke based on certain stimuli.

DISCUSS

• As social workers, being students of ‘people’, sensitive to feelings and emotions, not anxious to rush into a presentation until they know the kind of person they are dealing with.

• Understand people:–Have one thing in common: they’re different, so

what appeals to one person may not work with another

3.ANALYSIS OF TRANSATIONSA transaction is a basic unit of social interaction. The heart of transactional analysis is the study and diagramming of the exchanges between two persons.• Thus where a verbal or non verbal stimulus from one person is being responded by another person a transaction occurs.• Transactional analysis can help us to determine which ego state is most heavily influencing our behaviour and the behaviour of the other people with whom we interact.

Human Interaction Analysis

• A transaction = any interaction or communication between 2 people

• People send and receive messages out of and into their different ego states

• How people say something (what others hear?) just as important as what is said

• Types of communication, interactions1) Complementary2) Crossed3) Ulterior

ANALYSIS OF TRANSATIONSComplementary ‘Transactions’

• Interactions, responses, actions regarded as appropriate and expected from another person.

• Parallel communication arrows, communication continues.

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Complementary ‘Transactions’ cont’d

Example 2:

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#1 You’re late again!

#2 I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.

Crossed ‘Transactions’• When a transaction gets an unexpected response from an unexpected ego state in

the other person. Interactions, responses, actions NOT regarded as appropriate or expected from another person.

• Crossed communication arrows, communication breakdown.

Example 1 #1 What time do you have?#2 There’s a clock on the wall, why don’t you figure it out yourself?

Eg. 2. Do you know where the xray is?It is right where you left it. Can‟t you remember anything?

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Ulterior ‘Transactions’

• Interactions, responses, actions which are different from those explicitly stated

• Example: Eg.1) Do you know where the xray is?I cant find anything when I need it.(Looks sad and pouts a little)

• 2)Don‟t worry I will find it for you(Gives an affectionate look and touch).

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4.ANALYSIS OF LIFE POSITIONS

• I am OK, you are OK: It appears to be an ideal life position. People with this type of life position have confidence in themselves as well as trust and confidence in others.

• • I am OK, you are not OK: This is a distrustful psychological positions. This is the attitude of those people, who think that whatever they do is correct.

• • :I am not OK, you are OK This is a common position for those people who feel power less when they compare themselves to others.

• • I am not OK,, you are not OK: people in this position tend to feel bad about themselves and see the whole world as miserable. They do not trust others and have no confidence in themselves.

INEFFECTIVE MODES• Negative Controlling Parent - communicates a

"You're not OK" message, and is punitive. • Negative Nurturing Parent - communicates a

"You're not OK" message. When in this mode the person will often do things for others which they are capable of doing for themselves. When in this mode the person is engulfing and overprotective.

• Negative Adapted Child - expresses an "I'm not OK" message. When in this mode the person over-adapts to others and tends to experience such emotions as depression, unrealistic fear and anxiety.

• Negative Free Child - in this mode the person runs wild with no restrictions or boundaries. In this mode they express a "You're not OK" message.

Intonations: It’s the Way You Say It!

Placement of the emphasis

Why don’t I take you to dinner tonight?Why don’t I take you to dinner tonight?

Why don’t I take you to dinner tonight?Why don’t I take you to dinner tonight?Why don’t I take you to dinner tonight?Why don’t I take you to dinner tonight?

What it means

I was going to take someone else.Instead of the guy you were going with..

Do you have a problem with me?Instead of going on your own.Instead of lunch tomorrow.Not tomorrow night.

REMEMBER......• when you are trying to identify ego states: words are only part of the story. • To analyse a transaction you need to see and feel what is being said as well. • Only 7% of meaning is in the words spoken. • 38% of meaning is paralinguistic (the way that the words are said). • 55% is in facial expression. • There is no general rule as to the effectiveness of any ego state in any given situation (some people get results by being dictatorial (Parent to Child), or by having temper tantrums, (Child to Parent), but for a balanced approach to life, Adult to Adult is generally recommended.

• Let’s focus for a moment on Paralinguistic Communication.

• Paralinguistic communication is the study of voice and how words are said. When you open your mouth to speak, you reveal much about yourself that often has nothing at all to do with the words you are speaking.

• Paralinguistic signals and cues refer to

every element and nuance of your speech. Paralinguistic communication can be much more subtle than other forms of nonverbal communication.

• For example, a loud, booming voice is not at all subtle. However, a firm voice that conveys conviction is more nuanced than a pointing finger, big gestures, or invading someone's personal space. Here are some common paralinguistic vocal cues and examples:

• Rate/Speed– to establish instant vocal rapport and a

more subtle connection, speak at a rate or speed similar to the person you are communicating with in conversation.

• Rhythm–No matter what your native language is,

if you match the rate and rhythm of speech of the slowest speaking person, it will be easier to communicate and connect on a paralinguistic level.

Examples continued…• Inflection/Vocal Variety

– Inflection refers to variations in pitch. Too much inflection can undermine credibility. Too little will be boring and monotonous.

• Quality– Quality usually refers to the vocal

characteristics that allow you to differentiate one voice from another. Is a person's voice small, feminine, or shaky; thin, throaty, or aloof; tense, flat, grating, nasal, harsh, or shrill? All of these represent different vocal combinations of rate, pitch, and volume. Each will determine how you choose to transact with them.

• Intensity/Tone– This reveals the emotion behind the words

being spoken.

Examples continued…• Volume

– Research indicates that confidence, assertiveness, and boldness are reflected in louder speech. This doesn't mean that you go around speaking loudly but if you need to "raise the stakes" or occur more assertive, raising your vocal volume will help you to do this.

• Pitch– A high-pitched voice can often time sound squeaky or

childlike. Many people associate lower pitches with greater credibility, maturity and authority. It is important to note that the pitches you choose to speak on most should be in your most powerful vocal range. Even though a lower pitched voice is often considered more credible, you should never force your voice so low that you lose vocal power or vocal focus.

5. STROKES Whenever a human being does something to recognise

another human being, it is called a stroke. Can be positive or negative. Can be conditional or unconditional. Conditional strokes given for what we do or what we

accomplish or the trait what we possess. Unconditional stroke are negative strokes.1Positive strokes : the stroke one feel good, is a positive stroke.

Recognition, approval are some of the examples.2. Negative strokes: a stroke one feel bad or not good is a

negative stroke. negative strokes hurt physically or psychologically.

3.Mixed strokes: a stroke may be of a mixed type also. Example :the boss comment to a worker “you did an excellent job inspite your limited experience.

Permissions and Injunctions

• Permissions – Positive messages given to a child.– Do not limit people in any way.

• Injunctions– Negative messages.– More powerful.– May become the basis for destructive scripts.

6. SCRIPT ANALYSIS• In a layman’s view ,a script is the text of play, motion picture, or a radio or TV

programme.• In transactional analysis a person’s life is compared to a play and the script is the text

of the play.• According to Eric Berne,” a script is an ongoing programme, developed in early

childhood under parental influence which directs the individual behaviour in the most important aspects of his life.

• Berne believed that everyone makes a life script (life plan) by age 5.• Determines how one interacts with others.• Based on interpretations of external events.

Component Parts of Script1.Directions from parents2. Patterned personality development3. A confirming childhood decision about identity4. inclination for either success or failure5.A pattern of behaviour

GOALS

Identify and restore distorted and damaged ego states.Use the adult ego state with its reasoning powers.Alter inappropriate life scripts.Adopt a position of “I’m OK, You’re OK.”

Your own experience• Think about situations in your life, where you are using elements of the

different ego-states while communicating.• What kind of experience have you made? – What did you say? What did the other person say?– What kind of non-verbal signals were sent?– What was your inner reaction? (feelings, impulse to act or

speak)– How have you and the other person behaved?– How successful was the communication?– which of your reactions have been appropiate/ which not?

• If you are thinking about a problem in your profession, try to distinguish your sentences, which you are planning to say in such, which will be appropriate to the parent-ego, to the child-ego and to the adult ego; it will be a good preparation to avoid misunderstanding or conflicts.

• You will see, if you reflect like this, that it is usually possible to identify the ego-state: through your behaviour, both you and your partner have an idea of what ego-state you are in and what state you provoke in the other person (you can draw conclusions from your automatic reaction to the other person’s ego-state).

CONCLUSION Transactional Analysis is effectively a language within a

language; a language of true meaning, feeling and motive. It can help you in every situation, firstly through being able

to understand more clearly what is going on, and secondly, by virtue of this knowledge, we give ourselves choices of what ego states to adopt, which signals to send, and where to send them.

This enables us to make the most of all our communications and therefore create, develop and maintain better relationships.

Limitations and Criticisms• Limited in its effectiveness when used alone.• Criticized for its simplicity, structure, and

popularity.• Does not emphasize the authenticity of the

counselor.• The research behind the approach is relatively

weak.• The approach has not developed much since

Berne’s death in 1970.

useful books about transactional analysis

TA today - ian stewart & vann joinesThe best introduction and modern guide to Eric Berne's Transactional Analysis theories. Absolutely fascinating, brilliantly written and explained.

Games people play - eric berne

By the founder of Transactional Analysis, a simple and illuminating book about people's behaviour.  We all play these games...

what do you say after you say hello - eric berneAnother enlightening and significant book by the founder of Transactional Analysis, Eric Berne.

“social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work.

Social workers should uphold and defend each person’s physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual integrity and well-being.

Social work must remain a human activity and creative activity that uses imagination, empathy and commitment as well as reason and evidence and engages with people’s emotions and vulnerabilities as well as their rights and obligations to ensure social protection for the society.

CONCLUSION

social workers are really the shock absorbers of the societyThey are absorbing the people’s sufferings, pains, wounds as part of themselves.

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind: to set free the oppressed”

Remember ….

we are not come to be served but to serve and to give life to redeem many people.