transactional analysis and communication

7/28/2019 Transactional Analysis and Communication

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What is Transactional analysis? Transactional analysis, commonly known as TA

to its adherents, is a model for explaining why andhow: People think like they do

People act like they do

People interact/communicate with others

TA was developed by Canadian-born USpsychiatrist Eric Berne during the late 1950s.


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TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS Everyone has three ego

states that are based on

childhood experiencesand role model.

Each ego state is separate

and distinct source of

behavior.

PARENT

ADULT

CHILD


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Parent Ego State Set of feelings, thinking and behavior that wehave copied from our parents or parentalfigures.

There are 2 types1. Controlling or Critical

2. Nurturing

PARENT

ADULT

CHILD


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Adult Ego State Not related to persons

age.

Oriented towards currentreality and the objective

gathering of information.

Organized, adaptable,

intelligent and tests

reality estimating probabilities.

PARENT

ADULT

CHILD


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Child Ego StateAll the impulses that

come naturally to an

infant. How you responded to earlier

experiences and the positions

you took about others

and yourself.

Feelings of happiness, anxiety,

fear, withdrawal etc.

PARENT

ADULT

CHILD


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Kinds of transactionsThere are basically three kindsof transactions:

Reciprocal/Complementary(the simplest)

Crossed

Duplex/Covert (the mostcomplex)


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Complementary Transaction

A simple, reciprocal transaction occurs when bothpartners are addressing the ego state the other isin. These are also called complementary

transactions.

Example:

A: "Would you like to skip this meeting and go

watch a film with me instead?" (Child to Child)B: "I'd love to - I don't want to work

anymore, what should we go and see?" (Child toChild)


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Crossed Transaction

Communication failures are typically caused by a'crossed transaction' where partners address ego statesother than that their partner is in. Consider the aboveexamples jumbled up a bit.

A: "Have you been able to write that report?" (Adult toAdult) B: "Will you stop hassling me? I'll do iteventually!" (Child to Parent) This is a crossedtransaction likely to produce problems in theworkplace.


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Duplex Transaction It is a state in which single person shows more than

one kind of ego state at the same time.

Example :A: "I need you to stay late at the office with me." (Adult

words)

B: "Of course." (Adult response to Adult statement),

winking or grinning (Child accepts the hiddenmotive).


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STROKESAnother concept in TA is that of strokeswhich areonly acts of recognition.

A stroke is a unit of recognition. Positive strokes

(compliments, praise) satisfy most. Negativestrokes (criticism, ridicule) are more satisfyingthan no strokes at all.

Many workers have become recalcitrant becausethey were ignored at work and got no strokes atall. Many marriages are threatened after a few

years, because each spouse takes the other for

granted and does not provide strokes.


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A stroke is satisfying and is therefore areward. Like any other reward, strokes also,if given indiscreetly, may misdirect. One

must not provide a positive stroke at thetime of an undesirable behaviour.


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In TA theory, "Life Position" refers to the general feeling about life(specifically, the unconscious feeling, as opposed to a conscious

philosophical position) that colours every dyadic (i.e. person-to-person) transaction. Initially four such Life Positions were

proposed:

1."I'm Not OK, You're OK" (I-U+)

2."I'm Not OK, You're Not OK" (I-U-)

3."I'm OK, You're Not OK" (I+U-)4."I'm OK, You're OK" (I+U+)


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However, lately, an Australian TA analyst has claimed that in order tobetter represent the Life Position behind disorders that were not,

allegedly, as widespread and/or recognized at the time when TA was

conceptualized as they are now the list requires alteration. Also, two

additional Life Positions are proposed:[8]1."I'm not-OK, You're OK" (I-U+)

2."I'm not-OK, You're not-OK" (I-U-)

3."I'm not-OK, But You're Worse" (I-U--)

4."I'm not-OK, You're Irrelevant" (I-U?)

5."I'm a Bit More OK Than You Are" (I++U+)

6."I'm OK, You're OK" (I+U+)7."I'm OK, You're Irrelevant" (I+U?)

The difference between one's own OK-ness and other's OK-ness

captured by description "I'm OK, You're not-OK" is proposed to be

substituted by description that more accurately captures one's own

feeling (not jumping to conclusions based only on one's perceived

behavior), therefore stating the difference in a new way: "I'm not-OK, but

You're worse" (I-,U--), instead.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transactional_analysishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transactional_analysis


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COMMUNICATION STYLESEvery time we speak, we choose and use one of four basic communicationstyles: assertive, aggressive, passive and passive-aggressive.

Assertive Communication The most effective and healthiest form of communication is the assertive

style. It's how we naturally express ourselves when our self-esteem is intact,giving us the confidence to communicate without games and manipulation.

When we are being assertive, we work hard to create mutually satisfyingsolutions. We communicate our needs clearly and forthrightly. We care

about the relationship and strive for a win/win situation. We know our limitsand refuse to be pushed beyond them just because someone else wants orneeds something from us. Surprisingly, assertive is the style most people useleast.


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Assertive Communication

You choose and make decisions for you.

You are sensitive and caring with your honesty You are direct

You are self-respecting, self expressive and straight forward.

You convert win-lose situations to win-win ones.

You are willing to compromise and negotiate.

You feel confident, self-respecting, goal-oriented, valued. Later

you may feel a sense of accomplishment.

Others feel valued and respected.

Others view you with respect, trust and understand where you

stand.

The outcome is determined by above-board negotiation. Your rights and others

are respected. Your underlying belief is that you have a responsibility to protect your

own rights. You respect others but not necessarily their behaviour.


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Aggressive Communication

Aggressive communication is a style in which individuals expresstheir feelings and opinions and advocate for their needs in a waythat violates the rights of others. It is a method of expressingneeds and desires that do not take in to account the welfare ofothers. Those who communicate in an aggressive manner are

generally perceived as selfish and unwilling to compromise.In agressive communication we simply want our needs met - andright now!


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Aggressive communication

choose and make decisions for others.

direct and forceful

try to dominate others use humiliation to control others

You demand your own way.

You feel righteous, superior, controlling

be very impulsive

have low frustration tolerance speak in a loud, demanding, and overbearing voice

act threateningly and rudely

not listen well

interrupt frequently

Others feel humiliated, defensive, resentful and hurt aroundyou.


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PASSIVE COMMUNICATION

Passive communication is based on compliance and hopes toavoid confrontation at all costs. In this mode we don't talk much,question even less, and actually do very little. We just don't wantto rock the boat. Passives have learned that it is safer not to reactand better to disappear than to stand up and be noticed.


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Passive communication

You allow others to choose and make decisions for you.

You are emotionally dishonest

You are indirect and self denying.

You are inhibited.

If you get your own way, it is by chance

You feel anxious, ignored, helpless, manipulated, angry at yourselfand/or others.

Others feel guilty or superior and frustrated with you.

Others view you in the exchange as a pushover and that you dontknow what you want or how you stand on an issue.

The outcome is that others achieve their goals at your expense.Your rights are violated.

Your underlying belief is that you should never make someoneuncomfortable or displeased except yourself


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Passive-Aggressive Communication

A combination of styles, passive-aggressive avoids directconfrontation (passive), but attempts to get even throughmanipulation (aggressive). If you've ever thought about making

that certain someone who needs to be "taught a thing or two"suffer (even just a teeny bit), you've stepped pretty close to (ifnot on into) the devious and sneaky world of the passive-aggressive. This style of communication often leads to officepolitics and rumour-mongering.


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Passive Aggressive Communication

You allow others to choose and make decisions for you.

You appear honest but underlying comments confuse.

You tend towards indirectness with the air of being direct.

You are self-enhancing but not straight forward about it.

In win-lose situations you will make the opponent look bad ormanipulate it so you win

If you dont get your way youll make snide comments or poutand be the victim.

You feel confused, unclear on how to feel, youre angry but notsure why. Later you possibly feel guilty.

Others feel confused, frustrated, not sure who you are or whatyou stand for or what to expect next.

Others view you in the exchange as someone they need to protect\themselves from and fear being manipulated and controlled.


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GAME ANALYSISAN ONGOING SERIES OF COMPLIMENTARY ULTERIORTRANSACTIONS PROGRESSING TO A WELL DEFINED PREDICTABLEOUTCOME.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GAMES

REPETITIVE QUALITY

PREDICTABLE & ULTERIOR

LEARNT BEHAVIOURS - ACQUIRED IN CHILDHOOD

PLAYERS INTUITIVELY SEEK OUT PARTNERS

SOMEBODY IS PUT DOWN & BOTH PARTIES END UP WITH A BADFEELING


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Why game analysis ?

IT PROVIDES US WITH STROKES WE NEED

THEY ARE DEFENCES TO PROTECT PEOPLE

HELP US REINFORCE LIFE POSITIONS

How to stop ?

BECOME AWARE

REFRAIN FROM GIVING OTHERS NEGATIVE PAYOFF

LEARN TO CONFRONT THE GAME ACTIVATE THE ADULT

There are many different types of Communication but


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There are many different types of Communication butthey can be classified into four basic types ofcommunication.

Types of Communication Based on CommunicationChannels

Verbal Communication

Non-Verbal Communication

Types of Communication Based on Style and Purpose

Formal Communication

Informal Communication

transactional analysis and communication

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