Transactional psychology - transactional analysis and communication

Communication plays a key role in everyday interpersonal relationships and transactional analysis (AT) provides the tools to understand it better. Developed by Eric Berne, transactional psychology allows us to analyse our interactions through patterns of thought, emotion and behaviour. In this article, we will look at how transactional analysis helps to build more informed and effective ways of communicating.

What is transactional analysis?

Transactional analysis (AT) is a psychological concept that explains how people interact with each other, based on the idea of a 'transaction' - a communicative exchange between individuals.

The creator of this theory was Eric Berne, an American psychiatrist who developed it in the 1950s. His research into the way people communicate led to a better understanding of the impact of these interactions on personal and professional life. Since then, transactional analysis has foundzła application in psychotherapy, personal development and relationship building.

Why is it worth learning the basics of this theory? First of all, it allows us to better understand how our thoughts, emotions and actions shape our relationships with others. In this article, we will look at how knowledge of transactional analysis can help you communicate more effectively and build healthier relationships with people.

To get a good grasp of the essence of AT, it is helpful to first familiarise yourself with its key concepts. Therefore, sign up now 52nd edition of the School of Transactional Analysis online!

Basic assumptions of transactional analysis

Transactional analysis is based on three main concepts: states of Self, transactions and life scripts. Each of these categories is central to understanding how people communicate and what attitudes they adopt in their relationships with others.

Breakdown of transactional analysis

States of I

Eric Berne distinguished three basic states of the Self that every c1TP1Person can manifest in different situations:

1. I Parent - The Parent Self state arises from patterns acquired from authority figures (most often parents). It can take the form of:
   • Parent Carer - caring, supportive but sometimes overprotective.
   • Normative Parent - based on norms and values assimilated from authority figures who judge, control and prescribe, often in a harsh or moralistic manner.
2. Me Adult - The rational, logical, objective and conscious state of the Self. The adult analyses reality on the basis of facts, avoids extreme emotions and tries to solve problems in a constructive way.
3. I Child - The state of the Child Self can manifest itself in several ways:
   • The Spontaneous Child - creative, open, joyful, but also impulsive.
   • Adapted Child - obedient, conforming to the expectations of others, but sometimes submissive.
   • The Rebellious Child - defying the rules, emotional, often aggressive.

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Transactions - the key to communication

A transaction is the basic unit of human interaction. There are several types of transaction:

1. Complementary (parallel) transaction - Responses come from expected states of the Self, leading to fluid communication.
   
   • Example:
     • Parent: "Do it immediately!"
     • Child: "OK, I'll do it."
   • In this situation, the person in the Parent Self state dominates the person in the Child Self state, resulting in communication as expected.
2. Cross transaction - When the response comes from a different state of the Self than expected, misunderstanding and conflict can arise.
   
   • Example:
     • Adult: "Where did you put my documents?"
     • Child: "Why do you always blame me?"
   • In this situation, communication does not flow smoothly because one person expects a rational response and the other reacts emotionally.
     
3. Hidden transactions - When a message contains two levels: explicit and implicit.
   • Example:
     • "I wish no one would help me". - overtly this statement, but in reality it may contain an implicit request for help.

Psychological games and life scripts

Berne, in his theory, described the so-called psychological gamesThese are repetitive patterns of negative interactions. These are often unconscious and result from early experiences. Examples of games are:

• "Yes, but..." - the person asks for advice but rejects each proposal.
• "Look what I did because of you" - blaming others for your decisions.

A life script is a subconscious life plan that often stems from childhood beliefs. It can lead to success or failure in adult life.

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How to use transactional analysis in practice?

1. Building informed communication - Analysing the states of the Self avoids misunderstandings and conflicts.
2. Problem solving - Applying the Adult Condition helps to make rational decisions.
3. Avoiding psychological games - By consciously analysing patterns, it is possible to emerge from destructive interactions.
4. Developing flexibility in relationships - Being able to move between states of the Self allows you to build relationships more effectively.

Wondering if transactional analysis is for you? You will find the answer to this question in one of our training courses "Certified online training 101 - Is Transactional Analysis for you?"

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Do you want to better understand communication mechanisms, improve relationships and develop your psychological skills? We invite you to 52nd edition Online schools of Transactional Analysisorganised by Group Meeting. This is a unique opportunity to explore Eric Berne's theory in a practical way and learn how to consciously manage interactions in your professional and private life. Join us and discover how transactional analysis can transform your approach to communication!

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Summary

Transactional analysis is a powerful tool in psychology and communication. It provides a deeper understanding of interpersonal relationships, helps to avoid conflict and build informed, healthy interactions. Knowledge of the theory enables you to manage your emotions better, communicate more effectively and solve problems in a more rational and constructive way.