Transactional Analysis (TA) theory was developed in the 1950’s by Eric Berne (1910 – 1970) a Canadian psychiatrist.
The TA model is based on the concept that humans are social creatures and that the self is a multi-faceted being that changes when in contact with another person in their world. Berne noted that these changes meant there was more than one state of being – and that each person was affected by another in some way.
Main Theoretical Concepts
TA deals with the concept that dynamics or ‘transactions’ are continually occuring between people; and recognising these transactions can result in a deeper understanding of personal behaviours, both verbal and non-verbal.
Berne’s work focussed on the understanding that emerged from exploring dynamics between people. Berne watched his patients experience the world through three states of being – which he defined as ’Parent’, ’Adult’ and ‘Child’ ego states. Berne did not mean for these concepts to be interpreted as ‘parent-like’, ‘adult-like’ or ‘child-like’ and laboured unsuccessfully to find alternative defintions to avoid a ‘Child’ behaviour being misinterpreted as ‘childish’.
Berne defined the ‘Parent’ state as taught concepts that the individual experienced, the ‘Adult’ state as learned concepts and the ‘Child’ state as felt concepts. Easy transactions occur when individuals meet each other in the same ego state, such as Adult to Adult, Parent to Parent. During times of conflict ‘crossed transactions’ are experienced, such as when one individual’s ‘Parent’ ego state is responded to by the other’s ’Child’ ego state.
Other concepts used in TA include the formation of ‘scripts’ and the use of ‘strokes’. Two of Berne’s most popular publications include “I’m OK, You’re OK” and “Games People Play”.
Uses and Limitations
TA is regularly used in group therapy for individuals who wish to explore their transactions with others and recognise which states of being are experienced in their interactions with other people. Critics of the approach claim that openness and honesty are required in TA groupwork if the group is to be successful and this may not exist.