TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS

ERIC BERN

The theory of Transactional Analysis was developed by the American psychologist and psychotherapist Eric Berne in the 1960s. The main principles of this theory are outlined in his book “Games People Play” and are widely used in psychotherapy for treating various psychological disorders, as well as in the work of psychologists to correct human behavior.

Main Principles and Structure

A transaction is a unit of interaction between communication partners that involves presenting their respective positions.

Eric Berne observed that in different situations, each person assumes different positions (Ego-states) relative to one another, which is reflected in their interactions (transactions).

Ego-states:

Parent – This state resembles the image of parents and is characterized by qualities such as teaching, upbringing, admonishing, caring, confidence in being right, “do as I do,” “this is good,” “this is bad,” and so on.

Adult – This state is characterized by receiving, processing, and analyzing information and, based on this, making decisions for effective interaction with the outside world. It works with information, deliberates, analyzes, clarifies the situation, communicates on equal terms, and appeals to reason and logic.

Child – This state resembles the image of a child and is characterized by intuition, creativity, spontaneity, openness, directness, sincerity, emotionality, trust, and love.