Transactional Analysis for Growth and Change
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
Transactional Analysis (TA) is a psychological model that is useful as a diagnostic instrument for Organisational Development, and is used in the development of interpersonal skills, team dynamics, cultural diversity and leadership.
Key Concepts of TA
I'm OK - You're OK
The purpose of transactional analysis is to establish and reinforce the position that recognizes the value and worth of every person. Transactional analysts regard people as "OK" and thus capable of change, growth, and healthy human relations.
Strokes
Strokes are defined in TA as units of recognition. All beings need strokes to survive and thrive. TA looks at how people give and receive positive and negative strokes and how we may change unhealthy patterns of stroking to motivate, grow and inspire ourselves and others.
Ego States
Simply put, these are our communication styles. The human personality is made up of three "ego states", namely, the Parent, Adult and Child. Each ego state is an entire system of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours from which we communicate with one another. The Parent, Adult and Child ego states and the interaction between them form the groundwork of transactional analysis theory.
Transactions
Transactions refer to the communication interactions between people. Transactional analysts are trained to recognize which ego states people are transacting from and to follow the transactional sequences so they can intervene and improve the quality and effectiveness of communication.
Games People Play
The TA use of the word 'games' describes repetitive, unhealthy transactions that reinforce negative feelings and self-concepts, and disguise the communication of genuine thoughts and emotions. These games have easily recognisable names such as "Why Don't You, Yes But," "Now I've Got You, You SOB," and "I'm Only Trying to Help You." Berne's book Games People Play achieved wide popular success in the early 60's. Transactional Analysts are trained to recognise games and so that they can help people to unlock from the games they seem fixed in.
Life Script
A life script is 'the story of our lives'. It consists of the beliefs and decisions that guide our lives in a certain direction. In Organisational terms, the life script would be an unhealthy life plan that limits the potential of the organisation. TA enables the organisation and its people to recognise limiting script and change the story to one that is more successful, fruitful, and authentic.
Date Created: 2008-10-19 |
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