Transactional Analysis Paper

Words: 1106
Pages: 5

Transactional Analysis (TA) is the theory I chose to cover in this paper. Eric Berne pursued the development of this theory in 1956 and proceeded to create one of the most widely-known theories in counseling. Transactional Analysis places emphasis on strokes, games, transactions, ego states and life scripts in clients’ lives throughout therapy. (Peterson & Nisenholz, 1999, pg 190). Throughout this paper, I will be detailing Transactional Analysis and providing explanations and my personal connections to the characteristics of this theory.
A Brief History
In 1956, Dr. Eric Berne was denied membership into the psychoanalytic Institute; this sparked the development of the famous therapeutic theory, Transactional Analysis. Eric Berne was born
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These states are the parent, adult, and child states. Ego states according to Peterson and Nisenholz (1999) are consistent patterns of how a person feels and their experiences which relate to corresponding patterns of behavior that are common. A person can interact with others in any of the three states, or even simultaneously. All three states are connected to memories which can be evaluated in deep detail. The memories themselves can even elicit sounds, smells, and feelings. Parent ego states are focused on what a person should do and what is taught to them. Adult ego states are the thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving portion of the states. This particular state can be the unemotional and objective portion of a person’s behavior. Finally, child ego states are mostly expressed emotionally. This state is impulsive, curious, and seeks affection. The child ego state can be selfish, very aggressive, and centrally focused on what it wants to do. (Peterson and Nisenholz, 1999, p 190 & …show more content…
A current article by Elizabeth Crichton (2007) praises Dr. Berne’s Transactional Analysis and details its current use and how it is still valid today;
Even though Eric Berne developed his theory of ego states some 45 years ago, recent researchers verify the validity of his findings. His genius lead him to an understanding of the human personality that still holds true today and his concepts are a useful tool in the hands of a therapist versed in the theory and its application. In order to successfully use the concepts, one needs to be able to recognize functional and structural ego states and be able to diagnose them accurately. Working with these concepts is fun for clients, easily understood and easily applied (Crichton, 2007, p 37).
The second article, an article by Delia Serbanescu (2009) discusses TA and its use in teacher-pupil communication. Transactional Analysis is said to be a way of personal growth and that activating our own growth in turn contributes to the growth of others around us. In the true spirit of TA, Serbanescu (2009) goes on to say “In order to improve the relationships we must aspire towards relations OK/OK that is relations based on absolute respect towards the other and towards the self. (p 104) ” The focus here is primarily on teacher to pupil communication, and respect towards either side is essential for exceptional communication. (Serbanescu, 2009, p 102 &