ERIC BERNE
Introduction
Eric Berne was a Canadian-born psychiatrist and
Psychoanalyst, Born on May 10, 1910, in Montreal,
Quebec, Canada, as Leonard Eric Bernstein.
He is best known for his development of Transactional
Analysis (TA).
E. Berne's development of ego states, transactional
game theory, and description of script decision and
it's impact on the life course are considered as his major
contributions.
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Psychoanalytic Influence: Berne's early
exposure to psychoanalysis significantly influenced
his thinking and approach to therapy.
He initially practiced as a psychoanalyst, but he
later became dissatisfied with the limitations of
traditional psychoanalysis, which emphasized long-
term therapy and delving into deep unconscious
processes.
His approach was accessible and practical, making
it applicable to a wide audience beyond the
psychiatric community, which helped democratize
psychology and self-help.
TRANSACTIONAL
ANALYSIS
Transactional analysis is a psychological theory and
therapeutic approach .
Transactional analysis is the method used to analyze this
process of transactions in communication with others. It
requires us to be aware of how we feel, think, and behave
during interactions with others.
It offers a framework for understanding human personality,
communication, and relationships.
TA is based on the idea that individuals have three ego
states, and interactions between people involve
transactions between these ego states.
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A brief introduction into the key concepts of
transactional analysis :
1. EGO STATES : There are three ego states:
PARENT EGO STATE ADULT EGO STATE CHILD EGO STATE
Part of an individual's The rational, logical, The emotional and
personality that and objective part of instinctual part of the
contains the the personality that personality,
thoughts, feelings, deals with reality and influenced by early life
and behaviors processes experiences and
learned from parental information emotions. This ego
figures or authority objectively. state is linked to the
figures. individual's emotions
and behaviors from
childhood.
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2.TRANSACTIONS: Interactions between people are
called transactions. They are:
Complementary Crossed Ulterior
Transactions: Transactions: Transactions:
These are In these interactions, These involve hidden
interactions where one person's ego or manipulative
the ego states of both state does not match agendas beneath the
parties align. For the expected surface of explicit
example, an Adult-to- response, leading to communication, often
Adult conversation. miscommunication or leading to games or
conflict. unproductive
interactions.
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3.
Life Script: Individuals develop a "Life
Script“ early in life, which is a set of
unconscious decisions and beliefs about
oneself and the world. These scripts can
influence behavior and choices throughout life.
Example: The "Always Have to Be Perfect"
Script
This script could include the following
elements:
Core Belief, Behavioural Patterns,
Interpersonal Dynamics, Life Choices
Understanding and challenging such life
scripts is a key aspect of Transactional
Analysis theory. 7
• Games: Games refer to repetitive patterns of behavior that
individuals engage in to fulfill certain psychological needs . These
games are repetitive, scripted interactions or patterns of behavior
driven by unconscious motivations even if those patterns are not
productive or healthy.
• Example: The "Kick Me" Game
• Strokes: Strokes are units of recognition, acknowledgment, or
attention exchanged between individuals. Positive strokes are
essential for psychological well-being, while negative strokes can
lead to conflicts and dysfunctional behavior.
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• Positive Strokes: These are affirming and supportive
gestures, words, or actions that make a person feel
recognized, valued, and appreciated.
• Negative Strokes: These are critical or disapproving
gestures, words, or actions that can be harmful to a
person's self-esteem and emotional well-being.
• People have a fundamental need for strokes, and the
absence of positive strokes can lead to a sense of
"recognition hunger." This hunger can drive individuals to
seek attention, approval, or acknowledgment from others.
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.
Conditional and Unconditional Strokes:
•Conditional Strokes: These are given based
on specific criteria, such as achievement,
appearance, or behavior. For example,
praising someone for a job well done is a
conditional positive stroke.
•Unconditional Strokes: These are given
without specific criteria and convey
acceptance and appreciation for the person
regardless of their actions. Offering a genuine
compliment or expressing love can be
examples of unconditional positive strokes.
FREE WILL VS DETERMINISM
• While Berne did not explicitly address the philosophical
debate between free will and determinism in his writings,
his work provides insights into how individuals make
choices and interact with others.
• Transactional Analysis suggests that individuals have the
capacity to make conscious decisions and exercise
personal agency in their lives. The theory emphasizes the
importance of understanding and taking responsibility for
one's actions, choices, and outcomes. Berne's model
includes concepts such as Parent, Adult, and Child ego
states, which represent different aspects of an individual's
personality that influence decision-making.
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LIMITATIONS
• Some critics argue that TA oversimplifies complex
psychological processes and human interactions.
• Not giving importance to cultural variation
• Limited Attention to Unconscious Processes
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Eric Berne passed away on July 15, 1970,
in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA due
to a heart attack. His death marked the
end of a prolific career in psychiatry and
psychoanalysis...
Conclusion
Transactional Analysis is widely used in psychotherapy,
counseling, and organizational development to help
individuals gain insight into their behavior, improve
communication, and develop more satisfying
relationships. It's a versatile approach that can be applied
to various contexts, including personal relationships,
workplace dynamics, and educational settings
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REFERENCES
• Berne, E. (1964). Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships. Ballantine
Books.
• Berne, E. (1961). Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy: A Systematic Individual and
Social Psychiatry. Grove Press.
• Widdowson, M (2009). Transactional Analysis: 100 key points and techniques.1 st edition.
Routledge.
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Thank you
PRESENTED
BY:
SREEPARVATHY S
