Transactional Analysis Theory: The Basics
Ego States
The Parent Ego
Set of behaviors learned from our parents
Nurturing Parent
Critical Parent
The Adult Ego
Data processing center
The Child Ego
Memories of ourselves we have from childhood
Free Child
Spontaneous feelings and behaviors
Adapted Child
Learned to comply with the parental messages
Determining Ego States
Tone
Gestures
Expressions
Able to and encouraged to combine ego states depending on the different social situations
Transactions
Crossed Transactions
Straight Transactions
Communications can continue indefinitely
How people interact with each other
Which ego state you're in
Combining Ego States
Strokes
Unit of human recognition
Both positive and negative
Conditional
Unconditional
Given for what we do
Has positives and limitations
Come to us for being
Life Scripts
Unconscious life plan from early childhood
Early decisions
Reacting to childhood situations
Existential Position
Basic life position
I'm (not) okay, You're (not) okay
Based on life events, usually from childhood
Positions can change