TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS

What is Transactional Analysis?

In an age when Emotional Quotient (EQ) has taken over Intelligence Quotient (IQ), Transactional Analysis is a tool to understand ourselves better and enrich our personality, to meet the demands that this
ever-changing world presents.

Transactional Analysis (TA) is a theory of behaviour. This theory was formulated by Dr Eric Berne in 1958 based on his own clinical experience.

A transaction is an exchange of communication (verbal or non-verbal) between two people or within oneself.

An analysis of these transactions, gives us clues to our personality, and helps us change ourselves.

According to Berne, the personality can be explained in terms of three ego states. This model is roughly based on the Freudian Ego. An ego state can be explained in terms of the individual's state of mind at any given point of time. The three ego states are:

Child Ego State - All feelings, behaviours, attitudes related to childhood - the basic sad, mad, bad, glad feelings are attributed to the child ego state. When a person is feeling extremely elated, he is in his child ego state. Also, when he is sulking, angry or cowering with fear he is in the child ego state. In such a state, thinking becomes muddled and our decision-making ability sinks to a very low level.

Adult Ego State - All feelings, behaviours, attitudes related to the here and now - data processing, organising information and non-judgemental feedback are attributed to the adult ego state. This is learnt behaviour, that is behaviour which we learn as we grow up. Even for something as simple as crossing a road, we need to be in our adult ego state. We need all our data processing skills to carry out this simple activity. It all happens so fast that the mind is not even aware, that it is taking an adult decision.

Parent Ego State - Feelings, attitudes, values, prejudices and behaviours imbibed from significant parental figures are attributed to the Parent Ego state. This is copied behaviour; copied from our parents in early childhood. A person reacting from this ego state will either be too judgemental, critical or nurturing and patronising in most situations. In such a state, thinking is always coloured. We tend to be biased and prejudiced in our decisions.

Transactional Analysis teaches the individual to live in the here and now. It is not okay to stay on any one ego state all the time. Our personality has to be a blend of all the three ego states. A person who is always in the adult ego state, will not be able to relate emotionally to others, as he is unable to express his feelings. A person in the child ego state or in the parent ego state feels uncomfortable in situations which demand adult functions like data processing or decision making. Thus communication is impaired and interpersonal relationships are affected. The idea is to display the right emotion according to the situation, and to live in the here and now.

Courses in Transactional Analysis conducted in Madras on behalf of International Council for Transactional Analysis (ICTA) include

• Foundation Course in Transactional Analysis (FTA) - 2 day programme conducted every month.

• Bachelor of Transactional Analysis (BTA) - 2 Year diploma course - once a month for 2 days.

ICTA also conducts Counselling and Human Resources Development Programmes

For Enquiries Contact:

G Shadagopan,
Faculty and Trainer Human Resources and Organisation Development,
# F-2, SPL Dasari, # 5,IV Main Road, United India
Colony, Kodambakkam, Chennai - 600 024.
Phone: 484 3814 / 9053.