Transactional Analysis Overview

Study Notes

Transactional Analysis is a technique for examining interpersonal communication and its effectiveness.
Each conversation is considered a transaction, stemming from one of three ego states: Parent (P), Adult (A), or Child (C).
The Parent ego state is authoritarian; the Adult is rational and logical; the Child is impulsive.

Complementary Transactions: Communication where the stimulus and response come from matching ego states, leading to predictable interactions.
Adult – Adult Transactions: Both individuals transacting from the Adult state, fostering logical, rational communication; minimized conflicts in organizations.
Adult – Parent Transactions: Manager communicates from Adult; employees from Parent, leading to potential conflicts as employees may feel controlled.
Adult – Child Transactions: Effective if Children are creative (e.g., little professors); managers must guide and tolerate childlike behavior but risk unproductivity.
Parent – Parent Transactions: Dominating exchanges with authoritarian tendencies; a nurturing approach by the manager is required for productive communication.
Child – Child Transactions: Poor organizational structure; often leaderless, leading to inefficiency, lethargy, and absence of growth; requires replacement of a manager exhibiting dominant Child behavior.

A model developed by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham for personality analysis, categorizing self-awareness and interpersonal awareness.
Open Self (Public Area): Information known to self and others. Openness reduces chances of conflict.
Blind Self (Blind Area): Known to others but not to self, creating potential interpersonal conflicts. Awareness of one’s behavior can reduce this area.
Hidden Self (Private Area): Known to self but not to others; may cause misunderstandings. Example: Perceptual and value differences between individuals can lead to conflicts.

Personality Differences: Conflict can arise between extroverted and introverted individuals.
Perceptual Differences: Different interpretations of the same issue can lead to disagreements.
Value System Differences: Conflicts can occur when priorities clash, such as quality versus cost.
Power and Status Disparities: Unequal power dynamics, like a low-status employee directing a high-status individual, can lead to conflict.
Scarcity of Resources: Competition for limited resources can cause inter-individual conflict.

Three fundamental ego states: Parent, Child, and Adult, influence behavior and transactions.
The Parent Ego incorporates behavioral traits modeled after authority figures; can be nurturing or controlling.
Change in ego states is situational and reflects behavior adjustments based on context.