Bern Eric: transactional analysis as a method of psychotherapy
Eric Berne became famous throughout the world for psychotherapy andpsychology at the expense of its theory of communication between people and their attitude to themselves and others. Transactional analysis of Eric Berne was studied by many psychologists who agreed that the person lives life really according to the scenario that was laid down in childhood. Many words of parents lay the stereotypical behavior of a person, this determines the quality of his life and communication. What is this - transactional analysis as a method of psychotherapy? What is its essence and benefit for man?
What is the theory of transactional analysis of Eric Berne?
It is considered to be a psychological model,which displays an analysis of the behavior and interaction of a person in a group and within themselves. This theory has gained great popularity due to the availability of concepts and explanations of human behavioral responses.
The main postulate here is that incertain circumstances a person can act, depending on which of the three I-positions he takes. Bern Eric drew attention to these positions. Transactional analysis originates from psychoanalysis, and therefore studies and studies the deep aspects of the human psyche.
For psychotherapy, an important point of application of thistheory is the statement that each person can learn to think and be responsible for their actions, trust first of all sensations and needs, make decisions and build personal relationships. From this position, Eric Berne's theory is a very effective method of helping a person to solve life's problems.
Positions in Transactions
In this theory, an easy-to-understand structurepersonality - these are the three ego-states: Parent, Child, Adult. Each of them differs significantly from the other, having a set of behavioral characteristics, thinking and feelings.
It is very important for the therapist to understand in whicha person acts in one way or another, and what can be changed in his behavior so that he can be the harmonious personality that Bern Eric spoke about. Transactional analysis assumes three basic rules regarding these ego states:
- Any person by age was once small, so something can do under the influence of the ego-state of the Child.
- Everyone (with a normally developed brain) is endowed with the ability to make adequate decisions and evaluate reality, which indicates that he has an ego state. Adult.
- We all had parents or persons replacing them, so we have a given beginning, expressed in the ego-state Parent.
The basis of psychotherapy withtransactional analysis is the help in the comprehension of unproductive stereotypical behavior by a person. The analysis of transactions, which occurs with the help of a specialist, helps a person to become more productive in the search for solutions, in realizing the reality, in setting further goals.
Types of transactions in psychotherapy
Any interactions between people, speech ornon-verbal, are called transactions in theory, which Bern Eric derived. Transactional analysis within psychotherapy involves the study of human relationships, as well as the search for solutions to emerging problems.
It is important for the expert to determine which schemes led to difficulties in the relationship. There are two types of verbal and non-verbal interactions:
- parallel;
- cross.
Parallel methods of interaction
The psychotherapist, working with the client, determines,what type of transactions was used. Parallel are a constructive kind of relationship. In this case, the ego-positions must coincide. For example, a transaction with the question "How are you?" and the answer is "All is well!" is made from the position of the Adult. In this case, there is no problem in the interaction.
Cross-transactions
Crosses can provoke conflicts. This is an interaction in which a stimulus (question or appeal) is an unexpected reaction from the position of another ego state. For example, the question "Where is my watch?" and the answer "Where did you leave, get out there!" - Transaction from the positions of the Adult and the Parent. In this case, conflict may develop.
There are still hidden transactions (at the psychological and social levels). In this case, it is important to analyze the incentives of people communicating with each other.
Incentives in communication
Approval is important for the development of the personality. This is one of the basic human needs. In the theory of transactional analysis such approval or stimulus is called "stroking." Such moments in communication can bear a positive or negative color. "Stroking" are unconditional (just for what a person is) and conditional (are given for actions). The latter are just painted with emotions with the sign "+" or "-".
In the therapeutic practice, the specialist teachesa person to take such incentives or not to do so, especially when they are negative. Positive conditional "stroking" is also not always appropriate, since a person learns to be "good", that is, tries to please everyone, infringing on himself.
It is also important to teach the client to give upConditions that are put forward with a positive stimulus, if they do not correspond to the internal positions of the person, which was especially emphasized by Bern Eric. Transactional analysis helps to focus the client on creating the conditions necessary for him, where he can discover new forces for decision-making and so on. In the therapeutic contact, the psychologist must teach the person to accept himself, then the consultation will be successful.
Honest and dishonest transactions
The next point in the study of transactions asmethod of therapy is the analysis of interactions that determine the pastime of the individual. This phenomenon is called the structuring of time by Eric Bern. Psychoanalysis is inclined to consider it a bit from the other side: from the position of defense mechanisms.
There are six ways of structuring time:
- care (manipulative way of influencing a person);
- games (a series of hidden transactions that also "unfairly" manipulate people);
- intimacy (sexual interaction);
- rituals (transactions caused by stereotypes and external factors);
- entertainment (achievement of certain goals for oneself);
- activity (getting influences from others and achieving their goals).
The last three are called "honest" becausemanipulate others. The therapist during the conversation helps build positive transactions without manipulative behavior. Games are an influence on people's behavior. Let's talk about them below.
Life scenarios of people
Everyone lives according to the scenario set in his childhood, Eric Berne claimed. The psychology of life scenarios of people directly depends on the positions adopted in childhood.
- The winner is the person who achieved the goals,involving others in the struggle. In the process of therapy, such people reconsider their vital positions and manipulative games, trying to build productive transactions without adversely affecting others.
- Defeated is a person constantly experiencingfailure, involving others in their troubles. Psychotherapy for such people is very important. In the course of conversation and analysis of transactions such people understand the reasons for their failures in life. Clients are trained to correctly respond to problems, do not involve others in them, try to get out of constant problems.
- "Non-winner" is a loyal person performingall his duties, trying not to strain the surrounding people. Realizing in the process of psychotherapy their life scenario, such a person makes certain decisions depending on needs and goals.
All scenarios (in more detail about them you canread in a book written by Eric Berne, "The Psychology of Human Relationships, or Games in which People Play") we get as a result of parental programming in early childhood. First taking them non-verbally, then using verbal messages. They are forced out of consciousness with the course of life, so a person can not guess what dictated his behavior. Therefore, with problems related to life scenarios or conflict interactions, it is important to consult a psychotherapist who knows the theory of transactional analysis thoroughly.
