What is Transactional Analysis (TA)?
Transactional Analysis (TA) is a psychological framework developed by Dr. Eric Berne in the 1950s to help people understand communication, power dynamics, and human behavior. It’s widely used in therapy, leadership, conflict resolution, and workplace psychology to recognize how people interact, influence, and manipulate one another.
At its core, TA helps us answer key questions:
- Why do some conversations feel like power struggles?
- Why do people manipulate others?
- How can we recognize unhealthy communication patterns and respond effectively?
By learning TA, we can spot manipulation, break negative patterns, and communicate more effectively in personal and professional life.
The Three Ego States in Transactional Analysis
TA identifies three ego states that shape how we communicate and respond to others:
1. Parent Ego State
- Critical Parent: Judgmental, controlling, authoritative. (“You should do this.”)
- Nurturing Parent: Supportive, caring, protective. (“Are you okay? Let me help.”)
✅ Example: A teacher saying, “It’s important to wear a seatbelt to keep you safe.” (Nurturing Parent)
✅ Example: A manager saying, “You must submit your reports by Friday, or there will be consequences.” (Critical Parent)
2. Adult Ego State
- Rational, logical, fact-based. (“Let’s look at the data.”)
- The Adult state is where clear, balanced communication happens.
✅ Example: “The speed limit is 30mph here because it’s a school zone. That makes sense for safety.”
✅ Example: “Company policy requires reports to be submitted by Friday. That’s reasonable to keep things organized.”
3. Child Ego State
- Free Child: Playful, spontaneous, emotional. (“This is fun!”)
- Adapted Child: Submissive or rebellious in response to authority.
✅ Example (Submissive Child): “I hate this rule, but I have to follow it.”
✅ Example (Rebellious Child): “This rule is stupid, so I’ll ignore it.”
💡 Key Takeaway:
- Parent enforces rules.
- Adult evaluates rules logically.
- Child either obeys or rebels based on emotions.
