TA for Learners - 00.05 TA Theory of Human Interactions (TA Proper)
TA for Learners
00.05 TA Theory of Human Interactions (TA Proper)
Introduction
It is only a matter of time that people recognise the presence of another when they come in contact. The recognition may be verbal or non verbal. Such recognition constitutes social intercourse. A transaction is defined as a unit of social intercourse. Transactions aid social action. Every transaction comprises a transactional stimulus and a related transactional response. Transactions are vectors. Therefore transactions are represented by arrows in diagrams. The transactional stimulus in marked ‘S’ and the transactional response is marked ‘R’ in transactional diagrams. They start and end in ego states. They aid exchange of strokes. The characteristic features of a transaction are:
1. They take place between ego states;
2. They carry communication;
3. They carry strokes;
4. They result in mutual recognition;
5. They are impacting and touch both parties symbolically;
6. They carry messages at two levels namely at social level and at psychological level;
Types of Transactions
Transactions carry messages at two levels - at social level and at psychological level. The social message conveys what is said. The psychological message conveys implied meaning. When both messages convey the same meaning (as understood by the other) they are said to be congruent. When both messages convey different meanings (as understood by the other) they are said to be in-congruent. Transactions are classified on whether or not the messages at two levels are congruent. When the messages are congruent, transactions are simple. When the messages are not congruent, transactions are complex.
Simple Transactions
Simple transactions are of two types - Complementary Transactions and Crossed Transactions.
Types of Simple Transactions
1. Complementary Transactions
In complementary transactions the ego state addressed is the one that responds. Nine types of complementary transactions are possible between two persons.
Some types of complementary transactions occur between internal Parent and internal Child. They are experienced as Mind Talk. Other variants of these transactions are possible between Functional Ego States as well.
Types of Simple Transactions
1. Crossed Transactions
In crossed transactions the ego state that responds is different from the one that was addressed. Seventy two types of crossed transactions are theoretically possible. Of these four types are significant. They are shown in the figure appearing below.
Complementary transactions and crossed transactions also take place between Functional ego states. Of these some are initiated by functional Parent and some others by functional Child. They are responded by functional Child and functional Parent respectively. These are mapped in figures below.
Special Types of Simple Transactions
Bull’s-eye transactions: Here stimulus originates in one ego state and is directed toward all three ego states in others. It is the most effective way of communication. It is usually used by politicians.
Carom transactions: Here communication made or directed to one is meant for another. This is common at work places. The boss reprimands junior employee in the presence of the manager. The message is meant for the manager, but is directed to the junior employee to avoid a confrontation or conflict with the manager.
Tangential Carom Transaction: Parents talk about child when they are putting the child to sleep. The significant content is picked up by the child in half asleep. This type of transaction is different from redefining tangential transaction.
Gallows transactions: These are scripty transactions. They have negative content accompanied by a laugh, smile or chuckle.
Complex Transactions
When messages are in-congruent transactions are complex. In complex transactions two sets of messages are exchanged. One set conveys social message and the other set psychological message. Complex transactions are called ulterior transactions because they carry implied message in addition to social message. They are of two types: Duplex Transactions and Angular Transactions. Duplex transactions are Complementary Ulterior Transactions. Angular transactions are Crossed Ulterior Transactions. These two types of transactions are shown in figures below.
Rules of Communication
Each of these types of transactions generates a distinct type of exchange between persons. These exchanges are formulated in rules of communication. They are:
Rule 1. When transactions are complementary communication may (can) continue indefinitely.
Rule 2. When transactions are crossed a break in communication occurs. Parties need to change the ego state or change the topic if communication has to recommence.
Rule 3. The behavioural outcome of ulterior transactions is determined by the psychological content of the transactions.
Unhealthy Transactions
Gamy Transactions
Gamy transactions are initiated from negative functional ego states namely (-)CP Persecutor (P), (-)NP Rescuer (R) and (-)AC Victim (V). The diagram on the left shows interaction between Ritu (-)NP and Rishi (-)AC. While Ritu initiates from Rescuer role, Rishi joins in from the Victim role. The game ends with a switch of roles. Ritu shifts from Rescuer to Victim role. Rishi shifts from Victim to Persecutor role. Ritu exits from the Victim Position feeling sad and Rishi from the Persecutor Role feeling angry.
Crossed Transactions
The four types of crossed transactions are unhealthy because they lead to problems between individuals, groups of individuals and nations. They convert interactions into games.
Ulterior Transactions
They are complex transactions. They are unhealthy because the content and intent (though not intentional) is at variance.
Redefining Transactions
Tangential transactions and blocking transactions are two types of redefining transactions.
Tangential Transaction: In a tangential transaction the response answers another question.
Blocking transaction: In a blocking transaction the issue is avoided by disagreeing with its content, purpose or meaning etcetera.
Racket Transactions
Racket transactions communicate negative content by way of 'noise'. This ‘noise’ accompanies the spoken content. Bad language, raised voice, shouting abuses, defending, behavioural signs - face, head, hand movements and hand gestures are some examples of such content. Racket transactions are unhealthy because they cause unease in the other and are therefore manipulative.
Double Catch Transactions
In double catch transactions the initiator poses negative content unawarely. The respondent is victimised either ways. Will you not come home now? Will you not have tea? Will you not come here? The responder gets trapped no matter he / she agrees or not.
Relationship Diagrams
Relationship diagrams help in understanding relationships of sorts. Relationships such as between parents, spouses, lovers, teacher and students, co-workers, play-mates, critics and their clients, advisors, psychotherapists and their clients can be diagrammed in terms of the principal types of transactions that take place between them. A few relationships are mapped in the figure appearing below.
Relationship diagrams do not map two other types of relationships. They are symbiotic relationships and gamy relationships.
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