Transactional Analysis Concepts Research Articles

Vasily Puzikov: “Every Person Can Be Effective, Can Be Better, and His or Her Desires are Already Sufficient”

Interview with Vasily Grigoryevich Puzikov, a practicing psychologist, associate professor at St. Petersburg State University, author of books and trainings, about his experience of learning and development in the framework of transactional analysis, the history of TA in Russia, the specifics of training and the vision of the profession. Vasily Grigorievich talks about his experience of teaching in various programs, both at universities and on the basis of additional seminars for psychologists. He shares his experience in creating trainings for a wide audience, which are based on one of the key concepts of transactional analysis — the concept of the life script. One of the main ideas he adheres to is that group work can be much more effective than individual work. How and why is described in this article. From the content of the interview, you can also learn about what programs are planned for the near future, and about the features of teaching and learning from Vasily Grigoryevich.

Vadim Petrovsky: “Berne Himself Left Injunctions Against Empirical Research to His Successors, and It’s Time for Us to Circumvent These Injunctions”

Interview with Vadim Arturovich Petrovsky, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor, Corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Education, psychologist in the modality of transactional analysis, about the synthesis of psychological practice and scientific research in the field of psychology in general and transactional analysis in particular. In this interview, issues such as the willingness of practicing psychologists of the transactional analysis modality to conduct their own research and scientific experiments are raised, the difficulties of modern psychological science, the connection and interpenetration of the practice and theory of transactional analysis are discussed. The interview also talks about the objective limitations of transactional analysis as a scientific method and the subjective characteristics of practicing psychologists in terms of writing scientific articles and conducting research. The conversation between the editor-in-chief of the journal “Transactional Analysis in Russia” and Vadim Petrovsky touched upon unexplored topics and areas of development of TA and its concepts as objects of scientific research for the psychological community not only in Russia, but also in the world. Which fields (Counseling, Psychotherapy, Education, TA in Organisations) and concepts of Transactional Analysis are most ready today to bridge the gap from practice to theory and vice versa?

Keeping Sexuality in Therapeutic Contact

The article discusses the significance of sexuality in psychotherapy and its insufficient coverage within Transactional Analysis (TA). The ideas from Bill Cornell’s seminar “Keeping Sexuality in Therapeutic Contact” (January 2024) and Carole Shadbolt’s article “Sexuality and Shame” (Shadbolt, 2009) are used in the article. Historical factors influencing TA’s approach to sexuality and Wilhelm Reich’s ideas are also considered. Special attention is given to the interplay between sexuality and shame, as well as ways to address shame in psychotherapy, particularly within transactional analysis. A new approach is proposed, suggesting a reexamination of classical concepts of transactional analysis. The article emphasizes the importance of openly discussing sexuality with clients at the initial stages of therapy and provides a series of questions that would be beneficial for practitioners to begin this exploration. It views sexuality as a foundational force influencing the formation of life scripts and life positions. The article also examines sexuality (erotism) in infancy and how this experience shapes personality and interpersonal relationships.

Использование трансактного анализа для установления и поддержания психологического контакта в ходе допроса. Часть 1

The problem of psychological contact is considered in the context of forensic interrogation tactics and the conclusion is drawn that “psychological contact” is more of a legal term than a psychological one. Further, the essence of psychological contact is revealed through examples of situations that any person living in society has had to face. Thus, avoiding dry formulations of general words, an idea is given of what the state of psychological contact is in the process of communication, through the reader’s personal experience, the state and sensations that he can remember from his life experience. Thus, transferring this concept from the field of abstract book formulations into your own cognitive space, which already allows you to use it more consciously in modeling various situations and choosing strategies and tactics during interrogation. The possibility of using transactional analysis to establish and maintain psychological contact during interrogation is also discussed. For this purpose, the basic provisions and concepts of transactional analysis proposed by Eric Berne are briefly revealed: the concept and mechanism of transactions, the meaning and main characteristics of “ego states” or positions from which a person enters into dialogue. A way to use this theory to establish and maintain psychological contact during interrogation is proposed. It is concluded that for a more effective interrogation, the investigator must understand from which ego state of the interrogated the transactional stimulus came and return the appropriate response, encouraging the development of psychological contact and further productive communication interaction, for which it is necessary to control one’s ego state in order avoid overlapping transactions that could be perceived as rudeness, insolence, or other manifestation of disrespect on the part of the interrogator.

The Four Racket Quadrants

This paper provides an overview of the article by Edward Zerin The Four Racket Quadrants (Zerin, 1980). Zerin assembled a strike of 15 popular concepts of Transactional Analysis, and a delicious pie consisting of four pieces of racket was born in his therapeutic kitchen. According to the author of this article, Transactional Analysis tools are akin to a matryoshka doll. The biggest one is the OK Corral, then the drivers become visible, and the adaptations emerge; then comes a smaller matryoshka the script matrix, and after it goes an even smaller one the racket system. Edward Zerin, referring to each of the 15 concepts of Transactional Analysis, created his own method of client diagnostics based on a minimal set. His diagnosis scheme through the four racket quadrants is a powerful diagnostic tool that allows us to take a good look at a client's life script. Zerin gives us ready-made maps and an anatomical reference book, which the author of this article mentions. These methods can become, in the author's opinion, a good help for the practice of a psychologist using TA.

Compliance with the Code of Ethics in the Presentation of Transactional Analysis Concepts Through Statements and Manifestation in Social Networks

This article is based on the report at the SOTA conference (March 25-26, 2023) and is devoted to the study of ways of demonstration and manifestation as a psychologist in the space of social media, safely for this psychologist, clients, subscribers, readers, taking into account the need to exclude the risks of violation the code of ethics. In my opinion, the relevance of this topic is high, since many psychologists have a need to demonstrate themselves, but sometimes the ways that marketing offers may be a violation of ethical norms. In this paper I reflect on how to demonstrate yourself in social media relying on the concepts of Transactional Analysis, and how to realize the needs of a specialist in presenting him- or herself, whether it is a desire to share promotional and useful information, or to reveal him- or herself as a professional to potential future clients, or to receive recognition and be noticeable. At the same time, the novelty of my perspective is that in the article I analyze the ways to realize the need for presence in social networks, taking into account the uniqueness of the specialist. In particular, I consider how to run a channel, blog, website, account with pleasure and interest, thereby making social networking a safe process, both for the specialist and for readers, so that the ethical principles become not an image of a Controlling Parent, but a support and a way to help in taking care of yourself and your customers with respect. In this article, I rely on research in the field of Transactional Analysis by authors such as Eric Berne, Vann Joines, Ian Stewart.

Metanoia Vs Paranoia – New Existential Position

Abstract Comparative analysis of metanoia not only as a psychological but a broader spiritual concept versus the paranoid existential position with the accent on the projection as a primitive defence mechanism. These phenomena were studied from phenomenological, psychodynamic, and theological points of view. The theory of personality of Christian psychotherapy and Transactional Analysis concepts are applied. The ego as a psychological apparatus limits human behaviour and actions by constant activation of defence mechanisms that often lead to psychopathology. In Christian psychotherapy metanoia as the desired level is a state of deep spiritual transformation opposite of the distorted psychological conditions.

Theory-Building Case Study Examining Empathic Transactions in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy

This theory-building case study examined the relational transactional analysis concept of empathic transactions (ETs) developed by Hargaden and Sills. The researchers analyzed the transactions between a 28-year-old woman and her therapist during their 26-session therapy. Client progress was assessed using the Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Sequence (APES) as well as standard symptom intensity inventories. Results were largely consistent with theoretical accounts offered by the concept of ETs in facilitating psychological change. All of the ETs were employed, but five of the ETs—inquiry, confrontation, specification, illustration, and explanation—were particularly useful in this case. Results also pointed to aspects of the theories that need refinement or modification. For example, the sequencing of ETs suggested by Hargaden and Sills was not uniformly confirmed.

PENERAPAN KONSELING KELOMPOK ANALISIS TRANSAKSIONAL DALAM DUNIA PENDIDIKAN

The purpose of this paper is to describe the application of transactional analysis group counseling in the world of education. Literature review is the method used in this writing. The implementation of Transactional Analysis counseling has been implemented in schools from the elementary school to the tertiary level. In implementing the Transactional Analysis approach, it can be used for individual counseling, but it is more appropriate if it is carried out in group counseling. The basic concepts of Transactional Analysis include Injunction, Stroke, Life Script, Ego State, Life Position, Games and Redecesions. In Transactional Analysis counseling, individuals are said to be healthy and win when they are in the position of I'm OK, you're OK. There are 3 stages of transactional analysis in group counseling, namely the first is the initial stage, the second is the work stage, and the third is the final stage.

The Potency of Transactional Analysis within an Individual after Relational Integrative Mentoring

This paper appeared originally in Portuguese as: Potência da Análise Transacional nos sistemas da pessoa após Mentoria Integrativa Relacional. Revista Brasileira de Análise Transacional, 2021 (https://unat.org.br/portal/rebat-2021.php) and is reproduced here by kind permission of UNAT-BRASIL - União Nacional de Analistas Transacionais – Brasil.
 To match the format of IJTARP, we have provided an alternative Abstract and moved the previous paragraph to become part of the Introduction to this article
 The authors demonstrate through narrative analysis how potent lessons from TA are learned, applied and retained by those receiving relational integrative mentoring. A full account is provided of how transactional analysis is incorporated into such mentoring, including details of specific transactional analysis concepts and how they are used. Research results indicate how mentees particularly value transactional analysis as a language, as well as the usefulness of concepts including ego states, transactions, emotions, psychological games and contracts. The learning by the mentees is demonstrated as applicable to families as well as within the organisational context in which they mentoring was provided. They conclude that the research has demonstrated relational integrative mentoring as a sustainable and significant development programme.

The effect of transactional analysis training on emotional intelligence in health professions students

BackgroundEmotional intelligence (EI) is considered to present a significant predictor of work performance whereas Transactional analysis (TA) is the relational perspective in communication in managing emotions. We evaluated the effect of psycho-educational training in EI and TA (TEITA) on EI among health professions undergraduates, with post-training, and at 1-month follow-up.MethodsA total of 34 participants participated in the study where 17 participants were in the TEITA group and another 17 were in the control group. A quasi-experimental non-randomised, controlled cohort study was conducted, in which participants in the TEITA group were introduced to EI and TA concepts on a weekly basis for four weeks, at 90 min each time, and provided with opportunities for experiential sharing of emotions and coping mechanisms experienced in the previous week. Both TEITA and control groups received weekly EI and TA reading materials. All completed the 16-item Wong and Law EI Scale at baseline and post-training. The training group also completed the questionnaire at a 1-month follow-up. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks and Mann Whitney tests were used to analyse within a group and between group changes in EI scores.ResultsBaseline EI scores in the TEITA group were lower than the control group. On completion of TEITA, EI scores in the TEITA group increased, and differences were not detected between groups. Within the TEITA group, paired increases in all domains were statistically significant, whereas, in the control group, the paired increase was only detected in the domain addressing regulations of emotion (ROE). Pre to post-training increases in EI scores were statically significantly greater in TEITA compared to control groups. At the 1-month follow-up, EI scores were sustained.ConclusionThe psycho-educational training based on EI and TA is effective in enhancing EI among health professions undergraduates. Future research should investigate the effect of such training on observable inter-personal and socio-economic behaviours.

The basic concepts of Transactional Analysis are presented in an accessible and understandable way

Review of the book by Liuwe Kumpans "It's Me! Become yourself with Transactional Analysis!" The author considers the strength of the book to be a clear and accessible style of presentation and assignments.

Iraqi EFL Learners’ Conceptions of Strokes With Respect to Teachers’ Age

This article describes how the transactional analysis concept of strokes can contribute to our understanding of educational psychology and the dynamics in educational settings between teachers and students. Teachers’ stroking behavior may be influenced by several factors, including gender, age, and culture. The study described here investigates the differences among Iraqi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ conceptions of types of strokes based on the age of their teachers. Five hundred Iraqi teenage learners responded to a 32-item scale. The results of repeated measures ANOVA manifested that there was not a significant difference in the students’ perceptions of overall kinds of strokes given by young and older teachers. However, two subscales of strokes—verbal conditional positive and verbal conditional negative strokes—were perceived significantly differently between older and younger teachers. Finally, and importantly, verbal conditional negative strokes turned out to be less unpleasant than unconditional ones regardless of the teacher’s age, denoting that if the teacher is to give negative strokes, students prefer conditional ones.

Family situation during childhood and adolescence and script activities in the light of transactional analysis. Research report

The article is a research report based on the transactional analysis concept. The author looks for the answer to the question about the significance of the family situation during childhood and adolescence for script entries of a man at the threshold of adulthood. The study was conducted on a sample of 190 people aged 19–25 and using questionnaire techniques. Research tools (adaptation of Z. Łęski’s questionnaire, 2018) were based on the concept of miniscript by T. Kahler andH. Capers (1974). The main conclusion of the study indicates the dominant importance of the nature of the relationship between parents for the development of the child’s script entries. However, the relationship between script entries and whether the family functioned as full or incomplete was not disclosed.

Cultural Parent and Learning in the Knowledge Society: A Survey with Students of the Degree in Primary Education

This article describes a research study involving 132 students on a Primary Education Sciences degree course at Roma Tre University. A complexity paradigm was employed for the research, which used group activities to design a questionnaire that was subsequently analysed to provide 8 different perspectives. The underlying theoretical perspective involved investigation of the applicability of the transactional analysis concept of Cultural Parent (and the associated concepts of Frame of Reference, Script and Ego States) as a way of understanding how changes are needed in educational processes to reflect how family, school and societal cultures have changed, with particular reference to Generation App and the increasing impact of technology on virtual spaces, and the need to reflect cultural diversity.

Assimilating problematic life script themes in clinical supervision: The case of Sarah

AbstractObjectivesLife script is a transactional analysis concept describing a pattern of human experience, interaction and meaning making developed in childhood that can be activated in adulthood, sometimes creating problems. Problematic life script themes can impact a therapist's experience and interaction during clinical work and interfere with therapeutic effectiveness. This study used the comparative script system theory to assess how one therapist's problematic life script themes were manifested in supervision, how they were addressed, and whether addressing them advanced assimilation of the problematic material.MethodSeven consecutive monthly supervision sessions with a 50‐year‐old, highly experienced female therapist in private practice (pseudonym ‘Sarah’) were analysed by a team of five investigators using a qualitative theory‐building approach. The assimilation of problematic experiences sequence (APES) was used to track changes in Sarah's life script themes.ResultsProblematic life script themes were evident in each supervision session. Progress though the APES varied across themes and six different clients discussed during the sessions.ConclusionsThe supervisee's life script themes emerged prominently in supervision session content, and most were successfully navigated. The observations supported the theoretical suggestion that assimilation of supervisee unprocessed life script material may be a prominent component of routine professional supervision.

A Systematic Review of Psychometric Transactional Analysis Instruments

Since the founding of transactional analysis (TA) by Eric Berne in the 1950s, many psychometric instruments have been developed to operationalize TA concepts. Several studies have provided general reviews of these, but the studies are not systematic and do not assess the psychometric quality of the instruments. We conducted a systematic literature review of all psychometric instruments operationalizing TA concepts by searching in Pubmed, Medline, PsycInfo, APA articles, Web-of-Knowledge, and scholar.google.com. The study quality was evaluated with the consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments (COSMIN). Of the 12,287 initial search hits, we selected 56 instruments in 263 studies. Among those, the Schema Mode Inventory, the Tokyo Egogram, the Adjective Check List, the ANINT-A36, and the Life Position Scale were found to have fair to good overall COSMIN quality. Except for the Life Position Scale, they operationalize ego states (Parent, Adult, Child) and the functional analysis concepts of Critical Parent, Nurturing Parent, and Adapted/Free Child. The Life Position Scale operationalized the positive and negative positions toward self and others. Other questionnaires had poor to fair COSMIN quality, usually because of a lack of studies. Meta-analyses indicated that psychopathology and physical symptoms are associated with strong Critical Parent, strong Adapted Child, weak Integrated Adult, negative coping styles, and negative positions toward oneself and others. Many instruments need further validation and translation into more languages. The Schema Mode Inventory, the Tokyo Egogram, the Adjective Check List, and the Life Position Scale are the best validated questionnaires. These could be used by researchers to test treatment effectiveness and by psychotherapists to examine the problems and etiology of clients.

Gender Identity, Queer Theory, and Working With the Sociopolitical in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Why There Is No Such Thing As Neutral

The authors consider the importance of working with sociopolitical issues in the therapy room with reference to gender identity, transgender identity, and gender politics. They describe the theoretical foundations of queer theory and critical theory and consider how these and associated concepts can be used to bridge the gaps between psychology, psychotherapy, and counseling as well as the sociopolitical field and identity politics. They pay particular attention to ways of holding a clinical and therapeutic focus within a queer philosophical context by distinguishing between a liberal rights approach to therapy and a more radical queer approach. They introduce the Lacanian concept of the sinthome to develop the transactional analysis concept of script.

How to Maintain Self-Esteem and Inner Balance in Discounting Transactions

Discounting is a process that accompanies the life of every person. And, although this is one of the ways to distort reality, it is necessary for maintaining the stability of the world perception.Discounting can refer to events, phenomena, tasks, objects, as well as people. It manifests itself in an internal dialogue. However, sometimes transactions are used in communication, in which internal discounting is transferred to the outside world and to other people (I call them "discounting transactions"). This often looks like non-constructive criticism.In many cases, people experience unpleasant feelings when they are discounted.The degree of unpleasant feelings and the possibility of restoring inner comfort depend on the Script.The author examines this process using the concepts of Transactional Analysis and offers a specific express methodology for working with internal dialogue.As a result of the application of the technique, the internal state of a person changes, self-esteem is restored and the possibility of Adult reaction to the Critic's stimulus appears.

Inferencia, Re-experimentación y Regresión

En este artículo se explora el método de Regresión a periodos evolutivos previos utilizando el concepto de Análisis Transaccional sobre los Estados Niño del Yo, junto con el planteamiento de una relación terapéutica sintónica. Los métodos de psicoterapia incluyen la indagación fenomenológica e histórica acerca de las sensaciones corporales y de los afectos a fin de poder formular, con ayuda de la inferencia, un perfil sobre las experiencias emocionales tempranas de la vida del o la cliente. Se presentan descripciones de caso clínico que permiten diferenciar el proceso terapéutico de re-experienciar, respecto al proceso de re-vivir que puede tener un resultado retraumatizante.