Transactional analysis

A system of group psychotherapy based on the assumption that there are three positions from which one individual communicates with another (child, adult, parent) and three kinds of growth (stimulus-hunger, recognition-hunger and structure hunger) resulting in typical sequences in behaviour or games. Transactional analysis diagnoses the ego states in any transaction and "crossed transactions" when the ego states of the two parties to a transaction are different, with consequent breakdown in communication. Typical sequences of behaviour, or [games]

, are identified, together with the intensity, tenacity and flexibility with which they are "played". The aim is to build up the "adult" state by filtering out the "child" and "parent" states, allowing the adult to work out a new system of values, and enabling the individual to relearn the capacity for awareness, spontaneity and intimacy, which results in autonomy.