Transaction Analysis II

TRANSACTION ANALYSIS II

This is the second post of mine on the TA.
I did introduce you to the egostates of a human being.

What do you mean by EGO?
In many forums when I asked this question I get answers that were multipronged but generally people mention the superior ego as the definition of ego. They are not wrong because by its useage in english it seems to be right.

The ego for our discussion can be defined as the “state of mind” of an individual, lets see how this state of mind plays an important role in our day to day transactions particullarly communications

Take the example of one saying the term “BALL” (see the above picture) the other understands it also as a ball.Now let us see how this expression works on the mind of both these people
When the man said a BALL an internal Picture is generated within him then it is encoded and externally expressed as the words – Now externally she recieves the message and internally decodes the message and finally generates an internal picture of this. In this process we see that when the picture is generated within both these individuals the EGO comes into play.
EGO for both can be in the same level. If both of them have a similar value system and belief system. But generally the value and belief system will not be similar. Thats the reason why the initial picure and the final picture does not match. EGO does not match.

We should remember that all of us have EGO. A person with out ego is a vegetable. The levels of these ego varies as well as the states. By defining the ego states we should also try to understand the levels. As per our discussion the 3 ego states are PARENT – ADULT – CHILD.

The PARENT ego states can be at various levels like POSITIVE & NEGATIVE, being positive or negative can again take two levels CONTROLLING & NURTURING
Hece we can see 4 levels of a Parent in our ego states.

1. Controlling Parent Positive (eg) At the time of crisis (family problems) I can control the situation. (or) I like to work for proper discipline and ensure security
2. Controlling Parent Negative (eg) I feel insulted if my friends / family members do not obey my instructions exactly in the same manner I would want
3. Nurturing Parent Positive (eg) I listen to opinions with interest even when I am not in agreement with them
4. Nurturing Parent Negative (eg) When making suggestions to people I am worried about hurting them

The CHILD ego states can also be in various levels like POSITIVE & NEGATIVE,
being positive or negative can again take two levels FREE & OBIDIENT
Hece we can see 4 levels of a Child in our ego states.

5. Obidient Child Positive (eg) I enjoy being a good follower
6. Obidient Child Negative (eg) I like to keep my seniors / parents happy come what may.
7. Free Child Positive (eg) I find a lot of funny things around me
8. Free Child Negative (eg) When I want something I must get it immediately else I feel angry

The ADULT ego state being a more logical one does not take in different levels (eg) I talk about negative feeling (anger, feeling hurt, insulted) to people who caused them

Now you know, when you reply to some one how your EGO states play a role in the communication at the various levels. If not wait for my next post on TA ill give in illustrations for these…………………………