What is TA?

Prepared by Manu Melwin Joy, Assistant Professor, Ilahia School of Management Studies,
Kerala, India, Phone 9744551114, Mail manu_melwinjoy@yahoo.com
According to International Transactional Analysis Association, Transactional analysis is a
theory of personality and a systematic psychotherapy for potential growth and personal
change.
Applications of TA

TA gives us a picture of how people are structured psychologically.

TA provides a theory of communication.

TA offers a theory of child development.

TA offers us a system of psychotherapy.

TA can be used in education settings.

TA is a powerful tool is management and communications training and in

organizational analysis.

TA can be used in any field where there is a need for understanding of individuals,
relationships and communication.

Key ideas in TA

Ego state mode (PAC model)

Transactions, strokes, time structuring.

Life script.

Discounting, redefining, symbiosis.

Rackets, stamps and games.

Autonomy

The philosophy of TA

People are OK It means both you and I have worth, value and dignity as people. I
accept myself as me and I accept you as you.

Everyone has the capacity to think It is the responsibility of each of us to decide

what he or she wants from life. Each individual will ultimately live with the
consequences of what he or she decides.

People decide their own destiny, and these decisions can be changed People can
change and we achieve change not merely by insights into our old patterns of
behaviour, but by actively deciding to change those pattern. The changes we make
can be real and lasting.

From these assumptions, there follow two basic principles of TA practice

Contractual method Client and practitioner should enter a contract and should know
clearly how the task will be shared. This is a statement of responsibility of each party.

Open communication Eric Berne insisted that the client, as well as the practitioner,
should have full information about what was going on in their work together.

Reference TA Today