Transactional Analysis Journal

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Identification of Ego States in Transactional Analysis as a Function of Intelligence,

Professional Training, and Psychodynamic Factors
Jack Meagher
Transactional Analysis Journal 1981 11: 260
DOI: 10.1177/036215378101100315

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 Identification of Ego States in Transactional
Analysis as a Function of Intelligence,
Professional Training, and Psychodynamic Factors
Jack Meagher
Abstnct
Beme stated the identification of ego
states "does not depend on either profes-
sional tnining or intellectual level but
rather on psychodynamic factors." This
study tested three hypotheses: 1) professional
tnining, 1) intelUgence, and 3) psycho-
dynamic factors are positively related to
identifying Parent, Adult and ChUd ego
states. Results of ego state identification
test showed subjects higher ranked in pro-
fessional training, grade point average,
and I.Q. had significantly higher ego state
scores than lower ranked. subjects. Those
with personaUty factors-"introversion"
and "tender-minded emotionality" had
significantly higher ego state scores than
those with opposite tnits-"extraversion"
and "tough poise."
Introduction
Very few of Eric Berne's notions about
Transactional Analysis have been subjected
to empirical tests. This study extends
one aspect of an earlier study of George
Thomson by testing hypotheses derived
from Berne's work:
The diagnosis of ego states is a
matter of acuteness of observation
plus intuitive sensitivity. The former
can be learned, while the latter can
only be cultivated. The capacity for
this kind of diagnosis, however, does
not depend on either professional
training or intellectual level, but
rather on psychodynamic factors.
260
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Those who are not afraid to know,
even when they do not know how
they know, will do it well, while people
who are afraid of cognition without
insight will do it poorly (Berne, 1961,
p.69).
Thomson found in his study that Trans-
actional Analysis experts, normal, and
psychiatric subjects, could all identify ego
states with a high degree of accuracy, once
the concept of ego states was explained to
them, thus supporting Berne's contention
that ego states are identifiable. In discus-
sing the results of his study Thomson con-
cluded:
Possibily what is measured by this
instrument more than anything else
is efficiency of adult functioning
which may be a function of intelli-
gence. Intelligence in turn is corre-
lated positively with education.
Clearly, what is needed is a study to
determine if the ability to identify ego
states does, indeed, correlate with
intelligence...
It is possible that if intelligence
scores for all subjects had been
obtained answers to the questions of
why scores varied with education,
age, and sex would have been forth-
coming. Further studies are needed
to identify precisely what demo-
graphic factors correlate with the
abilityto identifyego states (Thomson,
1972,p. 59).
To investigate and identify these factors
was the intent of the present research.
Transactional Analysis Journal

Hypotheses
The three hypotheses tested were: 1) Pro-
fessional training in psychology, sociology,
or psychiatry, 2) intellectual level, and
3) psychodynamic factors are positively
related to the ability to identify ego states.
HYPOTHESIS 1
Berne stated that the ability to identify
ego states does not depend on professional
training. If persons of high professional
training have higher ego state scores than
those lower in professional training, then
Berne's theorizing will not be supported.
HYPOTHESIS 2
He also stated the ability to identify ego
states does not depend on intellectual level.
If persons of high intelligence have higher
ego state scores than those lower in intelli-
gence, then Berne's theorizing again will
not be supported.
HYPOTHESIS 3
He also stated that the ability to identify
ego states depends on psychodynamic or
personality factors. If persons with high or
low ranks on psychodynamic factors have
higher ego state scores than those with
average ranks, then Berne's theorizing
will be supported.
Subjects
Three samples of 120 subjects, 54 males,
and 66 females, including 40 high school
students, 40 college students, and 40
adults, were tested. The 40 high school
students were 38 seniors and two juniors in
two psychology classes and one economics
class at Southwest High School. The 40
college students were students from three
general and experimental psychology classes
at the University of Missouri, Kansas City
(UMKC). The adults were 30 enrollees or
graduates of transactional analysis groups
~nd 10 other volunteers. Testing was done
In groups of 5 to 20 subjects.
Procedure
Two tests were administered to the sub-
jects during a one hour time period, the
16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF,
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IDENTIFICATION OF EGO STATES IN TA
1971) and Thomson's Ego-State Identifi-
cation Test (1972, p. 50). The 16PF test
consists of 105 questions with three possible
answers for each question. The ability to
identify ego states operationally was the
performance on Thomson's test: "What Is
A Person?", a one-page explanation with
examples of ego states, was read aloud by
the experimenter while the subjects read
along silently. Then 'also read aloud were
the instructions on the "Response Sheet
and Informed Consent Form." The sub-
jects listened to the thirty-phrase tape
identifying the correct ego state or each
phrase-Parent, Adult, or Child, and
marking it on the response sheet. Only 24
of the 30 phrases were scored. The first
three phrases were practice items and three
other items were fillers. After the test the
correct responses were read aloud to the
subjects.
The 120 subjects were ranked according
to high, medium, or low level of 1) profes-
sional training, 2) grade point average
(OPA) and IQ, and 3) scores on the 16PF.
The rankings and 16PF scores for all three
hypotheses were related to scores on
Thomson's Ego State Identification Test.
1. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
The subjects were ranked according to
high, medium, or low level of training in
psychology, sociology or psychiatry:
high-those with at least 20 hours of
undergraduate or graduate courses,
medium-3 to 20 hours undergraduate or
graduate courses, and low-no college.
2. INTELLECTUAL LEVEL
All subjects were ranked according to
grade point average (OPA) in high school
or college into three categories of OPA:
high (3.3-4, A grade), medium (2.5-3.2, B),
and low 0.-2.4, C and D). OPA was used
since intelligence is usually a measure of
general academic ability.
The IQ part of the 16PF consisting of
eight questions which, as did OPA, tested
mental and academic ability, is defined in
the Manual For The 16PFas:
More intelligent, abstract-thinking,
bright (higher scholastic mental
261
JACK MEAGHER
capacity). The person who scores
high on Factor B tends to be quick to
grasp ideas, a fast learner, intelligent.
There is some correlation with level
of culture, and some with alertness
(1972, p. 18).
Scores on the Intelligence Factor (IQ) from
the 16PF were ranked into high, (7-10),
medium (5-6), and low (0-4) as a further
measure of intelligence.
3. PSYCHODYNAMIC FAcrORS
Scores from the 16PF were used also to
test psychodynamic factors. From this a
personality profile emerged on each sub-
ject. A further analysis of the 16PF pro-
duced the four more general factors of
extraversion, anxiety, tough poise and
independence, as defined in The Manual
For The 16PF (pp. 26-28). Subjects with
above average ranks on any of these four
factors were designated as high (6.4-10),
average as medium (4.6-6.3), and below
average as low (0-4.5).
The rankings and test data for each sub-
ject were recorded on IBM cards. On each
card were punched the subject's identifica-
tion number (ID), sex, age, professional
training (PRO) by rank, grade point
average (GPA) and ego state scores (EGO).
The 16PF produced IQ, and ranks for
extraversion (E), anxiety (A), tough
poise (TP), and independence (I). A series
of one-way and two-way (3x3 design)
analyses of variance (F tests) and indepen-
dent t tests were run on a computer and
statistics of the ego state scores were ob-
tained for the three categories of 1) pro-
fessional training, 2) intellectual level,
and 3) psychodynamic factors. The effect
of these three variables on the criterion
variable, ego state score, was the focus of
analysis.
Results
HYPOTHESIS 1
Professional training has a positive
effect on the ability to identify ego states.
An F test and three 5 tests compared mean
ego state scores of low professional train-
ing. The results indicated that professional
training had a highly significant (.0001)
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effect on ego state scores. The 40 low pro-
fessionally trained subjects were high
school students with no college psychology.
Their mean score (13.5) was significantly
lower than the medium subjects (17.9)
with some college psychology, lower than
the high subjects (18.4) with more than 20
hours of psychology, and lower than the
mean for all subjects (16.5), supporting
hypothesis 1 (Table 1).
IIYPOTIIESIS 1
Intellectual level has a positive effect on
the ability to identify ego states. Both GPA
and IQ scores on the 16PF were used as
two distinct measures of intelligence. Ego
state scores of the low level were compared
with the medium and high levels for each of
the two intellectual factors, GPA and IQ.
The 20 low GPA subjects had a mean ego
state score (13.2) significantly (.001) lower
than the medium (16.9) or high subjects
(17.6, .00(1). The 39 low IQ subjects
scored (15.2) significantly (.007) lower
than the high IQ subjects (17.9), support-
ing hypothesis 2 (Tables 2 and 3).
IIYPOTIIESIS 3
Psychodynamic factors have positive
effects on the ability to identify ego states.
Scores on the 16PF measured personality
factors of 1) extraversion, 2) anxiety,
3) tough poise, and 4) independence. Ego
state scores of the low level were
compared with the medium and high levels
for each of the four personality factors.
The 40 subjects with low extraversion
(intraversion) had a mean score (17.5)
significantly (.045) higher than subjects
with high (15.5) extraversion (Table 4).
Subjects with high anxiety had only
slightly higher scores than the medium or
low levels.
The 38 subjects with low tough poise
(tenderminded emotionality) scored (18.6)
significantly higher than either the medium
(15.3, .0001) or high (15.7, .002) tough
poised subjects (Table 5).
Two of the four personality factors-a
anxiety and independence, had no
significant effects on ego state scores.
However, two factors-low extraversion
Transactional Analysis Journal
 IDENTIFICATION OF EGO STATES IN TA

and low tough poise did have significant
effects, thus supporting hypothesis 3.
The Manual for the 16PF defines the
low and high aspects of extraversion and
tough poise as in Figure 1.
Introversion and tendermined emotion-
ality both had significant effects on ego
state scores, outscoring their counterparts,
extraversion and tough poise. Introversion
and tenderminded emotionality by them-
selves are factors contributing to identifying
ego states more accurately. They also
occur in the same subjects. A two-way
breakdown shows that the 40 introverted
subjects are also tenderminded emotional
ones (4.82, Table 6).

EGO STATE SCORE (0-24)

PRO.
N Mean S.D. Range Groups t F
1 Low ( 40) 13.5 3.6 8-21 1,2 = .0001*
2 Med. ( 61) 17.9 3.5 8-24 2,3 = .609
3 High ( 19) 18.4 4.8 6-23 1,3 = .0001*
Total (120) 16.5 4.3 6-24 .0001 *
significance .05

Table 1
Ego State Score By Professional Training
(Number, Mean, Standard Deviation, Range, t and F Scores)

EGO STATE SCORE (0-24)

G.P.A.
N Mean S.D. Range Groups t F
1 Low (0.2.4) ( 20) 13.2 3.7 6-19 1,2 = .001*
2 Med. (2.5-3.2) ( 60) 16.9 4.2 8-24 2,3 = .428
3 High (3.3-up) ( 40) 17.6 4.0 8-24 1,3 = .0001*
Total (120) 16.5 4.3 624 .001 *
significance .05

Table 2
Ego State Score byG.P.A.
(Number, Mean, Standard Deviation, Range, t and F Scores)

EGO STATE SCORE (0-24)

1.0.
N Mean S.D. Range Groups t F
1 Low (1-4) ( 39) 15.2 4.5 624 1,2 = .119
2 Med. (5-6) ( 50) 16.6 4.4 8-24 2,3 = .175
3 High (7-10) ( 31) 17.9 3.5 11-24 1,3 = .007*
Total (120) 16.5 4.3 624 .025*
significance .05

Table 3
Ego State Score by1.0.
(Number, Mean, Standard Deviation, Range, t and F Scores)

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JACK MEAGHER

EGO STATE SCORE

Extraversion
N Mean S.D. Range Groups F
(Intraversion)
1 Low (0-4.5) ( 40) 17.5 4.3 8-24 1,2 = .370
2 Mad. (4.6-6.3) ( 36) 16.6 4.1 6-24 2,3 = .268
3 High (6.4-10) ( 44) 15.5 4.4 8-23 1,3 = .045*
Total (120) 16.5 4.3 6-24 .117
significance .05

Table 4
Ego State Score By Extraversion
(Number, Mean, Standard Deviation, Range, t and FScores)

EGO STATE SCORE

Tough Poise
N Mean S.D. Range Groups F
(Tenderminded Emotionality)
1 Low (0-4.5) ( 38) 18.6 3.5 8-24 1,2 = .0001 *
2 Med. (4.6-6.3) ( 40) 15.3 4.2 6-23 2,3 = .629
3 High (6.4-10) ( 42) 15.7 4.4 8-23 1.3 = .002*
Total (120) 16.5 4.3 6-24 .001 *
significance .05

Table 5
Ego State Score By Tough Poise
(Number, Mean, Standard Deviation, Range, t and FScores)

HYPOTHESES 1 AND 1 medium, and high levels of professional

Intellectual level and professional
training were combined to see if they had
an effect on ego state scores. Scores for
low, medium, and high levels of profes-
sional training were compared to the same
levels of the two intellectual factors,
1) GPA and 2) IQ. The combined effect
of professional training and GPA on ego
state scores was highly significant (.()()()()I).
Both groups of high-professionally trained
subjects, one with medium GPA (20.3,
Table 7), and one with high IQ (20.1,
Table 8), had the highest mean ego state
scores. The effects of professional training
(.0006) and IQ (.050) both were significant.
HYPOTHESES 1 AND 3
Professional training and psychodynamic
factors were combined to see if they had an
effect on ego state scores. Scores for low,
training were compared to the same levels
of 1) extraversion, 2) anxiety, 3) tough
poise, and 4) independence. The combined
effect was not significant. However, pro-
fessional training alone had a highly signi-
ficant effect on ego state scores for all four
factors. Of all four factors only tender-
minded emotionality (low tough poise) had
a significant effect (.036). Tenderminded
emotional subjects with medium profes-
sional training had the highest mean ego
state score (19.6, Table 9).
HYPOTHESES 1 AND 3
Intellectual level (GPA and IQ) and
psychodynamic factors were combined to
see if they had an effect on ego state
scores. Scores for low, medium and high
levels of GPA and IQ were compared to
the same levels of the four factors. Only

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 IDENTIFICATION OF EGO STATES IN TA

the combined effect of GPA and introver-

sion was significant. Introverted subjects Mean Tough
with high GPA had the highest mean ego extraversion N Poise Rank
state score (18.6). Of all four factors only (Introversion) (tenderminded
tenderminded emotionality had a signifi- emotionality)
cant effect (.002). Tenderminded emotional 1 Low ( 40) 4.82
subjects, one with medium GPA (19.1, 2. Med. ( 36) 5.28
3 High ( 44) 6.35
Table 10), and one with high IQ (19.5,
Table 11), and introverted subjects with Total (120) 5.52
high IQ (20.4) all scored highest in their
category. Table 6
Ranks-Mean Tough Poise By
Mean Extraversion

FACTOR 01
Low Score Direction
INTROVERSION vs.
The person who scores low
on Factor 0 1 tends to be
shy, self-sufficient, and
hibited in interpersonal
contacts. This can be
either a favorable or un-
favorable finding, depend-
ing upon the particular
situation in which the
person is expected to
function; e.g., introversion
is a favorable predictor of
precision workmanship.
FACTOR 0111
TNEDERMINDED
EMOTIONALITY vs.
The person who scores low
on Factor 0111 is likely to be
troubled bypervasive emo-
tionality, and may be of a
discouraged, frustrated
type. He is, however,
sensitive to the subtleties
of life, likely to be artistic
and rather gentle. If he has
problems, they often in-
volve too much thought an
consideration before action
istaken.
Figure 1
For the 120 subjects, females had significantly higher ego state scores because of the high mean score of females
in TA therapy. Taken separately, however, sex had no significant effect on either the 90 non-TA or the 30 TA
subjects. Professional training, G.P.A. and tenderminded emotionality also were significant for the 90 non-TA
subjects.
High Score Direction
EXTRAVERSION
The person who scores
high on this factor is a
socially outgoing, unin-
hibited person, good at
making and maintaining
interpersonal contacts.
This can be very favorable
in situations that call for
this type of temperament,
e.g., salesmanship, but
should not be considered
necessarily favorable as a
general predictor, e.g., of
scholastic achievement.
TOUGH POISE
The person who scores
high on this factor is likely
to be an enterprising,
decisive, and resilient per-
sonality. However, he is
likely to miss the subtle
relationships of life, and
to orient his behavior too
much toward the obvious.
they are likely to involve
rapid action with insuffi-
cient consideration and
thought.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Subjects with high and medium profes-
sional training, with high and medium
GPA, and with high IQ, had significantly
higher ego state scores than subjects with
low level scores, thus supporting hypotheses
1 and 2. Hypotheses 3 was partially sup-
ported. Anxiety and independence had
little effect on ego state scores. However,
the introverted and tenderminded emotional
subjects had significantly higher ego state
scores than their counterparts-extra-
verted and tough poised subjects. The com-
bined effects on ego state scores of pro-
fessional training and GPA, and of GPA.
and introversion, were significant. The
effects of tenderminded emotionality were
significant on all tests. *
Discussion
Berne asserted that the critical factors
for identifying ego states are not profes-
sional training or intellectual level but
psychodynamic factors. Since hypotheses
1 and 2 were supported, Berne's assertion
regarding professional training and intellec-
tual level was not supported in this study.
Berne's assertion regarding the importance
of psychodynamic factors in identifying
ego states was partially supported since
hypothesis 3 was supported in part. The
findings of the present study indicated that
the identification of ego states may be
effected by professional training and intel-

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JACK MEAGHER

MEAN EGO STATE SCORE

PRO G.P.A.
o N N Low N Med. N High F
1 Low (40) (15) 13.1 (12) 11.8 (13) 15.5 PRO = .012*
2 Mad. (61) (4) 15.3 (40) 17.7 (17) 18.8 GPA = .00005*
3 High (19) (1) 6.0 (8) 20.3 (10) 18.1 PROxGPA = .00001*
significance .05

Table 7
Ego State Score By Professional Training and G.P.A.
(Mean and F Score)

MEAN EGO STATE SCORE

PRO 1.0.
N N Low N Med. N High F
1 Low (40) (17) 13.4 (17) 13.5 ( 6) 14.0 PRO = .00006*
2 Med. (61) (17) 17.0 (27) 18.1 (17) 18.2 la = .050*
3High (19) ( 5) 15.0 ( 6) 18.8 ( 8) 20.1 PROxla = .336
significance .05

Table 8
Ego State Score By Professional Training and La.
(Mean and F Score)

P MEAN EGO STATE SCORE

R Extraversion Anxiety Tough Poise Independence
o L M H L M H L M H L M H
L 14.1 1.30 13.5 15.313.012.015.013.4 12.6 11.0 14.1 13.0
M 18.6 17.7 17.1 17.1 18.0 17.9 19.6 17.8 16.5 16.8 18.0 18.1
H 17.9 18.1 19.8 16.8 17.8 20.0 19.4 16.7 17.5 16.4 20.0 18.7
PRO = .00002* PRO ~ .00003* PRO = .00009* PRO = .00004*
F E = .835 A = .905 TP = .036* 1=.074
PROxE = .733 PROxA = .122 PROxTP = .944 PROxl = .947
significance .05

Table 9
Ego State Score By Professional Training and Psychodynamic Factors
(Mean and FScore)

lectual level, as well as psychodynamic
factors, such as introversion and tender-
minded emotionality.
HYPOTHESIS 1. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
It takes "common sense" and intuition
to identify ego states. The high-
professionally trained persons with medium
266
GPA and high IQ had the best "common
sense" and intuition, since they identified
ego states the best. Professional training
highly effected ego state scores overall,
supporting hypothesis I.
HYPOTHESIS 1. INTELLECTUAL LEVEL
Berne stated that "structural and trans-
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 IDENTIFICATION OF EGO STATES IN TA

G MEAN EGO STATE SCORE

P Extraversion Anxiety Tough Poise Independence
A L M H L M H L M H L M H
L 13.8 8.7 14.1 14.5 12.0 14.6 16.0 13.0 11.3 10.7 13.9 13.1
M 18.2 17.6 15.1 16.8 17.1 16.7 19.1 15.7 16.1 17.7 16.3 17.1
H 18.616.817.1 17.1 17.5 18.4 18.9 16.2 17.3 15.0 17.6 18.1
GPA = .00002* GPA = .001 * GPA = .0002* GPA = .0002*
F E = .057 E = .637 TP = .002* 1=.281
GPAxE = .043* GPAxE = .742 GPAxTP = .699 GPAxI = .541
significance .05

Table 10
Ego State Score byG.P.A. and Psychodynamic Factors
(Mean and FScore)

MEAN EGO STATE SCORE

I Extraversion Anxiety Tough Poise Independence
Q L M H L M H L M H L M H
L 15.4 15.9 14.4 16.3 14.3 15.0 16.5 13.7 15.2 13.7 15.5 15.7
M 18.4 16.4 15.6 16.6 15.9 17.4 19.4 15.3 15.4 18.2 16.8 16.0
H 20.4 17.1 17.3 17.6 18.4 17.5 19.5 16.9 17.2 19.0 16.7 18.7
** ***
10 = .010* 10 = .038* 10 = .014* 10 = .019*
F E = .060 A = .843 TP = .003* 1=.874
10xE = .637 10xA = .779 10xTP = .818 IOx1 = .550
significance .05 introverted tendermindedemotional

Table 11
Ego State Score By 1.0. and Psychodynamic Factors
(Mean and FScore)

actional analysis ... are based solely on
clinical observation and experience with
patients ... " (Berne, 1961, p. 20). Because
of experience with mentally retarded
patients such as Mr. Dix, who "became
unusually skillful and accurate in diag-
nosing the ego states of his fellow patients,"
Berne minimized the importance of intel-
ligence and believed using his own TA
theory was easy:
Self-appraisal in this system is
free of some of the difficulties of
self-psychoanalysis, making it rela-
tively easy for the practitioner to
detect and control archaic or prejudi-
cial elements in his own responses
(p.22).
Vol. II, No.3, July 1981
For Berne, ego state identification as
part of structural analysis, is a funda-
mental step before progressing to transac-
tional analysis:
Structural analysis, which must
precede transactional analysis, is
concerned with the segregation and
analysis of ego states (p. 22).
Therefore, identification of ego states is
needed to be a successful client or thera-
pist in TA. In the present study high GPA
and high IQ scores occurred in the same
persons. Since GPA and IQ are both mea-
sures of general academic ability the fact
that persons with higher GPA and IQ had
the best ego state scores may not be sur-
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JACK MEAGHER
prising. However, the implication of these
findings for TA practice is that certain
more intelligent people are also more
intuitive in identifying ego states than
less intelligient or less intuitive people. The
inference is that these less intelligent or
intuitive people may not be as successful
in therapy. In TA, the burden of respon-
sibility is on the client, which may be too
much to bear for the person of limited
intelligence or intuition. Thus, Hypothesis
2 was supported.
HYPOTHESIS 3. PSYCHODYNAMIC FACfORS
The personality factors that stood out as
significant variables were tenderminded
emotionality and introversion. Both factors
occurred in the same persons. The results
showed that tenderminded emotional and
introverted persons were more intelligent
(higher GPA and IQ scores) and more
intuitive (higher ego state scores). The
opposite factors of tough poise and extra-
version were consistently related to the
lowest scores in intelligence and intuition.
Perhaps it was the former types of people
that Berne was referring to when he
theorized:
The diagnosis of ego states is a
matter of acuteness of observation plus
intuitive sensitivity. The former can be
learned, while the latter can only be
cultivated. The capacity for this kind
of diagnosis, however, does not
depend on either professional training
or intellectual level, but rather on
psychodynamic factors. Those who are
not afraid to know, even when they do
not know how they know, will do it
well, while people who are afraid of
cognition without insight will do it
poorly (1961,p. 69).
Although he may not have been aware of it
Berne might have been referring to the
"psychodynamic factors" of 1) introver-
sion and 2) tenderminded emotionality.
The introverted person who is "self-suffi-
cient" and can make more precise deci-
sions (16PF, 1972, p. 26), has this "acute-
ness of observation" that Berne was
referring to. Berne's "intuitive sensitivity"
268
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is implied in the tenderminded emotional
person who possesses a "sensitivity to
the subtleties of life" and perhaps took
longer to consider the answers on the ego
state test (l6PF, p. 28). Persons possess-
ing the two personality factors of intro-
version and tenderminded emotionality,
perhaps, "will do it well," namely identify
ego states, and persons without them,
perhaps, "will do it poorly" (Berne, p. 69).
It may be inferred that these same people
will understand the basic structure of and
benefit the most from TA. The 16PF may
have produced an operational definition
of what Berne meant by psychodynamic
factors. To the extent that it did that, the
data partially supported hypothesis 3 and
Berne's ideas.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
More sophisticated intelligence tests
are needed in further research. GPA is
highly correlated with, but it is not an
actual measure of intelligence. The eight
IQ questions on the 16PFare adequate as a
simple intelligence measure but not ideal
for a truly accurate one. The "Wechsler-
Belleview" individual test for a small
sample, or the "California Short-Form
of Mental Maturity" for a larger group
both would be better IQ tests to administer.
More elaborate psychodynamic tests are
also needed. The 16PF pointed out two
personality traits that were significant in
differentiating ego state scores. A further
study could investigate these traits to see
what new insights could be learned.
This study tested whether subjects could
identify ego states on tape with a one-page
instruction. Further studies could test
whether transactions between people on
audio or video tape could be identified.
Such a tape would present examples of
complementary and crossed transactions.
Subjects would then try to identify the ego
states of all transacting persons. The identi-
fication of crossed transactions is crucial
to Berne's (1961) theory since they block
communication:
This particular type of crossed trans-
action, in which the stimulus is directed
Transactional Analysis Journal

to the Adult while the response ori-
ginates from the Child, is probably the
most frequent cause of misunder-
standing in marriage and work situa-
tions, as well as in social life.... The
reciprocal of this occurs when a
stimulus is directed to the Adult and
it is the Parent who responds (pp. 93-
94).
Other studies might test whether subjects
could identify games as well as scripts
recorded on audio or video tape.
Vol. 11, No.3, July 1981
Downloaded from tax.sagepub.com by Ana Farcas on May 22, 2014
IDENTIFICATION OF EGO STATES IN TA
Jack Meagher, MA, RM, is an inde-
pendent real estate broker in Kansas City,
Missouri.
REFERENCES
Berne, E. Transactional analysis in psychotherapy.
New York: Grove Press, 1961.
Manual for the 16PF. Champaign, Illinois: Institute
for Personality and Ability Testing, 1972.
Penfield, W., & Roberts, L. Speech and brain mecha-
nisms. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University
Press, 1959.
Sixteen personality factor questionnaire (l6PF).
Chapaign, Illinois: Institute for Personality and
Ability Testing, 1971.
269