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Eric Berne's Transactional Theory

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Not only in the business organizations but also in our daily lives, it is not uncommon that we, human beings, end up interacting with one another. Chatting, discussing, or negotiating – whatever form it may take, we communicate our ideas with one another. Through these communications, we either form bonds or doubts. While there are many theories that try to explain how an individual think, let us focus on the theory that shows how a person interacts with another individual using ego states. The transactional theory of Eric Berne attempts to let us understand how an individual possesses a multi-faceted personality that can be observed through verbal and non-verbal communication.

As mentioned earlier, an individual interacts with another …show more content…

Events experienced during childhood is the main reason for a life position to settle in our minds. This is called “existential position” since it influences our view of our self and the existence of other. The four life positions are: [a] I’m ok, you’re ok; [b] I’m ok, you’re not ok; [c] I’m not ok, you’re ok; and, [d] I’m not ok, you’re not ok. The first one is the healthiest and most positive life position since every one of us is born to be okay with ourselves. If this is nurtured, we grow up having a positive disposition about ourselves and towards others. The second life position results when a child is treated badly during childhood. He may view other people as “not okay” and as he grows up, he will continually prove to himself that others are not okay. This lack of trust for others can result to an individual failing to form intimate relationships. The third life position is the result when a child is not nurtured and receives ideas that decrease his self-worth. This kind of life position causes an individual to have difficulty in liking himself and forming bonds with other persons. The last life position is the worst of all the four because this life position leads to despair. When a person has this kind of life position, he has difficulty to find good in other people and to hope for a better future. However, this is not a hopeless situation. When an individual learns to grow and understand through his life experiences, he can change his view towards life. Certain life experience can bring us back to our most basic life position which is both you and other people being okay (Solomon,

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