Transactional Analysis

Not as scary as it sounds!

Definition of Transactional (Psychological)

An interaction of an individual with one or more other persons.

AttachmentWhen we feel safe and happy

within ourselves and our relationships, we are said to have a

Secure Pattern of Attachment. So therefore, if we do not have

experience of being secure, safe and protected, the opposite is

apparent and we are said to have an Insecure Pattern of Attachment.

This is however an evolving process depending on the relationships we have and

experience in our lives at any particular time.

Transactional Analysis Philosophy

The theory outlines how we have developed and treat ourselves, and how we relate and communicate with others

Transactional Analysis is underpinned by the philosophy that:

people can change we all have a right to be in the world

and be accepted

I'm not OK - You're OK

When I think I'm not OK but you are OK, then I am putting myself in an inferior position with respect to you.

This position may come from being belittled as a child, perhaps from dominant parents or maybe careless teachers or bullying peers.

People in this position have a particularly low self-esteem and will put others before them. They will have a strong urge to please others to the detriment of themselves. (Mainly Child Ego State)

I'm OK - You're not OK

People in this position feel themselves superior in some way to others, who are seen as inferior and not OK. As a result, they may be contemptuous and quick to anger. Their talk about themselves will be smug and arrogant. This position is a trap into which many managers, parents and others in authority fall, assuming that their given position makes them better and, by implication, others are not OK.

These people may also have strong ‘I must be Perfect urges and their personal strivings makes others seem less perfect. (Parent, Child Ego States)

I'm not OK - You're not OK

This is a relatively rare position, but perhaps occurs where people unsuccessfully try to project their bad objects and feelings onto others. As a result, they remain feeling bad whilst also perceiving others as bad. They will be stroppy and angry the majority of the time.

This position could also be a result of relationships with dominant others where the other people are viewed with a sense of betrayal and retribution. Not a pleasant place to be unfortunately. (Critical Parent, Child Ego States)

I'm OK - You're OK

When I consider myself OK and also frame others as OK, then there is no position for me or you to be inferior or superior.

This is, in many ways, the ideal position. Here, the person is comfortable with other people and with themself. They are confident, happy and get on with other people even when there are points of disagreement. (Adult Ego state) This is A GREAT and confident place to be! A very SECURE Pattern of Attachment.

Which Ego State am I in?If we can recognise what ‘category’

our students fall into by recognising behaviours, then we can judge best how to respond positively to them. Of course, a good rule of thumb would be to always be aware of our own Ego State. This has a direct effect on how our students respond to us, be it negative or positive. I.e. If I raise my voice, I become Critical Parent Ego State which may cause my student to regress into stroppy child Ego State and increase the undesirable behaviours.

Engagement PolicyI know we have all heard it a

million times before!BUT………………..By applying a

consistent approach to our students behaviour management will support all attachment issues. For some pupils, our reliable and stable approaches may be the only time that they experience secure relationships.