Robert H. Chapman, Psy.D. (714) 842-5500
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS Structural analysis is the segregation and analysis of the three ego states: Parent, Adult, and Child. Every individual's personality has these ego states, which are defined as a system of thoughts, feelings and attitudes, with an associated set of behavioral patterns. The three ego states are diagrammed below.
A.
PARENT EGO STATE
The Parent ego state contains everything our parents or substitutes have taught us. Substitute parents can be grandparents, stepparents, guardians, teachers, and even television. How we view the world is in large part determined by how our parents viewed it or taught us; we operate from this information, which may or may not be relevant today. The concept of the Parent is TAUGHT. The Parent is divided into two parts: the Critical Parent and the Nurturing Parent. The Critical Parent is judgmental and authoritative. He/she teaches by telling the child what not to do and by criticizing. The Nurturing Parent is very helpful and supportive. He/she teaches by demonstration, showing how, and setting an example. B.
ADULT EGO STATE
The Adult ego state is like a computer. It takes in information and gives it out. It solves problems and checks out reality. The concept of the Adult is THOUGHT. The Adult has no emotion and says, "Let's be rational." Its main function is to update the Parent messages and protect the Child. It also decides probabilities. If bad information is fed into the Adult, only bad information will come out. The feedback from our computers is only as good as we make it.
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
C.
CHILD EGO STATE
The Child ego state is perhaps the most important state in terms of human experience; it is the part that loves life and is the real you - the part that existed in the beginning, before anyone had an investment in changing you. The Child is emotional, creative, fun loving and spontaneous. Its concept is FELT. There are three parts to the Child ego: Adapted Child, Little Professor, and the Natural Child. The Adapted Child is the part that obeys the parents. It is submissive and seeks gratification by always doing what is expected. The Little Professor is the Adult part of the Child who connives and plans to get what he/she wants. The Little Professor can be good or bad, depending on how he/she uses his creativity. A person with a bad Little Professor is a con. A person with a good Little Professor is an artist or an inventor. The third part of the Child is the Natural Child. The Natural Child is the authentic self- open, real and honest. The Natural Child enjoys life and is the source of love. D.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE EGO STATES
All three ego states are important to healthy personality functioning; it is the responsibility of the Adult ego state to keep the other two in balance. A personality, which maintains balance among the Nurturing Parent, Adult, and Natural Child, can be said to be well adjusted. E.
DIAGNOSIS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF EGO STATES
There are four characteristics which identify the ego states. It is possible that a person may use some of the characteristics in one state and some in the other states. It is important to take all four of the characteristics into consideration before determining the ego state from which a client is working.
CHARACTERISTICS OF EGO STATES THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS ARE 1.
Tone of Voice
2.
Demeanor (posture)
3.
Gestures
4.
Vocabulary
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
CRITICAL PARENT Tone of Voice:
Condescending, Authoritative, Critical and Judgmental
Gestures:
Pointing the finger, Hands on the hips, Frowning.
Demeanor:
Very rigid, Arms crossed, Very proper.
Vocabulary:
Always, Never, Must, All the time, Have to. NURTURING PARENT
Tone of Voice:
Comforting, Soothing, Helpful, Protecting.
Gestures:
Open arms, Hugging, Kissing, Sympathizing.
Demeanor:
Shoulder to cry on, Rocking.
Vocabulary:
Words of comfort, Assurance, Sympathy, Protection. ADULT
Tone of Voice:
Level, Modulated.
Gestures:
Attentive, Pointing the finger to indicate.
Demeanor:
Relaxed, Blinks eyes about every five seconds.
Vocabulary:
Who, What, Why, Words of information. ADAPTED CHILD
Tone of Voice:
Whining, Pleading.
Gestures:
Hitting, Pouting, Kicking, Spitting.
Demeanor:
Sitting with hands in lap, Looking up for orders.
Vocabulary:
May I, Can I, I want.
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
NATURAL CHILD Tone of Voice:
Excited, High-pitched, Happy.
Gestures:
Arms open leaving body fully exposed, Playing with objects.
Demeanor:
Slouched, Feet on chair, Putting legs over arm of chair.
Vocabulary:
Wow, Gee, Gosh, Awesome, Rad, Gnarley, Not!
IDENTIFICATION OF EGO STATES
PARENT
SAMPLE WORDS AND MESSAGES Should... Don't... Must... Ought... Always...Never... Now what... If I were you... Let me help you... Because I said so... Don't ask questions... Do not disturb... Be good... What will the neighbors say... There, there... Sweetie... Honey... Dearie. You are: Bad... Good... Stupid... Ugly... Beautiful... Smart... Ridiculous... Naughty... Evil... Talented... Cute... All wet... Horrible... A trial... A blessing... A brat... An angel... Absurd... Asinine. Try... Don't be afraid... come on now... See... It doesn't hurt... Don't worry... I'll take care of you... Here's something to make you feel better. GESTURES AND POSTURES Pointing an accusing or threatening finger. A pat on the back. Consoling touch. Pounding on the table. Rolling eyes upward in disgust. Tapping feet or wringing hands in impatience. Shaking head to imply "no-no" or "Okay!" Arms folded across chest with chin set. Face tilted up. Looking down nose. Holding and/or rocking someone. TONE OF VOICE Sneering... Punitive... Condescending... Encouraging... Supportive... Sympathetic. FACIAL EXPRESSIONS Scowl... Encouraging nod... Furrowed brow... Set jaw... Angry... Sympathetic or Proud eyes... Smile... Frown... Loving... Hostile... Disapproving.
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
ADULT SAMPLE WORDS AND PHRASES How... When... Who... What...Where... Why...Probability... Alternative... Result... Yes... No... What are the facts... This is not proven, but opinion... Check it out... What has been done to correct it so far... It's 4:30 p.m.... What are the reasons... Have you tried this... Mix two parts with one part... This is how it works... Let's take it apart and look at it... Let's look for the causes... According to the statistics... Change is indicated... The meeting is at 2:00p.m. Friday. GESTURES AND POSTURES Straight (not stiff) posture. Eye contact that's level. Pointing something out (i.e., direction) with finger. Listening by giving feedback and checking out understanding. Interested. TONE OF VOICE Clear, without undue emotion... Calm... Straight... Confident... Inquiring... Giving information. FACIAL EXPRESSION Thoughtful... Watching attentively... Quizzical... Lively... Here and now responsiveness... Eyes alert... Confident.
CHILD SAMPLE WORDS AND MESSAGES Gosh... Wow... Gee whiz... Can't... Won't... Gimme... Dunno... Want... Wish... Mine... Eeek... Ain't I cute... Look at me now... Did I do all right... I'm scared... Help me... Do it for me... Nobody loves me... You make me cry... It's your fault... I didn 't do it... He's no good... Mine is better than yours... I'm going to tell on you... You 'II be sorry... I want to go home... Let's play... Phooey on this old job... More candy... I hope everybody loves me. GESTURES AND POSTURES Slumped. Dejected. Temper tantrums. Batting eyelashes. Joyful or exhilarated posture. Curling up. Squirming. Nose thumbing (other obscene gestures). Nail biting. Raising hand to speak.
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
TONE OF VOICE Giggling... Gurgling... Whining... Manipulating... Sweet talk... Asking permission... Swearing... Spiteful... Teasing... Sullen silence... Taunting... Needling... Belly laughing... Excitement... Talking fast and loud... Playfulness. FACIAL EXPRESSION Teary eyed... Pouting... Eyes looking upward at another... Downcast eyes... Joyfulness... Excited... Curious... Psyching things out... Tilted head... Flirty... Looking innocent and wideeyed... Woe-be-gone... Helplessness... Admiration.
Robert H. Chapman, Psy.D. (714) 842-5500