Transactional Analysis is a humanistic theory of communication, personality and child development. It was developed by Eric Berne in the 1950s, and has since evolved into a methodology which is widely used in organisational and educational settings, as well as in its original clinical setting.
It has three main underlying principles:
- everyone is OK (has a right to exist)
- everyone can think (apart from those with a severe mental disorder)
- everyone can change.
Within this positive framework, Transactional Analysis employs a range of highly accessible models and techniques which offer people a means to enhance their personal and professional effectiveness. One of the delights of working with Transactional Analysis is the ability to acquire some profound learning and insights in a short space of time.
Transactional Analysis is still evolving, and recent developments in neuroscience continue to support and underpin the theories behind the models.
Suggested reading
- Stewart, Ian; Jones, Vann: TA Today – A New Introduction to Transactional Analysis, Lifespace Publishing, 1987
- Hay, Julie: Working it Out at Work (Second edition), Sherwood Publishing, 2009
For a more detailed overview of Transactional Analysis, visit www.businessballs.com/transactionalanalysis.htm.