The term "Psychological Games" is one of the important concepts in Transactional Analysis. It consists of repetitive and predictable patterns of behavior. Games are designed for different reasons such as gaining certain emotional gains in interpersonal interaction, attracting attention, and establishing power relations. “I'm not OK, you're OK” is a method used in communication by individuals with a life position.
Eric Berne defines the concept of "game" as "complementary, hidden sequences of reciprocal behavior/transactions that develop towards a predictable outcome". defined as. Games can also be considered as a group of actions with repetitive, superficial and implicit motivations, or rather fraudulent aspects” (Harris, 2017), (Berne, 2001).
Games can be played consciously or unconsciously by individuals. The purpose is usually to hide the original intention in the communication or to hide some other existing purpose. Games are learned behaviors that begin to form in childhood with Ego States and continue into adulthood. Let's continue with a few examples of Eric Berne's Play genres:
- Troubled Child Play: The person constantly tries to get the attention of others by saying that he has had failures and mistakes. This person expects others to help him or to save himself.
- Tell Me Too Game: By constantly offering help and support to others, the person actually signals to others that he or she needs help. This person needs to feel that others need their support and that they are important.
- Guilty/Not Guilty Game: The person constantly presents himself/herself as guilty or innocent in order to avoid responsibility. This person expects others to take care of their accusations. This person aims to win the approval and admiration of others.
Games often prevent open communication and cause conflict. For this reason, it is important to establish a clear communication without resorting to games in the transactions we are in. I wish you healthy and happy days.
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