Transactional mindset is a fundamental concept in psychology that refers to the way people perceive and interact with the world around them. This theory, developed by psychologist Eric Berne in the 1950s, is based on the idea that human interactions and behaviors can be understood through the metaphor of social transactions or exchanges.
Origin and Foundations of Transactional Mentality
Eric Berne, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is known for being the creator of the Theory of Transactional Analysis, in which the mentality is framed. transactional. Berne developed this theory as a way to understand interpersonal relationships and behavioral patterns in a more accessible and practical way than the more complex concepts of traditional psychoanalytic psychology.
According to Berne, transactional mentality is based on the idea that each individual has three ego states: the Parent, the Adult, and the Child. These states represent different ways of thinking, feeling and acting, and each of them is influenced by the way we were raised, our past experiences and our internal beliefs.
The Three Ego States in Mindset Transactional
In the transactional mindset, the Parent ego state represents all the internalized attitudes, norms, and values that we have acquired throughout our lives, mainly from authority figures such as parents, teachers, or religious leaders. The Adult ego state refers to the ability to reason, analyze and make decisions objectively, based on present information and reality. Finally, the Child ego state reflects our most primitive and emotional emotions, impulses and behaviors, influenced by our childhood experiences.
Main Characteristics of the Transactional Mentality
The transactional mentality is characterized by several key ideas and concepts that help better understand human interactions and behavioral patterns. Some of the main characteristics of the transactional mentality are:
Transaction Analysis
One of the bases of the transactional mentality is transaction analysis, which consists of observing the interactions between individuals and analyze how they communicate and relate to each other. These transactions can be of three types: complementary, crossed or subsequent, and each of them has different implications in the dynamics of human relationships.
Life Script
Another important concept In the transactional mentality it is the life script, which refers to the beliefs and expectations that each individual develops throughout their life, influenced by their early experiences and interactions with their environment. These scripts can be positive or negative, and affect the way we perceive the world and relate to others.
Psychological Games
Psychological games are patterns of interaction that repeat themselves. unconsciously and whose objective is to satisfy certain emotional needs or manipulate others. These games are usually dysfunctional and can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings in interpersonal relationships.
Integration of Ego States
In the transactional mentality, integration and balance are sought. between the three ego states (Parent, Adult, Child) to develop a healthy and functional personality. This involves recognizing and accepting the different parts of oneself, learning to communicate assertively and establishing more authentic and satisfying relationships with others.
Applications of the Transactional Mindset
The mindset Transactional has various applications in areas such as psychotherapy, education, leadership and interpersonal relationships. In psychotherapy, transactional analysis is used as a tool to understand individuals' internal conflicts, identify dysfunctional behavior patterns, and promote introspection and change.
In the educational field, transactional mentality has been applied in teaching to improve communication between teachers and students, foster a positive learning environment, and stimulate the emotional and intellectual development of students.
In leadership, the transactional mindset is used to improve the skills of communication, decision making and conflict management in work environments. Leaders who understand the concepts of the transactional mindset are able to establish more effective relationships with their teams and create a healthy and productive organizational climate.
Conclusions
In summary, the transactional mindset It is a psychological approach that helps us understand human interactions, behavioral patterns, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Through the identification of ego states, transaction analysis, life scripts, and psychological games, we can gain greater awareness of ourselves and others, improve our communication and relationships, and promote personal growth. and emotionally healthier and more satisfying.