¬The Three Ego States
¬Positive and Negative Effects
¬Challenging the Ego States
The Three Ego States
The Ego States form a model of explanation in the transactional analysis of the human personality. They are structured and defined modes of experience and behaviour. Transactional Analysis makes the assumption that every person consists of three distinct Ego States, which influence their thinking, feeling and behaviour.
The three basic categories of the Ego States are:
The parent, adult and child parts of a personality manifest themselves in a variety of distinct modes of behaviour.
¬An individual behaves like a mother of a father – critical, requesting or protective (Parent-Ego): The Parent-Ego forms the area of norms, values and convictions. It can be critical or nurturing.
¬An individual plans things, checks facts, ask questions and makes strict decisions as an adult would do (Adult-Ego): The Adult-Ego is the residence of logic, consideration, of objective examination and decision. It is the area of autonomous responsibility.
¬An individual behaves like a child – playing, laughing or crying (Child-Ego): The Child-Ego consists of moods, needs, emotions. It is our reservoir of creativity and vitality. It can manifest as a free or as an adapted Ego State.
Every person possesses all three Ego States, which combined form the human personality.
Positive Effects of the Ego States
Negative Effects of the Ego States
Challenging the Ego States
In many cases it is easier and makes more sense to strengthen a weak Ego State than to weaken a strong one. The more a neglected Ego State is strengthened, the further the other parts will retreat or adapt. The following possibilities allow you to challenge your own Ego States.
Challenging the Critical Parent Ego:
· Express your own opinion.
· Be resolute and prepared to bear consequences.
· Make it known when something disturbs you.
Challenging the Nurturing Parent Ego:
· Be receptive to the needs, wishes and feelings of others.
· Have understanding for the “behaviourisms” of others.
· Be good to yourself.
· Give attention, accept attention.
Challenging the Adult Ego:
· View reality as it is, not how you would like it to be
· Assume responsibility for your own life.
· Be logical, objective, rational; test feelings and attitudes to determine if they are justified or necessary.
· Think over, instead of launching into a torrent of words.
· Listen and ask questions before making assumptions/accusations.
· Think positively, rather than negatively of defensively.
Do not hesitate, take the first step today.
Challenging the Free Child Ego:
· Be aware of your feelings, accept them and reveal them to others in appropriate situations.
· Do things for the sake of pleasure, without reason or purpose.
· Enjoy yourself, rather than being unpleasant to others.
· Be happy to be alive
Challenging the Adapted Child Ego:
· Take the needs of others seriously.
· Relax and turn a blind eye
Challenging the Rebellious Child Ego:
· Learn to say “no”.
– Respect your feelings and allow yourself to be angry