Abstract
Reviews approaches to the Parent ego state (PES). Psychological theories often seem to hold parents responsible for deviations in human behavior. Berne, in developing transactional analysis, emphasized the worth of the PES. The PES is considered a biological reality and a transmitter of rules and traditions which tend to favor the survival and betterment of the human species. The structure, content, genesis, and development of the PES are described. Application of the PES in a psychotherapeutic context are discussed and illustrative examples are given. Suggestions for future explorations of the PES are included.
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References
1.
This article is my interpretation of all that I have learned under the guidance of the original thinking of Eric Berne. Therefore, all of his published works are references for my ideas.
2.
I am further indebted to my contacts with the thoughts and writings of Jack Dusay, Fanita English, Bob Goulding, Morris and Natalie Haimowitz, Steve Karpman, David Kupfer, Jacqui Schiff and Claude Steiner.