This article examines the transactional analysis concept of life positions (Berne, 1962/1976) and what various authors have written about these positions since Berne. A two-level model is proposed to clarify some of the confusion that currently exists in the transactional analysis literature. An analysis of the four life positions is presented followed by some suggestions for new positions and some changes in old ones as well as for new clinical options.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BerneE. (1976). Classification of positions. Transactional Analysis Bulletin Selected Articles from Volumes I through 9, 3. San Francisco: TA Press. (Original work published 1962).
2.
ErnstF. H.Jr. (1971). The OK corral: The grid for get-on-with. Transactional Analysis Journal, 1(4), 33–42.
3.
HaibergG.SefnessW. R.BerneE. (1976). Destiny and script choices. Transactional Analysis Bulletin Selected Articles from Volumes I through, 96–7. San Francisco: TA Press. (Original work published 1963).
4.
HarrisA. B.HarrisT. A. (1985). Staying OK.New York: Harper and Row.
5.
MahlerM. (1965). On the significance of the normal separation individuation phase. In SchurM. (Ed.), Drives, affects and behavior (pp. 161–169). New York: International Universities Press.
6.
PiagetJ. (1929). The child's conception of the world (TomlinsonJ.TomlinsonA., Trans.). New York: Harcourt Brace & World. (Original work published 1926).
7.
SteinerC. M. (1974). Scripts people live: Transactional analysis of life scripts.New York: Bantam.
8.
SteinerC. (1976). A script checklist. Transactional Analysis Bulletin Selected Articles from Volumes I through, 930–31. San Francisco: TA Press. (Original work published 1967).
9.
StewartI.JoinesV. (1987). TA today: A new introduction to transactional analysis.Nottingham: Lifespace Publishing.
10.
WhiteT. (1985a). Creative feeling: How to understand and deal with your child's feelings.Perth, Australia: TA Books.
11.
WhiteT. (1985b). Transference based therapy: Theory and practice.Perth, Australia: TA Books.
12.
WhiteT. (1987). The treatment of character.Perth, Australia: TA Books.
13.
WoollamsS.BrownM. (1978). Transactional analysis.Dexter, MI: Huron Valley Institute Press.