The games people play.

Thomas Harris's I'm OK, You're OK is on the same subject of transactional analysis.

The ego states of parent, adult, child are present in all transactions not just couples and family situations.

If you are finding the concepts tricky it's worth looking for web resources which provide examples of transactions in different settings.

This is just one random source found in a web search.

medium.com/@NataliMorad/how-to-communicate-better-with-transactional-analysis-d0d32f9d50da

Agnurse...Thanks, any discussion or info is interesting to me. From what I have been reading though, we all covertly agree to participate in games (role playing?) of one sort or another, not just those in dysfunctional(?) families.

Thats whats so fascinating....we're all following the same behaviour its just the game thats different!

Do you have any favourite books on the subject that you could recommend?
Regards

That is one I would have recommended.I think also it depends on how you like to obsorb information etc.
So I would say look for one that is about- person centred psychology - which focuses on the effects,causes & behaviours etc. Best wishes,

It is very common for people who grow up with dysfunction in their families (e.g. abuse, substance use disorders, etc.) to choose partners and create families where the same dysfunction occurs. There are a few different hypotheses for why this is:

-it's what they know. It's familiar to them.
-it's how their brains develop. We are actually learning more and more that early experiences, especially early relational experiences with a parent or primary caregiver, have a substantial impact on brain development.

There are family assessment and intervention models that have been developed as a way to examine various relationships and relationship patterns within families. These can help therapists and other professionals to determine if there are specific "roles" family members play (and, especially in dysfunctional families, there absolutely are various "roles" that develop).

Bridgeit..Thanks!!
The book is called Games People Play by Eric Berne psychiatrist.
Do you know any other books on the subject that might be helpful?
Regards.

Hope this helps a bit, there are lots of books available best to look for the simpler ones to begin with. The study books can be good for learning about differing methods of behaviours & treatments etc , its a fascinating study, best wishes

Psychology games is perhaps the wrong way to describe it.
As we grow up we all learn how to survive within our own unique family dynamics ie, blend in, be loved ,survive our place in the hierarchy etc , we also subconsciously adapt, react, reinact & or avoid certain behaviours.
No one can predict which way or how many ways we will use or avoid certain behaviours, that’s what makes us unique. Most of us if we are lucky ended up with what is termed ‘wobbly well ‘ personalities & qualities. But some backgrounds are so traumatic that a person will either replicate behaviours or suffer with mental & emotional health.