A child’s early formative years are the most crucial in determining the growth, personality and goals of the individual. The Transactional Analysis theory supports this statement as it enables people to explore the origins of their personality and allows one to understand why he/she is the way he/she is. I have come to realize that my coping mechanisms are reflected in the adoption and switching of ego states that takes place depending on the situation. Although there are times when I move to the adaptive child state or the critical parent ego state, my dominant ego state may be the adult stage. This is so because I mainly think logically, practically and don’t let emotions get the best of me; I usually do not let my heart rule my head since
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The best and most preferred type of stroke for me would be positive unconditional strokes. Positive strokes naturally make everyone happy, or at least most people, as they result in pleasant emotions and feelings, whether it is verbal or non-verbal. In addition, unconditional positive strokes are based on who I am as a person instead of what I do, and I believe such strokes are more constructive and encouraging for character building. Alongside unconditional positive strokes, conditional positive strokes are also beneficial for the personality. Therefore, I seek and am comfortable with receiving unconditional and conditional positive strokes by behaving in ways that would lead to such strokes. This was taught to me in childhood, for example if I greeted people nicely, I would receive a hug. As far as receiving conditional positive strokes are concerned, for example, I don’t dress up in fancy clothes and make-up on a daily basis like many girls so that when I do dress up on special occasions, I look different and receive compliments. Even as a child I would wear pretty dresses, make my hair and apply my mother’s lipstick so others could compliment me. Similarly, I have received unconditional positive strokes such as “You are a genuine person,” which are obviously based on the way I am and how I interact with others, and such unconditional positive strokes encourage me to continue …show more content…
For example, as a child my parents always told me “Don’t quit,” “Try hard” and “Be more than you are,” and now I have integrated those messages in current behaviour to such an extent that I am always striving for more and I don’t lose hope, for example improving grades, gaining a position in the executive council of the Community Service Society etc. Thus, these are injunctions and counter-injunctions that I stated in the exercise as well with my partner, in a very enforcing yet encouraging tone. Although I perceive these messages as positive, my parents also told me “Don’t trust others” and “You should always do what is expected.” I feel that because of the first message, I am usually suspicious about others and only trust an extremely limited number of people, however, I am comfortable this way as I have had bad experiences with the people I use to trust, and thus have learnt from my mistakes. Moreover, I would not agree with the second message as one should not always do what is expected. If we continue living according to expected patterns in every single aspect of our lives, there will be no room for change and individuality. Therefore, I conform to this message only to a certain extent. For example, my family and extended family always wanted me to
The best and most preferred type of stroke for me would be positive unconditional strokes. Positive strokes naturally make everyone happy, or at least most people, as they result in pleasant emotions and feelings, whether it is verbal or non-verbal. In addition, unconditional positive strokes are based on who I am as a person instead of what I do, and I believe such strokes are more constructive and encouraging for character building. Alongside unconditional positive strokes, conditional positive strokes are also beneficial for the personality. Therefore, I seek and am comfortable with receiving unconditional and conditional positive strokes by behaving in ways that would lead to such strokes. This was taught to me in childhood, for example if I greeted people nicely, I would receive a hug. As far as receiving conditional positive strokes are concerned, for example, I don’t dress up in fancy clothes and make-up on a daily basis like many girls so that when I do dress up on special occasions, I look different and receive compliments. Even as a child I would wear pretty dresses, make my hair and apply my mother’s lipstick so others could compliment me. Similarly, I have received unconditional positive strokes such as “You are a genuine person,” which are obviously based on the way I am and how I interact with others, and such unconditional positive strokes encourage me to continue …show more content…
For example, as a child my parents always told me “Don’t quit,” “Try hard” and “Be more than you are,” and now I have integrated those messages in current behaviour to such an extent that I am always striving for more and I don’t lose hope, for example improving grades, gaining a position in the executive council of the Community Service Society etc. Thus, these are injunctions and counter-injunctions that I stated in the exercise as well with my partner, in a very enforcing yet encouraging tone. Although I perceive these messages as positive, my parents also told me “Don’t trust others” and “You should always do what is expected.” I feel that because of the first message, I am usually suspicious about others and only trust an extremely limited number of people, however, I am comfortable this way as I have had bad experiences with the people I use to trust, and thus have learnt from my mistakes. Moreover, I would not agree with the second message as one should not always do what is expected. If we continue living according to expected patterns in every single aspect of our lives, there will be no room for change and individuality. Therefore, I conform to this message only to a certain extent. For example, my family and extended family always wanted me to