Ego States
Ego states are different “modes” of thinking, feeling, and acting that we switch between based on our experiences. In Transactional Analysis, these states are divided into three main types, and each impacts how we respond to situations:
1. Parent Ego State: This reflects how we behave based on what we’ve learned from authority figures.
Example: Comforting a friend by saying, “It’s okay, you’ll get through this” (nurturing), or criticising someone with “You should know better than that!” (critical).
2. Adult Ego State: This represents our rational, logical side that responds based on facts and reality.
Example: “Let’s look at the situation and figure out the best solution.”
3. Child Ego State: This is our emotional and playful side, similar to how we acted in childhood.
Example: Being carefree and saying, “Let’s do something fun today!” or reacting apologetically, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
We switch between these states throughout the day, depending on our feelings and the situations we encounter.
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