Practice Test GeeksCTA - Certified Transactional Analyst Practice Test
← All CTA Flashcard Decks

Strokes, Rackets & Stamp Collecting Flashcards

6 cards from real CTA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Strokes, Rackets & Stamp Collecting flashcards as text

  1. What is a 'racket feeling' in transactional analysis?

    Answer: A substitute feeling that was permitted in childhood in place of the authentic emotion

    A racket feeling is a substitute emotion that was encouraged or permitted in the family while authentic feelings were discounted, used to support script decisions.

  2. What is the 'racket system' in TA as described by Richard Erskine and Marilyn Zalcman?

    Answer: An interlocking system of script beliefs, racket feelings, and reinforcing memories

    The racket system, developed by Erskine and Zalcman, describes the self-reinforcing system of script beliefs, racket feelings, and reinforcing memories that maintain the script.

  3. What is 'stamp collecting' in TA?

    Answer: The accumulation of stored bad feelings to be cashed in later for a major emotional expression

    Stamp collecting in TA refers to storing up small bad feelings (racket feelings) over time and eventually cashing them in for a large emotional payoff, often a game payoff.

  4. What is a 'gold stamp' versus a 'brown stamp' in TA?

    Answer: Gold stamps are stored positive feelings; brown stamps are stored negative feelings

    Gold stamps represent stored positive feelings (like righteousness or pride) cashed in for a reward, while brown stamps are stored negative feelings cashed in for expressions like anger or depression.

  5. How does 'discounting' relate to racket feelings in TA?

    Answer: Discounting authentic feelings leads to the substitution of racket feelings in their place

    Discounting authentic feelings — minimizing, ignoring, or denying them — leads to the development of racket feelings as substitutes that were more acceptable in the family.

  6. What is the therapeutic goal when working with racket feelings in TA?

    Answer: To help the client identify and express authentic feelings instead of substituting racket feelings

    The therapeutic goal is to help clients identify the authentic feelings underlying their racket feelings and express them appropriately, freeing them from script-driven emotional patterns.