Strokes, Rackets & Stamp Collecting Flashcards

In transactional analysis, what is a 'stroke'?

Answer: A unit of recognition that acknowledges another person's existence

A stroke in TA is a unit of recognition — any act that acknowledges another person's existence, including physical touch, words, gestures, or eye contact.

What is the difference between 'conditional' and 'unconditional' strokes?

Answer: Conditional strokes are for what a person does; unconditional are for who a person is

Conditional strokes are given for behavior ('You did a great job'), while unconditional strokes are given for being ('I love you just as you are').

What is the 'stroke economy' in TA, as described by Claude Steiner?

Answer: The artificial restriction of strokes taught in childhood to create dependency and control

The stroke economy, described by Steiner, refers to parental rules that restrict stroke-giving and receiving, creating artificial scarcity of strokes to maintain control.

What are 'plastic strokes' in TA?

Answer: Insincere, hollow strokes that appear positive but lack genuine warmth

Plastic strokes are insincere, hollow positive strokes that appear genuine but lack real warmth or meaning, often felt as patronizing or manipulative.

What is 'stroke hunger' in TA?

Answer: The fundamental human need for recognition and stimulation

Stroke hunger is the fundamental human need and drive for recognition and stimulation, which motivates much of human behavior and interaction.

According to TA, what happens when positive strokes are consistently unavailable?

Answer: People will seek negative strokes to fulfill their stroke hunger

When positive strokes are unavailable, people will seek negative strokes because negative recognition is preferable to being ignored entirely.