Mixed Deck — All CTA Topics Flashcards

What is a 'psychological-level contract' in TA treatment planning?

Answer: The deeper, often implicit agreement that reflects the client's script and resistance

The psychological-level contract addresses the deeper, sometimes unconscious elements of the therapy agreement, including how the client's script may influence the therapeutic relationship.

Eric Berne identified how many ways people structure their time?

Answer: Six

Berne identified six ways people structure time: withdrawal, rituals, pastimes, activities, games, and intimacy.

A person demonstrating full awareness in Berne's sense would most likely:

Answer: Experience the present moment directly without script distortion

Berne's awareness refers to perceiving reality directly and freshly, like a young child, without the filters imposed by script and social conditioning.

The relationship between script and autonomy in TA is best described as:

Answer: Script is the primary obstacle to the development of autonomy

In TA, scripts are unconscious life plans formed in childhood that constrain authentic living, making script release the necessary path to reclaiming autonomy.

What is the 'gimmick' in Berne's game formula?

Answer: The weakness or vulnerability in the respondent that allows the con to hook them

The gimmick is the respondent's vulnerability — a need, weakness, or script belief — that makes them susceptible to the initiator's con.

How should a TA therapist handle a client whose stated contract conflicts with their script goals?

Answer: Explore the discrepancy between the stated contract and the script with the client

When a stated contract and script goals conflict, the TA therapist explores this discrepancy with the client, helping bring awareness to how the script may be sabotaging stated therapeutic goals.

What are the three degrees of games in TA as described by Berne?

Answer: First-degree (social level), Second-degree (personal harm), Third-degree (physical harm or tragedy)

Berne described games in three degrees of severity: first-degree (minor, socially acceptable consequences), second-degree (more serious personal harm), and third-degree (resulting in physical harm, legal involvement, or death).

How does game playing relate to stroke hunger in TA theory?

Answer: Games provide negative strokes that fulfill stroke hunger when positive strokes are unavailable

Games provide negative strokes that fulfill stroke hunger — people play games because they have learned to obtain strokes through negative interactions rather than positive ones.

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.

Why is client autonomy emphasized in TA contracting?

Answer: Because TA views clients as capable adults who decide their own goals and direction

TA's emphasis on autonomy reflects the belief that clients are capable adults with the right to determine their own therapeutic goals and direction.

What is the ethical concern if a practitioner imposes personal beliefs on a client?

Answer: Violating client autonomy

Client autonomy refers to the client's right to make their own decisions and choices, free from coercion or undue influence. When a practitioner imposes personal beliefs, they undermine the client's self-determination and right to self-direction, which is a fundamental ethical principle in therapy. The therapist's role is to facilitate the client's own growth, not dictate it.

What is 'exclusion' in ego state theory?

Answer: When one ego state chronically blocks others from being expressed

Exclusion occurs when one ego state chronically dominates and blocks the expression of other ego states.

Which situation best illustrates a boundary violation?

Answer: Becoming close personal friends with a client

A boundary violation occurs when a professional crosses the line from a therapeutic relationship into a personal one, blurring roles and potentially exploiting the client's vulnerability. Becoming personal friends with a client compromises objectivity, creates a dual relationship, and undermines the professional nature of the therapeutic alliance, which is unethical.

How does active listening impact interpersonal dynamics?

Answer: Builds understanding and trust

Active listening involves fully concentrating on what is being said, both verbally and non-verbally, and demonstrating that understanding through feedback. This practice makes the speaker feel heard and valued, which in turn fosters empathy, reduces misunderstandings, and strengthens the emotional bond and trust between individuals.

What characterizes a 'good' therapeutic contract in TA according to Claude Steiner's criteria?

Answer: It must be specific, measurable, achievable, legal, and involve mutual consent

A good TA contract is specific (clear behavioral terms), achievable, legal, within the therapist's competence, and agreed upon by both parties.

Awareness as a component of autonomy in TA refers to:

Answer: The capacity to perceive directly without script filters

Awareness means experiencing the world directly and freshly, without the distorting filters imposed by early script decisions.

What is a 'doing' contract in TA?

Answer: A contract focused on specific behavioral change rather than script-level insight

A doing contract focuses on specific behavioral changes the client wants to make, which may be the focus of early-stage therapy before deeper script work begins.

Spontaneity in the context of TA autonomy means:

Answer: The freedom to choose from the full range of ego states

Spontaneity means having the option to select freely from the full repertoire of behaviors available across all ego states, rather than being script-constrained.

What is the 'life script' in Transactional Analysis?

Answer: Unconscious life plan based on early experiences

In Transactional Analysis, a 'life script' is an unconscious plan of life, decided in childhood, reinforced by parents, justified by subsequent events, and culminating in a chosen payoff. It dictates how individuals perceive themselves, others, and the world, influencing their decisions and life trajectory.

What is the 'script matrix' used for in TA?

Answer: Mapping the script messages received from each parent or parental figure

The script matrix is a diagrammatic tool that maps the script messages (injunctions, counterinjunctions, and program) received from each parental figure.