CTA Time Structuring & Autonomy in TA 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Eric Berne identified how many ways people structure their time?
- Four
- Five
- Six (Correct answer)
- Seven
Correct answer: Six
Berne identified six ways people structure time: withdrawal, rituals, pastimes, activities, games, and intimacy.
Question 2: Which time structure involves two or more people discussing a topic without psychological risk or hidden agendas?
- Rituals
- Games
- Pastimes (Correct answer)
- Activities
Correct answer: Pastimes
Pastimes involve social conversation about common topics like sports or news without the depth of intimacy or the ulterior transactions of games.
Question 3: What is the most scripted and superficial form of social time structuring according to Berne?
- Withdrawal
- Rituals (Correct answer)
- Pastimes
- Activities
Correct answer: Rituals
Rituals are highly scripted, predictable exchanges—like formal greetings—that follow cultural or social rules with little variation.
Question 4: Which form of time structuring involves people working together toward a shared real-world goal?
- Pastimes
- Rituals
- Games
- Activities (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Activities
Activities are time structures focused on accomplishing tasks in external reality, such as collaborating on a work project.
Question 5: Intimacy as a time structure is primarily characterized by which quality?
- Absence of games and scripts (Correct answer)
- Mutual agreement to follow social norms
- Hidden psychological payoffs
- Predictable ritual exchanges
Correct answer: Absence of games and scripts
Intimacy involves open, authentic contact between people free from game-playing or script-driven behavior.
Question 6: Games differ from pastimes primarily because games involve:
- More people participating simultaneously
- An ulterior transaction and a predictable negative payoff (Correct answer)
- Greater acceptance in social settings
- Less emotional involvement from participants
Correct answer: An ulterior transaction and a predictable negative payoff
Games are distinguished by an ulterior (hidden) motive and an ending in a predictable negative psychological payoff for all parties.
Question 7: Withdrawal as a time structure refers to:
- Refusing all forms of social interaction permanently
- Psychologically disengaging while physically present or absent (Correct answer)
- A therapeutic technique for managing overwhelming anxiety
- Removing oneself deliberately from game-playing situations
Correct answer: Psychologically disengaging while physically present or absent
Withdrawal involves retreating into fantasy or inner experience regardless of whether one is physically present with others.
CTA Time Structuring & Autonomy in TA 1
Eric Berne identified how many ways people structure their time?