Berne, Eric

The Basic Handbook of Transactional Analysis

Games People Play

High Fidelity

“Now I’ve Got You, You Son of a Bitch” (NIGYSOB).

when people repeatedly play the same game in a group they may be expressing a basic human dilemma which the group has not been addressing.

A GAME is an ongoing series of complementary ulterior transactions progressing to a well-defined, predictable outcome. Descriptively it is a recurring set of transactions, often repetitious, superficially plausible, with a concealed motivation; or, more colloquially, a series of moves with a snare, or “gimmick.” Games are clearly differentiated from procedures, rituals, and pastimes by two chief characteristics: (1) their ulterior quality and (2) the payoff.

Hence this game is commonly played by women who suffer from feelings of unreality, which signifies their difficulty in keeping the Adult in charge in situations of strong temptation.

Games People Play quotes

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