Ego States Analysis 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 Ego States Analysis flashcards as text
What is meant by 'ego state cathexis' in transactional analysis?
Answer: The energy invested in a particular ego state, making it active
Ego state cathexis refers to the psychic energy invested in a particular ego state, determining which ego state is currently active and dominant.
Which theorist first described the structural model of ego states in transactional analysis?
Answer: Eric Berne
Eric Berne developed the structural model of ego states (Parent, Adult, Child) as the foundational framework of transactional analysis.
What is 'ego state shifting' and why is it important in TA?
Answer: Moving between ego states flexibly based on context, indicating psychological health
Ego state shifting is the healthy ability to move fluidly between ego states based on situational demands, reflecting psychological flexibility.
How does TA describe 'ego state boundaries'?
Answer: The psychological membranes separating ego states that regulate movement between them
Ego state boundaries are the psychological membranes that separate the ego states and regulate the flow of energy between them.
What is a 'constant Adult' (or 'excluding Adult') in TA pathology?
Answer: A person who blocks Parent and Child and operates almost entirely from the Adult
A constant Adult, or excluding Adult, describes someone who chronically blocks access to Parent and Child ego states and operates in a cold, overly rational manner.
In TA, what is the significance of identifying which ego state a client is in during a session?
Answer: It guides the therapist in choosing appropriate interventions to facilitate change
Identifying a client's active ego state helps the therapist select interventions that appropriately address the needs and material being expressed.