In transactional analysis, every interpersonal exchange is seen as a transaction. Transactions can occur between different ego states and may be simple or complex.

Types of transactions

  • Complementary (parallel) transactions
  • Crossed transactions
  • Ulterior (covert) transactions

Complementary transactions maintain flow in conversation. Crossed transactions interrupt it and can create tension, but they can also open space for change.

Ulterior transactions contain a visible social message and a second psychological message, often nonverbal. They can be used constructively or manipulatively.

Two complementary transactions: adult to adult, and child to parent, each answered along the same path.ElErKElErKWhere is the key?It’s on thekitchen tableElErKElErKMommy, can youtie my shoes?Yes, I’d be gladto, sweetheart.Complementary transactions
Figure 1Complementary transactions
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Two examples side by side, titled “Complementary transactions” below. In each example, both persons are drawn as three stacked circles: “El” (parent), “Er” (adult), “K” (child). Left: an arrow from the left person’s adult to the right person’s adult carries “Where is the key?”; the reply arrow from the right adult back to the left adult carries “It’s on the kitchen table.” Right: an arrow from the left person’s child to the right person’s parent carries “Mummy, can you tie my shoes?”; the reply arrow from the right parent back to the left child carries “Yes, I’d be happy to, sweetheart.” In both cases the addressed ego state answers the sending one; the two arrows run parallel.

Two crossed transactions: in each, the reply comes from a different ego state than the one addressed.ElErKElErKIsn’t our colleaguerather petty?I have no reason tothink so, he just doeshis workconscientiously.KElNElErAKFKKElNElErAKFKIt would be niceto go out fordinner again :-)Don’t get on mynerves, all youever think about isfun.Crossed transactions
Figure 2Crossed transactions
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Two examples side by side, titled “Crossed transactions” below. On the left, both persons are drawn as circles “El” (parent), “Er” (adult), “K” (child). An arrow from the left parent to the right parent carries “Isn’t that colleague of ours petty?”. The reply comes as an arrow from the right adult to the left adult: “I have no reason to think so, he just does his work conscientiously.” On the right, the parent and child circles of both persons are halved: top “KEl” (controlling parent) and “NEl” (nurturing parent), middle “Er” (adult), bottom “AK” (adapted child) and “FK” (free child). An arrow from the left free child to the right nurturing parent carries “It would be nice to go out for dinner again :-)”. The reply comes from the right controlling parent to the left adapted child: “Don’t get on my nerves, all you ever think about is having fun.” The two arrows cross.

Two ulterior transactions, angular and duplex: besides the open message (solid line) a hidden message runs (dashed line).ElErKElErKToday is the lastouting of the seasonJoin the outingor you’ll havemissed yourchance thisseasonI won’t miss that.ulterior angular transactionElErKElErKIt’s time to go home.Why?I’m tired of the partyand want some peace.I want to party alittle longer.ulterior duplex transaction
Figure 3Ulterior transactions
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Two examples side by side; both persons are drawn as circles “El” (parent), “Er” (adult), “K” (child). Left, titled “angular ulterior transaction”: a solid arrow from the left adult to the right adult carries “Today is the last outing of the season”. From the same left adult, a dashed arrow leads to the right child, with the speech bubble “Join the outing or you’ll have missed your chance this season”. The reply runs solid from the right child to the left adult: “I won’t miss that.” Right, titled “duplex ulterior transaction”: two solid arrows connect the two adults, there with “It’s time to go home.”, back with “Why?”. Below, two dashed arrows connect the two children, there with the speech bubble “I’ve had enough of the party and want some peace.”, back with “I want to party a little longer.” The solid lines show the open social message, the dashed lines the second, psychological message.