Basic Dispositions in Transaction Analysis II

If we take on an aggressive stand and try to dominate others, then we are taking the position of ' I am OK and You are not OK'. This position often puts you in to a false sense of being OK, even when

one knows that he is not really OK and appears to be so just by behaving aggressively towards others.

These life positions are, in essence, view points from which the world is perceived and are not facts. People tend to act and behave just from these lift positions, ignoring or faking realities. While 'I am OK, you are OK' is the most common position taken initially, life's experiences tend to change the positions we take in each and every specific transaction we are involved in.

In the first position, 'I am not OK - you are OK' comes from an adaptive child ego state and is an introjective position.

The 'I am not OK, you are not OK' position comes from Adaptive child & critical parent ego states and is a futility position.

The 'I am OK, you are not OK' comes from a Critical parent ego state.

The 'I am OK, you are OK' is the ideal position and comes from positive ego states in all three categories and is the ideal life position to be taken. This helps positive exchanges in life as all transactions happen in the mature Adult - mature Adult ego states.

In all the four life positions, while thinking about oneself positively, the Adult ego state is taken and while perceiving oneself negatively the child ego state is taken.

In case of thinking about others, the positive approach is taken in the Adult ego state and the Parent ego state is taken while taking a negative approach.

Understanding the concept of Life positions, in the context of transactional analysis would help us better analyze the various behaviors we display ourselves and those displayed by others in daily life. Therefore, it makes sense that we do not jump to conclusions based only on one's perceived behavior.