ABSTRACT
The simplest transaction is the complementary transaction, in which the response comes from the ego state that was addressed by the stimulus. The "transaction" was deliberately chosen because each person receives something from the interaction, such as recognition, confirmation of their position in life, or enhancing their frame of reference and/or psychological and somatic well-being. A "bull's eye transaction" is a constructive transaction from the Adult which addresses all three ego states of the other. The bull's eye transaction is successful if the other reacts from the Adult. Strictly speaking, the function of transactional analysis is the identification of specific ego states involved in a transaction. The simplest transaction is the complementary transaction, in which the response comes from the ego state that was addressed by the stimulus. The analysis of the ego states and transactions can help to maintain good communication and smooth out rough communication patterns.
