ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the basic concepts of transactional analysis (TA) and provides a limited number of illustrations as to the implications of TA concepts in organizational and personal change efforts. A substantial body of literature that covers in detail the theory and implications of TA to management practice has been developed. TA is a conceptual tool that may assist police managers in developing considerable insight into their own behavior. Basically, the ego states are thought to be much like the sound tracks on an audiotape and, depending on which track is activated by the situation, the police manager responds accordingly. These ego states are referred to as parent, adult, and child, to call attention to the fact that the origins of their development come from different life experiences. In all transactions, the person's ego state will determine his or her response to others. Three major patterns of interaction can be identified: complementary transactions, crossed transactions, and ulterior transactions.
