Two Main Types of Transactions that can Change Nature of Conversation

A transaction means an exchange of information between two people. It happens when one person related the things to any other person. Each of the transactions consists of a stimulus and a response or transaction can carry on from three ego states- Parent, Adult, and Child of a person to same these states of another person. Transactional Analysis includes recognizing which ego state started the stimulus and which one of the ego state execute the response in other person.  

1.       Complementary transactions

This is the best transactions that make the conversation successful and meaningful. Transactions are considered complementary if both parties are addressing the same ego state other is in. It happens when sender gets the expected response from receiver. These kinds of transactions results in improving the human relations. Communication between two people can continue until the transaction is complementary.

For example: Boss wants a task to be completed within two hours and expect employee will do it. Behaving on adult-to-adult level, boss says employee, “Please get this work done within 2 hours for me”. In response, employee says, “No problem sir, I will have done it before that.”

2.       Crossed transactions

As opposed to complementary, this transaction can change the nature of communication and often ends abruptly by causing disruption. It occurs when sender does not receive the expected response from receiver. Whenever interruption occurs in communication, crossed transactions is supposed to happen and one or both the people need to change the ego states to re-establish the communication. Transactional response is considered to an ego state different from an individual who began the stimulus.     

For example: an employee does one mistake and apologizes to supervisor to want some sympathy. Employee: I have made a mistake when almost whole work gets done. Now I need some time to complete it again effectively. Supervisor: You are so uncoordinated and careless.

If you’d like to get more information regarding these kinds of transactions, getting Transactional Analysis Training would be the best option for you. Trainers define everything in details suggesting what kinds of transaction should you made and how to ensure effective communication.