In TA, the concept is that interactions – transactions – between different people in a given situation when communicating with each other, can be different and changing; and using TA you can analyse these transactions to give you andan insight into what is happening. The philosophy behind TA is that
- People are ‘OK’ – We may not like or agree with other’s behaviour, but we can accept them as worthy individuals.
- People can think for themselves and it is theretheir responsibility to do so.
- People make decisions that decide their destiny, and these decisions can change.
This triangle, developed by Stephen Karpman (1968), is actually to do with co-dependency, which can be formed by well intentioned laypeople and trained therapists who are not bearing onin mind some of the pitfalls that can come from therapy work.
If you think upon what Dr Eric Berne said, as quoted above, ethical therapy is about helping people to work out for themselvesfor themselves, what they are going to do, to help themselves through their issues. Neither the person going through therapy, or the therapist, should become dependent on the other person.
Reviewing the concept, David Emerald (2016) suggests that the Drama Triangle is problematic, calling it the DDT (Dreaded Drama Triangle), whereby “fixing and saving others, a rescuer believes others will appreciate and value them for their good deeds” and this can lead to problems, because