Since Eric Berne did not provide an in-depth objective analysis of war as a transactional game, the author takes on the daunting task of confronting this horseman of the apocalypse. He focuses on intergroup conflicts, which can escalate into violence that results in mortal combat. The structural and transactional bases of violent conflict are examined to show how contaminated thinking from polarized political and religious ideologies and feelings lead to such conflict. The example of two countries in conflict is used to illustrate crossed and ulterior transactions that can interfere with peace efforts. Using Berne’s (1972) Formula G, the author introduces an example of a game that he calls “Tyrants and Terrorists” to demonstrate how a game of war can start. For wars in general, he uses Berne’s original analysis of life games. The goal of this article is to stimulate dialogue on how transactional analysts, working together with the international community, can contribute their expertise to preventing war.
In conjunction with his previous analysis of war as a violent transactional game, the author explores the thesis that such violent conflict might be tied to an underlying cultural script transmitted across generations. He highlights the need for cultural leaders to be aware of the unacknowledged, or unconscious, level of this script, which, if made transparent, might help to facilitate peaceful resolution of these conflicts. He uses the United States as a case example to show how there may have been cultural script elements supporting the continuing use of military interventions and offers a case example of the scripting of a U.S. soldier. In his review of variables that may support his premise, he uses a historical perspective to review cultural narratives and related script beliefs in the war zone as well as a survey of script reinforcers. Some concluding reflections on how transactional analysts can help to de-script war are offered.
This investigator evaluated the role of adverse impact in the use of psychological screening tests such as the MMPI and CPIfor selection of California Highway Patrol officer candidates and other peace officers. The research literature was reviewedfor reports ofsignificant Hispanic-Anglo-American test score differences. A meta-analysis was performed of studies that had been correctedfor the effects of moderator variables. The data showed little interstudy reliability or stability in the report of MMPI basic scale differences with the exception of the L scale. In 13 out of 16 studies, Hispanics scored significantly higher on the L scale than Anglos with an effect size of .56. Results are discussed at different levels, from the item level to the ethical level. Overall, the only adverse impact noted was the significantly higher failure rate of Hispanics on a pretest written exam.
This set of transactional analysis core concepts was developed in 1999 by the members of the task force on transactional analysis core concepts, which later became an ITAA development committee task force. The group was chaired by Claude Steiner and included Leonard Campos (USA), Pearl Drego (India), Vann Joines (USA), Susanna Ligabue (Italy), Gloria Noriega (Mexico), Denton Roberts (USA), and Emilio Said (Mexico).
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