Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships Paperback – 7 Jan. 2010

The book I read to research this post was Games People Play by Eric Berne which is an excellent book which I bought from kindle. This book is probably the definitive text on transactional analysis, a form of psychotherapy centred on various roles people play in different situations. If you read this book you are certain to recognize roles you play. Although the book has games in the title it refers to roles and they aren't necessarily bad although some are. They are ways people have of coping with situations and psychologists in their studies have noticed various patterns which make up this form of therapy. One of the main principles in transactional analysis is the roles of persecutor, helper and victim. We all play each of these roles at one time or another and much of our lives is spent going from one to the other. The book also looks at roles like if some people go on a picnic someone with a drink problem might get the others to have one drink of alcohol each and use it to have about 5 drinks himself. The person might not realize he is being manipulative and obviously the cure for this situation is to decline the drink although then he might get abusive. Another situation is when someone gets married they might run up endless debts buying a house and car etc not to mention the wedding and honeymoon. We live in a society that regards things bought on credit as owned when actually the creditor often has the debt secured on them and owns them. In the case of a mortgage the debt lasts for most of that person's working life. It can become the case that person runs into trouble paying it off and can end up with a huge debt and little to show for it especially if the house is sold and covers part of the debt. You can see what I mean about this roles being common place and we all play them. This book is only around 150-200 pages but is really good and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

This book was first published many years ago but is still relevant today. It demonstrates how many social interactions are destined to end in certain ways unless people are aware of what is going on and can counteract them. Many readers will recognise their own behaviour in these examples not the speak of the behaviour of their friends and enemies.I found the examples of games such as `Why don't you? - Yes, but,' fascinating. We've all come across people who ask for advice and then counteract everything suggested by some apparently good reason why they can't possibly take the action suggested. The games primarily played by couples are also enlightening. Can you truthfully say you've never said things to deliberately create a disagreement in order to wriggle out of something you don't want to do? I found the antithesis section after every game fascinating as it describes ways of counteracting games if you realise what is going on. I shall be studying that closely.This book ought to be required reading for all couples as well as parents and for anyone having trouble in the workplace or with certain friends. It will also be of interest to anyone who finds human beings fascinating.

Read this years ago but bought as a gift recently. Really interesting and accessible description of how people interact in some circumstances and some of the positions they take. Never thought of, say, alcoholism in the ways described but it sounds logical. Might be a useful book if faced with problems in the context of complex interpersonal dynamics.

I have been introduced to TA through one of my college professors, and he recommended this book in the first place. I have to say that the basic knowledge in the book is spot on, but needless to say it's a bit dated. It provides useful information on the dynamics of everyday social interactions, and is a good starting point for further studies of Transactional Analysis(TA).The book is not that well written though: it seems like a college notebook of a psychology student rather than a fully fledged guide or handbook. Not every game is described in full detail, analysis points(like antithesis, relatives, motives, dynamics) are missing in certain parts.The book is easily understandable(I, myself am a non native english speaker, read through it in 4 hours), but short. If you want up to date information on TA that is a bit more detailed i recommend TA today: a new introduction to transactional analysis by Ian Stewart, but if you're a newcomer to this field of psychology(and for this price I might add) this can be a good first book to read.

I used the product for my course. I enjoyed it and then did not as I struggles to read it. I feel I might be better with audio books.

Everybody plays games; knowing the rules is a necessary part of getting along with other people. Some games are literally life & death. In his development of Transactional Analaysis, Eric Berne realised that some people's games are so deep-seated, so ingrained and so rigid that they dictate what happens in the player's life - and the lives of those who must deal with them. This little book is his entertaining, and highly illuminating, summary of those games.I first read Games as part of my business training. I've since re-read it, many times, while learning how to cope with various dysfunctional relationships. Whether or not you "need" a psychology book, this one should be in every home. It's fun, life-enhancing and cheap! Game, set & match to Professor Berne ;)

Excellent book... Very easy to follow... Probably only someone with a personality disorder and in complete denial would make excuses of why it does not open their eyes to explaining how communication can break down, and how to spot conversations you should exit (as they are traps)Awesome book, worth also buying "What you do after you say hello" by the same author, a great follow up.Helped me in my business dealing with employee management, in customer relations dealing with difficult customers, and even in my home life dealing with friends and relatives who have their own interesting communication habits!