transactional analysis - definition of transactional analysis in the Medical dictionary - by the Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

analysis /anal·y·sis/ (ah-nal´ĭ-sis) pl. anal´yses

1. separation into component parts; the act of determining the component parts of a substance.

2. psychoanalysis.analyt´icanalyt´ical

bite analysis occlusal a.

blood gas analysis the determination of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations and pressures with the pH of the blood by laboratory tests; the following measurements may be made: Po2, partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood; Pco2, partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood; So2, percent saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen in arterial blood; the total CO2 content of (venous) plasma; and the pH.

gasometric analysis analysis by measurement of the gas evolved.

gravimetric analysis quantitative analysis in which the analyte or a derivative is determined by weighing after purification.

occlusal analysis study of the relations of the occlusal surfaces of opposing teeth.

qualitative analysis chemical analysis in which the presence or absence of certain compounds in a specimen is determined.

quantitative analysis determination of the proportionate quantities of the constituents of a compound.

pulse-chase analysis a method for examining a cellular process occurring over time by successively exposing the cells to a radioactive compound (pulse) and then to the same compound in nonradioactive form (chase).

spectroscopic analysis , spectrum analysis that done by determining the wavelength(s) at which electromagnetic energy is absorbed by the sample.

transactional analysis a type of psychotherapy based on an understanding of the interactions (transactions) between patient and therapist and between patient and others in the environment.

vector analysis analysis of a moving force to determine both its magnitude and its direction, e.g., analysis of the scalar electrocardiogram to determine the magnitude and direction of the electromotive force for one complete cycle of the heart.

trans·ac·tion·al analysis (tr

n-s

-n

l, -z

A system of psychotherapy that analyzes personal relationships and interactions in terms of conflicting or complementary ego states that correspond to the roles of parent, child, and adult.

transactional analysis (TA)

[-ak′shənəl]

Etymology: L, transigere, to drive through; Gk, analyein, to loosen

a form of psychodynamic psychotherapy developed by Eric Berne, based on a role theory that three different coherent organized egos exist throughout life simultaneously in every person, representing the child, the adult, and the parent. Interactions between people are transactions, originating from a person in one of the ego states, and received by another person who may be in a complementary or a crossed ego state. Transactions are motivated by a need for recognition and contact called "strokes." Transactions occur in six kinds of "time structure": withdrawal, rituals, pastimes, games, activities, and intimacy. The way in which a person structures time reflects internal conflicts and patterns adopted to cope with those conflicts. The goal of transactional analysis is to enable clients to communicate from the ego state appropriate to the situation and the responses of the individuals, thereby decreasing conflict.

transactional analysis

Psychiatry A psychodynamic psychotherapy based on role theory that attempts to understand the interplay between therapist and Pt and ultimately between Pt and external reality. See Humanistic psychology, Psychoanalysis, Psycho-therapy. Cf Gestalt therapy.