Games People Play
There are other more complex interactions that come under the heading of Games. And, probably the most read book on the topic of games has been “Games People Play” by Eric Berne, M.D. (1964). (This work was originally written for psychiatrists. But, the book was written at a level that it could be read by the general reading public-such that millions of copies have been printed and read.) The information on this page is based upon the cited.
“A game is an on going series of complementary ulterior transactions progressing to a well-defined, predictable outcome….Games are clearly differentiated from procedures, rituals, and pastimes by two chief characteristics: (1) their ulterior quality and (2) the payoff.” (taken from “Games People Play” page 48.) It is in the payoff that the internal self of at least one party can usually be injured.
Eric Berne, M.D. created a thesaurus of game groups and then listed games that he had identified as of publication of his book. The various groups and the games that he identified under each group are as follows:
Life Games
Alcoholic
Debtor
Kick Me
Now I’ve Got You, You Son of a Bitch
See What You Made Me Do
Marital Games
Corner
Courtrooms
Frigid Woman
Harried
If It Weren’t For You
Look How Hard I’ve Tried
Sweetheart
Party Games
Ain’t It Awful
Blemish
Schlemiel
Why Don’t You—Yes But
Sexual Games
Let’s You and Him Fight
Perversion
Rapo
The Stocking Game
Uproar
Underworld Games
Cops and Robbers
How Do You Get Out of Here
Let’s Pull a Fast One on Joey
Consulting Room Games
Greenhouse
I’m Only Trying to Help You
Indulgence
Peasant
Psychiatry
Stupid
Wooden Leg
Good Games
Bus man’s Holiday
Cavalier
Happy to Help
Homely Sage
They’ll Be Glad They Knew Me
You are invited to study the book “Games People Play” to learn more on this subject of Games. The above list probably not all-inclusive. There probably is at least one category omitted. Work Games should probably be added to cover a variety of games played between bosses and their subordinates.
Last, the point should be made that some of the techniques covered earlier in this chapter could possibly be used to end some of the games mentioned above. There is a danger in stopping the game if the person initiating the game is dependent on the other main party involved. Severe depression and/or other mental problems may result. Professional help may need to be sought and both parties may need to be counseled simultaneously.
What is My Psychological Type 