MODULE OVERVIEW
Training Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
✔ Understand the three ego states: Parent, Adult, Child
✔ Identify transactions in daily workplace interactions
✔ Recognize unhealthy communication patterns
✔ Practice Adult-to-Adult communication
✔ Build empathy and emotional intelligence through movie-based case studies
✔ Improve teamwork, feedback, and conflict resolution techniques
⭐ SESSION FLOW (3–4 Hours)
1. ICEBREAKER (10 minutes)
Activity: “Which Movie Character Are You Today?”
Participants choose a character from any movie that matches their current emotional state and share why.
This sets the tone for understanding ego states.
2. INTRODUCTION TO TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS (20 minutes)
Key Concepts
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Parent Ego State
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Critical Parent
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Nurturing Parent
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Adult Ego State
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Logical
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Rational
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Objective
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Child Ego State
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Free Child
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Adaptive Child
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Rebellious Child
Mini-Exercise
Ask participants to recall a recent conversation at work and identify:
⭐ MODULE 1: TA Through Taare Zameen Par (45 minutes)
Theme: Nurturing Parent, Child Ego State, Self-Worth
Scene Focus:
One such film is "Taare Zameen Par" (2007), directed by Aamir Khan.
Movie: Taare Zameen Par (Stars on Earth)
"Taare Zameen Par" is a heartwarming Indian drama film that revolves around the story of an eight-year-old boy named Ishaan Awasthi (played by Darsheel Safary) who struggles with dyslexia. Initially misunderstood and seen as a problem child, Ishaan faces difficulties at school and feels alienated from the world around him. His parents and teachers become increasingly frustrated with his academic performance.
However, things change when an empathetic and unconventional art teacher named Ram Shankar Nikumbh (played by Aamir Khan) joins the school. Nikumbh recognizes Ishaan's creative potential and realizes that the boy's learning difficulties stem from a different learning style rather than lack of intelligence. Using patience, understanding, and innovative teaching methods, Nikumbh helps Ishaan gain confidence and succeed academically.
How "Taare Zameen Par" Relates to Transactional Analysis:
1. Parent-Child Dynamics: The movie showcases the contrasting parenting styles of Ishaan's mother and father. His mother is overprotective and critical, acting from a "Critical Parent" ego state, while his father is distant and busy, representing a "Withdrawn Parent" ego state. These parental influences impact Ishaan's self-esteem and emotional well-being.
2. Teacher-Student Relationship: Nikumbh's approach towards teaching demonstrates the nurturing aspect of the "Nurturing Parent" ego state. He establishes a supportive and caring bond with Ishaan, allowing the child to open up and express himself freely.
3. Child Ego State: Ishaan's struggles and emotional turmoil are portrayed through the "Free Child" ego state, where he expresses his feelings, fears, and frustrations through art and creativity.
4. Recognition of the Child's Worth: The movie emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating each child's unique abilities and strengths. Nikumbh's belief in Ishaan's potential and his patient guidance help the child blossom.
While "Taare Zameen Par" does not explicitly mention Transactional Analysis, it does explore themes related to parenting, teaching, and understanding a child's emotional world. As a result, it can serve as a valuable discussion point to illustrate certain aspects of Transactional Analysis in the context of interpersonal relationships and emotional growth.
Group Activity 1: “Critical vs. Nurturing Communication”
Participants are split into groups of two.
Task:
Each pair rewrites a typical workplace instruction (e.g., “Submit your work properly”) in:
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Critical Parent tone
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Nurturing Parent tone
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Adult tone
Outcome:
Employees understand how tone alters results.
Case Study Discussion
Questions:
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What went wrong in Ishaan’s communication environment?
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Who operated from which ego state?
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How did Nikumbh create psychological safety?
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How can leaders replicate this at work?
Workplace Application
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Feedback must shift from Critical Parent → Adult
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Celebrate unique strengths like Nikumbh does
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Avoid humiliation-based supervision
⭐ MODULE 2: TA Through Kaakha Kaakha (40 minutes)
Theme: Stress, Coping Mechanisms, Adult Ego State Under Pressure
Scene Focus:
Another Tamil movie that can be used to illustrate certain aspects of Transactional Analysis is "Kaakha Kaakha" (2003), directed by Gautham Menon.
Movie: Kaakha Kaakha (The Police)
"Kaakha Kaakha" is a Tamil action thriller that follows the life of ACP Anbuselvan (played by Suriya), a dedicated and passionate police officer. The film revolves around Anbuselvan's journey in tackling crime and dealing with the emotional challenges that come with his profession.
How "Kaakha Kaakha" Relates to Transactional Analysis:
1. Ego States and Coping Mechanisms: The movie showcases different ego states that ACP Anbuselvan operates from as a police officer. He often exhibits the "Controlling Adult" ego state during his investigative work and decision-making. However, the stressful and dangerous nature of his job can lead him to engage in the "Critical Parent" ego state, particularly when dealing with criminals or bureaucracy, or the "Adaptive Child" ego state, as he seeks emotional support from his loved ones.
2. Relationship Dynamics: "Kaakha Kaakha" explores the interpersonal relationships between ACP Anbuselvan and his love interest, Maya (played by Jyothika), and his bond with his friends and colleagues. The film depicts the influence of different ego states on the way characters communicate and relate to each other.
3. Stress and Coping: As a police officer dealing with the pressures of a high-stress job, ACP Anbuselvan experiences emotional and psychological challenges. The movie provides insights into how he copes with these challenges and how his coping mechanisms can affect his relationships and well-being.
4. Personal and Professional Life Balance: The film delves into the struggles ACP Anbuselvan faces in balancing his personal and professional life. This aspect can be used to discuss how different ego states come into play when managing responsibilities and making decisions in both domains.
While "Kaakha Kaakha" primarily falls within the action thriller genre, it offers valuable insights into the psychological aspects of the protagonist's life and relationships. These insights can be used to illustrate certain aspects of Transactional Analysis, particularly regarding ego states, communication patterns, and coping mechanisms in high-stress situations.
Activity: “Ego States Under Stress”
Participants receive workplace stress scenarios.
Examples:
Task:
Identify how each ego state might react:
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Critical Parent: “Why did you mess this up again?”
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Adaptive Child: “I’m sorry… I always fail.”
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Adult: “Let’s check what went wrong and fix it.”
Participants role-play the Adult response.
Reflective Questions
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When stressed, which ego state do you default to?
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How does this impact your team?
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What can you do to pause and shift to Adult ego state?
⭐ MODULE 3: TA Through Kannathil Muthamittal (40 minutes)
Theme: Secrets, Identity, Nurturing Parent, Emotional Safety
Scene Focus:
As of my last update in September 2021, there were no Tamil movies explicitly focused on Transactional Analysis. However, there are several Tamil movies that explore psychological themes and interpersonal dynamics, which can be used to illustrate certain aspects of Transactional Analysis. One such movie is "Kannathil Muthamittal" (2002), directed by Mani Ratnam.
Movie: Kannathil Muthamittal (A Peck on the Cheek)
"Kannathil Muthamittal" is a critically acclaimed Tamil film that follows the story of a young girl named Amudha (played by P. S. Keerthana) who was adopted by a loving couple, Thiruchelvan (played by R. Madhavan) and Indra (played by Simran). As Amudha grows up, she becomes curious about her biological parents and her adoption.
The film explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the emotional conflicts faced by both adoptive parents and the child. The movie delves into the complexity of relationships, the role of parents, and the impact of truth and secrets on individuals' lives.
How "Kannathil Muthamittal" Relates to Transactional Analysis:
1. Parent-Child Relationships: The movie portrays the dynamics of parent-child relationships between Amudha and her adoptive parents, Thiruchelvan and Indra. The "Parent" ego state is represented by the adoptive parents, and the "Child" ego state is depicted through Amudha's experiences and emotions.
2. Adaptive Child: Amudha, the young protagonist, goes through various emotional challenges as she tries to understand her identity and the circumstances of her adoption. Her reactions and responses showcase the "Adaptive Child" ego state.
3. Nurturing Parent: Thiruchelvan and Indra demonstrate the "Nurturing Parent" ego state by providing love, care, and support to Amudha throughout her life.
4. Scripts and Secrets: The film touches upon the themes of life scripts and the impact of keeping secrets, as Amudha's adoptive parents grapple with the decision of whether to reveal the truth about her adoption.
While "Kannathil Muthamittal" may not explicitly mention Transactional Analysis, it effectively explores themes of interpersonal relationships and emotional dynamics, making it a suitable film to discuss certain aspects of Transactional Analysis. It serves as a poignant and thought-provoking movie to illustrate the complexities of family bonds, parenting, and the impact of early life experiences on an individual's emotional well-being.
Activity: “Scripts & Secrets At Work”
In teams, employees explore:
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How hidden information affects teams
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How assumptions create unintended scripts
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How transparency improves Adult-to-Adult communication
Case Study Questions
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Was it right for the parents to hide the truth initially?
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How does hidden information affect trust?
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How does the team react when kept out of decisions?
Workplace Application
⭐ MODULE 4: TA Through Dear Zindagi (45 minutes)
Theme: Reparenting, Self-Awareness, Inner Child Healing
Scene Focus:
Movie: Dear Zindagi
Another Indian movie that can be used to illustrate certain aspects of Transactional Analysis is "Dear Zindagi" (2016), directed by Gauri Shinde.
"Dear Zindagi" is a coming-of-age drama that revolves around the life of a young woman named Kaira (played by Alia Bhatt), who is a talented cinematographer. Despite her professional success, Kaira struggles with personal and emotional challenges, including relationship issues and a fear of commitment.
When her personal and professional life starts to unravel, Kaira seeks help from a therapist, Dr. Jehangir "Jug" Khan (played by Shah Rukh Khan). Through a series of therapy sessions, Jug helps Kaira explore her past experiences, understand her emotions, and gain insights into her behavior patterns.
How "Dear Zindagi" Relates to Transactional Analysis:
1. Therapeutic Relationship: The movie depicts the therapeutic relationship between Kaira and Dr. Jehangir Khan. Jug acts as a mentor and guide, offering support and insights to help Kaira gain self-awareness and personal growth.
2. Ego States and Childhood Experiences: Through therapy, Kaira delves into her childhood experiences and the impact of her parents' divorce on her emotional development. She explores the "Parent" and "Child" ego states that influence her perceptions and behavior.
3. Script Analysis: The film touches upon the concept of life scripts as Kaira examines her fears, insecurities, and defense mechanisms, which have influenced her life choices and relationships.
4. Reparenting: Dr. Jehangir Khan adopts a nurturing and empathetic approach in his therapy sessions, serving as a "reparenting" figure, helping Kaira heal emotional wounds and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
5. Awareness and Change: As Kaira gains awareness of her emotions and underlying thought patterns, she starts making positive changes in her life, including confronting her fears, expressing her feelings, and developing meaningful connections.
"Dear Zindagi" offers an engaging portrayal of the therapeutic process and the journey of self-discovery and personal growth. While it may not explicitly mention Transactional Analysis, the movie delves into various psychological themes and the exploration of interpersonal relationships, making it a suitable film to illustrate certain aspects of Transactional Analysis in the context of therapy and emotional healing.
Activity: “Inner Child Letter” (Private writing exercise)
Prompt:
“Write a short letter from your current Adult self to your Child self, giving assurance, clarity, and encouragement.”
This is confidential and emotional — excellent for deeper reflection.
Therapeutic Discussion Questions
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Which script does Kaira carry? (“People leave me.”)
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How did therapy reframe her Adult ego?
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What workplace scripts do we carry? (“I must be perfect,” “Bosses don’t appreciate me,” etc.)
⭐ INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY: TA ROLE-PLAY ARENA (20 minutes)
Participants enact short 2-minute scenarios like:
Each scenario is performed:
Outcome:
Employees directly experience the emotional difference.
⭐ ASSESSMENT (15 minutes)
Quick TA Knowledge Quiz
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Name the three ego states
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Give one example of Adult communication
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What is a life script?
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Which movie shows reparenting?
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Which movie shows stress-based ego shifts?
Scoring & review included.
⭐ WORKPLACE ACTION PLAN (15 minutes)
Each participant writes:
✔ One ego-state habit to stop
✔ One Adult-phase behavior to start
✔ One communication pattern to upgrade
⭐ FACILITATOR NOTES
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Encourage sharing but do not force emotional disclosure
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Keep movie clips short (2–3 minutes max)
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Maintain psychological safety at all times
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Shift discussions toward solutions rather than venting
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Emphasize Adult–Adult communication as the goal
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