Games People Play

Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships is a bestselling book about the various facets of social interactions and human relationships. It made its first appearance in 1964 and was authored by psychiatrist Eric Berne. Since its first publication, the book has sold more than five million copies worldwide. Every one of us thinks that they are relating with the other in a simple manner. But the truth is that we all play games to each other upon our interactions. This is the central theme of the book Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships. A book that came forty years ago, this book has had a great impact on people, making them understand the truths about human interactions and relationships. Eric Berne introduces us to his own concept of Transactional analysis-an integrated approach of psychology and psychotherapy in the first half of the book. This concept holds elements such as psychoanalysis, cognizance and humanism in its approach. Berne describes the roles of humans in three categories: the Parent, the Adult and the Child. He argues that upon confusing or switching one's role, there can be emergence of negative traits. In the second half of the book, the author explains a series of mind games people play with each other-knowingly or unknowingly-in their interactions. These mind games, according to Berne, is shallow and predictable. Berne discusses the patterns in which these mind games appear. Revolutionizing the thoughts of people from the time of its release, the book is one of the original and influential psychology books written. The edition is published in paperback, on 7 January 2010.