SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES

DEPARTMENT OF MBA
ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR (18SS0MB17)
Unit III
Interpersonal behavior
B.Tech. IV Year II Semester (2024-25)

M.Swathi(Asst.professor)

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• Syllabus:
•Unit – III:Interpersonal behavior, Johari window,
Transactional Analysis-ego states, Types of transactions,
Life positions, applications of T.A, managerial interpersonal
styles

• Course Objective:
• To Understand the role of Interpersonal Behavior in
an Organization.
Interpersonal behavior:
Interpersonal behavior encompasses the actions, reactions, and interactions between individuals
within social contexts. It's the dynamic interplay of behaviors, emotions, and communication
patterns that occur when people interact with each other.
Here are some key aspects of interpersonal behavior:
1.Communication: Effective communication is crucial for successful interpersonal interactions.
This includes verbal communication (the words we use) as well as nonverbal communication
(body language, facial expressions, tone of voice). Active listening, empathy, and clarity in
expression are important communication skills.
2.Emotional Expression: Interpersonal behavior involves the expression and management of
emotions. This includes being able to recognize and understand one's own emotions, as well as
being sensitive to the emotions of others. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in
navigating social interactions.
3.Social Skills: Social skills refer to the ability to interact harmoniously with others. This
includes skills such as making conversation, cooperating with others, resolving conflicts
peacefully, and showing respect and empathy towards others.
4.Assertiveness: Assertiveness involves expressing one's thoughts, feelings, and needs in a
direct and respectful manner. It's about standing up for oneself while also considering the rights
and feelings of others. Assertive communication is often seen as a healthy middle ground
between passivity (failing to express oneself) and aggression (expressing oneself in a hostile or
disrespectful manner).
5.Social Influence: Interpersonal behavior is influenced by various social factors, including
cultural norms, societal expectations, group dynamics, and power dynamics. Understanding
these influences can help individuals navigateGNITC
social
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 Johari window:The Johari Window is a psychological model that helps individuals
understand their relationships with themselves and others. It was developed by psychologists
Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in 1955, combining their first names to create the term
"Johari."
The model consists of four quadrants, each representing different aspects of self-awareness
and disclosure:
1.Open Area (Known to Self and Others): This quadrant represents information about the
individual that is known both to themselves and to others. It includes behaviors, feelings,
motives, attitudes, and skills that are openly shared and understood. The open area is
characterized by transparency, honesty, and effective communication.
2.Blind Area (Known to Others, Unknown to Self): In this quadrant, aspects of the
individual's personality or behavior are known to others but not recognized by the individual
themselves. These may include blind spots, unconscious habits, or aspects of one's
personality that are not readily apparent to oneself.
3.Hidden Area (Known to Self, Unknown to Others): The hidden area contains
information about the individual that is known to themselves but not shared with others. This
may include private thoughts, feelings, experiences, fears, or vulnerabilities that are
intentionally kept hidden. The hidden area can represent areas of potential growth and self-
disclosure within relationships, as individuals choose to reveal more about themselves to
others.
4.Unknown Area (Unknown to Self and Others): This quadrant represents aspects of the
individual's personality or behavior that are unknown both to themselves and to others. It
may include unconscious motivations, unresolved conflicts, latent talents, or undiscovered
potential. The unknown area can be explored GNITC - EEE
and expanded through self-reflection,
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introspection, and feedback from others.
Transactional Analysis (TA) is a psychological theory developed by Eric Berne in the
1950s that focuses on understanding human personality, communication, and
relationships. One of the fundamental concepts in TA is the notion of ego states, which are
distinct patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that influence how individuals interact
with themselves and others.
Eric Berne proposed three primary ego states:
1.Parent Ego State (P): The Parent ego state consists of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
that individuals adopt based on the influence of authority figures, typically from early
childhood. It can be further divided into two sub-states:
1. Nurturing Parent (NP): This aspect of the Parent ego state involves behaviors
and attitudes associated with caregiving, nurturing, and providing emotional
support. It includes expressions of love, protection, and guidance similar to those
received from a caring parent.
2. Critical Parent (CP): The Critical Parent ego state encompasses attitudes,
judgments, and behaviors that resemble those of a critical or controlling authority
figure. It may involve rules, shoulds, and oughts, as well as harsh criticism,
disapproval, or punishment.

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2.Adult Ego State (A): The Adult ego state represents a rational, objective, and logical mode
of thinking and behaving. It is characterized by a focus on the present moment, gathering
information, analyzing data, and making decisions based on facts and reason. The Adult ego
state is concerned with problem-solving, planning, and adapting to reality without being
influenced by emotional biases or past experiences.
3.Child Ego State (C): The Child ego state encompasses thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
that individuals experienced during their childhood years. It is often divided into two sub-
states:
1. Adapted Child (AC): The Adapted Child ego state consists of behaviors and
attitudes learned in response to external influences, such as parental expectations,
societal norms, or cultural values. It may involve compliance, conformity, or
rebellion in relation to external authority figures.
2. Free Child (FC): The Free Child ego state reflects the spontaneous, playful, and
creative aspects of personality that emerge when individuals are free from external
constraints or expectations. It involves emotions, desires, and impulses that are
uninhibited by social norms or adult responsibilities.
These ego states interact dynamically within individuals and influence their thoughts,
emotions, behaviors, and interpersonal interactions. By recognizing and understanding the
different ego states, individuals can gain insight into their own patterns of thinking and
relating to others, as well as develop more effective communication and relationship skills.
TA therapy often involves helping individuals achieve autonomy and balance among their
ego states, leading to greater psychological well-being and interpersonal satisfaction.
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Types of transactions:In Transactional Analysis (TA), transactions refer to the interactions or
communications between individuals. These transactions occur on both verbal and non-verbal
levels and involve the exchange of messages.
various types based on their structure and content:
1.Complementary Transactions: In complementary transactions, the ego states of both
parties involved in the interaction are aligned. This means that the message sent from one ego
state is received by a corresponding ego state in the other person. Complementary transactions
are usually smooth and effective in communication. For example, if one person communicates
from their Adult ego state, the other person responds from their Adult ego state as well.
2.Crossed Transactions: Crossed transactions occur when the message sent from one ego
state is received by a different ego state in the other person. This misalignment often leads to
communication breakdowns or misunderstandings. Crossed transactions can result in conflicts
or ineffective communication patterns. For instance, if one person communicates from their
Adult ego state, but the other person responds from their Critical Parent ego state, a crossed
transaction occurs.
3.Ulterior Transactions: Ulterior transactions involve hidden or covert messages underlying
the overt communication. These hidden messages may express underlying feelings, motives,
or agendas that are not explicitly stated. Ulterior transactions can create tension or confusion
in communication if the hidden messages are not recognized or addressed.
4.Genuine Transactions: Genuine transactions involve honest and authentic communication
between individuals. In genuine transactions, both parties express their thoughts, feelings, and
needs openly and transparently.
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Life Positions :are the fundamental attitudes or stances that individuals adopt towards
themselves and others. These positions shape individuals' perceptions, behaviors, and
interactions in relationships. Eric Berne identified four primary life positions:
1.I'm OK, You're OK (I'm OK, You're OK): This life position reflects a healthy and
positive attitude towards oneself and others. Individuals who hold this position believe that
they are worthy and capable (I'm OK) and that others are also worthy and capable (You're
OK). This attitude fosters mutual respect, empathy, and cooperation in relationships.
2.I'm OK, You're Not OK (I'm OK, You're Not OK): In this life position, individuals
have a positive self-image but view others negatively. They believe that they are worthy and
capable (I'm OK) while perceiving others as unworthy or inferior (You're Not OK). This
attitude can lead to feelings of superiority, judgment, or condescension towards others.
3.I'm Not OK, You're OK (I'm Not OK, You're OK): This life position reflects a negative
self-image combined with positive perceptions of others. Individuals who hold this position
view themselves as unworthy or inadequate (I'm Not OK) but see others as worthy and
capable (You're OK). This attitude may lead to feelings of inferiority, self-doubt, or
dependency on others for validation.
4.I'm Not OK, You're Not OK (I'm Not OK, You're Not OK): In this life position,
individuals have negative perceptions of both themselves and others. They believe that they
are unworthy or inadequate (I'm Not OK) and view others similarly as unworthy or inferior
(You're Not OK). This attitude can result in feelings of hopelessness, isolation, or hostility
towards oneself and others.
Life Positions influence individuals' behavior patterns, communication styles, and
relationship dynamics. Becoming aware of one's life position and its impact on interactions
can facilitate personal growth, emotional well-being,
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Transactional Analysis (TA) has numerous applications across various domains,
including therapy, education, organizational development, and interpersonal
relationships. Here are some specific applications of TA:
1.Therapy and Counseling: TA is widely used in psychotherapy and counseling to
help individuals gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to
facilitate personal growth and change. Therapists use TA techniques to explore clients'
ego states, transactional patterns, and life positions, helping them understand and
address underlying issues, resolve conflicts, and improve their relationships.
2.Communication Training: TA principles are applied in communication workshops,
training programs, and conflict resolution seminars to enhance interpersonal
communication skills.
3.Organizational Development: TA is utilized in organizational development
initiatives to improve leadership effectiveness, team dynamics, and workplace
communication. Managers and leaders learn how to create a positive organizational
culture, build trust and collaboration, motivate employees, and manage conflicts
constructively.
4.Education and Parenting: TA concepts are integrated into educational settings and
parenting programs to support learning, emotional development, and positive behavior
management. Teachers and parents learn how to communicate effectively with
children, provide nurturing and supportive environments, set appropriate boundaries,
and encourage autonomy and responsibility.
5.Personal Development: Individuals use TA principles for self-improvement and
personal growth by gaining insights intoGNITC their
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dynamics, and life scripts.
Managerial interpersonal styles:
1.Authoritarian Style: Managers who adopt an authoritarian style may primarily operate
from their Critical Parent ego state, enforcing strict rules and regulations and exercising
control over subordinates. TA can help such managers develop more flexibility and
empathy in their leadership approach, fostering open communication, empowerment, and
trust within their teams.
2.Democratic Style: Managers with a democratic style often engage in open
communication, collaborative decision-making, and empowering their team members. TA
can enhance their leadership effectiveness by providing tools for effective
communication, conflict resolution, and fostering a supportive and inclusive work
environment.
3.Laissez-Faire Style: Managers who exhibit a laissez-faire style tend to provide
minimal guidance and supervision, allowing employees to work autonomously. TA can
help such managers become more attuned to the needs of their team members, providing
appropriate support and resources, and facilitating effective communication and
accountability.
4.Transformational Style: Transformational leaders inspire and motivate their teams by
articulating a compelling vision, fostering innovation, and supporting individual growth
and development. TA can complement this style by providing insights into interpersonal
dynamics, emotional intelligence, and communication strategies to build strong, cohesive
teams and achieve organizational goals.
5.Transactional Style: Managers who adopt a transactional style focus on task
accomplishment, setting clear goals, and providing rewards and consequences based on
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