Scripts People Live: Transactional Analysis of Life Scripts [Paperback]

Claude Steiner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 1994

When Claude Steiner and the late Eric Berne developed the theory of Transactional Analysis, their basic belief that people were “born princes and princess, until their parents turned them into frogs” countered the fundamental principle of psychiatry which asserts that emotional and mental distress comes from within. This theory was further developed in Steiner’s book Games Alcoholics Play. Dr. Berne, in What Do You Say After You Say Hello?, acknowledged Steiner’s important role in the analysis of “life scripts” which we choose at an early age and which rule every detail of our lives until our death.

In Scripts People Live, Steiner expands upon this belief to show that people are innately healthy but develop a pattern early in life based upon negative or positive influences of those around them.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

When Claude Steiner and the late Eric Berne developed the theory of Transactional Analysis, their basic belief that people were "born princes and princess, until their parents turned them into frogs" countered the fundamental principle of psychiatry which asserts that emotional and mental distress comes from within. This theory was further developed in Steiner's book Games Alcoholics Play. Dr. Berne, in What Do You Say After You Say Hello?, acknowledged Steiner's important role in the analysis of "life scripts" which we choose at an early age and which rule every detail of our lives until our death.

In Scripts People Live, Steiner expands upon this belief to show that people are innately healthy but develop a pattern early in life based upon negative or positive influences of those around them. Thus children decide, however unconsciously, whether they will be happy or depressed, winners or failures, strong or dependent, and having decided, they spend the rest of their lives making the decision come true. For those who choose a negative script, the consequences can be disastrous unless they make a conscious decision to change.

Steiner's classic in psychological theory, with a new foreword by the author, offers a hopeful and practical analysis so that we all may rewrite our life scripts and lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Claude Steiner was born in Paris in 1935. He spent his childhood in Spain and Mexico, before immigrating to the United States in 1952. In 1957 he met Eric Berne, who encouraged him to attend the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Among his other books are Games Alcoholics Play, Achieving Emotional Literacy, and the children's book, The Warm Fuzzy Tale. He currently divides his time between his homes in Mendocino County and Berkeley, where he continues his practice as a psychotherapist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Grove Press (January 26, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802132103
• ISBN-13: 978-0802132109
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Claude M. Steiner, was born in 1935 in Paris, France, the son of a Austrian parents. Fleeing from Hitler, his Jewish mother and Christian father escaped to Spain in 1939 with their two children and emigrated to Mexico after the end of the war. He is a Phd, clinical psychologist from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He met Eric Berne the psychiatrist author of Games People Play in San Francisco in 1956 and was his disciple and, later, colleague, friend and collaborator, and with him a founding member of The Transactional Analysis Association.

After Berne's death in 1971, Dr. Steiner went on to develop the theory and practice of Radical Psychiatry about which he wrote extensively in books and journals. His books include: Games Alcoholics Play, Scripts People Live, Healing Alcoholism, The Other Side of Power, When a Man Loves a Woman, Emotional Literacy, Excellence in Aging; for Men, The Heart of the matter; Love, Information and Transactional Analysis, and he was editor of two anthologies, Beyond Games and Scripts and Readings in Radical Psychiatry as well as the author of the ubiquitous fable of The Warm Fuzzy Tale.

Steiner's books have been translated into ten languages and he has a world-wide lecturing and teaching audience. He was a senior editor, for three years, of the quarterly journal Propaganda Review. He has three children and six grandchildren. With his wife Jude Steiner-Hall he lives and practices in Berkeley California USA and on his ranch in Ukiah, Mendocino County, California.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 68 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Scripts People Live June 22, 2000

By M. Wilson

Format:Paperback

I never write reviews but this book was so incredible. Comprehensive and yet specific enough to give people serious insight into their unconscious decisions and how to change that. Mr. Steiner examines how society promulgates and promotes certain behaviors as well as our parents, teachers, etc. etc. This book is a must read for anyone truly interested in the inner-workings of themselves and others. VERY ENLIGHTENING!

62 of 66 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Whose Script Is It, Anyway? December 22, 1999

By Grant James

Format:Paperback

I constantly give this book away! To my adult students who are dealing with the old "I'm not (whatever) enough." It had a phenomenal effect on me at 40, clarifying so many contradictions. The author gets one to look at what is, and what isn't "my script." And helps one along the path to finding the one I'm "writing."

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book demystifies mental illness May 11, 2003

By M. Arnold

Format:Paperback

As a worker in the field of 'mental health', I found this book to be invaluable in demystifying mental illness and assisting clients in learning about themselves using everyday language they can understand, not the psycho mobo jumbo utilized by psychiatry (to keep people oppressed and thinking they cannot cure themselves)This book, almost 30 years old, is probably more relevant today, particularly as the legions of 'rescuers' become more prevalent in society, i.e. therapists, counselors, probation officers, and all those in favor of the medicalization of behaviors. The books basic premise, that people can solve their own problems and get better on their own by redeciding, is both true and a threat to those who purport otherwise. For further in depth education in demystification, I recommend reading Thomas Szasz.

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent Scientific analysis and exegesis of TA March 5, 2001

By ALEXANDER MANTOS

Format:Paperback

Claude M.Steiner shows great respect to the late E.Berne and analyzes properly and with solid argumentation the Transactional Analysis in a very approachable way. It is very pleasant to read and it is full of useful information and examples for those who wish to implement TA in their lives. I highly recommend this book to those who want to find out what is TA and what are the scripts we live. As E.Berne, Claude M.Steiner disagrees with the way psychiatry is treating people and teaches us how to treat our children and how to develop ourselves intellectually and emotionally.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly surprised May 22, 2008

By C. R. Taylor

Format:Paperback

i have to confess that I've not been a great fan of Transactional Analysis [TA] in the past, probably because a lot of TA practitioners had a certain evangelical fervor about them that conflicted with my 'tool box" approach to therapy ie no one approach will fit all. Having read this book I suspect that some of my reservations at least came from the popularization of TA [or dumbing down,depending on your mood at the time] via the works of Amy and Tom Harris in their book "I'm Ok your OK". Reading Steiner's book reminded me of the refreshingly no-conformist roots to Eric Berne's approach and left me feeling that his whole attitude and ethos is one we would be wise to rediscover. A very helpful explanation to the real contribution and value of Life Scripts as a framework for personal growth and development

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a must read for any parent August 21, 2007

By A. Lennon

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Scripts People Live is one of the best books I've ever read. I highly recommend it for anyone with children. This book teaches how to allow one's children to become the best they can be.

Parents are very good at training children to be joyless. Parents also teach their kids to be victims by reinforcing powerlessness. Parents limit their children's abilities to think for themselves. The parents I'm talking about are what we'd think of as normal, loving parents. They do so unwittingly; they do so erroneously believing they're doing the best for the child.

If you'd rather raise autonomous children who can experience joy, think for themselves, not have addictions, who can experience intimacy, and express their emotions, then this book is for you.

I read _I'm OK - You're OK_ first, and I found it gave me a very strong understanding of transactional analysis, making it easier to absorb the concepts of _Scripts People Live_ easier. This isn't required though as there is a summary of TA in the beginning of SPL.

Great book...a must read for anyone in a relationship with another human being.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting to know you and others :) February 7, 2007

By Paula Sylvester

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a corporate trainer and course developer. Over the years, I've had numerous requests to make my courses public so, we're currently developing a series of "relationship" and "how to courses" that people will actually find useful in their life. Lets face it - reading TA material - or any psycho babble material - is typically very boring and very dry. Alas, once you grasp the working theory it's quite helpful and beneficial to our every day life situations. I'm always on the lookout for ways to make my courses more interesting - especially when it pertains to relationships. Since my partner is a shrink, I happened to stumble across this book and I LOVE it! It's easily written, easy to understand and easy to incorporate in your life.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Transactional Analysis Applied November 6, 2006

By Robert Pavelsky

Format:Paperback

Claude Steiner has given us, in this book, a most valuable resource for understanding how Transactional Analysis (TA) works in real life situations. If you have read Berne's Games People Play then Steiner's book is the logical follow up. Berne describes interpersonal relationships with some very good examples; Steiner gives us the scripts to more completely understand TA. Steiner helps make Berne more understandable and paints with a broader brush as he gives the reader the flesh and bones of TA.

Bob Pavelsky, Ph.D.