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Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships Paperback – 7 Jan. 2010


The bestselling Games People Play is the book that has helped millions of people understand the dynamics of relationships, by psychiatrist Eric Berne.

We all play games. In every encounter with other people we are doing so. The nature of these games depends both on the situation and on who we meet.

Eric Berne's classic Games People Play is the most accessible and insightful book ever written about the games we play: those patterns of behaviour that reveal hidden feelings and emotions. Wise and witty, it shows the underlying motivations behind our relationships and explores the roles that we try to play - and are forced to play.

Games People Play gives you the keys to unlock the psychology of others - and yourself. You'll become more honest, more effective, and a true team player.

'A brilliant, amusing, and clear catalogue of the psychological theatricals that human beings play over and over again' Kurt Vonnegut

Eric Berne was a prominent psychiatrist and bestselling author.After inventing his groundbreaking Transactional Analysis, he continued to develop and apply this new methodology leading him to publish Games People Play. This became a runaway success and Berne leaves a remarkable legacy of over 30 other books and articles, as well as the founding of the International Transactional Analysis Association.

Dr Berne's other works include Principles of Group Treatment, A Layman's Guide to Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis', and What Do You Say After You Say Hello? He died in 1970.

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Review

A brilliant, amusing, and clear catalogue of the psychological theatricals that human beings play over and over again. (Kurt Vonnegut)

From the Back Cover

The book that has helped millions of people understand the dynamics of relationships

We all play games. In every encounter with other people we are doing so. The nature of these games depends both on the situation and on who we meet.

Eric Berne's classic Games People Play is the most accessible and insightful book ever written about the games we play: those patterns of behaviour that reveal hidden feelings and emotions. Wise and witty, it shows the underlying motivations behind our relationships and explores the roles that we try to play - and are forced to play.

Games People Play gives you the keys to unlock the psychology of others - and yourself. You'll become more honest, more effective, and a true team player.

'A brilliant, amusing, and clear catalogue of the psychological theatricals that human beings play over and over again' Kurt Vonnegut

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin; Reprint edition (7 Jan. 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0141040270
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0141040271
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13 x 1.1 x 19.8 cm
  • Customer reviews:

Customer reviews

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 January 2024
Great insight into the interplay of the various parts of the individual within and without. Quite technical so difficult to read at times.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2014
The book I read to research this post was Games People Play by Eric Berne which is an excellent book which I bought from kindle. This book is probably the definitive text on transactional analysis, a form of psychotherapy centred on various roles people play in different situations. If you read this book you are certain to recognize roles you play. Although the book has games in the title it refers to roles and they aren't necessarily bad although some are. They are ways people have of coping with situations and psychologists in their studies have noticed various patterns which make up this form of therapy. One of the main principles in transactional analysis is the roles of persecutor, helper and victim. We all play each of these roles at one time or another and much of our lives is spent going from one to the other. The book also looks at roles like if some people go on a picnic someone with a drink problem might get the others to have one drink of alcohol each and use it to have about 5 drinks himself. The person might not realize he is being manipulative and obviously the cure for this situation is to decline the drink although then he might get abusive. Another situation is when someone gets married they might run up endless debts buying a house and car etc not to mention the wedding and honeymoon. We live in a society that regards things bought on credit as owned when actually the creditor often has the debt secured on them and owns them. In the case of a mortgage the debt lasts for most of that person's working life. It can become the case that person runs into trouble paying it off and can end up with a huge debt and little to show for it especially if the house is sold and covers part of the debt. You can see what I mean about this roles being common place and we all play them. This book is only around 150-200 pages but is really good and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
11 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 May 2024
Read this years ago but bought as a gift recently. Really interesting and accessible description of how people interact in some circumstances and some of the positions they take. Never thought of, say, alcoholism in the ways described but it sounds logical. Might be a useful book if faced with problems in the context of complex interpersonal dynamics.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 May 2012
I have been introduced to TA through one of my college professors, and he recommended this book in the first place. I have to say that the basic knowledge in the book is spot on, but needless to say it's a bit dated. It provides useful information on the dynamics of everyday social interactions, and is a good starting point for further studies of Transactional Analysis(TA).
The book is not that well written though: it seems like a college notebook of a psychology student rather than a fully fledged guide or handbook. Not every game is described in full detail, analysis points(like antithesis, relatives, motives, dynamics) are missing in certain parts.

The book is easily understandable(I, myself am a non native english speaker, read through it in 4 hours), but short. If you want up to date information on TA that is a bit more detailed i recommend TA today: a new introduction to transactional analysis by Ian Stewart, but if you're a newcomer to this field of psychology(and for this price I might add) this can be a good first book to read.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 August 2023
Brilliant theory about how people are made up of different aspects (parent, adult and child) and how you can empower yourself and others by using the appropriate mode. It was indispensable as a teacher and as a Grandma. I even ran workshops introducing it to others.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 October 2010
This book was first published many years ago but is still relevant today. It demonstrates how many social interactions are destined to end in certain ways unless people are aware of what is going on and can counteract them. Many readers will recognise their own behaviour in these examples not the speak of the behaviour of their friends and enemies.

I found the examples of games such as `Why don't you? - Yes, but,' fascinating. We've all come across people who ask for advice and then counteract everything suggested by some apparently good reason why they can't possibly take the action suggested. The games primarily played by couples are also enlightening. Can you truthfully say you've never said things to deliberately create a disagreement in order to wriggle out of something you don't want to do? I found the antithesis section after every game fascinating as it describes ways of counteracting games if you realise what is going on. I shall be studying that closely.

This book ought to be required reading for all couples as well as parents and for anyone having trouble in the workplace or with certain friends. It will also be of interest to anyone who finds human beings fascinating.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Sriram
5.0 out of 5 stars Nuggets and insights
Reviewed in India on 29 January 2024
The book is written in a formal and technical language so it may be difficult for some readers. Also, the book was written in the 60s so the book may seem kind of discriminatory for a lay person.

But if you leave those aspects aside, it has a ton of insights into human interactions and the many ulterior motives within them.
One person found this helpful
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book
Reviewed in Italy on 19 November 2022
Interesting book if you want to know more about the father of transitional analysis and his studies.
Jaqueline Karina
5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading
Reviewed in Brazil on 22 November 2020
If you suffer at the hands of others, this book is for you. How not to be manipulated or waste time with other people's dramas.
3 people found this helpful
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Marc
5.0 out of 5 stars Dense
Reviewed in Spain on 27 December 2021
No an easy reading.
A little bit outdated (as expected since it was written around 50 years ago).

Despite that, it is very interesting to read.
One person found this helpful
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PIN Devy
5.0 out of 5 stars Top
Reviewed in France on 18 April 2021
One person found this helpful
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