Transactional Analysis Theory - Injunctions

This blog comes from Ajit Karve, a Transformational TA Coach

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Injunctions

Injunctions are prohibitive, inhibiting, incapacitating, don't messages that are based on early childhood decisions that get planted in the P₁. They are the principal if not the only contributors to script activation. They stop persons from implementing what the injunctions prohibit. For example: if the injunction is 'Don't Enjoy' or its variant 'Don't be Happy', the affected person is at his wits end to explain why he cannot enjoy or be happy. Others may cajole him, coax him, entertain him, all with no result.

There are twelve injunctions which are universally accepted by the TA community. They are:

Figure 42

Don't Exist: This injunction may get installed for many reasons. Child finding itself unwanted, or on hearing comments like get lost or implying to mean this.

Don't Think: An inquisitive child may be admonished by parents for asking too many questions. It may be sort of ordered not to think.

Don't Feel: Parents may bar the child from feeling some feelings. These could be feeling sad, or feeling or being angry or expressing anger, or being fearful. The last of these could create counter phobic persons. The accompanying message would be: "Hey don't cry, be brave and courageous."

Don't be Sane: A child which gets attention on falling sick or by acting crazy picks up this injunction.

Don't Succeed: Children may do better than their parents. Parents out of jealousy may plant this injunction. Parents may also plant this injunction with the intent of getting their children to be part of their business line or trade.

Don't be Important: A child which is asked to remain away from social circles and not be seen around may take this injunction. A child which is dissuaded from asking for praise for its achievements may also take this injunction.

Don't be You / the sex you are: Parents expect a baby boy or baby girl and baby of the other sex is born. They dress up the child per their choice. The child may actually start experiencing itself as a person of the opposite sex. A boy may grow up as a robust healthy man. As yet his voice my be feminine as also his mannerisms. The other way round for a girl may also happen.

Don't be Child: This happens to a child whose parents want it to grow up quickly. They find child upbringing to be an uphill and daunting task.

Don't Grow Up: This happens with a child whose parents like their child to be a baby month after month. The person may grow up alright but by habit he may display childlike mannerisms.

Don't be Close: This may run in the family. Or it may be as a result of either parent dissuading the child from being close to the other parent. It may also happen where culture requires persons to maintain distance or not be touched.

Don't Belong: Children who belong to a special school, or are educated differently may experience this injunction. They may find it difficult to mix with people from all walks of life or sections of society. Children who are brought up in tea gardens or orchards and happen to be the kids of the manager or owner without being allowed to mix up with other children may take up this injunction.

Don't do Anything: Parents are anxious that they may not be able to handle any emergency situation. They may then ask children to just be around and not engage in any activity whatsoever. The person may then have picked up this injunction, and express inability to do any activity most others perform.

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