1988: Whither Scripts?

Whither Scripts? Fanita English Abstract nell’s statement and his implied criticism of the psychoanalytic emphasis on fixation at child- Script theory, on careful examination, has hood developmental stages, I do not accept a become restrictive, simplistic, and inac- blanket condemnation of psychoanalytic tbink- curate. The author connects Berne’s narrow ing. Clearly the methodology of psychoanalysis deterministic view of scripts to his erroneous is cumbersome and outdated, something Berne view of games. Existential Pattern Therapy recognized even though he continued using (EPT) (English, 1987), the author’s own analysis with some patients almost to the end form of script analysis emphasizing creativi- of his life. Emphasizing linear childhood ty and the balance of unconscious drives, is development without noting interactionist in- described. A case presentation using EPT is fluences, and believing that childhood ex- discussed following which an evaluation of perience is the exclusive cause of later the relationship between unconscious drives behavior, is both limiting and counterproduc- (survival, creative, restful), stroke economy, tive. For example, clinical experience shows and the ego states concludes the analysis. that it is false to assume that a person ‘ ‘fixated’ ’ at one developmental stage cannot progress emotionahy to another until alI issues at the first I applaud Cornell’s (1988) courage in stage are resolved. challenging the constricting tenets on which Even Freud’s (1915/1957) own writings of- current script theory is built. I too, have noted fer openings to the kind of broader views ad- with concern how many TA therapists are vocated by Cornell. However, although I agree shackled to a procrustean bed of unproven that psychological formation can be better beliefs that suggest that injunctions determine understood by considering healthy rather than narrow linear scripts which patients are ex- pathological development, as therapists we also pected to rid themselves of through therapy. need theory which helps us to understand When held by therapists, such beliefs often distortions of normal processes. generate self-fnlfilling prophecies for suggesti- ble patients or lead to false “script cures” in- Resilience in the Face of volving problems that did not exist in the first Childhood Experience place! Cornell states: Early childhood influences and events as Script theory has become more restric- understood (or misunderstood) by the growing tive than enlivening. Script analysis as it child have a powerful impact on both healthy has evolved . is overly psychoanalytic development and specific pathology. They in- in attitude and overly reductionistic in fluence the formation of character as well as what it communicates. The incor- subsequent attitudes, feelings, relationships, poration of developmental theory into and views on the future. However, the script theory has too often been simplistic resilience of children (and indeed of humans and inaccurate, placing primary emphasis at all ages) must not be underestimated. To do on psychopathology rather than on so implies that children can be conditioned in psychological formation. (p. 281) a simplistic, Pavlovian manner. Many in- Although agreeing with the thrust of Cor- dividuals overcome difficult, even tragic, 294 Transactional Analysis Journal WHITHER SCRIPTS? childhood experiences successfully without the have important socializing value even though benefit of therapy. Life has a way of offering they are not life-saving (e.g., not defecating on many corrective opportunities. As mental the living room floor). Some have only tem- health professionals we all too often forget porary value and, if not later reinforced, re- about healthy development, thus discounting main latent. the human ability to symbolize, to transform, Once survival conclusions are set, the sur- to create, to seek freedom even at some risk, vival drive continues to bring them on without and, ultimately, to let go. discriminating between those that have lifesav- ing or socializing value and those that no longer Survival Conclusions apply. Thus therapy may be required to reduce conclusions that are too powerful or harmful Children are dependent and sense that their (e.g., phobias, irrational anxiety, inhibitions, survival depends on their caretakers. As is em- obsessions, compulsions, etc.). Although the phasized in TA, positive strokes convey the operation of such survival conclusions may gratifying message that care is forthcoming, resemble injunctions or attributions, survival although sometimes conditionally, at the price conclusions are more restricted in scope. We of adaptation, We are born with several drives, collect thousands of survival conclusions at including the drive to survive. This survival various stages of development, and they affect drive pushes us to adapt and learn whatever specific issues rather than the total life script; seems necessary in order to acquire and main- we do not take on one or two major ones to tain approval and new skills. Our learnings transform our entire life course. become what I call “survival conclusions” In addition, most survival conclusions are (English, 1977c, p. 332). These are integrated useful, even essential, and not to be dropped into our organism as our “second nature” by lest our lives be in danger. Although some may means of the alternating processes of assirnila- reinforce each other or combine to form a tion and accommodation to achieve what Piaget dysfunctional “syndrome,” new conclusions calls “equilibration” or balance (Cowan, 1978, are integrated at all successive developmental pp. 24-25). stages, including adulthood. In brief, assimilation implies “taking in” by With a patient seeking therapy, various adapting what is out there to fit what is already behavior patterns may be involved, each known subjectively, and accommodation refers associated with different survival conclusions. to modifying one’s behavior/thinking to adjust Therapy may consist of separating out the to reality as understood from external stimuli strands of different conclusions, some of which and the reactions of caretakers (Cowan, 1978, may be important and still useful even though pp. 22-23). Equilibration goes on during the interwoven with others that are currently constant process of growth through assimila- dysfunctional. A conclusion that is dysfunc- tion and accommodation, and it is a complex tional for a person’s current life generates anx- process that cannot be reduced to simple con- iety and/or projection which, in turn, impairs ditioning. Eventually one’s existential position, the person’s ability to cope. Because many con- basic character structure, and ways of relating clusions remain dormant in a grown person, a to others will be established, although changes particular event or situation can revive a con- continue throughout the individual’s lifetime. clusion that has been inoperative for a long Survival conclusions are established at each time. Then contamination to other situations stage of development (English, 1977~). They may set in, even when such situations were not compensate for the fact that our genes do not previously disturbing. carry the specific programs we need in order However, although certain archaic survival to survive as independent beings. The survival conclusions can generate problems requiring drive operates throughout our lives to bring on treatment, they are not the principal deter- survival conclusions in situations resembling minants of script. We cannot ascribe scripts to the one that stimulated the original conclusion. conditioned response to alleged injunctions Many survival conclusions are necessary and assumed to exist in a hypothetical “electrode” beneficial throughout life (e.g., not gulping (Berne, 1972, p. 115) in the Child. As Cornell down hot liquid before testing it), and others (1988) appropriately suggests, many more Vol. 18, No. 4, October 1988 295 FANITA ENGLISH internal and external factors are at work guiding support or interference the third offers, and so one’s life course. Thus a total “script cure” on. However, in certain cases when problems is a ridiculous treatment goal, equivalent to are appropriately identified as resulting only thinking that by transforming a person’s finger- from dysfunctional survival conclusions, prints, he or she is never likely to be therapy might resemble TA as originally prac- fingerprinted. ticed, with an emphasis on helping the patient to use his or her Adult to deal with Parent-Child Influence of the Three Drives conflicts. As already indicated, the survival drive in- Reasons for Berne’s Narrow View of Script fluences us to seek and respond to strokes, and it generates and brings on most of our survival Before moving on to an illustrative case ex- conclusions. This does not contradict TA ample, I want to offer some admittedly biased theory. However, I find it important to reaf- views about the fundamental reasons for firm Freud’s views on basic drives. I have Berne’s restrictive view of script. Considering reconceptualized these drives and described his brilliant discovery of TA-especially his their attributes, including specific forms of in- functional formulation about ego states and the fluence and distinctive manifestations (English, connection between strokes and communica- 1987). In addition to the survival drive, we are tion-how is it that Berne ended up formulating influenced by two other drives which are not script theory so narrowly? How is it that he, affected by strokes: the creative drive and the who proudly showed that the Child functions drive to rest. These drives have their own in the here-and-now ego and not just the un- dynamic power and participate in establishing conscious (as Berne was fond of saying, “I existential patterns which interweave with and never saw an Id walking, but I can see a affect our life course or script (in my defini- Child”), accepted the idea of an electrode? tion). They also affect us with bursts of energy (I’ve never seen an electrode walking-not even or fatigue and/or urges to “do” or “not do” a Little Professor!) that are totally unrelated to strokes in the past I believe the root of Berne’s linear concept or the present.

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