Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships by Eric Berne

“Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships” is a book by Canadian-born psychiatrist Eric Berne, first published in 1964. The book presents Berne’s theory of transactional analysis, which he developed as a way to analyze social interactions and relationships.

Berne argues that people engage in a variety of “games,” or scripted interactions, as a way to achieve psychological and emotional gratification. These games are characterized by certain patterns of behavior and communication, and often involve manipulation, deception, and power struggles.

The book provides examples of various games people play in their relationships, including “Why Don’t You–Yes But,” “See What You Made Me Do,” and “Let’s You and Him Fight.” Berne also offers strategies for identifying and avoiding these games, as well as methods for creating more fulfilling and authentic relationships.

The writing in “Games People Play” is accessible and engaging, and the book has been widely praised for its insights into human behavior and its practical applications for improving interpersonal relationships. The book has been influential in fields such as psychology, psychiatry, and sociology, and has been translated into numerous languages.