psychiatrist Eric Berne studied human interaction

in Games People Play, (1964) Berne introduced the
psychoanalytic theory of Transactional Analysis, or
TA

the central concept of TA is the game;

it is defined as a set of social interactions that we
habitually and unconsciously play out when we inter-
act with others

factors that motivate us to play games include:

1) the desire for - attention, stimulation, connection,
confirmation of our assumptions, and

2 ) the desire to avoid - anxiety, responsibility and
intimacy

some 100 games are defined in Games People Play;
most are interactions that are hurtful and counterpro-
ductive, a few are positive and conducive to healthy
relationships

Now I’ve Got You - You Son of a Bitch!, as the
name implies, is one of the more hurtful games we
can play

in Got You!, as it is sometimes called, there are two
players - the Persecutor and the Victim

the Persecutor is the central player, he or she is
drawn to this game since it provides an opportunity
to vent anger and rage

in Got You!, the Persecutor waits for the Victim to
fail in some undertaking - and then he pounces

in addition to venting, the Persecutor's habitual
involvement in Got You! is also reinforced by the
validation of one of his primary assumptions about
life, namely - “You can’t trust anybody!”

does Got You! seem familiar?

do you ever find yourself engaged in this game?

and if you do -

how does it feel?

do you tend to be on the giving or the receiving end
of the Got You! pounce?

and why are you playing?