Scripts People Live

By Claude Steiner and Claude M. Steiner

Book Overview

When Claude Steiner and the late Eric Berne developed the theory of Transactional Analysis, their basic belief that people were "born princes and princess, until their parents turned them into frogs" countered the fundamental principle of psychiatry which asserts that emotional and mental distress comes from within. This theory was further developed in Steiner's book Games Alcoholics Play. Dr. Berne, in What Do You Say After You Say Hello?, acknowledged Steiner's important role in the analysis of "life scripts" which we choose at an early age and which rule every detail of our lives until our death. In Scripts People Live, Steiner expands upon this belief to show that people are innately healthy but develop a pattern early in life based upon negative or positive influences of those around them. Thus children decide, however unconsciously, whether they will be happy or depressed, winners or failures, strong or dependent, and having decided, they spend the rest of their lives making the decision come true. For those who choose a negative script, the consequences can be disastrous unless they make a conscious decision to change. Steiner's classic in psychological theory, with a new foreword by the author, offers a hopeful and practical analysis so that we all may rewrite our life scripts and lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802132103
• ISBN13: 9780802132109
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Brilliant Classic

Forgive the author getting second billing on the cover of his own book. Steiner offers some very useful insight into the social aspects of alcoholism, and the world in which the alcoholic lives, and the roles assumed by the non alcoholic participants of that world, who have an interest in the situation not changing.

a must read for any parent

Scripts People Live is one of the best books I've ever read. I highly recommend it for anyone with children. This book teaches how to allow one's children to become the best they can be. Parents are very good at training children to be joyless. Parents also teach their kids to be victims by reinforcing powerlessness. Parents limit their children's abilities to think for themselves. The parents I'm talking about...

This book demystifies mental illness

As a worker in the field of 'mental health', I found this book to be invaluable in demystifying mental illness and assisting clients in learning about themselves using everyday language they can understand, not the psycho mobo jumbo utilized by psychiatry (to keep people oppressed and thinking they cannot cure themselves)This book, almost 30 years old, is probably more relevant today, particularly as the legions of 'rescuers'...

Scripts People Live

I never write reviews but this book was so incredible. Comprehensive and yet specific enough to give people serious insight into their unconscious decisions and how to change that. Mr. Steiner examines how society promulgates and promotes certain behaviors as well as our parents, teachers, etc. etc. This book is a must read for anyone truly interested in the inner-workings of themselves and others. VERY ENLIGHTENING!...

Whose Script Is It, Anyway?

I constantly give this book away! To my adult students who are dealing with the old "I'm not (whatever) enough." It had a phenomenal effect on me at 40, clarifying so many contradictions. The author gets one to look at what is, and what isn't "my script." And helps one along the path to finding the one I'm "writing."