What does a "stroke" represent in Transactional Analysis?

In Transactional Analysis (TA), a "stroke" is defined as a fundamental unit of social action, which refers to any act of recognition or acknowledgment that one individual provides to another. This can include verbal affirmations, gestures, or even a simple smile. Strokes are essential in human interactions as they fulfill an intrinsic need for recognition and validation, contributing significantly to an individual's sense of self-worth.

Understanding strokes is crucial in the context of TA because they highlight how we interact and communicate with others, positively or negatively influencing relationships and emotional well-being. Strokes are also important in understanding how people can feel validated or devalued based on the interactions they have, making it a core concept within the framework of Transactional Analysis.

Other options do not accurately capture the meaning of "stroke" in this context; for instance, while a method of therapy can involve strokes, it does not define them. Similarly, emotional support may be a result of positive strokes but does not encompass their entire meaning, and physical symptoms of stress are unrelated to the concept of strokes in TA.