Module 3 Task 12

Read the definitions of stroking. What makes stroking part of human communication? Take notes on the types of stokes and why becoming aware of stroking may help you communicate effectively with foreigners. What types of strokes are enumerated?  

LEARNING POINT 5: DEFINITION OF STROKING

What is a stroke? In Transactional Analysis the word “stroke” refers to the infant’s need for touching that is supposed to confirm that the child is noticed and acknowledged by other people and is welcome to this world. Thus, Berne (1971) writes about a stroke as a unit of recognition, while Woollams and Brown (1978) define it as a unit of attention that provides stimulation to an individual. Steiner (1971) further explains that strokes may be given to oneself (internal) and to others (external), they may be elicited (we may ask for a stroke if we need one) or received (we may get one from someone else though it may be expected or unexpected); yet again they may be accepted (when we want them) or refused (when we do not want them). This psychological approach to communicating one’s relationship with oneself and others may be used to observe and analyse relationship building in an international and intercultural context. These strokes can be verbal (e.g., a word, a sentence, or a more extensive utterance) or non-verbal (e.g., a gesture, eye contact, a certain posture, or a physical distance); they may also be positive (e.g., a praise) or negative (e.g., a reprimand). Finally, they may be unconditional (for being) or conditional (for doing, based on some expectation or intention), and they are frequently given or received in specific social contexts. In the cultural context of Eastern European countries, strokes are often deeply embedded in social norms and cultural practices. It may be interesting to observe how East Europeans express the strokes and realise which of them are deeply rooted in the culture itself, explaining the different forms that foreigners may not be accustomed to.

Watch the video material (Video 5) on definitions of stroking. Take notes on why becoming aware of stroking may help you communicate effectively with foreigners. What types of strokes are enumerated? Compare with the Key.