Berne defines life script as “an unconscious life plan”.
The frame of reference is defined by Schiff’s as the structure of associated responses which integrates the various ego-states in response to specific stimuli. Frame of reference can be thought of as a ‘filter on reality’. FOR provides the individual with an overall perceptual, conceptual, affective and action set, which is used to define the self, other people and the world. FOR can be thought of as skin that surrounds the ego states, binding them together. Frame of reference related to TA concepts :
FOR and scripts : Script forms part of the frame of reference. The script consists of all the definitions in the frame of reference which entail discounts. When I am in script , I am ignoring the here and now reality relevant in the situation to solve the issue. I am discounting myself and my ability and replaying outdated definitions of myself, others and the world.
E.g. : As a child Tom has received messages from his parents that he was worthless and useless. As a grownup ,when Tom has to take decisions at work ,the same message is replayed in his mind ,whereby he is discounting himself of his ability to solve the problem because in his head he still recalls being told that he was useless and worthless. So, although Tom is an adult now,his child ego state discounts his own thinking ability making him feel inadequate and weak.
FOR and redefining : In redefining I have distorted my perception of reality so that it fits my scrip. As a child ,we make script decisions as a way to survive and get by in a hostile world. So, when we grow up ,if we continue to believe that we need to cling on to those early decisions and beliefs in order to survive , I have redefined my FOR in order to fit the current reality in my scripty decisions. So, when my scripty frame of reference is threatened, I defend against the threat by redefining.
E.g. : As a child Tom has constantly been hearing that he was useless. So, although he is a grown up man now, he gets into a script ,reruns this old survival strategy and he redefines reality by discounting his ability to be able to be useful and solve problems on his own.
FOR and redefining transactions: Redefining transactions is when a person is displaying behaviours as an external manifestation of discounting that is happening internally. Every discount represents a distortion of reality. The signs of discounting could be visible when a person shows grandiosity or a thinking disorder. Two distinctive transactions give clear verbal evidence of redefining ,tangential transaction and blocking transaction.
Tangential transactions: A tangential transaction is one in which the stimulus and response address different issues or address the same issue from different perspectives. In a very stressful situation ,people tend to redefine it by way of tangential transaction. The purpose is to divert the other person away from the issue which constitutes the threat and this is outside of the person’s conscious awareness.
E.g. : My son to me ,” This is a good laptop, I think you should buy it. What do you say ?”
My reply ,”Youngsters like you are so tech savvy and find manoeuvring around the different apps so easily .”
Here I am unable to take a decision ,maybe looking at the high cost. Instead of saying no, I beat around the busy and give a very tangential reply ,that does not give him an answer to his question. Here I am discounting my ability to decide.
Blocking transaction : In this the purpose of raising an issue is avoided by disagreeing about the definition of the issue. At a psychological level. the reason for blocking is to avoid addressing issues that would threaten the frame of reference of either or both participants. The conversation may come to a halt in a dumbfounded silence.
E.g. : “ How did you find the food ? ,I asked my husband .
“You mean, whether it was tasty or whether it was value for money ?” replied my husband.I felt stumped at the answer. Here my question was not only avoided by conveniently bypassed.
FOR and stroke filter and stroke economy :People filter the strokes which they want to suit their frame of reference and accept strokes that help them maintain their frame of reference. Similarly stroke economy strengthens their understanding of them FOR and helps to maintain it.
FOR and games and racketeering : Every game and racket involves an attempt to establish a symbiotic relationship and begins with a discount. This is indicative of the ego state and frame of reference sought by each game player. Every individual is responding to a situation by ignoring the reality of what is happening and how each player feels and by dealing exclusively from an internal frame of reference.
E.g. :When I tell my family ” if you want to eat chicken biryani, I will make it for you now.” Although I am saying this verbally, I am suppressing my feeling of tiredness and need to sleep.
Script forms part of frame of reference. FOR in total is made up of a large number of definitions, some which entail discounts, others do not. The script consists of all the definitions in the frame of reference which entail discounts. People use redefining transactions to maintain an established view of themselves, other people and the world i.e., Frame of reference, in order to advance their scripts.
Suparna's Yugen 