Games People Play—The Psychology of Human Relationships.

These games are quite familiar. One has seen people play them and has been a participant in some. It was merely that one called them by other names. In this context, a game is a set of interpersonal moves or maneuvers made by one, or both, individuals in contact. For example, one of the simplest games: Salesman: This one is better but you cannot afford Housewife: That's the one I'll take. The ploy is obvious: the salesman, depending upon the child in the woman, sets up a condition that implies a reduction in her status—presumably Mrs. So-and-so can afford it. The adult response obviously would be to buy the item she can afford. Thus the aim of a game may be manipulation, desire for gain, self-justification, vindication, expiation or guilt, alleviation or self-exculpation, revenge, malice or reassurance, self-abasement, or any of the hundreds of intentions. The objective may also