Eric Berne, Euhemerus

His Transgenerational Heritage for Transactional Analysis and the Tasks Ahead

Bibliographic Data

ID20177547
AuthorsWilliam F Cornell (0000-0002-5817-6338, Independent Private Practice, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume56
Issue2
Pages144-159
Publication date2026-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTransactional Analysis Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0362-1537 • E-ISSN: 2329-5244
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03621537.2026.2638107
OpenAlexW7147404058
LanguageEN
References cited24

This essay reflects on the enduring legacy of Eric Berne within contemporary transactional analysis, in both its richness and its limitations. The author examines Berne’s impact as euhemerus, now carrying on to the third generation of transactional analysts. Since his death at age 60, many aspects of Berne’s life have been revealed that offer important insights into his creation of transactional analysis as a unique method of psychodynamic psychotherapy. These provide a basis for the ongoing reassessment of his ideas and methods and a call for the ongoing evolution of transactional analysis theory and technique. (This paper is based on the keynote speech the author gave at the World TA Conference in Montpellier, France, in August 2025.)

Transactional analysis · Transactional leadership · Transgenerational epigenetics · Cognitive and psychological constructs research · Ego Development and Educational Practices · Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy

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