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Mandy KloppersPart of being human involves making assumptions about the intentions and behaviour of others. We make our minds up about the intentions of others without having solid evidence to support our thinking. The more we feel we are being manipulated, the more suspicious we become. People can have hidden agendas and many still operate from the egocentric standpoint, as they did when they were children. Egocentrism is a childlike way of viewing the world where an individual finds it difficult to empathise and understand the world from another person’s viewpoint.
Psychologist, Eric Berne defined games as:
“A game is an ongoing series of complementary ulterior transactions progressing to a well-defined, predictable outcome. Descriptively, it is a recurring set of transactions… with a concealed motivation… or gimmick.”
Often, we are not even aware of the games we are playing with others.
Examples of games:
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Key takeaways
- Interpersonal games involve indirect exchanges that may conceal needs, motives, or attempts to gain control.
- Passive aggression, strategic withholding, and status maneuvers can replace straightforward communication and increase mistrust.
- Awareness of these patterns can make more direct and honest communication possible.
1) Passive-aggressive behaviour
This often occurs when a person lacks assertiveness. Instead of asking for what they want, they will resist another person in a subtle way to create frustration for another. They are essentially projecting their own inner frustration back onto another person as they find it too difficult to verbally express their needs and wants.
2) Playing the victim
When we blame someone else for our behaviour we are essentially absolving ourselves of all responsibility for our actions or inaction. In this way, a person can come to believe that they have no power over the way they are. A hugely mistaken attitude that ultimately disempowers the ‘victim’.
3) Playing Hard to Get
Sometimes we use reverse psychology to give the impression that we are more sought after and busier than we really are. Scarcer resources are more in demand, after all. This is a form of game playing though and it does sometimes backfire. I wish we lived in a world where people could be more open and express themselves as the mood takes them instead of trying to predict the outcome of their own behaviour. You know the drill – if I call now, I might seem too keen so I will wait another day, or – I have just received a text. I want to reply now but I will make them wait a little…games games games.
4) Showing Opposite Emotions to what is really being felt
This is connected to the above point. Keeping another person guessing as to our true feelings can also be seen as a form of game playing – a tactic. We may feel the need to protect ourselves from getting hurt or the idea of keeping the other person in the dark may make us feel more in control. Whatever the reason – there is some sort of payoff.
5) Subtle Status Games
A lot can be gleaned from non verbal communication. In fact we communicate more through non verbal language than we do verbal language. We can easily make another person feel inferior by the way we look at them, the way we acknowledge them. People play subtle games relating to their perceived status. If we didn’t play any games, we would treat people as equals.
6) Office Politics
Corporate environments are minefields for human games. There is subtle bullying, emotional blackmail and various incentives that can lead to all sorts of game playing in the pursuit of financial rewards and recognition.
Some games seem inevitable and we all have the ability to manipulate others. It all boils down to control and a desire to portray ourselves in the best light possible. Ask yourself whether you play any games and if you do, are they necessary? Sometimes, a straight forward honest and direct approach is the best way forward.
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