Reviews

I'm Ok--You're Ok by Thomas A. Harris

biereads's review

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

sunrays118's review

2.0

I don't understand the point of this book. This offers no new insights since Berne and seems to be only a celebration of the author himself as he shamelessly boasts his track record at counseling couples. I will say the highlight was when he stated that by the year 2000, 50% of the world's population would be Chinese. Another lovely moment was when he took the time to explain why the hippies were doomed to failure.

liamoh25's review

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

A phenomenal view of human interaction and sociability. If you're looking for a psychology book that truly changes the way you view the world then this is one of the best works I've read in that regard. Quite possibly the most articulated theory of human psychology I've known. Remember, I'm OK - You're OK.

bumsonseats's review

2.0

Struggled through this for months but there were some useful parts and some enlightening ideas. But it dragged.

mx_parall_el's review

3.0

It's a solid groundwork for mental health and establishing social understanding but it's fairly outdated in a lot of ways.

littleredreads13's review

4.5

Bit old fashioned but ultimately eye opening and very useful. 

bhuynh716's review

Good at beginning, got too analytical at the end

lestaslettering's review against another edition

2.0

Like its theory, the book is only just ok. And this solves the problems of psychotherapy, seriously?? Such a narrow minded perspective with no combination matching those ppl who have gone through emotional neglect or childhood abuse-they might initially be in a state that they are not ok but everyone is, but they later understand that their parents were faulty too & further transform themselves making their hearts stronger leading to the stage of I'm ok but you're not ok, which is nothing but awareness that what happened to them in their childhood is not their fault & it does not define them. But the author just states the "I'm ok, you're not ok" state as a violent & aggressive psychopathic ppl but normal kind , broken & made stronger ppl also live in the same state & that doesn't mean anything is wrong with them. Introducing his point of view wasn't a mistake but acting like its the only solution & generalizing everyone's pain & suffering is not only idiotic but also unacceptable. What a huge disappointment this was!! :( waste of time.

victory1891's review against another edition

5.0

Everyone should read this book!

A really accessible introduction to Transactional Analysis. Transactional analysis provides a way to understand ourselves and others in a way that feels really helpful.

nithesh_123's review against another edition

4.0

This books enables one to get better at handling interpersonal relationships, especially the important and essential ones.

The author says that an individual can acquire the role of a parent, adult or a child in any interaction. The adult is rational and sensible. The parent is controlling and domineering. The child is dissatisfied and often prone to rabble-rousing. These 'roles' don't depend on the age or gender. But, they drive our behaviour in any given interaction. Ideally, one has to stick to the adult role or adult mode for having best relationships with other people.

Secondly, the author says that our outlook towards an individual can be of four types: I'm OK - You're OK, I'm OK - You're Not OK, I'm Not OK - You're OK, I'm Not OK - You're Not OK. The best outlook is the I'm OK - You're OK position. This enables both individuals in an interaction to behave like adults.

I found it immensely insightful as a reader who has had tenuous relationships with people. Surprisingly, the same ideas of parent-adult-child formulations can help nations navigate their relationships. Highly recommended book.

Yes, it is similar to the book 'Games People Play'. But it seems to be more reader friendly as it explains concepts from scratch.