Games

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What are games? | Common games | So what?

Game articles

Games are one of a set of social rituals which we repeatedly play out, often with dysfunctional ends. As with anything on this site, if you can understand them, you can respond rather than react to them.

• Games, Pastimes and Procedures: Definitions of these three social rituals.
• What is a game?: A fuller definition.
• Game purpose: Games always have a purpose, which is to benefit the players, albeit often in seemingly-bizarre ways.
• To travel hopefully: is better than to arrive - which is why we get stuck in games.
• Territorial games: Review of Annette Simmons' book that includes ten common political games.
• The Two Step: Review of McCann's delightful book on the dance of courtship.

Common games

There are many games that we play. Here are some common ones which it is useful to understand and manage.

• 'Attraction-rejection' game - is the classic lovers' alternating chase game.
• Blame game - avoiding responsibility by blaming others.
• 'Catch me' game - is about the thrill of the chase.
• 'Clever me' game - seeking approval for things done well.
• The Drama Triangle - The persecutor, victim and rescuer story.
• 'Poor me' game - seeking sympathy by expounding on ills.
• 'Recognize me' game: seeking attention to assuage limited self-esteem.
• 'Save me' game - seeking salvation.
• 'Stop me' game - the self-harm of addicts and others to get attention.
• War game - Destructive two-sided conflict.

And...

• Common games - A further set of games we play.
• Mintzberg's Political games - A set of political games played in organizations.
• Territorial games: Review of Annette Simmons' book that includes ten common political games.
• Wittgenstein's language games: where language itself is a series of games.

Games happen often in organizational situations and get played out on the political stage.

So what?

See the games being played and understand what's going on under the surface. Either play out the script or break it. You can also initiate and play games on purpose.

See also

Eric Berne, (1964), Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships, Balantine Books

Thomas Harris (1996), I'm OK-You're OK, Avon books

Chris Brady and Tara Brady (2000), Rules of the game, London: Financial Times/Prentice Hall

Paul Watzlawick (1983), The Situation Is Hopeless, But Not Serious, NY: Norton

Eileen McCann and Douglas Shannon (1985). The Two Step, New York: Grove Weidenfeld

Annette Simmons (1998). Territorial Games, NY: Amacom

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