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Section 2: Research

From Autonomy to Contact

Pages 52-57
Published online: 28 Dec 2017
 
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Autonomy is one of the key concepts in transactional analysis. A six-year research project in the Netherlands offers new indications of what this concept really means. Factor analysis was used to look for confirmation of Berne's hypothesis—that autonomy is manifested in the person's capacity for awareness, spontaneity, and intimacy—as well as the suggestion by other authors who added a fourth capacity: responsibility. The results show a different and interesting outcome. The data provides a powerful indication that autonomy is nothing more (or less) than good contact.

Additional information

Author information

Bastianne Krijgsman

Servaas van Beekum, drs. (1946), TSTA, is a socioanalyst, international trainer, supervisor, and consultant to organizations. He is founder and former director of IAS International (Institute for the Application of Social Sciences) based in the Netherlands. He is the past president of both EATA and the ITAA and currently president of the European Association for Supervision (EAS). His interest in research comes from his study as a methodological sociologist. He currently works as a consultant and supervisor in Australia and Europe and can be contacted by email at the following: . Requests for reprints can be directed to the same address.
Bastianne Krijgsman, drs. (1974), is a starting professional in the field of supervision and training. After her study in organizational and clinical psychology at the University of Utrecht (NL), she has recently started to cooperate in a research project about “Intervision in the Netherlands” for the University of Wisconsin, Madison, U.S.A. She can be contacted by email at the following address: .