Abstract
Many transactional analysts assume that psychological-level (ulterior) transactions are transmitted by nonverbal communication. Using communication theory (Buda, 1988), six alternative mechanisms transmitted by verbal messages and actions are described. By recognizing these mechanisms, it is possible to bring ulterior transactions into full awareness and to prevent games. Strategies for dealing with ulterior transactions are suggested based on bringing covert messages into full awareness and transforming competitive transactions into cooperative transactions (i.e., two parallel monologues into a real dialogue).