The main content of this topic: The theory of psychological games is the main idea of ​​the psychology of manipulation. Why at some point do you lose control over communication and come to an undesirable result of communication? How to resist manipulation and power games ?How to see and avoid pitfalls in communication?Have you ever experienced unpleasant feelings when interacting with another person and did you then say to yourself the following: “Why does this always happen to me?”; “How could this happen again?”; “I thought he/she was a completely different person, but...” Did you feel surprised at such an unfavorable outcome and did you realize that something similar had happened to you before? If your interaction with another person proceeded in a similar way, then you were playing games. Like football or chess, psychological games proceed in accordance with pre-established rules. Interaction between people, in which there is insincerity and manipulation, is called a psychological game (hereinafter simply called a game). Most games are fraught with conflict. They are destroyers of relationships and sources of unhappiness. Despite this, all people play games to a greater or lesser extent. American scientist, psychiatrist, founder of transactional analysis Eric Berne in his world-famous book “Games People Play” writes that everyone people, except those isolated from society, play psychological games. People isolated from society very often become addicted gamblers: they play computer games or gambling. Therefore, we can say that there is a game in the life of every person. In the book “Games that people play" Eric Berne describes about three dozen different games. While studying the most important human need - the need for stimuli (thirst for stimulus), scientists (Spitz and others) discovered a very significant law: the most significant, most effective forms of sensory stimulation are provided by social relationships (handling ) and physical intimacy. This is why Spitz speaks of “emotional deprivation” rather than “sensory deprivation.” Intuitively knowing that the most effective forms of sensory stimulation are provided by social relationships (handling) and physical proximity, a person sublimates the hunger for stimulation into a thirst for recognition. The unit of recognition is called psychological stroking. During the game, players exchange strong, often positive strokes. And this is the first reason that pushes people to play games. At the end of the game, players experience very strong feelings, thereby satisfying one of their strongest needs - the need for sensory and emotional stimulation. This is the second reason that motivates people to play games. The third reason is that when we play games, we follow outdated behavioral strategies. Games were the tool that we adopted in childhood to get what we needed from life. However, in adulthood we have other, more effective ways of behaving and achieving what we want. But until we realize this, we use that , what we can do - with our usual, often childish behavior strategies. I am currently making changes to this article. The continuation of the article will be published soon. Sincerely, Irina Letova. Information from a lawyer. Based on the Federal Law of the Russian Federation “On Copyright and Related Rights” (as amended by Federal Laws dated July 19, 1995 N 110-FZ, dated July 20, 2004 N 72-FZ), copying, saving on a hard drive or other method of saving works posted in this section, in archived form, is strictly prohibited. These texts are presented for informational purposes only. By copying and saving texts, you assume full responsibility in accordance with the current legislation of the Russian Federation. All copyrights to these texts are retained by the copyright holder. Any commercial or other use of texts without the consent of Irina Letova is prohibited. If you use ideas or materials from Irina Letova’s articles, you must indicate the source