Berne proposed three ego states (P-A-C). Which two functions belong to the Parent ego state?

• A. Nurturing Parent and the Critical Parent
• B. The Adult processes facts
• C. The Natural Child and Adapted Child
• D. The Little Professor and The Natural Child

Answer: (A)

Berne’s model divides the personality into three ego states: Parent, Adult, and Child. The Parent state carries attitudes and rules absorbed from parental figures and authority, and it has two modes: a Nurturing Parent (supportive, caring) and a Critical Parent (disciplined, evaluative). These two modes together define the Parent ego state. The Adult processes facts and makes rational judgments, while the Child contains the Natural Child and Adapted Child, and the Little Professor is associated with the Adult’s internal teaching voice, not the Parent. Therefore, the two functions that belong to the Parent ego state are Nurturing Parent and Critical Parent.