Which technique would a TA counselor and a strict behaviorist most likely agree on when formulating a plan?

• A. Transference
• B. Hypnosis
• C. Free association
• D. Contracting

Answer: (D)

Contracting centers on creating a concrete, mutually agreed plan with specific goals, responsibilities, and contingencies. This approach fits both Transactional Analysis and a strict behaviorist stance because it emphasizes observable, measurable changes and a clear pathway for progress. In TA, a contract helps structure adult-to-adult transactions and sets up explicit expectations, turning insights into practical action. In behaviorism, the plan aligns with reinforcement principles: clear targets, observable behavior to change, and defined rewards or consequences that guide learning and follow-through. By agreeing on what will be changed, how success will be measured, and what happens if goals aren’t met, the plan becomes a practical tool for behavior modification rather than a exploration of unconscious processes or inner dynamics.

Other techniques pull from different traditions. Transference deals with clients projecting feelings onto the therapist rather than a plan for change. Free association seeks to uncover unconscious material, not a structured behavioral plan. Hypnosis involves an altered state and suggestion, which isn’t the typical content of a contracted, behavior-focused plan.