Strokes are a way to measure attention and recognition between people, as defined by Eric Berne. Strokes can be positive or negative, verbal or nonverbal, and range from a casual nod to an intimate relationship. Individuals need strokes for physical, mental, and emotional development and survival; deprivation of strokes can lead to retardation, anxiety, depression, and even death. Both giving and receiving strokes have advantages like being free, motivating, improving personality, and increasing emotional well-being.

1. POSITIVE STROKES
•Stroke was defined by Eric Berne
•The concept of strokes is a way to measure the
attention one person gives to another.
•Whenever we make eye contact with someone, we
acknowledge them and we give them one unit of
recognition, or a stroke

2. TyPES Of STROKES
POSITIVE
UNCONDITIONALCONDITIONAL
NEGATIVE VERBAL
NON
VERBAL
STROKES

3. ExamplEs

4. What’s thE NEEd for strokE?
•In order for babies to survive and grow, physically, mentally and
emotionally, they need to be touched, fondled and shown recognition. This
physical handling stimulates the release of growth hormones from the
pituitary gland.
•Individuals deprived of such recognition and touch have been seen to be
physically, mentally and emotionally retarded, at times so severely that
death results.
•Inadequate recognition of the existence of the self often leads to mental
anxiety, depression and illness.
•The fact is all of us need to be seen and recognized by others.
•To be starved of human contact and recognition is as bad as being starved
of recognition.

5. Range of StRokeS
•Strokes range from a casual nod to an intimate relationship.
•Some forms of recognition have a negative impact on the recipients and
result in mild discomfort or even intense bad feelings.
•Other forms of recognition can have an effect on the recipient that can be
described as ranging from no effect or neutral effect to intense pleasure.
•Recognition at times is given spontaneously with no conditions or strings
attached to it. This is “unconditional recognition”. For example, a mother
showers her affection on her baby just for no reason; it is done absolutely
unconditionally.
•Other form of recognition is “conditional”. It is given subject to the fulfillment
of some condition; for example, on accomplishment (or non-
accomplishment) of some expected work or task. So, normally, conditional
strokes are task related.

6. advantageS in giving and Receiving the StRokeS
•They are free of cost.
•They are the simplest yet, the biggest investments in emotional and
psychological life of people.
•They are great motivators.
•They improve one's overall personality.
•They increase the emotional bank balances of each other