Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships is a groundbreaking book by psychiatrist Eric Berne. It introduces the concept of transactional analysis, a theory of human behavior and communication, and describes various 'games' people play in their social interactions. The book offers insights into unconscious patterns that hinder genuine intimacy and provides a framework for understanding and improving relationships.
That's why one of my great elder mentors, the late Eric Burn, MD, used to say that most people don't experience 15 minutes of genuine intimacy in their entire lives because they stay locked in that victim persecutor dynamic
""The speaker referred to 'Eric Burn, MD' as a mentor who discussed the lack of genuine intimacy due to 'victim persecutor dynamic.' Eric Berne is the author of 'Games People Play,' a foundational text in transactional analysis that directly addresses these interpersonal dynamics and the 'games' people play that prevent true connection, making it the most relevant book."