http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/selfdefense.html

In his paper Self-Defense: Balance Theory, Dissonance Theory, and Transactional Analysis, Dr. C. George Boeree (professor in the psychology dept at Shippensburg U.) takes the concept of structural balance theory that we discussed in class, and places it in its larger social psychological context.  Boeree argues that Heider’s Structural Balance Theory, Festinger’s Dissonance Theory, and Eric Berne’s Transactional Analysis theory are all mechanisms of self-defense, employed by people to achieve a more balanced internal state.

In class we learned about Structural Balance Theory and applied it to social networks as well as to graph theory. We learned that in order for a labeled, complete graph to be balanced, either all nodes must be linked positively (all individuals are on friendly terms) or the network must be divisible into two factions with all nodes in faction one linked positively and all cross links between the two factions negative. In general, we noted that the product of all signs must be positive (ie- 3+ or 2- and 1+, etc.)

 Boeree’s article looks at the different “self-defensive” tactics people employ in unbalanced situations. He first touches on Structural Balance Theory,  looking at what occurs psychologically  in order for balance to be achieved in social networks. Heider noted that unbalanced situations cause stress to the individuals involved, and this stress promotes change- perhaps by convincing ourselves that we like something/someone more than we actually do. Boeree then cites Festinger’s dissonance theory, which states that when our actions contradict our self-concept, it produces an alarming state of dissonance (unbalance- emotions such as guilt), which in turn produces an action (such as inadequate justification to explain our actions). Finally,  Boeree notes Eric Berne’s theory of Transactional Analysis. This theory illustrates the ego as having 3 components (parent, adult, child). By placing 2 egos side by side, a social network is produced that can illustrate different “transactions” between individuals. Boeree notes that individuals engage in game-like transactions as means of self-defense. He gives several examples of this in his paper, and goes on to argue that dissonance in social settings (not just individual dissonance) can be remedied by these transactional mechanisms of defense.