Which behavior is a waste of time according to transactional analysis?

In transactional analysis, the concept of "ulterior transactions" is understood as interactions where the communicator's true intentions or motives are hidden, often leading to manipulative or deceptive behavior. This type of behavior often wastes time because it creates confusion, miscommunication, and distrust between individuals. For example, a person might appear to be engaging in a straightforward conversation while actually intending to manipulate the other party for their own gain. This undermines the effectiveness of communication and can derail productive discussions, ultimately making it a less efficient and more time-consuming process.

In contrast, complementary, crossed, and direct transactions typically support clearer communication and can facilitate productive interaction, as they tend to align more closely with the assumptions behind straightforward interpersonal exchanges.