All humans are naturally social creatures with essential needs that must be fulfilled. One of the most important human needs, on par with food, sleep, and security, is other people’s recognition. The hunger for it is stronger even than the actual hunger for food.

To get this recognition, people play social games and mask their true desires and attitudes. These acknowledgments can be expressed in a smile, a friendly handshake, or a compliment. However, don't think of these games as entertainment. They are dangerous manipulations that can easily deceive you. That is why it is vital to know the essence of these games to recognize the people who play them.

One of the most common reasons that motivate people to play social games is to protect the inner Child who is vulnerable to the environment. The second reason, as already mentioned, is recognition. We want to be noticed, known, and respected in society. As soon as we do not receive the desired recognition, we are immediately overwhelmed by feelings of depression, despair, and disappointment. But there is an interesting paradox: the more recognition we receive from society, the hungrier we become for it. Some people can get so addicted to these games that it can harm both others and the players themselves.

Recognition is a kind of "transaction”; the more we receive it, the bigger our "balance" becomes. We accept it alongside other transactions in the form of food, financial goods, water, and physical pleasure. However, this process, like money or other goods, can quickly be carried away. Transactional analysis studies the dynamics of this social interaction in society.