Which statement about the Parent ego state is true?

• A. It comprises only parental messages from childhood.
• B. It is irrational and childlike.
• C. It represents learned rules and attitudes from observers.
• D. It is the primary source of logical decision-making.

Answer: (C)

In Transactional Analysis, the Parent ego state contains the rules, norms, and attitudes we internalize from others who act as parental or authority figures—like caregivers, teachers, and other observers. This includes the shoulds and oughts we’ve learned and the voices that guide our judgments and reactions, whether nurturing or critical. The statement that the Parent ego state represents learned rules and attitudes from observers is the best fit because it captures how these messages are acquired from others and stored as internal guidance. It isn’t just childhood parental messages, and it isn’t the source of logical decision-making (that’s the Adult ego state). It also isn’t inherently irrational or purely childlike—that description aligns more with the Child ego state.