The Drama Triangle is a psychological and social model of human interaction devised by Stephen Karpman in 1968. It describes three roles that people often adopt in conflict and dysfunctional social interactions: the Persecutor, the Victim, and the Rescuer. These roles are fluid, and individuals can shift between them during interactions. Here’s a detailed explanation of each role and the dynamics of the triangle:
Roles in the Drama Triangle
Persecutor
Characteristics: The Persecutor adopts a stance of blame, criticism, and aggression. They assert dominance and control, often by putting others down.
Behaviour: They might use language and actions that are punitive and controlling. Common phrases include "It's your fault," or "You never do anything right."
Impact: This behaviour can instil fear, guilt, and defensiveness in others, reinforcing the cycle of conflict.
Victim
Characteristics: The Victim sees themselves as powerless, oppressed, and helpless. They often feel persecuted and seek sympathy and attention.
Behaviour: They might express their feelings of helplessness and inadequacy, saying things like "Poor me," or "I can't do anything about it."
Impact: This reinforces their sense of powerlessness and dependence, often inviting rescuing behaviour from others or provoking persecution.
Rescuer
Characteristics: The Rescuer takes on a caretaker role, often feeling a compulsion to help others and solve their problems.
Behaviour: They might take over tasks for the Victim or offer unsolicited advice and support, saying things like "Let me help you," or "You need me."
Impact: This can create dependency, and the Rescuer might feel unappreciated or overwhelmed, potentially switching to a Victim or Persecutor role.
Dynamics of the Triangle
The Drama Triangle operates through a cycle of dysfunctional interactions where individuals switch between roles, perpetuating conflict and preventing resolution. For example, a Rescuer might become frustrated and switch to the Persecutor role when their help is not appreciated, while the Victim might switch to Rescuer when they find someone more helpless than themselves.
Breaking the Cycle
To break free from the Drama Triangle, individuals can adopt healthier roles:
Challenger (instead of Persecutor): Assertive but respectful, encouraging others to take responsibility.
Creator (instead of Victim): Empowered, proactive, and solution-focused, taking charge of their own life.
Coach (instead of Rescuer): Supportive and guiding, helping others to develop their own problem-solving skills without taking over.
References
These resources provide both foundational knowledge and practical guidance for understanding and addressing the dynamics of the Drama Triangle in various contexts:
Karpman, S. (1968). "Fairy Tales and Script Drama Analysis". Transactional Analysis Bulletin. This paper originally introduced the Drama Triangle model.
Karpman, S. (2014). A Game Free Life. This book provides an in-depth exploration of the Drama Triangle and methods for escaping it.
Choy, E. L. (1990). The Winner's Triangle. This article in the Transactional Analysis Journal suggests alternatives to the Drama Triangle roles, proposing the Challenger, Creator, and Coach roles.
Karpman Drama Triangle | TA Training Organisation. (n.d.). Retrieved from Transactional Analysis Training.
@Ease Creative Integrative Therapies with Val Phillips 2024
Comments