Drama Triangle

(Steven Karpman)

Have you recognized when you are using drama to distract yourself? Where do you normally reside and when do you slide to one of the two other corners of the triangle? The description below is a brief synopsis of the triangle and it meaning.

Rescuer

“I get to feel safe by enabling other people and their needs.” You often are more than willing to more than your fair share of the work to help someone. Often agreeing to things outside of the norm because of weak boundaries. most of the time will feel they are the victim, but sometimes others on the outside see them as the persecutor.

Persecutor

“I get to feel safe by hurting and putting down other people.” Often the persecutor is often unaware of the power that their words and actions have. That power is negative an usually destructive to others. Sometimes believes they are the victim, when they are not.

Victim

“I get to feel safe by being submissive to others.” A victim often pleas for help as a cover when they do not actually need assistance. In many instances, they refuse to take responsibility for their actions and looks for a rescuer to take care of them.

Steven Karpman

The “drama triangle” has been around since 1968 and was developed by Steven Karpman. It was used to understand the movement and interplay between two people as they change behavioral styles.