
Thus, the Karpman Drama Triangle was devised, modelling the social interactions that could happen in excessive conflicts between individuals. In the TED work, we call the interplay of these three roles the Dreaded Drama Triangle (DDT) because these roles can become very toxic, like poison. It is not unconditional.Īs Claude Steiner, a Transactional Analyst, said about the triangle: “…the Victim is not really as helpless as he feels, the Rescuer is not really helping, and the Persecutor does not really have a valid complaint.” Any of these roles have the ability to generate shame and perpetuate a life of unhealthiness and dysfunction, within oneself and in relationships.Īnytime one finds themselves on this triangle, it is important to step back and ask yourself: 1) What is my motive for behaviour? 2) How am I feeling? and 3) What is the real issue here? Continuing to explore your mental health and look at biological-psychological- social-spiritual recovery assist in moving one off this triangle and into relationships that are honest, upfront, and not motivated by ego. What is the Karpman Drama Triangle Dr Stephen Karpman’s 1968 idea, was that conflict needs players and players need roles. Stephen Karpman developed the Karpman Drama Triangle, with its three roles of Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor. The rescuer comes in to seemingly help the victim, but really the desire to help is often motivated by ego and there is a dishonest or mixed motive behind the offer of help. The persecutor pressures, coerces, or threatens the victim in some way. The victim is the individual who feels attacked or persecuted by others. The drama triangle (first described by Stephen Karpman in 1961) is used in psychology to describe the insidious way in which we present ourselves as 'victims,' 'persecutors' and 'rescuers.'. Proponents of TA refer to the triangle as a ‘mind game’ that people play when interacting with others. From there, they may switch to different roles in the triangle as the interaction continues.


Once an individual takes on one of the roles in the triangle, the other person usually follows suit by taking on another role in the triangle. The idea behind the drama triangle is to describe the roles that individuals may take in a situation. The Karpman Drama Triangle is a psychological concept that comes out of Transactional Analysis (TA) theory. The Karpman Drama Triangle describes dysfunctional relationships where the people shift between three roles, that is, the Victim, the Persecutor, and the. Corporate Wellness And Education Sessions.Intensive Outpatient Program Continuing Care (IOPCC).Couple & Family Counselling/Psychotherapy.Youth and Family Mental Health Services.Medical Detoxification/Withdrawal Management.
