Andrew Hillman Dallas, Andrew Hillman Texas, Andrew Hillman

On the dreaded drama triangle.

The Drama Triangle Explained
The Drama Triangle was first described by Stephen Karpman in the 1960s. It is a model of dysfunctional social interactions and illustrates a power game that involves three roles: Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor, each role represents a common and ineffective response to conflict.

The journey around the triangle can be done with self or another, such as a spouse, child, co-worker, and so on. Most of us are neurologically programmed to play these three roles, and we consciously or unconsciously choose one role given the particular context.

• Victim — “Poor me.”

Victims often feel victimized, trapped, helpless and hopeless. They think they are at the mercy of life. They are unwilling to take responsibility for their undesirable circumstances and don’t think they have the power to change their lives.

Victims assume themselves as powerless or incompetent and blame Persecutors (can be other people or a particular situation). They always seek for Rescuers to solve their problems for them. If the Victims continue to stay in the ‘dejected’ stance, it will prevent them from making decisions, solving problems, changing the current state, or sensing any satisfaction or achievement.

• Rescuer — “Let me help you.”

Rescuers constantly intervene on behalf of the Victims and try to save Victims from perceived harm. They feel guilty about standing by and ‘watching people drown’.

Rescuers may have all the good intentions and strive to ‘help’ other people as they see necessary. They fail to realize that by offering short-term fixes to Victims, they keep Victims dependent and neglect their own needs. This is why Rescuers often find themselves pressured, tired, and may not have time to finish their own tasks, as they are busy fire-fighting for the Victims as they arise!

• Persecutor — “It’s all your fault.”

Persecutors are like ‘Critical Parents’ who are strict and firm and set boundaries. They tend to think that they must win at any cost.

Persecutors blame the Victims and criticize the behavior of Rescuers, without providing appropriate guidance, assistance, or a solution to the problem. They are critical and good at finding fault, and control with order and rigidity. They keep the Victims oppressed and sometimes can be a bully.