Ep.4 -The Drama Triangle
The “Drama Triangle” is a model which shows how unconscious dysfunctional social interactions lead to power games and negative outcomes.
What role might you be playing in your life?
Victim, Rescuer , Persecutor?
How can you start operating from the “Empowerment Triangle” ?
Creator, Challenger, Coach
The picture to the right shows the "Drama Triangle" - a concept that psychologist Stephen Karpman introduced in 1968 which demonstrates how people take on dysfunctional roles to address conflict.
The behaviour stems from a need to be viewed as 'right' or 'approved' in our minds or others. The drama triangle creates a dynamic of fear and one that drains energy, creates co dependency and no responsibility for one's true or unconscious feelings.
There are three characters that make up the Drama triangle. The Victim, the Perpetrator and the Rescuer. Each player begins by assuming 1 of 3 roles.
The victim thinks they are at the mercy of life. They act with powerlessness and are unwilling to take responsibility for the circumstances they find themselves in. They rely on Rescuers to 'save' them and blame persecutors. A Victims words would be "save me"
Rescuers try to 'save' victims and feel guilty to let them drown. They have good intentions but fail to realise that trying to constantly 'save' victims they are keeping them co dependant and neglectful of their own needs. This also keeps rescuers dependant on help and unable to meet their own needs. A Rescuers words would be " Let me help you".
Perpetrators take the role of a critical parent who blames the victim and criticize the rescuer but without giving any guidance or helpful feedback. They like feeling in control and more superior. This keeps the Victim suppressed. A Perpetrators words are " Its all your fault".
These three players keep each other in a negative and fear based cycle that doesn't lead to any good things.
Just being conscious of these unconscious dynamics through recognising where we may play them out is powerful. We could play them out at work, with our familly, governments, countries or our own phyche.
When we turn the triangle around we get the "Empowerment triangle". Here the victim turns into the creator who owns their own power to choose and respond. Now they say " I can do it"
The Rescuer turns into the coach. They support others by asking questions like " how will you do it"
The Perpetrator turns into the challenger who provokes action, learning and growth. They say "you can do it"
