The Drama Triangle
Want some drama out of your life? Consider Karpman’s Drama Triangle.
Though we all need help some times in our life, careful when you Rescue a consistent Victim when they advertise for help. They may Persecute you for it.
Supposedly, the victim mentality keeps people playing the role because they (1) revel in the attention and nurturing and (2) manipulate from this "powerless" position.
For example, a Victim may feel more comfortable constantly being broke because they (1) get sympathy from others for their position, (2) can get others to pay for them, (3) gain power over the person that lends them money for now the lender has to look to the borrower for its return.
Victimization is most likely learned, and can be un-learned, as is put forth in the Learned Helplessness Theory by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman.
Rescuing a Victim enables this helpless behavior.
So, be careful around Victims. Remove drama by removing them.
June 21st, 2005 at 1:00 pm
wow! careful with “blaming the victim!” there is just too much bad that has come out of that. and there are people with very little power in this world - and often people, even with power, feel geninely “powerless” - this is not manipulative, it is a true and horrible feeling, this is why people need allies! the word “manipulation” is presently a very overused and loaded word - i wish people would think about it a little more before they say it!