The Drama Triangle

[Wade Hudson]

In response to a question posted by Yahya (the phrase "control drama
triangle" may have been misspoken):

The Drama Triangle

A is the Persecutor who attacks B in some way. A sees B as being
wrong, wicked or simply someone who will not fight back and hence can
be used as a whipping-boy. This is typically a Parent role and the
action may actually be a displacement of other inner problems.

B is the Victim who is attacked by A. They play the Child and seek to
be rescued from A. When they anticipate rescue they feel good about
the impending comfort of being rescued. They can also later play.
'Poor me'.

C is the Rescuer who rescues B from A. They take the moral high
ground, arriving as a white knight to do good. In doing so, they can
enjoy the gratitude of B, and gain social capital from this. They can
also play 'Clever me'.
Discussion

The Drama Triangle (also called the Rescue Triangle) is a common
pattern of behavior that appears time and again, such as one parent
scolding a child and the other parent telling their spouse to calm
down. The dynamics of this game can rapidly change. For example, the
Rescuer, in attacking A become a Persecutor and A becomes Victim. This
frees B up to either join in as a co-Persecutor or attempt to Rescue
A.

A and C are both demonstrating power, and any bystanders may be
deliberate targets of this message.

This pattern can continue with the same people, perhaps with a 'Stop
me if you can' game going on between A and C.

So What?

First, be aware. Know when this is happening. Do not let yourself be a
victim unless you are trying to achieve something specific. Beware of
playing the rescuer--you may just get hurt for your troubles. You can
deliberately be a rescuer in order to create obligation in the victim
or demonstrate your power to a persecutor (or even a bystander).
Good-guy, bad-guy

A common persuasion technique beloved of the police (at least on TV
and in movies) is where one cop gets rough with a suspect, then
another cop holds him back and then gently sympathizes with their
prisoner. The suspect, of course then confides in the good guy. This
is a classic variation of the rescue triangle.
See also

http://www.mental-health-today.com/articles/drama.htm

From http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/games/drama_triangle.htm