Publication

Karpman Drama Triangle

1970, Conference

The Karpman Drama Triangle (developed by Stephen Karpman in the late 1960s) describes a dysfunctional relational pattern in which individuals unconsciously adopt one of three roles: Victim, Persecutor, or Rescuer. These roles reinforce cycles of blame, powerlessness and conflict in personal and organizational settings. The model highlights how reactive behavioral strategies—often rooted in early survival patterns—sustain drama dynamics. Transformative approaches such as The Empowerment Dynamic (TED) propose shifting from these roles toward more empowered positions (Creator, Challenger, Coach), fostering responsibility, resilience and healthier relationships.