Drama Triangle & Power From Dimensions of Ethical Decision Making Anna Witter-Merithew & Kellie Mills Stewart

Drama Triangle This term Drama Triangle relates to a psychological game that we may unconsciously play as a result of dysfunctional patterns we learned growing up as part of our families and society. This term Drama Triangle relates to a psychological game that we may unconsciously play as a result of dysfunctional patterns we learned growing up as part of our families and society. The Drama Triangle depicts the roles we can engage in when we are trapped in a cycle of unproductive relationships. The Drama Triangle depicts the roles we can engage in when we are trapped in a cycle of unproductive relationships.

Karpman’s Drama Triangle Persecutor Persecutor Rescuer Rescuer Victim Victim VICTIM Even though only one is called victim, all three originate out of and end up back at the position of victim PERSECUTORRESCUER

What is the Drama Triangle? Victim Victim Shirking Responsibility Shirking Responsibility Blaming Others Blaming Others Feeling “At the mercy of” or “done in by others” Feeling “At the mercy of” or “done in by others” Cycle of the Drama Triangle Cycle of the Drama Triangle Check out Lynne Forrest’s website: Check out Lynne Forrest’s website: html

“Playing the Drama Triangle Game” by Theresa Smith A small agency hired two interpreters for a staff meeting but at the last minute one interpreter cancelled. The Director asked the remaining interpreter if she could handle the meeting alone. The interpreter said she would try. After the two-hour meeting, which was intense, the interpreter was both exhausted and upset. She approached the Director and complained, telling him how exhausted she was. Complaining about the way the situation had been handled. She was angry and asked to be paid double. The director felt angry in return. He had other work to attend to and felt he had been straight with the interpreter from the beginning. A small agency hired two interpreters for a staff meeting but at the last minute one interpreter cancelled. The Director asked the remaining interpreter if she could handle the meeting alone. The interpreter said she would try. After the two-hour meeting, which was intense, the interpreter was both exhausted and upset. She approached the Director and complained, telling him how exhausted she was. Complaining about the way the situation had been handled. She was angry and asked to be paid double. The director felt angry in return. He had other work to attend to and felt he had been straight with the interpreter from the beginning.

An Analysis The Director had a real problem and needed help. Instead of negotiating from a position of awareness and self-respect, the interpreter went for a Rescue. The Director had a real problem and needed help. Instead of negotiating from a position of awareness and self-respect, the interpreter went for a Rescue. Being accommodating and thinking of others is commendable-to a point. Being accommodating and thinking of others is commendable-to a point. The interpreter didn’t talk about her own needs and limits and how they would be accommodated. The interpreter didn’t talk about her own needs and limits and how they would be accommodated. Her anger was predictable as anger is often the result of a Rescue. Her anger was predictable as anger is often the result of a Rescue. She then switched to Persecutor, blaming the director and “dumping” her feelings on him trying to make him responsible for her decision. She then switched to Persecutor, blaming the director and “dumping” her feelings on him trying to make him responsible for her decision.

Power Power is about interpersonal influence that stems from the amount of self- awareness you have about your strengths, abilities and worth. Power is about interpersonal influence that stems from the amount of self- awareness you have about your strengths, abilities and worth. There are different sources of power and influence, on the next slide are a few: There are different sources of power and influence, on the next slide are a few:

Personal power is the interpersonal influence that stems from the amount of self-awareness you have about your strengths, abilities and worth. Personal power is the interpersonal influence that stems from the amount of self-awareness you have about your strengths, abilities and worth. Legitimate power is based on the authority of a position one holds. The power is attached to the position or status the person holds. Legitimate power is based on the authority of a position one holds. The power is attached to the position or status the person holds. Reward power is the ability to compensate and give rewards for completed tasks or favors. Rewards might include money, public praise, promotion, acceptance and attention. (cont’d) Reward power is the ability to compensate and give rewards for completed tasks or favors. Rewards might include money, public praise, promotion, acceptance and attention. (cont’d)

Coercive power is the ability to punish. It is based on fear and the perception that individuals will or should be punished if they do not conform. Withholding valued resources or emotional support from others is one way this type of power can be exercised. Coercive power is the ability to punish. It is based on fear and the perception that individuals will or should be punished if they do not conform. Withholding valued resources or emotional support from others is one way this type of power can be exercised. Referent power is based on the attractiveness and appeal of individuals that causes them to be liked personally. People with referent power are respected for their competence and personal characteristics regardless of their formal authority. People respond to requests because they like this person. (cont’d) Referent power is based on the attractiveness and appeal of individuals that causes them to be liked personally. People with referent power are respected for their competence and personal characteristics regardless of their formal authority. People respond to requests because they like this person. (cont’d)

Expert power is the influence given to an individual who has superior knowledge, ability or skill. This base can be derived from special training, experience, scope of knowledge possessed, exceptional skill or competence. Expert power is the influence given to an individual who has superior knowledge, ability or skill. This base can be derived from special training, experience, scope of knowledge possessed, exceptional skill or competence. Information power is the influence people have when they hold information that others need or want. The information is of such a nature that it is valuable and desired. Information power is the influence people have when they hold information that others need or want. The information is of such a nature that it is valuable and desired.

Discussion Questions Consider examples of how those kinds of power are being used in society. Consider examples of how those kinds of power are being used in society. Think of how you have expressed or experienced examples of the types of power listed above. Think of how you have expressed or experienced examples of the types of power listed above.