The Karpman Drama Triangle Explained: A Guide for Coaches, Managers, Trainers, Therapists – and Everybody Else

by Chris West

The Karpman Drama Triangle is a psychological model used around the world in coaching, management, training and therapy. This book explains it in a comprehensive but concise, jargon–free way, for professionals in these fields, for students, and for inquisitive non–specialists.

The book looks at the three Triangle roles, of Victim, Persecutor and Rescuer – how they are learnt and how we (all, to some degree) act them out. It looks at how some people create Drama by playing 'games', manipulating others by sudden 'switches' of role. It looks at the kind of environment that foster such behaviour.

The book explains what we can do if we find ourselves caught up in Drama. How can we get out? How can we make sure it doesn't happen again? The author has developed practical tools for self–protection and self–development.

This is a handbook for anyone who want to lead a better, happier life and to help others do the same.

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction

173 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

I grew up in a country village north of London. As a boy I filled endless notebooks with stories - not all of them finished! As a young man I played in various (unsuccessful) bands, then worked in the City of London. I studied philosophy and economics as a 'mature' student (though I wasn't very mature). After leaving uni I went backpacking in China, and wrote a book about that adventure which came out in 1991. Since then, writing has (along with family) been at the heart of my life, though I've had other jobs, too, largely in Marketing and PR, working with small businesses. In 2008, I found an old stamp album in the attic of my parents' old house, and became fascinated by the contents and the way they seemed to mirror history. Each stamp was a tiny, rectangular time machine! In the end, I had to write a book along these lines: A History of Britain in 36 Postage Stamps was the result. I have now done the same for the USA - a fascinating journey into American history (and a great pleasure to collect the nation's stamps). I live in North Hertfordshire with my wife and daughter.

a.k.a Christopher West|6453491].

Reviews

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

good analytical tool

[Nerea Baena · Rating 5 out of 5]

El triángulo de Karpman me pareció un libro muy ameno de leer, incluso si no tienes formación en psicología. Lo que más me gustó es que te hace mirarte de frente y ser honesta contigo misma, reconociendo los roles que adoptas en tus relaciones aunque a veces no quieras admitirlo. Me llevó a reflexionar sobre el origen de ciertas actitudes y necesidades personales, y a entender por qué reacciono de determinadas maneras. Al final, lo que me dejó fue una sensación de mucha honestidad conmigo misma, como si el libro me hubiera puesto un espejo delante de forma clara pero también muy accesible.

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro que habría que leerse cada poco tiempo e incluso llevar como una guía todos los días. Lo que más me ha gustado ha sido que hubiera un inicio de teoría e información objetiva con ejemplos muy claros y que al final hablara de prácticas para salir de ese triángulo y de la psicología positiva.

[Alicia Martínez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aprendes a gestionar la inmadurez dentro de tus círculos personales y frente al mundo.

[Edna Wilkerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Serenity

A playbook to guide people thru the minefield of interpersonal relationships and the Drama as practised in the triangle of rescuers, persecutors and victims. Clarification of life's potential and the need for Positive psychology is presented.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical Step by Step Theory and How Tips

I needed this book so much, it thought me what courses on the same topic couldn’t do, it gave me practical steps on how to move forward, and helped open up my mind which roles I play every day.

[Valerie McGurk · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read with clear explanations and exercises to try. Lots to think about.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

good intro to the concept - quite illuminating to understand some of the power-dynamics behind dysfunctional / repetitive conflicts

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars; 4 stars for the message, 3 for the form; West does not present any original insights, just provides an explainer, which in itself makes this a worthwhile read; the author does not mention the counterpart positive version of the Dreaded Drama Triangle; the Winner's triangle by Choy; an omission worth mentioning; on the subject also check out: The Power of TED.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful summary of Karpman’s theory and an excellent introduction for beginners. I first heard about Karpman a few years ago and there is now never a wee goes by that I don’t find myself referencing The Drama Triangle as clients relate their stories of other people’s performance and behaviour. I consider this essential reading if you lead or manage people.

[Weronika Niemczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clearly explained with simple examples highly recommended

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ DEC 2023

This is a readable overview of the Karpman Drama Triangle. The examples help make realistic the theory behind this model.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every fucking one should read this and be aware of it.
It should be teached at school.

This book changed my life.