Karpman drama triangle

noun

A social model of a particular kind of conflict in human interactions, involving three people: a victim, a persecutor (who blames the victim), and a rescuer (who attempts to aid the victim).

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Meanings

nounKarpman drama triangle (plural Karpman drama triangles)

plural Karpman drama triangles · alternative Karpman's triangle · alternative Karpman triangle · alternative Karpman's drama triangle

  1. human sciencesA social model of a particular kind of conflict in human interactions, involving three people: a victim, a persecutor (who blames the victim), and a rescuer (who attempts to aid the victim).

Origin

First described in 1968 by Stephen Karpman.

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Cite this entry
APA

Karpman drama triangle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Karpman%20drama%20triangle

MLA

“Karpman drama triangle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Karpman%20drama%20triangle. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Karpman drama triangle,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Karpman%20drama%20triangle.

Source: Karpman drama triangle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.