Tag Archives: societal

Vicious Cycle Roles on the Societal and Political Level

drama-triangle

Vicious cycle patterns play out not only in personal relationships, but also on the societal and political level. Below is a table identifying key characteristics of the Drama Triangle, a common vicious cycle. This pattern was first described by Steven Karpman and cited in the book, Games Alcoholics Play, by Claude Steiner. In this pattern, the participants assume three interacting roles that produce an impasse. (While common for participants to alternate between roles, they usually gravitate toward roles suiting their values and personality styles.) In applying this model to our Congress, we can better appreciate the dynamic process behind the polarization and gridlock.

DESCRIPTIVE LABELS Persecutor
Critic
Enforcer
Victim
Rebel
Free Spirit
Rescuer
Enabler
Caretaker


POLITICAL
COUNTERRPART
Law & Order
Conservative
LibertarianBleeding Heart
Liberal
PREVAILING
VALUES
Order, Security, ConformityFreedom, IndividualityThe Common Good, Compassion
FUNCTIONS
OF THE
ROLE
Maintaining the status quo, preserving order and security, reducing the sense of threatEnjoying life,
maximizing pleasure,
minimizing distress,
expressing oneself fully
Achieving a sense of worth through helping others who cannot help themselves
BASIC
IMPLICIT
ASSUMPTION
Rebels threaten the basic values of our society, and they must be dealt with through force and coercion.Enforcers are the enemy bent on oppression, and I am not strong or skillful enough to deal with them effectively.Victims are too weak or helpless to take care of their own problems and conflicts, and they need my help.
TYPICAL
ACTIVITIES
Blaming, judging, criticizing and punishing Rebels for crimes, mistakes, shortcomings, wrongdoingComplaining of harrassment and unfair treatment, avoiding the Enforcers, seeking immediate relief and rescue by Enablers, escaping and unmbing by getting highCriticizing Enforcers for insensitivity and harshness toward Victims, providing relief for Victims and addvocating for them, helping them escape the natural consequences of their actions