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The “Perpetual Conflict” Model: Karpman’s Drama Triangle in Joel Johnson’s Behavior
A Forensic Analysis of Manufactured Conflict as a Narcissistic Control Mechanism
Prepared for Scholarly Reference on Digital Narcissism & Online Manipulation
Author: Mark Randall Havens
Platform: Neutralizing Narcissism
1. Introduction: The Engine of Narcissistic Conflict
Manipulative individuals do not merely engage in conflict—they depend on it.
For narcissistic manipulators like Joel Johnson, conflict is not an accident or an inconvenience—it is a necessary mechanism for control.
Joel’s behavioral patterns map directly onto Karpman’s Drama Triangle—a psychological model that outlines how individuals cycle through three roles in manufactured conflict:
- Victim – Helpless, persecuted, seeking validation.
- Persecutor – Aggressor, justifying attacks.
- Rescuer – The “hero” who protects others from an imaginary threat.
By cycling through these roles, Joel maintains an artificial sense of importance, avoids accountability, and keeps his social ecosystem under his control.
This report applies Karpman’s Drama Triangle to Joel’s discourse dataset, analyzing how he weaponizes these roles in real time.
2. Karpman’s Drama Triangle: The Framework of Manufactured Conflict
2.1 What is the Drama Triangle?
The Drama Triangle is a psychological model developed by Stephen Karpman in 1968, originally to describe patterns of toxic interpersonal relationships. It has since been applied to manipulative social dynamics, political rhetoric, and online discourse.
In pathological narcissists, the Drama Triangle isn’t just an occasional behavior—it is a survival mechanism. The narcissist cycles between three roles to:
- Control perceptions
- Evade accountability
- Keep people emotionally invested
2.2 Joel Johnson’s Use of the Drama Triangle
Joel’s public discourse and documented online interactions reveal a highly structured and deliberate cycling between these three roles.
| Drama Triangle Role | Joel Johnson’s Application | Tactical Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Victim | "They’re all ganging up on me!" | Gains sympathy, deflects scrutiny. |
| Persecutor | "These people are liars and frauds!" | Justifies aggression, silences dissent. |
| Rescuer | "I’m here to expose corruption and help others see the truth." | Builds a loyal following, positions himself as a hero. |
By oscillating between these roles, Joel creates an endless loop of artificial conflict, ensuring he is always the center of attention—never accountable, never irrelevant.
3. Victimhood as a Manipulation Tool
“I am the real victim here.”
3.1 How Joel Uses Victimhood to Evade Accountability
A narcissistic manipulator relies on victimhood as a shield—not because they are truly oppressed, but because victimhood disarms criticism and invites blind loyalty.
Joel repeatedly frames himself as a target of conspiracies, smear campaigns, and personal vendettas.
| Joel’s Victimhood Narrative | Real-World Purpose |
|---|---|
| “This is a witch hunt.” | Attempts to frame accountability as persecution. |
| “They’ve been after me for years.” | Rewrites history to create a long-standing injustice. |
| “People are obsessed with me.” | Attempts to delegitimize valid criticism. |
| “I’m just one guy being attacked by a mob.” | Appeals to bystanders for sympathy. |
Linguistic Markers of False Victimhood in Joel’s Speech:
- Hyperbolic Language (“constant attacks,” “relentless harassment”)
- Overuse of Absolutes (“always,” “never,” “everyone,” “nobody”)
- Reversal of Aggression (“I only responded because I was provoked.”)
4. The Persecutor Role: Justifying His Own Attacks
“I’m not attacking—I’m exposing the truth.”
4.1 How Joel Uses the Persecutor Role to Maintain Dominance
Once Joel has established himself as a victim, he shifts into attack mode, justifying aggressive, manipulative, and even unethical behavior under the guise of self-defense.
| Persecutor Behavior | Joel’s Rhetorical Strategy |
|---|---|
| Character Assassination | “These people are frauds.” |
| Moral Justification | “I’m just calling out deception.” |
| Intellectual Superiority | “They’re too stupid to understand my position.” |
| Demonization of Opponents | “These are bad people who need to be stopped.” |
Key Traits of Joel’s Persecutor Role:
- Moral Grandstanding – Presents himself as ethically superior.
- Projection – Accuses others of his own behavior.
- Public Callouts – Uses smear tactics to silence opposition.
Case Example: The Attack Cycle
- Joel presents himself as a victim. (“They’ve been trying to take me down for years.”)
- Joel then attacks his “oppressors.” (“They are dangerous frauds who should be exposed.”)
- When confronted, Joel returns to victim mode. (“Now they’re attacking me even more!”)
This cycle repeats indefinitely, creating endless conflict where Joel is always either the victim or the righteous warrior—but never the aggressor.
5. The Rescuer Role: Manufacturing a Hero Narrative
“I’m just here to help people see the truth.”
5.1 How Joel Uses the Rescuer Role to Build a Cult of Loyalty
Once Joel has justified his aggression, he reframes himself as a Rescuer—a figure who is fighting for the greater good.
This allows him to:
- Recruit allies who believe in his “cause.”
- Deflect accountability by framing criticism as an attack on his “mission.”
- Create dependency among supporters who feel indebted to him.
| Rescuer Strategy | Joel’s Application |
|---|---|
| “I’m exposing corruption.” | Frames personal vendettas as noble pursuits. |
| “I’m standing up for the weak.” | Gains loyalty by presenting himself as a savior. |
| “If you don’t support me, you’re with them.” | Forces polarization, eliminates neutrality. |
Psychological Effect:
- Encourages blind loyalty (followers see him as a selfless hero).
- Shields himself from criticism (any attack on him becomes an attack on his cause).
- Creates an “Us vs. Them” mentality (polarizes his audience).
Case Example: The “Hero Trap”
- Joel positions himself as a defender of truth.
- People who question him are labeled as “traitors” or “corrupt.”
- Followers become emotionally invested, unable to question him without cognitive dissonance.
6. Conclusion: The Perpetual Conflict Machine
Joel Johnson does not resolve conflicts—he perpetuates them.
By constantly shifting roles within the Drama Triangle, he ensures that:
- He is always relevant.
- He is never fully accountable.
- He controls the social dynamics of every interaction.
Key Takeaways:
- Victim Mode = Gains sympathy, avoids scrutiny.
- Persecutor Mode = Justifies aggression, silences dissent.
- Rescuer Mode = Builds loyalty, creates ideological dependency.
This endless cycle of artificial conflict is the engine that fuels his narcissistic pathology.
7. Future Research Recommendations
- The Role of the Drama Triangle in Digital Harassment Cases
- Narcissistic Leadership & the Creation of False Conflict
- Online Cult Dynamics & the Weaponization of Victimhood
This report serves as an archival reference for understanding the psychological mechanisms of manufactured conflict in online narcissism.