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The “Perpetual Conflict” Model: Karpman’s Drama Triangle in Joel Johnson’s Behavior
A Forensic Analysis of 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 Role of Conflict in Joel Johnson’s Engagement Style
For individuals like Joel Johnson, conflict is more than a byproduct of discourse—it is an intrinsic feature of his engagement model. His rhetorical strategy does not seek resolution but reinforcement—ensuring continuous cycles of intellectual and social combat that preserve his perceived authority.
This report applies Karpman’s Drama Triangle, a psychological model that explains how individuals unconsciously cycle through three distinct roles in ongoing conflicts:
- Victim – Portrays himself as under attack, persecuted, or marginalized.
- Persecutor – Positions others as aggressors, frauds, or intellectual inferiors.
- Rescuer – Casts himself as a defender of truth and rationality.
Through forensic linguistic analysis, we examine Joel Johnson’s discourse patterns to document how he strategically shifts between these roles to maintain control, suppress opposition, and justify his rhetoric.
2. Karpman’s Drama Triangle in Joel Johnson’s Behavior
2.1 What is the Drama Triangle?
The Drama Triangle, developed by Stephen Karpman in 1968, explains the recurring cycle of conflict-driven engagement found in manipulative interpersonal and social dynamics.
For narcissistic personalities, the Drama Triangle is more than a reactive behavior—it is an active strategy for influence and control. This model is particularly relevant in digital spaces, where narcissistic individuals can:
- Control the narrative by shaping conflicts to their advantage.
- Evade responsibility by constantly shifting roles.
- Cultivate loyalty by positioning themselves as essential figures in an ideological struggle.
2.2 Joel Johnson’s Application of the Drama Triangle
Analysis of Joel’s discourse reveals a patterned cycling between these roles.
| Drama Triangle Role | Joel Johnson’s Application | Strategic Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Victim | "This is harassment; people are out to ruin me!" | Gains sympathy, discredits critics. |
| Persecutor | "These people are intellectually dishonest frauds!" | Justifies attacking others while maintaining superiority. |
| Rescuer | "I’m exposing bad actors for the greater good." | Positions himself as a necessary authority figure. |
This cycling creates a self-sustaining feedback loop where Joel is always relevant, either as a martyr, an enforcer, or a hero.
3. Victimhood as a Tactical Defense Mechanism
“They’re obsessed with me—I must be saying something right.”
3.1 How Joel Uses Victimhood to Evade Scrutiny
Joel’s first line of defense when confronted is to position himself as a victim of undue hostility. His rhetoric consistently frames criticism as an orchestrated attack rather than legitimate discourse.
| Victimhood Narrative | Intended Psychological Effect |
|---|---|
| “This is a smear campaign.” | Recasts accountability as persecution. |
| “I’m being stalked.” | Frames scrutiny as obsessive harassment. |
| “They hate that I speak the truth.” | Transforms criticism into proof of righteousness. |
| “They’re targeting me personally.” | Deflects from his own actions. |
Key Linguistic Markers in Joel’s Speech:
- Hyperbolic Accusations (e.g., “coordinated attack,” “relentless harassment”).
- Use of Deflection (e.g., “they only criticize me because I’m winning”).
- Selective Outrage (Criticizes others but claims unfair targeting when held accountable).
This pattern serves a dual purpose: It protects Joel from scrutiny while reinforcing his followers’ emotional investment in his persona.
4. The Persecutor Role: Framing Others as the Aggressors
“They’re all frauds and cowards.”
4.1 Shifting from Victim to Aggressor
After positioning himself as a target, Joel transitions into the Persecutor role—claiming moral and intellectual superiority over his opponents.
| Persecutor Behavior | Joel’s Justification |
|---|---|
| Personal Attacks | “These people lack the intelligence to engage with me.” |
| Defamation | “They are pathological liars and grifters.” |
| Ad Hominem Dismissals | “This is why I don’t waste my time with low-level thinkers.” |
| Moral Superiority | “It’s my duty to call out deception.” |
4.2 The Attack Cycle
- Joel claims he is being persecuted.
- He then aggressively attacks his critics.
- When confronted about his behavior, he returns to victimhood.
This cycle ensures he is never seen as an aggressor, despite frequently engaging in smear tactics, public callouts, and rhetorical escalation.
5. The Rescuer Role: Manufacturing a Savior Narrative
“I’m just here to help people see the truth.”
5.1 How Joel Uses the Rescuer Role to Build Loyalty
Joel positions himself as a necessary figure in exposing dishonesty and defending intellectual rigor. This serves several functions:
- Legitimizes his aggression as a “moral duty.”
- Creates a sense of dependency among his followers.
- Prevents neutral observers from questioning his behavior.
| Rescuer Strategy | Joel’s Application |
|---|---|
| “I’m here to expose corruption.” | Frames his actions as noble rather than self-serving. |
| “People deserve to know the truth.” | Reinforces his role as an authority figure. |
| “If you’re against me, you’re with them.” | Eliminates neutrality, forcing polarization. |
This strategy ensures that followers remain emotionally invested, as they begin to see his battles as their own.
6. The Perpetual Conflict Machine
Joel Johnson does not resolve conflicts—he ensures they remain ongoing and unsolvable.
By constantly shifting between Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer, he:
✔ Creates continuous engagement around himself.
✔ Eliminates the need for self-reflection or accountability.
✔ Controls the psychological landscape of his followers.
Key Takeaways:
- Victim Mode = Gains sympathy, avoids scrutiny.
- Persecutor Mode = Justifies aggression, silences dissent.
- Rescuer Mode = Builds loyalty, enforces ideological purity.
This manufactured cycle of conflict is the cornerstone of Joel’s online presence, ensuring that he is always at the center of discourse, never irrelevant, never accountable.
7. Future Research Recommendations
🔹 The Role of Manufactured Victimhood in Digital Manipulation
🔹 Rhetorical Strategies of Intellectual Narcissists in Online Discourse
🔹 The Psychological Impact of Conflict-Based Engagement Models
This report serves as an archival reference for understanding digital narcissism and the tactical engineering of conflict.