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