Professional Documents
Culture Documents
3) SECRETIVE?—The person withholds the introduces a new intimacy model called the
necessary information you need to solve Sexual Loser’s Loop— a unique loop linking
the problem or to think of compromises. together the three fundamental emotional blocks
He or she may ignore you and not re- to sexual desire, performance, enjoyment, and
spond at all. The person withholds the intimacy. These are the sexual variants of the
positive strokes of liking you and your larger group of social-level Intimacy Loser’s
ideas, which would make problem solv- Loops and W inner’s Loops (Figures 1a and
ing easier. He or she withholds his or her 1b). The names refer to Eric Berne’s social
unresolved Scared, Disgusted, and De- definition of W inners— they decide what they
prived basic sexual feeling blocks so you want and get it; Non-W inners— they decide
cannot know what the suppressed issues what they want but work too hard to get it and
are. barely come out even; and Losers— they decide
4) EVASIVE?—The person quickly changes what they want but lose out on getting it. These
subjects and leads the conversation far refer to the attainment of specific goals, not to
afield, usually to something more inter- any personal identity. This work is directed to
esting at the time. You will never get a people who want intimacy but lose out on get-
straight answer to your question. You get ting it. The four intimacy blocks mentioned
involved in the side issue, and once again above prevent discussion of the three sexual
nothing gets resolved.” blocks, which are often hard to admit or talk
These four intimacy blocks happen simulta- about.
neously and prevent a couple from successfully
talking through sexual or relationship issues. Intimacy Blocking and Unblocking
This leaves them unable to successfully com- The two groupings of intimacy blocks are, in
plete what I call the T hree Rules of Openness the first grouping, the Intimacy Evasive Loser’s
(Karpman, 1997, 2007a) that I require as part Loops, using the four initial letters of C-A-S-E-
of the contract in couples’ work. Needed is the representing the Condescending, Abrupt, Secre-
ability to Bring It Up, Talk It Up, and W rap It tive, and Evasive transactional blocks to inti-
Up, all requiring separate skills . . . as opposed mate discussions. These are linked in a loop for
to Save It Up, Blow It Up, Mop It Up! connectedness and easy memorizing. They
SELF-MONITORING. Many TA therapy con- leave these people blocked against varying de-
tracts include TA education, Adult control of grees of intimacy or any open communication
the Child, and self-monitoring. Patients can that is needed. If one of the four blocks is mis-
learn to monitor the four intimacy blocks in sing, there may be a way to begin communica-
themselves and others. Speak to someone, and tion. A discount or crossed transaction may or
then watch what happens! In classical transac- may not have all of them at first.
tional analysis, therapists monitor their Parent, In the second grouping, there is a comple-
Adult, and Child ego states. In miniscript theory mentary provoking loop called the Intimacy
(Kahler with Capers, 1974) people monitor Invasive Loser’s Loops, or E-R-A- (see Figures
their five drivers. In Schiff Passivity theory 2a and 2b) for the three invasive blocks of
(Schiff & Schiff, 1971) they monitor the four Eager, Relentless, and Annoying persistence,
discounts and passivity around thinking. In also linked in a loop, representing people who
Steiner’s Radical Psychiatry (Steiner, 1975) invade another person’s boundaries, forcing the
they monitor lies and power plays during domi- other to put up a protective wall, or a CASE
nance. Self-monitoring is also included in many around themselves. The people will demand
other transactional analysis therapies that con- “Talk to me now!!” or “W hat are you hiding?”
tract for the transactional analysis standard of or “Love me more and more,” in relentless pur-
demonstrable social insight and change. suit. One needy E-R-A- person may exhibit the
S/N/F loser’s loop of the three eager dwarfs:
Sexual W inners and Losers Speedy, Needy, and Feedy: Speedy— they go
This paper on “Sex Games People Play” faster than you want to go; Needy— they need
more than you can give; and Feedy— they give tude, offering a welcoming openness and re-
you more than you want. An overworked sexu- ward, that is, Caring— the opposite of Conde-
al partner may see the E-R-A- other as having scending; Approachable—the opposite of Abrupt;
a sexual addiction. The two basic loops are a Sharing— the opposite of Secretive; and En-
novel discovery and cover all transactional inti- gaged— the opposite of Evasive.
macy and communication blocks. The positive alternative to the invasive E-R-A-
POSITIVE LOOPS. In line with current loop, using each of the same letters, is the win-
transactional analysis theory making, we also ner’s E+R+A+ Loop, which represents an Em-
need to mention the positive mirror side— the pathic, Relaxed, and Appealing attitude, offer-
release—the corresponding OK Winner’s Loops. ing a safe and tempting invitation, that is, Empa-
These require for theory simplicity the same thic—the opposite of Eager; Relaxed—the oppo-
initial letters and represent the closest OK op- site of Relentless; and Appealing— the opposite
posite choices. Using each of the same letters, of Annoying. These invite intimacy rather than
the winner’s C+A+S+E+ loop represents a Car- invading privacy. They are the winner’s equiva-
ing, Approachable, Sharing, and Engaged atti- lents to the former E-R-A- (Figures 1c and 1d).
Figure 1a Figure 1b
Intimacy Evasive Loser’s Loop Intimacy Sharing Winner’s Loop
(Condescending, Abrupt, (Caring, Approachable,
Secretive, Evasive) Sharing, Engaged)
Figure 1c Figure 1d
Intimacy Invasive Loser’s Loop Intimacy Inviting Winner’s Loop
(Eager, Relentless, Annoying) (Empathic, Relaxed, Appealing)
Intimacy W orkshop Exercises others and learn how to work around them. In
For the openness training sections of my theory, intimacy blocking by the social-level
relationship workshops, people are asked to intimacy blocks are communicated by barriers.
pair up, pick a relevant topic they have been Intimacy blocking by the social-level games in
absolutely unwilling to solve, and then practice the Drama Triangle are communicated by roles.
using the four blocks in the not-OK and then At the Psychological Level there is a core of
the OK way of talking and listening. Then they three feeling blocks— Scared, Disgusted, and
discuss with each other the blocks that were the Deprived— that prevent sexual intimacy. Some-
most and least difficult for them. This active times these show up behaviorally, but usually
practice will improve awareness in talking out the blocks lie dormant as unspoken feelings.
future relationship issues. The tape of the The net result is less sex without knowing why.
workshop (Karpman, 2007a) demonstrates how Sometimes this results in incorrect and unfair
to set up the exercises. The same exercises can blame.
be set up in couples’ therapy or play-acted in In therapy, the Sexual Loser’s Loop is com-
individual or group therapy. monly used as an informal questionnaire or as
Another popular exercise during relationship a therapist’s outline to explore the multitude of
workshops is to get participants to create strokes suppressed feelings that lie below the surface.
for others by drawing on paper several flat- The simple grouping into three blocks makes it
tering Personalized W inner’s Loops that they easier to use. Some of these fears, angers, and
can take home with them after the workshop. hurts have been building up over a long period
Examples of winning identities in a loop are “I of time as transactional analysis “trading stamps,”
see you as a T/T/T: “Tall, Tender, and Terrif- without a way to resolve them and, ultimately,
ic,” or “You’re a W /W /W : “W ild, W arm, and trading them in for a “guilt-free quit.” This leaves
W onderful,” or a “S/S/S: Smart, Sincere, and a couple wondering, “W hy aren’t we having
Successful.” These are stroke triplets referring sex anymore?” and singles wondering, “W hy
to their winners’ identity (Karpman, 1979b). aren’t we having any sex at all?”
Also as a footnote to this Intimacy Blocking The three overt and covert blocks to sex are:
series, there is a series of six Get Fired Loser’s 1) SCARED of hurting the other person
Loops (Karpman, 1979a) defining the six fixed mentally or physically or of being hurt by
social stereotypes to avoid in yourself and to the other person mentally or physically
help others learn how to avoid being stereo- 2) DISGUSTED with the other person men-
typed. These represent unwelcome people who tally or physically or disgusted with your-
actually do good work but habitually get fired self mentally or physically or seeing the
or not hired in relationships and employment other as disgusted with you mentally or
because they fall into unflattering stereotypes physically or disgusted with sex itself
without knowing it (i.e., P.A.Gi: Pushy, Accu- 3) DEPRIVED is your final “Quit Deci-
satory, and Guilt-inducing, or C.U.D.: Cheap, sion.” After too many hurts and disap-
Ungrateful, and Demanding, or F.F.F.: Flighty, pointments, one eventually arrives at the
Flakey, and Frivolous, etc.). These six stereo- fixed position of “I will never again get
types represent people who do good work but my needs met by this person.” Then the
are the first out the door and fired. person is unmotivated or unavailable to
discuss it further, citing many tangential
The Sexual Loser’s Loops and W inner’s excuses such as entering a new phase in
Loops his or her life or age-related physical
At the Social Level, the communication block- changes, or a new religious commitment,
ing Intimacy W inner’s and Loser’s loops offer: or needing more time to know someone
(1) a way to be open at home and with friends, (and hopefully to turn on again), and so
(2) a way to talk through problems by monitor- forth. H owever, if he or she replies hon-
ing the four communication blocks in yourself, estly to the question “W hat steps led up
or (3) a way to monitor the four blocks in to this change sexually?” most of the
three blocks will be revealed as preceding dable (“I’ll always be there for you”). All three
the change, and the real work can begin. positive attitudes lead to the desired OK Corral
For practice, the reader is now invited to go “Get-On-W ith.” Knowing the three better ways
on a guided exercise to recall a time and place becomes a welcome blueprint for partners who
when a turnoff happened with a certain person. are motivated to learn and change.
Then experience the three sexual blocks in
themselves and consider that the three may Examples from Couples and Singles in
have been a factor in the other person’s turnoff Therapy
as well. Then consider the result if the three If a sexual problem comes up in therapy, a
turn-ons were present. simple way to get to the core issues is for the
The words in Figures 2a and 2b were select- therapist to simply say, “Usually there are three
ed over time and needed to be strong. “Scared” blocks behind most sex problems—the feelings
borders on a disabling panic to Get-Away- of being scared, disgusted, or deprived.” Then
From on the OK Corral (Ernst, 1971). “Dis- the therapist explains them. Answers will soon
gust” implies a distasteful Get-Rid-Of, a regur- emerge. Presented in the following paragraphs
gitation, stronger than a temporary word like are examples from some actual cases.
“mad.” “Deprived” is more final than tem- 1) SCARED PHYSICALLY. He was afraid of
porary words like “hurt” or “disappointed” and hurting her or himself physically. He withdrew
signals a Get-Nowhere-W ith on the Ernst OK sexually because he was scared of hurting his
Corral. Hopefully, partners will be compassion- beloved partner. She may have complained too
ate and flexible and with enough goodwill built often that her body was sick and hurting or that
up to be able to stop short of making the final she had frequent headaches. Maybe sex was
Deprived D ecision of “I will never again get painful to her because he did not give her
my needs met by this person.” enough time to warm up. Perhaps he was too
The Sexual W inner’s Loop carefully chooses rough, heavy, or uncomfortable on her or he
the equivalent opposite feeling of the turnoffs; had bad technique. These may be legitimate
the words are not arbitrary. They use the same complaints, but over time he would see her as
first letters for easier learning. Safe offers the a complainer who was too fragile for him. Al-
welcome opposite of Scared— both parties feel though he loved her, he did not want to hurt her
Safe. The turnoff of Disgusted is replaced by further, so he began withdrawing to protect her
the turn-on of Desirable. The turnoff of De- from inflicted pain and/or inconvenience. They
prived is replaced by the turn-on of Depen- never talked about it.
Figure 2a Figure 2b
Sexual Intimacy Loser’s Loop Sexual Intimacy Winner’s Loop
(Scared, Disgusted, Deprived) (Safe, Desirable, Dependable)
Conversely, she was afraid of the same things she did not think real men should be that sensi-
physically: that sex would hurt or not be done tive, so she questioned his manhood and regret-
sensitively or that he would start too soon be- ted it. And she was afraid of her own self-
fore she was ready. She might fear she was control when angry. She could be afraid of oth-
hurting him by wrong touching or quitting too er things, that is, of the relationship not work-
soon or hurting his bad back. Perhaps he, too, ing, or worried about finances or the children.
complained too often of discomfort or lack of These could be on her mind, and it would hurt
sleep. She may have old memories of pain and him if she mentioned that she had stray thoughts
abuse. Each could be afraid of disease. Each during sex. They were both afraid of simply
person could have his or her own unspoken asking, “W hat would you like me to say or do
reasons for being afraid of hurting the other for you?”
person physically or being hurt by the other Men and women in relationships say careless
physically. Usually these concerns are men- things equally, but some people get them cleared
tioned a few times but not effectively followed and quickly forget them, others sulk and hold
up on. Dropping the subject does not bring on to words as stamps that they trade in for
relief. Secrets stand in the way of intimacy. An sexual withdrawal, whereas others are compas-
open questioning from this checklist can shed sionate and forgiving. Some are turned on by
light on hidden concerns and then be followed the challenge to fight back. The S-D-D- check-
up with honest discussion, relief, and a surpris- list flushes out these buried feelings in therapy
ing renewal of interest. and can be aired out sensitively— so long as
2) SCARED MENTALLY. In a similar exam- both parties are motivated and agree to talk in
ple, he could have been afraid of hurting her good faith.
mentally. W hen he got upset he would raise his 3) DISGUSTED PHYSICALLY. Partners can
voice. He finally realized that her tears were his get disgusted with each other when one has
fault, and he felt guilty. He believed her when physically “let himself or herself go” but some-
she said that he deprived her of the things she how does not expect it to be noticed or signifi-
needed to be happy and he was scared of disap- cant. Refusing to talk about it may make it
pointing her. He was afraid that he did not worse. Accusations can lead to new barriers of
know how to communicate and talking things shame and disgust. Singles who have a strong
over would make everything worse. He said physical preference “type” may never connect
incorrect words in bed that seemed insensitive at all and never say why. Some may have been
to women and hurt her feelings— soon he was taught that sex was disgusting. Added or lost
afraid of talking in bed. He had always been weight can become an issue. One husband was
afraid of rejection by women or of feminists mad that his wife wore sloppy clothes and
calling him sexist. He projected old fears of his thought that she hid her body from him on pur-
critical mother onto his partner. He was afraid pose. His bad hygiene could get disgusting, as
he was too distant to her and did not kiss her well as smells from smoking, drinking, drugs,
the correct way—the way her previous lovers garlic, onions, and dirty underwear. Either one
did. However, he loved her and did not want to could get disgusted with the other or disgusted
make things worse with his insensitive words, with himself or herself, hiding his or her body
so he withdrew. Over time, sex in the future from sight if he or she no longer feels attrac-
took less time, was less frequent, and was not tive, whether it is from weight gain, wrinkles,
as satisfying. Fear and hesitation replaced desire. big bellies, cold sores, and so on. Additionally,
She too could be afraid of the same things disgust could be a cover-up—both pick at faults
from him— of her hurting him mentally, aware in the other to displace attention away from
of his complaints of her turning him down too their own self-hate, inadequacies, or unhappi-
often, of disappointing him, or her saying hurt- ness with their lives.
ful things she did not mean but that he held on 4) DISGUSTED MENTALLY. Disgust with
to literally and never forgot. She did not mean the other’s character can surface if the person
to demean him to her friends and children, but becomes an embarrassment publicly or in front
of friends and family. Respect can also be lost hope of ever doing fun things again or of ever
for the error-prone partner who is then labeled having meaningful talks again. At times there
a “screw-up.” Anger and betrayal can arise if can be half-hearted quit, leaving the door open
one feels taken for granted by the person who but only if the other person keeps trying hard
is no longer the “buff” and romantic person he enough. One can secretively feel deprived of a
or she married. U nethical sides of the person- favorite turn-on, or deprived of the perfect
ality that were previously ignored can surface sexual fantasy from his or her past memory, or
as an issue of disgust of character and unspok- from a future fantasy that will always be
en disrespect. Physical abuse and substance beyond his or her reach. People can feel de-
abuse can be a lasting turnoff. Unconventional prived of perfection by their own overactive
sexual requests and Internet sex addictions can “Be Perfect” driver and their game of “Blemish.”
be disgusting to the other. Partners could get OTHER EXAMPLES. So far, we have talked
disgusted with themselves (guilty) for having of the Sexual Loser’s Loop used in therapy to
said hurtful things or betraying the trust of the explore the three feeling categories of why one
other or for concealing bad thoughts or hiding becomes turned off to sexual intimacy in his or
a fantasized or real affair. Discussing these is- her partner. But the checklist can also offer an-
sues can be delicately handled. swers to the questions of why another person
5) DEPRIVED. This is considered to be the turned off to you, either your partner or a sin-
final “Deprived Decision”— that after many gles date. One man in therapy dated a “Too
disappointments and failed attempts one will M uch, Too Fast” woman who dropped him
close the door with the final decision: “I will when their needs became polarized on the sec-
never again get my needs met with this per- ond date. She wanted exclusivity and he want-
son.” The person may then never be accessible ed to keep dating around, so she quit seeing
or motivated to get into a conversation that him. In another case, it was he who wanted
would open the subject up again. He or she “Too Much, Too Fast” sexually but she had the
may cover it up and say a sexless relationship slower “getting to know you” style of dating. In
is a natural passage of mature relationships and both instances, they came on “Eager, Relent-
praise his or her new relief at being free of less, and Annoying” with their wants. Analyz-
sexual hassles. The person can “lock” in the ing that, each was Deprived of what he or she
decision with a new religious commitment and wanted; he said he was Scared and Disgusted
a vow of abstinence that walls off the root with her for coming on too fast. She was
causes— taking it further away from inspection Scared Physically of being used and Scared
and discussion. This can be the final area that Mentally of having to deal with her jealousy
is not open for further questioning. Or, if a and Disgusted with him for being another man
partner insists that the marriage vows of inti- who just wanted sex but would not commit.
macy are broken and it needs to be discussed, The “Never Again” decision can be just for
the partner may reply, “I’m not motivated, I that one relationship, but it can also be in the
don’t feel anything anymore.” Then the only script for “dating never again” or for “sex nev-
possible follow-up question becomes, “W hat er again” or for any “commitment never again.”
are the steps that got you to the point of not Nevertheless, if the motivation can be renewed,
being motivated?” This may then open the door it all can be traced back to the Scared, Disgus-
to a needed “heart-to-heart” intimate discussion. ted, or Deprived reactions preceding the mo-
Used as an explorative checklist, the De- ment of decision. This would allow a relation-
prived block can be found to cover other caus- ship redecision to be made.
es. “I’m too tired” can be seen as deprived of
rest. “I’m too busy with too much on my mind” Sex Games and Game Analysis
can be seen as being deprived of enough alone This paper began by listing the hidden sexual
time, or feeling deprived of a supportive part- intimacy blocks of Scared, Disgusted, and De-
ner who can help him or her think things through. prived feelings that can result from or motivate
One can feel deprived over time and give up many games. But any transactional game (Berne,
1964, 1972, p. 23) can stand in the way of inti- SHE, SET UP (she hopeful): “I’m OK now
macy. Sometimes these games are played to set honey, but I need to cuddle a little before I’m
up a payoff of wild make-up sex later or of the ready for sex? Is that OK with you?”
opposite payoff— an angry righteous rejection HE, SW ITCH (he hurtful): “No way! If it
that reinforces old racket feelings. There are a takes you that long to get warmed up, then
variety of negative games of opposition, unpre- you’re with the wrong guy! You only want
dictability, and anger that can be mentioned, as me for my brains and not my body. I knew it.
in the following case example of time structur- You never have sex on your mind, so it is
ing by two longtime gamers playing “Uproar.” always up to me to get you ready. You must
AN “UPROAR” GAME EXAMPLE #1: In be frigid. I’m going home!” (Door slams).
the following reported drama, a man feels like
a lonely Victim (hopeful role), while also being BOTH CAN GET THE SCRIPT PAYOFF:
extra sweet to his girlfriend as a Rescuer (help- “I never win. People can’t be trusted.”
ful role) and covertly as Persecutor (hurtful In all of these, the switches in the drama tri-
role) by playing an ulterior “Let’s pretend angle are sudden and extreme and they all hint
there’s no unfinished business between us.” Ig- of a history of trading stamps between the two.
noring their issues flushes out her suppressed
anger, making her look bad. In the example be- M otivations for Game Playing
low, he begins making up to her, hopefully set- In TA game analysis—such as in the conten-
ting up the nest in anticipation of an intimate tious “Uproar” game just described— a half
over-nighter. But soon he is collecting mad dozen “advantages” to game playing are listed
stamps for the payoff to follow. by Berne (1964), including biological stroking,
HE, SET UP (hopeful): “I like coming over advancing the script, getting the payoff, time
to your house. It is so peaceful here.” structuring, and so on. There are also six hun-
SHE, SW ITCH (hurtful): “This is NOT a gers (Berne, 1970, pp. 210-211) that can moti-
hotel for you!” vate games: Stimulus, Recognition, Contact,
Sexual, Structure, and Incident. Games can be
HE, SET UP (hopeful): “I like the way you played at increasing levels of hardness as first-
treat me so nicely here.” degree (socially acceptable), second-degree
SHE, SW ITCH (hurtful): “And what are (socially embarrassing), and third-degree games
YOU going to do for ME???” (destructive). These can all be worked on in
therapy.
HE, SET UP (hopeful): “I drive for an hour In an important version of the Drama Tri-
to get here. That counts. The gas is expen- angle I call The Compassion Triangle (Karp-
sive. I’m tired. Do you think you could cook man 1997, 2007b) (see Figure 5), the approach
dinner for me?” offered is to realize that each player has a Per-
SHE, SW ITCH (hurtful): “NO, NO! I am a secutor, Rescuer, and Victim motivation, overt
lady! You have to take me out to dinner! I or covert, simultaneously in action during each
want to be treated with respect like other game that is played. This expands the range of
women or there is no sex tonight!” insight into games. Also, each motivation will
be present with at least 10% participation in
HE, SET UP (helpful): “W e’ve argued for an each role, some hidden, in these following
hour. W e’re getting tired. Can we stop talk- three basic levels. In the “Uproar” game in the
ing and relax for now? I’m willing to help in earlier example, we can also speculate that
any way I can.” there are three levels of motivations:
SHE, SW ITCH (hurtful): “No you don’t! I 1) Relationship motivations (Social Level)
haven’t finished with you yet!!” (each person wanted to dump stamps and
prove his or her point)
AND THEN, LATER ON AT TRADING 2) Personal motivations (Psychological Lev-
STAM P TIME, COMES THE PAYOFF: el) (each person wanted to escape his or
her guilt for causing a feel-bad situation) waiting, ready to spring onto the other in an
3) Childhood motivations (Script Level) escalation if one chooses. It could also hold the
(each person had early issues with close- good feelings for timely fence mending if one
ness and needed his or her script decision chooses. It is what is socially unseen, the inner
reinforced) voice in the mind, actions held back waiting to
happen. Escalation to the overt Social Level
Social- and Psychological-level Drama still is a choice to make the game worse, mov-
Triangles ing it to second or third degree. But a forgiving
The interior space of the drawn triangle can kindness hidden inside is also a choice to keep
be used as a space for illustrating what is going the game at a safe first-degree level or to even
on inside a person, what his or her “inner per- make the game go away. The man earlier in the
sonality” is doing during a game (Karpman, “Uproar” example kept his stamps inside, un-
2007b). The outside of the triangle can show said, until payoff time.
what the world sees as his or her “outer person- W hat is kept in control inside does not have to
ality” while game playing. This can show the be the negative unleashing of trading stamps or
overt outer role of the sweet Rescuer, but inside one’s personal demons collected from every-
there can be a covert role and a pressure cooker where (although some people do just that). The
of horrible things waiting for the opportunity to escalation can either be accidental with apolo-
display. If this spills out, it could lessen his or gies later, done on purpose, or done unconscious-
her chance of being seen as a Safe, Desirable, ly for a game and script payoff, as in the earlier
and Dependable sex partner. example. There is also an OK positive collec-
1) “WHAT’S SAID” (SOCIAL LEVEL). Us- tion inside of What’s Unsaid, but these positive
ing the Drama Triangle game model shown in feelings were never revealed at payoff time.
Figures 3a and 3b, we can use the outside area This could just as well have been the unspoken
of the triangle to illustrate objectively what the strengths of the inner positive Persecutor ener-
“Outer Personality” does— What’s Said. In the gy, that is, using OK Power to take charge to
earlier example of “Uproar,” What’s Said is what fix things. It could be the unspoken love for the
is spoken in the couple’s fight. The transaction- other from the inner positive Rescuer corner
al reality of a game is defined by Berne by what energy that would bring back good feelings or
can be photographed and tape-recorded, and that the unspoken sensitivity of the inner positive
definition fits for their fight and What’s Said. Victim energy that would create sympathy.
2) “WHAT’S UNSAID” (PSYCHOLOGICAL W hen intimate discussions resume between the
LEVEL). Then, for the “Inner Personality,” we couple, the positive side of what was withheld
can use the inside area of the triangle to insert could now be shared for mutual understanding
the hidden pressures and motivations of What’s and relief. Then they can shift their time struc-
Unsaid— what is unseen that is held back in turing upward from games to intimacy.
The Drama Triangle (Karpman, 1968, 2007b), The Inner Rescuer is motivated by the Self-
as commonly used, only names Who the players Delusion as if there was no game played or as
are and What they are doing at the external if it is unsolvable. It is a self-protecting denial
social level. However, if one wants to dig into of all responsibility and damaging consequen-
the unseen deeper levels to get a helpful and ces during the games.
sympathetic look at Why the games are played, The Inner Victim is motivated by Self-pity,
we need to go inside the triangle to look for the with a self-sacrificial helplessness to get away
motivations and the “What’s Unsaid” drama at from the game.
the Internal Psychological Level. By regularly 2) IMMUNITY. The OK inner Persecutor—
looking for what is beneath the surface, we can using power and aggression energy—can switch
eventually have an automatic “W hy?” inquiry to Self-Determination to solve and end the game.
into why the game is played and not just see the The OK inner Rescuer energy showing Self-
What and Who of naming the players and the Love can want better for herself or himself and
game. In a game, the players are on Adrenaline find ways to exit the game.
Alert to win and seldom want to listen or un- The OK inner Victim can switch from Pas-
derstand the other player or themselves. sivity to Self-Acceptance and self-definition.
During sexual games, all these feelings can ex-
The Drama of the Inner Self ist alongside each other inside and be difficult
In Figure 4, we name the struggle directly to sort out.
within one’s Inner Self while a game is being
played, such as the “Uproar” game illustrated Escapes from Games in the Compassion
earlier. Using a disease model due to the stress Triangle
inflicted during games, there is Susceptibility to The Compassion Triangle (Figure 5) (Karp-
the games played balanced against Immunity to man, 1997, 2007b) is a major variation that of-
the games played. This presents the person with fers one of many escapes from the Drama Tri-
a choice between the negative and the positive angle. To exit a game, one should take 10%
use of his or her drama energies and a decision Responsibility for oneself as a part Persecutor
to stay out of games. and instigator of the game instead of exclusive-
1) SUSCEPTIBILITY. The Inner Persecutor ly seeing the other person as the Persecutor.
is motivated by Self-Sabotage in his or her rela- Next, one needs to verbally acknowledge at
tionships with others. The Child is attracted to least 10% of OK Sympathy for the other as
game players who will give the person negative your Victim and also 10% OK Appreciation for
strokes and payoffs. O ver and over he or she the efforts of the OK Rescuer in the other. All
provokes unsatisfying relationships. three roles will be there if one looks. Other
Figure 4
The Inner Self-Drama Triangle
give sympathy
Figure 5
The Compassion Triangle
escapes from the Drama Triangle can be through Script Drama Triangle (Figure 6) that covers the
the use of Options (Karpman, 1971) and many approach of several schools of TA.
others. See the worksheet called “The New In summary, on the outside level of the tri-
Drama Triangles” for many other triangles on angles in Figures 3a and 3b, one is not in touch
my W eb site at www.K arpmanDramaTriangle with the name of the game and the players; on
.com (Karpman, 2007b). the inside level, one is not in touch with their
rackets and feelings; and on the Script level
Sex Games and Scripts (Figure 6), one is not in touch with the family
For a “Complete Transactional Analysis” (as origins of the game.
in a “Complete Psychoanalysis”), one may need In the “Uproar” game described earlier in Ex-
to explore the deeper script stages of devel- ample 1, under “Sex Games and Game Analy-
opment, script motivations, decisions, fixations, sis,” the couple fighting over home and dinner
transactional transferences, impasses, the “Fami- could share a Persecutor Injunction (Goulding
ly Coat of Arms,” and the “Favorite Fairy Tale” & Goulding, 1976) of Don’t Be Close and
that underlie the intimacy blocking games. W e Don’t Make It. The Rescuer Driver (Kahler
can name three R’s of transactional analysis re- with Capers, 1974) could be “Try hard” with
gression therapy as: (1) Redecision therapy, (2) an “Over and Over” script if their game keeps
Reparenting therapy, and (3) Relational therapy repeating. And the Victim Racket (Erskine &
and the other neo-Freudian approaches. To that Zalcman, 1979) would be old, unresolved
list we can add a social-level TA fourth R Anger and Hurt feelings saved as stamps over
called Relationship therapy, Berne’s classic and and over again. A dozen script injunctions
equally effective approach of script analysis. have been described, with a new one added of
Don’t Want. Any of them can affect commu-
The Drama of the Script Child nication blocks to sex and intimacy and can be
Searching deeper when necessary, we find the focus of Redecision work. The “Over and
motivations for game playing determined by the Over” mentioned is one of the six Time Scripts
early “Family Script Scene” when the “Family described by Berne (1970, pp. 166-167; 1972,
Script Game” was played. This can be drawn as p. 205). The others are Never, Always, Until,
either a tiny Redecision Triangle or a Transfer- After, and Open-ended, all of which can have
ence Triangle inside the bigger drama triangle their own distinct timetable in the intimacy and
(Karpman, 2007b) or use this composite Family sex games people play.
Figure 6
The Script Drama Triangle
widely across the United States and in a dozen Transactional Analysis Journal, 2(1), 8-12.
Karpman, S. (1975). The loser’s loop. Transactional
countries. Academically, he is an Assistant
Analysis Journal, 5(1), 74-75.
Clinical Professor at UCSF, which is in San Karpman, S. (1979a). The get fired loser’s loop. Bulletin
Francisco, where he also has his private prac- of the Eric Berne Seminar,1(1), 18-19. (Also available
tice. His articles, many out of print, are avail- at http://karpmandramatriangle.com/pdf/GetFired.pdf)
able on the free Web site at www.Karpman Karpman, S. (1979b). Close encounters of the first kind.
Retrieved 7 April 2009 from http://karpmandramatriangle.
DramaTriangle.com . All comments to this ar- com/pdf/close_front.pdf .
ticle are invited by e-mail at egostates@aol. Karpman, S. (1981). Psychological blocks to intimacy.
com or on the Web site. Bulletin of the Eric Berne Seminar, 3(2), 6-9. (Also
available from http://karpmandramatriangle.com/pdf/
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