What does triangulation mean mental health?

One tactic we come across in the world of therapy is triangulation – a form of manipulation where a person will not communicate directly with another person, instead they use a third person to relay the information to the second person – thus forming a triangle.


What is an example of triangulation?

For example, a relationship between two siblings can be triangulated by a parent when the siblings disagree, and a relationship between a couple can be triangulated when one partner relies on a child or parent for support and communication with the other partner.

What does it mean to triangulate someone?

Triangulation happens when one or both of the people involved in the conflict try to pull a third person into the dynamic, often with the goal of: deflecting some of the tension. creating another conflict to take the spotlight off the original issue. reinforcing their sense of rightness or superiority.


What is emotional triangulation?

What Is Triangulation? Triangulation is when a toxic or manipulative person, often a person with strong narcissistic traits, brings a third person into their relationship in order to remain in control. There will be limited or no communication between the two triangulated individuals except through the manipulator.

What are the 4 types of triangulation?

Among experts in triangulation in the social sciences, there contin- ues to be a general consensus on the usefulness of the four types of triangulation originally identified by Denzin in the 1970s: (1) data triangulation; (2) investigator triangulation; (3) theory triangulation; and (4) methodological or method ...


Triangulation



Is triangulation a form of manipulation?

Triangulation is a form of manipulation and is used to exploit an interaction between two people who are not communicating directly. It is problematic due to a third person becoming intertwined in a situation that should be between the two individuals participating in the conflict.

How do narcissist deal with triangulation?

How to Respond to Narcissist Triangulation
  1. Learn to spot the signs of triangulation.
  2. Stay calm in the moment.
  3. Address their behavior in a direct conversation.
  4. Set strong boundaries.
  5. Change the subject.
  6. Say you have other plans and walk away.
  7. Build a strong support network.
  8. Work on healing.


Why do borderlines triangulate?

Someone with BPD may use triangulation to receive reassurance and avoid feelings of abandonment. They may do this by manipulating someone else to feel jealous, thereby proving their love and commitment to them.


How do you break triangulation?

Set some ground rules, including:
  1. The feedback should avoid evaluative statements and focus on descriptions of the other person's behavior. ...
  2. Each person should be curious as to why the other sees things the way they do. ...
  3. The two people involved should talk to each other and not to the facilitator.


Why do people triangulate others?

The goal of triangulation is to divide people within the argument and to tip the scales of the argument. Often this is done with indirect communication, with the third person being the go-between of the two people who are initially disagreeing. People often use triangulation to: Distract from the real issue or argument.

Is triangulation a form of emotional abuse?

Triangulation is considered a form of emotional abuse that can occur in any relationship. Your covert narcissistic partner may pull in a third person into your toxic relationship to create conflicts between the two of you so they can manipulate and take advantage of you.


What are three forms of triangulation?

Types of triangulation in research
  • Data triangulation: Using data from different times, spaces, and people.
  • Investigator triangulation: Involving multiple researchers in collecting or analyzing data.
  • Theory triangulation: Using varying theoretical perspectives in your research.


Why do covert narcissists triangulate?

Covert narcissists use triangulation to control and manipulate other people so they can have power and control over their surrounding environment. For a covert narcissist, this is important because being in a position of power and control gives covert narcissists access to an unlimited amount of narcissistic supply.

What is triangulation in family therapy?

Triangulation or triangling is defined in the AAMFT Family Therapy Glossary as the “process that occurs when a third person is introduced into a dyadic relationship to balance either excessive intimacy, conflict, or distance and provide stability in the system” (Evert et al. 1984 p. 32).


What is triangulation in critical thinking?

Is a critical concept in research, education and life. It "refers to the use of more than one approach to the investigation of a research question in order to enhance confidence in the ensuing findings," (Bryman, n.d., p.1)

What does triangulation mean in communication?

Triangulation is a manipulation tactic where one person will not communicate directly with another person, instead using a third person to relay communication to the second, thus forming a triangle.

How do you make a narcissist miserable?

How to Make a Narcissist Miserable: 12 Things They Can't Stand
  1. Ignore them.
  2. Act indifferent toward them.
  3. Tell them how happy you are.
  4. Speak in facts, not emotions.
  5. Set boundaries and stick to them.
  6. Tell them no.
  7. Give them an ultimatum for commitment.
  8. Push them to answer to authority.


What is the golden rule of triangulation?

The golden rule of triangulation is “plan length against vertical height” to find the sloping length of a line. Several different patterns or layouts use triangulation methods, including rectangular transitions, round tapers, oval to round fittings, square to round fittings and offset square to round transitions.

What is baiting in narcissism?

Even after a narcissist discards you, the chaos isn't always over. Oftentimes, they'll continue taunting their victims with "baiting." As the name implies, this manipulation strategy involves deliberately provoking or triggering victims in an attempt to elicit an emotional response.

Do bipolar people triangulate?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Bipolar Disorder Can Use Triangulation.


What is hidden borderline personality?

Having quiet borderline personality disorder (BPD) — aka “high-functioning” BPD — means that you often direct thoughts and feelings inward rather than outward. As a result, you may experience the intense, turbulent thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that characterize BPD, but you try to hide them from others.

What's it like to live with someone with borderline personality disorder?

Their wild mood swings, angry outbursts, chronic abandonment fears, and impulsive and irrational behaviors can leave loved ones feeling helpless, abused, and off balance. Partners and family members of people with BPD often describe the relationship as an emotional roller coaster with no end in sight.

Who is most associated with triangulation?

Triangulation is a term in psychology most closely associated with the work of Murray Bowen known as family therapy. Bowen theorized that a two-person emotional system is unstable, in that under stress it forms itself into a three-person system or triangle.


What makes a covert narcissist angry?

Once challenged, or worse, exposed for the fraud they might be, a narcissist can really fly off the handle. They regard challenging or exposure as the ultimate insult for them. It's embarrassing for others to see the truth. This sparks their rage.

What does covert narcissist do when they can't control you?

Narcissists also gaslight or practice master manipulation, weakening and destabilizing their victims; finally, they utilize positive and negative emotions or moments to trick others. When a narcissist can't control you, they'll likely feel threatened, react with anger, and they might even start threatening you.
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