When people manipulate relationships, it is often for their gain. For instance, someone in a romantic relationship can keep manipulating their partner because they want them to do what they want.
One of the popular forms of manipulation in any relationship is triangulation.
Triangulation is a manipulation tactic and an unhealthy strategy commonly used by narcissists to introduce a third party for sympathy, solidarity, or support.
In this article, you will learn what triangulation in relationships means. You will also learn the signs to help you recognize this form of manipulation and some tips on how to cope if you are in this situation.
What does Triangulation mean?
Triangulation can have different meanings, but the end goal is for the manipulator or narcissist to have a field day in any situation or conflict they find themselves.
Triangulation can occur when one of the parties in a conflict tries to introduce a middle person or third party to make them take sides. Usually, the emotional adult, does this for deflection, so the other party will eventually get the blame.
When a third person is introduced into the mix, it might be difficult to get a balanced view of the issue because the narcissist might have twisted the narrative to suit them.
Also, an individual can triangulate by talking to a third party and advising them to take necessary actions toward someone. But, again, their goal is to manipulate so they can get what they want out of any relationship.
Lauren Marie Lee-Rowland’s research seeks to establish if there is a connection between parental triangulation and narcissism in young adults. This research is titled “Is Parent-Initiated Triangulation Associated with Pathological Narcissism in Youth?”
What are the signs of Triangulation?
Identifying the signs of triangulation in relationships will help you be more aware when you find yourself in some situations.
It is important to note that some key features of triangulation narcissism are insecurity, manipulation, competition, etc.
Here are some of the signs of toxic triangulation in relationships
1. They always involve a third party to mediate
The person manipulating will always want to involve a third party to take their side. As a result, they will often tell the third party their side of the story without allowing their partner to relate theirs.
Hence, the third party will inadvertently give their verdict based on the side of the story that they heard.
Furthermore, this manipulative strategy will prevent the innocent partner from defending themselves because the third party has been bought over already.
Narcissists always avoid communicating one-on-one with their partners and solving any current issue. But they will always reach out to a third party for intervention. When they are wrong, they will employ all means to avoid being on the losing side.
2. They indirectly compare you with others
In triangulation psychology, when a manipulative person wants you to bend to their will, they may try to compare you.
However, they won’t directly state the comparison so that you don’t feel hurt; instead, they will be diplomatic about it.
They might pretend to talk harmlessly about someone’s traits or good sides so that you will begin to evaluate your life to see if you are meeting the expected standards.
Also, even though they don’t highlight your shortcomings, they will try to speak generally about some negative traits that they don’t appreciate.
3. You feel pressured to do their bidding
When you notice that you are compelled to do what they want, or you find yourself thinking of how to please them, it is one of the signs of triangulation in relationships.
Most narcissists lay the foundation for this by using manipulative statements and leaving you to figure out what they mean.
Another thing you will notice is they are hardly satisfied with you. They may keep correcting and manipulating till you are out of ideas.
To Be Continue Next Part -2
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