The Karpman Drama Triangle, the Choy Winner’s Triangle, and the O.K. Corral as they Pertain to Academic Achievement

Students on the College Green (SUNY Geneseo/Matt Burkhartt)

Author

JR Teeter

Publication

The Karpman Drama Triangle, the Choy Winner’s Triangle, and the O.K. Corral as they Pertain to Academic Achievement, The Learning Assistance Review (2023).

Research Question:

How, as an institution, should colleges best handle dysfunctional relationships among students, faculty, and staff?

Summary:

Transactional analysis has long been used in therapy settings and by coaching institutions to improve personal outcomes. It is best described as a practical application of tools to guide interpersonal interactions. Born out of Transactional Analysis is the Drama Triangle created by Stephen Karpman (1968), OK Corral, created by Frank H. Ernst Jr. (1971), and the Winner’s Triangle by Acey Choy (1990). These simple concepts can potentially transform academic institutions and prevent dysfunctional relationships between faculty, staff, and students, which stem from the heightened educational environment and ineffective coping skills.

How the research adds to the field/discussion:

The paper posits that concepts of transaction analysis can be successfully applied to academic settings.
 

Implications for Society:

If colleges can teach their students to be more functional in adverse circumstances, they can achieve more, be happier, and pass on those functional traits to other members of their community.
 

Implications for Research:

This paper provides a theoretical framework by which other research can be generated improving the outcomes of students everywhere.

 

Citation:

Teeter. (2023). The Karpman Drama Triangle, the Choy Winner’s Triangle, and the O.K. Corral as they Pertain to Academic Achievement. The Learning Assistance Review, 28(1).

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