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Emotional Manipulation
Triangulation
Bringing a third person into a relationship dynamic to create rivalry, jealousy, or to manipulate one party.
Severity
✅Healthy end
Communicating directly with the person and keeping relationships transparent.
❌Unhealthy end
Using a third party to create insecurity, jealousy, or control within a relationship.
Examples
Comparing you unfavorably to an ex or a friend
Telling you about others who are interested in them
Using a third party to relay messages instead of communicating directly
Pitting friends or family members against each other
Common Signs
Frequently mentions or compares you to others
Creates competition for their attention
Uses third parties to communicate
Plays people against each other
Creates rivalry and jealousy
Often Confused With
Mentioning friendsSocial interaction
Educational Note
Triangulation creates artificial competition and insecurity. By introducing a third party, the manipulator gains power by making others vie for their approval or attention.
What You Can Do
- 1Communicate directly rather than through others
- 2Set boundaries around comparisons
- 3Notice if you feel pitted against someone
- 4Address the pattern directly