Among the abnormal phenomena in psychology is the Stockholm syndrome, the essence of which is as follows: the victim of the abduction begins inexplicably sympathize with his tormentor. The simplest manifestation is the help to the bandits, which the hostages they have taken voluntarily begin to provide. Often such a unique phenomenon leads to the fact that the abducted themselves impede their own release. Consider the reasons and manifestations of the Stockholm syndrome, and give some examples from real life.
Causes
The main reason that causes the illogical desire to help your own kidnapper is simple. Being held hostage, the victim is forced to communicate closely with his invader for a long time, which is why he begins to understand him. Gradually, their conversations become more personal, people begin to move out of the tight framework of the “kidnapper - victim” relationship, they perceive each other precisely as individuals who may like each other.
The simplest analogy is that the invader and hostage see soul mates in each other. The victim gradually begins to understand the motives of the criminal, to sympathize with him, perhaps to agree with his beliefs and ideas, his political position.
Another possible reason is that the victim is trying to help the criminal out of fear for his own life, since the actions of police officers and assault brigades are just as dangerous for the hostages as they are for the invaders.
Essence
Consider what Stockholm syndrome is in simple words. For this psychological phenomenon, several conditions are necessary:
- The presence of a kidnapper and a victim.
- The benevolent attitude of the invader to his captive.
- The hostage's appearance of a special attitude towards his aggressor is an understanding of his actions, their justification. The fear of the victim is gradually replaced by sympathy and sympathy.
- These feelings are further amplified in an atmosphere of risk when both the offender and his victim cannot feel safe. Joint experience of danger in their own way makes them related.
A similar psychological phenomenon is very rare.
Term history
We became acquainted with the essence of the concept of Stockholm Syndrome. What is this in psychology, we also learned. Now we will consider how the term itself appeared. Its history dates back to 1973, when hostages were seized in a large bank in the Swedish city of Stockholm. The essence of the situation, on the one hand, is standard:
- The criminal recidivist took four bank employees hostage, threatening to kill them if the authorities refused to comply with his demands.
- Among the invader's wishes included the release of his friend from the cell, a large sum of money and a guarantee of security and freedom.
It is interesting that among the captured employees there were people of both sexes - a man and three women. Police officers who had to negotiate with a recidivist found themselves in a difficult situation - there had never been a case of seizing and holding people in the city, which is probably why one of the requirements was fulfilled - a very dangerous criminal was released from prison.
The criminals detained people for 5 days, during which they turned from ordinary victims to non-standard: they began to show sympathy for the invaders, and when they were released, they even hired lawyers for their recent tormentors. This was the first case to be officially named the Stockholm Syndrome. The creator of the term is the forensic scientist Niels Beyert, who was directly involved in the rescue of the hostages.
Household variation
Of course, this psychological phenomenon is rare, since the very phenomenon of hostage-taking and holding by terrorists is not everyday. However, the so-called Stockholm household syndrome is distinguished, the essence of which is as follows:
- A woman experiences a feeling of sincere affection for her tyrant spouse and forgives him all manifestations of domestic violence and humiliation.
- Often a similar picture is observed with pathological attachment to despotic parents - a child deifies a mother or father who deliberately deprives him of his will, does not allow normal full development.
Another name for the deviation that can be found in specialized literature is hostage syndrome. Victims take their torment for granted, ready to endure violence, because they believe that they deserve nothing better.
Specific case
Consider a classic example of Stockholm household syndrome. This is the behavior of some rape victims, who begin to sincerely justify their tormentor and blame themselves for what happened. That is how the trauma is manifested.
Real life cases
We give examples of the Stockholm syndrome, many of these stories at one time made a lot of noise:
- The granddaughter of the millionaire Patricia (Patti Hurst) was kidnapped by a group of terrorists with the aim of obtaining a ransom. This is not to say that the girl was treated well: she spent almost 2 months in a small closet, was subjected to emotional and sexual abuse. However, after her release, the girl did not return home, but joined the ranks of the very organization that mocked her, and even committed several armed robberies in her composition.
- Case at the Japanese Embassy in 1998. During the reception, which was attended by more than 500 guests from the upper strata of society, there was a terrorist takeover, all these people, including the ambassador, were held hostage. The demand of the invaders was absurd and impossible - the release of all their supporters from prison. After 14 days, part of the hostages was released, while the saved people spoke with great warmth about their tormentors. The fear was caused by the authorities, who could decide to storm.
- Natasha Kampush. The story of this girl shocked the entire world community - a charming schoolgirl was kidnapped, all attempts to find her were unsuccessful. After 8 years, the girl managed to escape, she said that the kidnapper kept her in a room underground, starved and severely beaten. Despite this, Natasha was upset because of his suicide. The girl herself denied that she had anything to do with Stockholm syndrome, and in an interview she spoke directly about her tormentor as a criminal.
These are just a few examples illustrating the strange relationship between the kidnapper and the victim.
Interesting Facts
Let's get acquainted with a selection of interesting facts about the Stockholm syndrome and its victims:
- Patricia Hearst, who was mentioned earlier, after the arrest tried to convince the court that violent acts had been committed against her, that criminal behavior was nothing more than an answer to the horror that she had to endure. A forensic examination proved that Patty was upset. However, the girl was still sentenced to 7 years, but due to campaigning by the committee for her release, the sentence was soon canceled.
- Most often, such a syndrome occurs in those prisoners who have been in contact with the invaders for at least 72 hours, when the victim has time to better know the identity of the offender.
- It is quite difficult to get rid of the syndrome, its manifestations will be observed in the former hostage for a long time.
- Knowledge of this syndrome is used in negotiations with terrorists: it is believed that if the hostages feel sympathy for the invaders, they will begin to treat their victims better.
According to the position of psychologists, Stockholm Syndrome is not a personality disorder, but rather a person’s reaction to non-standard life circumstances that result in mental trauma. Some even consider it a self-defense mechanism.