Stockholm syndrome

Former_Kreditbanken_Norrmalmstorg_Stockholm_Sweden.jpg

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response wherein hostages or abuse victims develop positive feelings towards their captors or abusers, sometimes to the point of defending and identifying with them. This phenomenon is named after a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1973, where hostages bonded with their captors and even defended them after the ordeal ended.

History

The term "Stockholm syndrome" was coined by criminologist and psychiatrist Nils Bejerot following the Norrmalmstorg robbery in Stockholm. During this six-day standoff, several bank employees were held hostage in a bank vault. Despite the danger, the hostages began to sympathize with their captors, even resisting rescue attempts and later refusing to testify against them.

Characteristics

Stockholm syndrome is characterized by the following features:

• Positive feelings by the victim towards the abuser or captor.
• Negative feelings by the victim towards authorities or anyone trying to help them escape the situation.
• Support for the abuser's reasons and behaviors.
• Inability to engage in behaviors that may assist in their release or detachment.

Psychological Mechanisms

The development of Stockholm syndrome is believed to be a survival mechanism. Hostages or victims may develop emotional bonds with their captors as a way to cope with the stress and trauma of their situation. This bond can be seen as a form of trauma bonding, where the victim's perception of threat is reduced by identifying with the aggressor.

Notable Cases

Apart from the Norrmalmstorg robbery, other notable cases include:

• Patty Hearst, who was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974 and later participated in their criminal activities.
• Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted at age 11 and held captive for 18 years, during which she developed a complex relationship with her captors.

Criticism and Controversy

Some psychologists and researchers argue that Stockholm syndrome is not a syndrome in the clinical sense but rather a set of behaviors that can occur under extreme stress. Critics also point out that the term can be misused to undermine the credibility of victims' experiences and responses.

Related Concepts

• Lima syndrome: A situation where abductors develop sympathy for their hostages.
• Battered person syndrome: A psychological condition that can develop in victims of consistent and severe domestic violence.
• Trauma bonding: The development of strong emotional ties between two persons, where one person intermittently harasses, beats, threatens, abuses, or intimidates the other.

In Popular Culture

Stockholm syndrome has been depicted in various films, television shows, and literature, often as a dramatic plot device. Examples include the film Beauty and the Beast and the novel Room by Emma Donoghue.

See Also

• Hostage
• Psychological trauma
• Abuse
• Cognitive dissonance