Stockholm Syndrome Essay Example

captor is no longer seen as a threatening outsider, but rather as another human being who holds power over life and death.

Merely waving a gun and shouting orders does not result in genuine compliance; instead, it initially instills fear for one's life. While there is still much to learn about the syndrome, it has been suggested that four factors contribute to its formation: perceiving a threat to physical or psychological well-being from an abuser(s), perceiving small acts of kindness from the abuser towards the victim, being isolated from alternative perspectives, and being unable to escape the situation (Cantor 379).

A long-time expert negotiator advises that in order to prevent Stockholm syndrome, the captor-victim relationship should be entirely unfamiliar. This syndrome commonly occurs when initial interactions involve a combination of violence and kindness. Some consider this phenomenon as a defense mechanism enabling survival by appeasing captors – as long as they are satisfied, they will avoid inflicting more harm. Essentially, the individual's brain tricks them into trusting these individuals; by behaving appropriately, everything will supposedly remain fine.

When individuals lose their cognitive function and rely on the people who have captured them, it is frequently due to the captor's efforts to discourage independent thought that might result in escape. If victims are held captive for an extended period or abducted by force, the captor must ensure they receive essential provisions like food, water, access to a restroom, and occasionally medical attention. Although these needs are fulfilled non-violently, victims persistently live in fear of death. In such circumstances, the captor takes on a pseudo-parental role.

The captor establishes a situation where the

victim depends on them for survival and feels secure. The victim perceives the captor's acts of kindness as positive actions. Typically, a strong bond develops between the captor and victim, to such an extent that even after the ordeal concludes, the victim might express sympathy towards the captor and utter phrases like 'I lament their demise'. Nevertheless, Stockholm syndrome can display more profound manifestations than these.

In 1974, Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, a paramilitary group with the goal of carrying on Charles Manson's ideology. The group believed in empowering the underprivileged by using violence against the wealthy. In order to make a powerful statement for their cause, the leader of the group chose to involve Patty Hearst as a member. To turn her into a revolutionary, he subjected her to intense psychological strategies.

Patty Hearst went through a harrowing experience of being blindfolded and confined in a closet for two months, completely isolated from the outside world. During this time, she endured physical and sexual abuse and constant threats to her life. Furthermore, her captors forced her to make recordings where she spoke negatively about her own family and sent them to them. A widely known photograph captures Patty holding an assault rifle in front of the group's emblem. She made the difficult choice to join this group because she understood that survival meant becoming a compliant soldier and doing whatever pleased her captors to ensure she stayed alive.

Stockholm syndrome can be a beneficial tool for negotiators when they understand how to promote its development, although it has both positive and negative aspects. The syndrome consists

of three components: the victim developing affection for the captor, the victim regarding rescuers as villains, and the captor recognizing the victim as an individual. Negotiators focus on fostering a connection in which captors acknowledge that their hostages have obligations and loved ones. By humanizing these bargaining chips, the captor's inclination to harm or murder them becomes more challenging.

The syndrome is increasing the lifespan of individuals in a distressing situation. Many people are unable to cope with being held hostage, and their natural instincts may lead them to make unwise decisions, such as attempting a complex physical move, which could result in injury or death. Negotiators aim to establish a connection between captors and hostages by asking about both parties, helping captors to see the hostages as fellow human beings.

Slipping cognitive rufilin into a hostile brain can be compared to playing Russian roulette instead of a negotiation tactic. If the negotiator asks too many questions about the victims, it may increase their life value and risk the captor taking advantage of this. Nonetheless, this syndrome suggests that the brain may deceive itself to survive, rather than confusing friends with enemies; it simply accepts the circumstances.