The Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon characterized by a sense of confidence, even sympathy, that develops between a victim of hostage and his captors. This feeling can also occur in the abductor who swayed by the victim.
This phenomenon is due to the intimacy created by a shared place for an extended period. The intimacy allows a reconciliation in one way or another (good or bad). This reconciliation can be facilitated if the victim is in disagreement with the violence of law enforcement.
The captors' ability to justify their act and any expressions of hatred on their part toward their victims promote dialogue by creating a climate of trust. The will to survive, consciously or not, may also justify a victim to be sympathetic to their cause or at least to the kidnappers.
Domestic violence or abuse children may also trigger in some victims of Stockholm Syndrome.
The feeling of confidence is usually temporary. Freed from the abductor or violent person, the victim usually takes consciousness after a few days or few years of its submission and, sometimes, complains.
Stockholm, 1973
The Stockholm syndrome is named after an event occurred in Stockholm in 1973. A hostage is held in a bank robbery. The kidnapper asked for and obtained the release of a prisoner, the latter joined him. After six days, the kidnappers release the four hostages. The victims are defending the kidnappers and did not testify against them. They visit them in prison.
It also remembers the case of Patricia Hearst (1974), a rich heiress, who participated in the robbery with her kidnappers and married one of them.
13 avril 2010
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