Stockholm SyndromeStockholm Syndrome

OverviewOverview

Mr. Noble Psychology 1 LOHSMr. Noble Psychology 1 LOHS

What is Stockholm Syndrome?What is Stockholm Syndrome?• ““Stockholm Syndrome”Stockholm Syndrome” first coined by Professor

Nils BejerotNils Bejerot to explain the phenomenon of hostages bonding with their captors.

• Stockholm, Sweden 1973, two bank robbers held four people hostages for six days.

• Wide publicity: hostages came to care about their captors hostages came to care about their captors and perceive them as protecting them against the police.and perceive them as protecting them against the police.

• The syndrome, or cluster of symptoms, observed in hostages, cult members, battered women and victims of sexual and physical abuse.

BackgroundBackground

The CaseThe CaseAugust 23rd, 1973 Two machine-gun carrying criminals entered

bank in Stockholm, Sweden. Firing guns, one prison escapee, Jan-Erik

Olsson, announced to bank employees "The party has just begun!" "The party has just begun!"

Bank robbers held four hostages (three women, one man) for next 131 hours.

Hostages strapped with dynamite and held in a bank vault until rescue on August 28th.

• After their rescue, hostages exhibited a shocking attitude considering they were threatened, abused and feared for their lives for over five days.

• In their media interviews, it was clear that they supported their captors and actually feared law enforcement personnel who came to their rescue.

• Hostages began to feel captors were protecting them from police. • One female hostage later became engaged to one of the criminals• Another developed legal defense fund to aid in criminal defense fees. • Clearly, the hostages had “bonded” emotionally with their captors.

OutcomeOutcome

SituationalSituational

– Abused Children Abused Children – Battered/Abused Women Battered/Abused Women – Prisoners of War Prisoners of War – Cult Members Cult Members – Criminal Hostage Situations Criminal Hostage Situations – Controlling/Intimidating Controlling/Intimidating

RelationshipsRelationships

It has been recognized many years before the ‘Syndrome’ was diagnosed--and was found in studies of other hostage, prisoner, or abusive situations such as:

Symptoms 1Symptoms 1• Emotional bonding w) captor/abuser• Requiring victim isolation from

outside world• Subjecting victim to: – sexual assault – threats of harm to self– threats of harm to self family– demanding conformity to dress and

culture different than previous norm• Seeking favor & approval from

perpetrator• Dependency on perpetrator for

security & purpose of existence• Befriending & caring for perpetrator

Symptoms 2Symptoms 2• Resenting police & proper

authorities for rescue attempts• Losing one's own identify in order to

identify with the captor/abuser• Seeing things from perspective of

perpetrator• Valuing every small gesture of

kindness (i.e. letting them live)• Refusing to seek freedom even given

the opportunity

• Many psychologists and psychiatrists have considered the ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ a survival survival strategystrategy where there is:– Constant threat to physical & psychological survival– Condition of helplessness and hopelessness– Isolation & loss of support systems from outside world– Context of trauma & terror that shatters previously held

assumptions– Perception that survival depends on total surrender &

compliance

Survival StrategySurvival Strategy

VulnerabilityVulnerability• Obviously, not everyone in hostage situation will

fall victim to ‘Stockholm Syndrome’‘Stockholm Syndrome’ -- Individuals are most vulnerable, if they:– Lack clear set of core values that define

one's identify– Lack clear sense of meaning and purpose

for one's life– Lack track record of overcoming

difficulties– Lack strong personal faith – Feel that one's life has always been

controlled by powerful others– Are unhappy in life (depressed, etc.)– Strong need for approval by authority

figures– Wish to be somebody else

Intuitive thinking: afraid for life and safety--and actions were inspired by self preservation.

Counter intuitive thinking: concerned about what would have happened to captor, whom she/he now counted on for necessities of life.

Why Cover for CaptorsWhy Cover for Captors

Getting HelpGetting Help• Psychotherapy• Trauma therapy?• How can one gain an understanding of one’s

distorted thinking and confusing feelings about being a hostage?

• How does one help the client to appropriately direct her/his anger at her/his abuse?

• How does one help another to integrate the past kidnapping with the present reality (to rewrite history)?

• Others can also help. Some suggestions:– Allow sufficient time and space to recover– Show understanding and empathy– Provide strong and consistent support groups

Stockholm SyndromeStockholm Syndrome

OverviewOverview

Mr. Noble Psychology 1 LOHSMr. Noble Psychology 1 LOHS