What Is Stockholm Syndrome?

By jamie

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Being held captive is going to be a terrifying ordeal for anybody. There will be so much apprehension because you won’t be able to be sure of what is going to happen, or even if you will get out alive. It is understandable that people held captive will have a great deal of animosity toward their captors, but this is not always the case.

Stockholm syndrome is a curious phenomenon where hostages actually begin to develop a bond with their captors and feel sympathy for them. In some cases, the hostages might even try to defend their captors when it comes to trial. We take a look at some interesting facts behind the phenomenon, and some examples of it occurring.

1. Survival Instinct

Stockholm syndrome is quite an unusual phenomenon, leading a lot of experts to ask just what is behind it. There are various potential theories as to just what causes it and one of the leading theories is that it is a coping mechanism.

In a hostage situation, it is generally best to try and remain as civil to your captors as possible, regardless of what you really think about them. Hostages might be concerned that their civility is discovered to not be genuine, however, and it is thought that this might cause them to actually begin believing their words and actions are legitimate.

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