What Is Stockholm Syndrome?
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.
