Identify and explain Bradley’s instrumental and expressive demands. In this incident do you think one type of demand is more important to Bradley than the other? Why?
Expressive demands are the kind of demands that are aimed at meeting the hostage taker’s emotional needs (Van et al., 2006). Bradley's demand for food is instrumental. His demand for whisky is an expressive demand since it is presumed that he does not need alcohol. He also makes an expressive demand that he does not have to be given a jail term.
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When establishing communication with Bradley initially, he refuses to talk and appears so emotionally affected by the situations surrounding him. With time, he began to speak more and more in a rational manner. He begins to ask a lot concerning his actions, how bad his actions are and the repercussions following them. He also starts negotiating for food, alcohol and no jail term in exchange for some of the hostages he wants to release. He also expresses himself that he does not intend to hurt anyone and does not want to release anyone right now either. His primary instrumental demand for food is more important because it would bring a positive impact to the situation instead of making it worse, unlike alcohol.
Identify and explain what stage of a crisis Bradley is in now.
Clearly, Bradley has moved from the initial shock of the situation and blames his wife for his actions. He further moves to negotiate and try to resolve the situation. Bradley suddenly begins to understand the intensiveness and severity of his actions and is worried about being in trouble with the law and being in jail. He, therefore, tries to negotiate for his freedom since that is one of his biggest concerns now.
At this stage, Bradley's demands are instrumental and are rational. He is asking for alcohol, food and freedom at the same time. All the demands are going to benefit him somehow, and therefore he will release the hostages in exchange. He clearly understands that he cannot just make demands without giving him something in return of the favor.
How might you handle his demands?
After understanding the stage of crisis in which Bradley is at this moment, I would encourage him to engage in communication with me. I will explain the need for negotiation without involving potentially harmful demands in the situation. I will offer what is essential for him at that time and encourage a positive negotiation between us.
Would you provide Bradley the alcohol for the release of some hostages? Why or why not?
I would not provide Bradley with alcohol for the release of some hostages. Alcohol would only negatively affect the situation. One of the major effects of alcohol is that it impairs judgement and intensify emotions. Bradley is most likely asking for whisky because he uses it as a coping element for his psychological and emotional instability. Bradley is currently going through a difficult situation, especially his troubles from military experiences in the past. His wife's current situation is just an intensifier, and it is the reason Bradley is so disturbed. Besides, Bradley owns potentially dangerous weapons and capable of hurting anyone anytime, especially with the effect of alcohol.
I would instead provide Bradley with water and food and encourage an intensive discussion with him on the appropriate punishment for his actions. I would try my best to keep him to talk continuously and calm him down so that he does not escalate the situation further. He would finally cooperate and come back to his senses.
What might you consider when deciding whether to provide the alcohol? How would you handle this demand ?
When deciding whether to provide Bradley alcohol, I would first consider the potential impacts of alcohol on his emotions. When giving someone a demand, it is paramount to only compromise with the rational things that will not end up affecting the situation negatively or the casualties involved in the situation. I would act swiftly on his demands and provide what is less harmful to him and the hostages. In this case, I would give him food and water. I would also try to hold a meaningful negotiation and help him understand that the hostage-taker has to give to receive something (Vecchi et al., 2005).
References
Van Hasselt, V. B., Baker, M. T., Romano, S. J., Schlessinger, K. M., Zucker, M., Dragone, R., & Perera, A. L. (2006). Crisis (hostage) negotiation training: A preliminary evaluation of program efficacy. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 33 (1), 56-69.
Vecchi, G. M., Van Hasselt, V. B., & Romano, S. J. (2005). Crisis (hostage) negotiation: Current strategies and issues in high-risk conflict resolution. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 10 (5), 533-551
