Psychologists have studied human behavior for years. Some of the behaviors that they observe are rather expected and normal. However, there are some behaviors that individuals exhibit that leave psychologists baffled. Stockholm syndrome is responsible for some of these behaviors. This phenomenon is characterized by a captive developing an emotional bond and an alliance with their captor (Westcott, 2013). In such situations, it is expected that the captive should hate the captor. However, it has been observed that there are cases where the captives cooperate with, support and even sympathize with their captors. This essay seeks to explore the forces that underlie Stockholm syndrome. The essay makes the argument that the captives do not make decisions based on free will but are instead driven by fear and the desire to stay alive.
One of the most popular cases of Stockholm syndrome is that which involved Patty Hearst. Hearst was abducted by a guerilla group and remained in captivity for days. Instead of taking a stand against her captors as would be expected, Hearst supported their cause. She even helped them rob a bank (Burton, 2012). Upon her release, she stated that she was free and happy. The case of Hearst shocked the entire American nation. There have been efforts to understand the forces that push captives to cooperate with and support their captors. It is now understood that the captives join forces with their captors in an effort to stay alive. They understand that their own happiness and survival is tied to the happiness of their captors. They strive to ensure that their captors are happy as they seek to minimize the risk of harm. It has also been established that small acts of kindness that the captors perform serve to endear them to the captives (Westcott, 2013). The captives attack immense significance to these acts. Given that the support that the captors receive from their captives is a demonstration of the desire to stay alive, it is clear that the actions of the captives are not driven by free will. The captives are usually very scared and so desperate that they are willing to do all that it takes to please their captors. This is why they do as asked and express sympathy for the captors and their agenda. It is also understood that Stockholm syndrome means that the captives are in denial. Instead of regarding their captors as the individuals responsible for their deal, they consider them to be the people who will rescue them.
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Aristotle’s ideas can be applied to the issue of Stockholm syndrome to gain a better understanding. Aristotle held that when faced by a common threat, enemies are forced to come together and join forces (Kennedy & Van Brunschot, 2009). This view can help to explain Stockholm syndrome. In most hostage situations, the police launch rescue operations. While most of these operations are successful, they carry the risk of causing harm to the captives. The captives usually understand that they could die. There have been situations where the captives state that they are more afraid of the police trying to rescue them than they are of their captors. The captors also recognize that their death is imminent. The risk of death forces the captors and the captives to join forces. This means that the actions of the captives are not driven by free will. Instead, they are the product of a strong desire to stay alive.
In conclusion, the human mind is one of the most complex systems. It functions in a fashion that mankind is yet to fully understand. Stockholm syndrome is among the phenomena that have allowed for the complexity of the human mind to become evident. This phenomenon sees captives create alliances with their captors. It has been established that fear and desperation are the main forces that influence the decision making process of the captives. These are the forces that cause them to abandon logic and collaborate with their captors.
References
Burton, N. (2012). What Underlies Stockholm Syndrome? Retrieved 4 th June 2017 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201203/what-underlies-stockholm-syndrome
Kennedy, L. W. & Van Brunschot, E. G. (2009). The Risk in Crime. Lanham, MD: Rowman& Littlefield.
Westcott, K. (2013). What is Stockholm Syndrome. Retrieved 4 th June 2017 from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22447726
