In a hostage situation, to survive, victims sometimes seek to please their captors, and may identify with them as a way of coping with unbearable and unstoppable stress. This phenomenon is known as the ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described in the statement is known as the Stockholm syndrome. It refers to the psychological response of hostages who feel an emotional bond or alliance with their captors, often resulting in feelings of empathy and sympathy towards them, despite the fact that the captors are threatening their lives. The Stockholm syndrome is named after the 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, where hostages developed a strong emotional attachment to their captors during a six-day ordeal.

In a Hostage Situation, to Survive, Victims Sometimes Seek to Please