Stockholm Syndrome - psychology’s ongoing debate

From bank robberies to Disney princesses, Stockholm syndrome has captured the public’s eye for decades. But how much of what we see online reflects psychological reality?

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where a victim forms a connection with their captor, developing feelings of sympathy. This connection can lead to adopting the same beliefs of the captor or abuser, resulting in positive attitudes toward them. This phenomenon originated in 1973 after a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden. During a six-day standoff against the police, hostage bank employees became sympathetic towards the bank robbers. Once free, some employees declined to testify against the bank robbers and even raised money for their defence. This psychological response allows captors to manipulate their victims into complying with their demands, while victims use it as a survival mechanism.

But why do some victims develop Stockholm syndrome and others don’t? Although there is no definitive answer, De Fabrique et al. (2007) and Namnyak et al. (2007) suggest that prolonged captivity may allow emotional bonds to develop and that the phenomenon is more likely when there is no prior relationship between the captor and victim. The most popular view among psychologists is that social and cognitive factors influence the development of Stockholm syndrome, including the “us vs. them” mentality and in-group and out-group perceptions. These perceptions, combined with a distorted cognitive schema, can lead to Stockholm syndrome. De Fabrique et al. (2007) examined existing case studies to investigate the “us vs. them” dynamic. Findings revealed that hostages and captors were in close physical proximity and maintained a high level of interpersonal contact. The researchers inferred that the concept of “us vs. them” may arise when victims and the captor are physically close during an emotionally salient situation. Considering the in-group and out-group dynamic, both the victim and the captor share a common interest in survival, forming the in-group. The captor perceives the authorities as a threat to their own survival, and because intervention by the authorities also endangers the victim's life, the victim comes to share this perception. As a result, the authorities are viewed as the out-group. Overall, this research suggests that social and cognitive processes, particularly in-group and out-group perceptions, play a significant role in the development of Stockholm syndrome.

However, psychologists question whether Stockholm syndrome should be accepted as a legitimate psychological syndrome. Stockholm syndrome is not included in diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5 or the ICD. A systematic review by Namnyak et al. (2008) discussed that scientific evidence supporting the syndrome is limited, with literature relying heavily on case studies and media reports rather than reputable empirical research. Despite this, Stockholm syndrome is quite influential in today’s world. Movies, television shows, and books portray captives forming romantic or emotional attachments to their captors. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a prime example of this debate, as some viewers argue that Belle’s building affection for the Beast reflects Stockholm syndrome. On the other hand, others – including the actress Emma Watson, who plays Belle – express that Belle maintains her autonomy and chooses to stay only after the Beast changes his behaviour. However, the influence of Stockholm syndrome extends beyond fictional narratives. Some psychologists argue that identifying a victim’s behaviour as “Stockholm syndrome” can oversimplify complex trauma responses and shift attention from the perpetrator’s abuse. Alternatively, researchers prefer concepts such as trauma bonding or coercive control, which are supported by psychological research and better capture the dynamics of abusive relationships. All in all, the debate surrounding Stockholm syndrome highlights the importance of distinguishing between psychological concepts supported by scientific evidence and those shaped by popular culture.

The debate around Stockholm syndrome illustrates that psychological concepts are not always supported by empirical scientific evidence. Regardless of whether it’s considered a trauma response or an oversimplified media label, Stockholm syndrome demonstrates how human behaviour under severe stress can be complex. Ultimately, the concept highlights the complexity and unpredictability of human behaviour in extreme circumstances.

Written by Shreya Dhaliwal

REFERENCES

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Disney. (n.d.). Beauty and the Beast. https://movies.disney.com/beauty-and-the-beast.

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Namnyak, M., Tufton, N., Szekely, R., Toal, M., Worboys, S., & Sampson, E. L. (2007). 

‘Stockholm syndrome’: Psychiatric diagnosis or urban myth? Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 117(1), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2007.01112.x.