Do you understand why hostages behave in this way? And do you agree with it? And would you do it?
2006-09-12 09:41:29 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Let me work out your daily route Ellie! Then we will see if we get traumatic bonding?
2006-09-12 09:47:04 · update #1
I'm so pleased to hear it! All we have to do is put it into practice?
2006-09-12 09:58:47 · update #2
Not sure... why don't you hold me hostage and we will see if I empathise with you...although I'm sure after a couple of days... you will wonder who is holding who hostage! lol
Oh we already have traumatic bonding Zulu9!!!!
2006-09-12 09:42:38 · answer #1 · answered by Ellie29uk 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When you're stuck with your captor for so long it's probably just instinctive human behaviour to feel empathy for them. They become your world. You're their hostage, they can control everything about you, whether you eat, where you get to sleep and if you get any fresh air or a gun pointing at your face for half a day.
There's not much else to do, and I'm sure the captors talk to their hostages, reveal a side to themselves no one else gets to see because their hostage is treated less like a person and more like a pet, in the way that they're so controlled.
No doubt the hostages, in such a close environment with their captor, feel the need to bond. We are reasonably social creatures and we don't hold up well when faced with loneliness and depression.
2006-09-12 10:13:13 · answer #2 · answered by Katri-Mills 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think its probably an in-born survival instinct. If someone is threatening you, holding you against your will, verbally and physically abusing you, your survival instinct will kick in and make you try to empathise with the kidnapper. The more you can talk to them and make them see you as human, the less likely they are to harm you.
When someone else has the power over a long period of time, you are going to be grateful for any kindness shown. So you will begin to look forward to your kidnapper turning up in the morning because you know he is bringing you food. If you are in isolation, he is the only contact you have. Humans crave contact and even the appearance of your kidnaper will make you bond/connect with him.
I dont think its necessarily a decision you are aware of, its a subtle decision made by your brain in a time of crisis.
2006-09-12 09:55:46 · answer #3 · answered by lozzielaws 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree that it happens.
I don't think it is something that a person 'chooses' - I don't think hostages have any conscious control over this.
as to WHY....
it may be some kind of primal reflex that kicks in to protect the individual.... like a survival instinct.... if you identify with your abuser/captor you may (???) be more likely to survive the ordeal?
but again, this all happens on some deep unconscious level, I think. not a conscious decision.
2006-09-12 09:46:19 · answer #4 · answered by Zippy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋