Question

Stockholm syndrome is a phenomenon in which a victim of a kidnapping or hostage situation may begin to identify with or even feel affection for his or her captors. A psychoanalyst might explain Stockholm syndrome by citing which of the following defense mechanisms? (A) Reaction formation (B) Regression (C) Projection (D) Displacement

Short answer

A. Reaction formation

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

The question asks to identify the defense mechanism a psychoanalyst might use to explain Stockholm syndrome, where a victim develops positive feelings towards their captors.

List the Defense Mechanisms

The options given are: (A) Reaction formation (B) Regression (C) Projection (D) Displacement

Define Each Defense Mechanism

Define each mechanism to find which matches the scenario: (A) Reaction formation: Behaving in a way opposite to one's unacceptable impulses. (B) Regression: Reverting to an earlier developmental stage. (C) Projection: Attributing one's unacceptable thoughts to others. (D) Displacement: Shifting emotions from a threatening target to a less threatening one.

Match the Defense Mechanism to Stockholm Syndrome

Stockholm syndrome involves developing feelings opposite to the fear and hostility one might expect. This indicates the victim is defending against the stress and trauma of captivity by reacting with opposite emotions.

Determine the Correct Answer

The defense mechanism where someone exhibits behaviors and feelings opposite to their instinctual responses is reaction formation.

Key concepts

Stockholm Syndrome and Defense Mechanisms

Stockholm syndrome, named after a 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, is a psychological phenomenon where hostages develop positive feelings towards their captors. This seems counterintuitive as one might expect victims to feel anger or fear.
In psychology, this reaction is seen as a defense mechanism, a concept developed by Sigmund Freud. Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies the ego uses to protect itself from anxiety and negative emotions. They are a part of our daily life and help mitigate stress. In this context, identifying Stockholm syndrome requires understanding which specific defense mechanism applies.
There are several defense mechanisms, including:

• Reaction Formation
• Regression
• Projection
• Displacement

Let's explore these concepts to see how they relate to Stockholm syndrome.

Reaction Formation

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where an individual behaves in a way that is opposite to their actual feelings or impulses. Instead of expressing harmful or dangerous emotions, they show behaviors or feelings that mask true sentiments.
For example, a person who feels extreme anger towards someone may instead display excessive friendliness. This act of transforming a negative feeling into its opposite serves to protect the person from the anxiety that the real emotion would evoke.
In the context of Stockholm syndrome, the victims cope with the trauma by unconsciously converting their fear and hatred towards their captors into positive feelings and compassion. This protects them from the paralyzing fear and stress associated with their situation.
Therefore, the correct answer to the original exercise is (A) Reaction Formation, as it clearly explains the seemingly paradoxical behaviors of hostages developing affections for their kidnappers.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Psychoanalytic theory, established by Sigmund Freud, is a foundational concept in psychology. It explains human behavior as a result of interactions between three core parts of the mind: the id, ego, and superego.
According to Freud, the id operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification. The superego is the moral conscience that imposes societal standards. The ego mediates between the id and the superego, operating on the reality principle.
To manage conflicts between these three parts, the ego employs defense mechanisms unconsciously.
These mechanisms, including reaction formation, help protect the individual from psychological distress. Thus, by analyzing behaviors through the lens of psychoanalytic theory, we can better understand phenomena like Stockholm syndrome. This theory provides a comprehensive framework for explaining why individuals may exhibit seemingly irrational behaviors, such as developing affection for captors, using defense mechanisms like reaction formation.