Why did hostages express trust in their captors during the 1973 siege?

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Hostages Developed Trust in Captors Due to a Complex Psychological Response and Specific Circumstances

During the 1973 Stockholm bank siege, hostages developed an unexpected trust in their captors, Clark Olofsson and Jan-Erik Olsson, a phenomenon later termed "Stockholm syndrome." This counterintuitive response stemmed from a combination of factors, including the hostages' growing sympathy for their captors and a developing distrust of the police. One hostage, Kristin Enmark, explicitly voiced her trust in Olofsson to the Swedish Prime Minister, even requesting to leave with the captors.
Sympathy and Distrust Emerged During the Siege

The six-day ordeal at the Stockholm bank saw four hostages subjected to the control of Olofsson and his accomplice. Over the course of the siege, the hostages' initial fear or neutrality evolved into a sympathetic disposition towards their captors, paralleled by an increasing distrust of the law enforcement officers surrounding the bank. This shift in sentiment was so pronounced that upon their eventual release, the hostages demonstrated hesitation to exit the bank, fearing for their captors' safety, and subsequently refused to provide testimony against them in court.
The Psychological Condition Known as Stockholm Syndrome

The peculiar dynamic observed in the Stockholm siege led to the theorised psychological condition known as Stockholm syndrome. This condition describes a situation where captives develop positive feelings, such as attachment or even affection, towards the individuals holding them captive. While the term was coined by criminologist Nils Bejerot, the precise psychological mechanisms are complex; generally, experts suggest that such a response can arise from a survival instinct, where the captive begins to identify with the aggressor as a means of coping with extreme trauma and threat. The captor's behaviour, particularly any perceived acts of non-aggression or even kindness, can foster a sense of dependency and emotional bonding.
Direct Interaction and Perceived Protection Played a Role

Specific interactions during the siege likely contributed to the development of trust. For instance, Clark Olofsson claimed that authorities had enlisted his help in protecting the hostages in exchange for a reduced sentence, although he alleged this agreement was not honoured. Furthermore, Olofsson actively engaged with one hostage, Kristin Enmark, even facilitating her call to Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme. During this call, Enmark conveyed her complete trust in Olofsson and the other captor, highlighting the personal connection and perceived safety she felt under their control, which stood in stark contrast to the tense standoff with the police.

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Why did hostages express trust in their captors during the 1973 siege?

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