On August 23, 1973, an escaped prisoner named Jan-Erik Olsson burst into Sveriges Kreditbanken in Stockholm, Sweden, armed with a submachine gun, leading to a hostage situation that lasted five days. Olsson demanded money, a getaway car, and the release of a friend from prison. The hostages quickly formed a bond with their captors, demonstrating strange behavior such as concern for their welfare and friendship. The unusual dynamic between the captors and their hostages intrigued mental health professionals, leading to the coining of the term “Stockholm syndrome.”
The hostages, held for five days without physical harm, exhibited traits associated with Stockholm syndrome, such as positive feelings toward their captors and sympathy for their beliefs. Despite their ordeal, the hostages were on a first-name basis with Olsson and his accomplice, Clark Olofsson, and even expressed concern for their safety. The hostages’ behavior throughout the ordeal raised questions about the psychological impact of traumatic situations and the complex relationships that can develop between captors and captives.
Olsson and Olofsson were eventually arrested without incident, tried, and sentenced to prison. Despite their criminal actions, both captors have since been released from prison. The lasting effects of the Stockholm syndrome experienced by the hostages in the bank robbery case highlighted the psychological complexities of trauma and captivity, leading to further investigations into the phenomenon by mental health professionals.
The term “Stockholm syndrome” originated from this notorious bank robbery incident in 1973 but gained widespread recognition in the case of newspaper heiress Patty Hearst in 1974. Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army and later claimed to have been brainwashed and abused while held captive. Her actions during and after the kidnapping raised questions about the psychological effects of prolonged captivity and the power dynamics between captors and captives. Despite her claims, Hearst was found guilty and sentenced to prison, but she was eventually pardoned by President Jimmy Carter in 1979.
Stockholm syndrome is not officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, but it highlights the complex psychological responses to traumatic situations and captivity. Individuals with Stockholm syndrome may develop positive feelings toward their captors, exhibit sympathy for their beliefs, and have negative feelings toward authority figures. The concept of Stockholm syndrome has since been studied and debated in the fields of psychology and criminology, shedding light on the intricate relationships that can emerge in high-stress situations involving captivity and trauma.
