Identification With The Aggressor (aka Stockholm Syndrome)

Stockholm Syndrome (also known as identification with the aggressor) is a defense mechanism characterized by the victim’s psychological alliance with the abuser. A famous example is Patty Hearst who was held hostage by a guerilla group called Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). Her captors then abused and raped her. However, she later helped the SLA rob a bank and publicly expressed her sympathy towards her captors.

Please see our full writeup about Stockhom Syndrome here.

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