NCJ Number
60021
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
ADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS VICTIMS USE IN COPING WITH THE SEVERE STRESS OF TERRORISM ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS PAPER, PRESENTED BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN 1977.
Abstract
ADAPTATION INCLUDES ALL THE RESPONSES AND STRATEGIES A VICTIM MAY USE TO REDUCE STRESS OR MAXIMIZE THE PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL. THESE ARE DETERMINED TO SOME EXTENT BY THE DURATION OF THE STRESS AND BY PRIOR LIFE EXPERIENCE AND PERSONALITY FACTORS. VICTIMS OF PROLONGED CAPTIVITY WILL USE DIFFERENT ADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS AND AT DIFFERENT RATES OF PROGRESSION THAN VICTIMS CONFRONTED BY A BRIEF THREAT. CERTAIN PERSONALITY TYPES COPE WITH STRESSFUL SITUATIONS MORE SUCCESSFULLY THAN OTHERS. IN ADDITION, THE MOTIVES, GOALS, AND PERSONALITITES OF THE TERRORISTS WILL DETERMINE WHICH ADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS OFFER VICTIMS THE GREATEST POSSIBILITY OF SURVIVAL. SOME EXAMPLES OF ADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS INCLUDE PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENSE MECHANISMS SUCH AS DENIAL OF THE REALITY OF THE EXPERIENCE OR COUNTERPHOBIC REACTIONS THAT ARE THE OPPOSITE OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S BASIC INCLINATIONS (CONFRONTING A SNARLING DOG RATHER THAN INSTINCTIVELY RUNNING AWAY). OTHER DEFENSE MECHANISMS INCLUDE INTELLECTUALIZATION, CREATIVE ELABORATION, HUMOR, AND REACTION FORMATION AND IDENTIFICATION WITH THE AGGRESSOR. A VARIETY OF COPING STRATEGIES ARE AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS WHICH INVOLVE CREATIVE ACTIONS AND REFLECTIVE BEHAVIOR. ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COPING STRATEGIES IS FOR VICTIMS TO CONSCIOUSLY ACCEPT THIS CAPTIVITY AND TO RELINQUISH CONTROL TO THEIR CAPTORS. BY ACCEPTING THE DOMINANT POSITION OF THE TERRORISTS, THE POSSIBILITY OF VIOLENT ACTION SHOULD BE REDUCED. IN ADDITION, VICTIMS MAY REDUCE STRESS BY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THEIR EMOTIONS, GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR SURROUNDINGS AND TERRORISTS' GOALS, ESTABLISHING POSITIVE BONDS WITH THE TERRORISTS AND GROUP AFFILIATION WITH OTHER VICTIMS, FOCUSING ON SURVIVAL FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE, AND COMMITTING THEMSELVES TO STAYING ALIVE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (WJR)