What psychological phenomenon involves a victim feeling affection toward a captor?

The psychological phenomenon where a victim develops feelings of affection or loyalty toward their captor is known as Stockholm Syndrome. This term originated from a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1973, where hostages began to empathize with their captors and even defended them after being freed.

Stockholm Syndrome can occur in various situations where a power imbalance exists, such as in cases of kidnapping, domestic abuse, or hostage situations. It represents a complex emotional response that can arise when a victim perceives a connection to their captor, often as a survival mechanism or adaptation to an abusive or coercive relationship.

In contrast, trauma bonding refers to the strong emotional attachments that can form between victims and abusers through cycles of manipulation, abuse, and reconciliation, which can overlap with but is distinct from Stockholm Syndrome. Resilience pertains to an individual's ability to recover from adversity, and emotional detachment refers to a lack of emotional connection, which would not align with the feelings of affection described in the question. Thus, the correct identification of Stockholm Syndrome is key to understanding this particular dynamic in victim-captor relationships.