Criminal Justice - Hostage Negotiation Thesis

The secondary negotiator is also responsible for maintaining a more detached perspective than the primary and helping the primary remain objective and uninvolved on a personal psychological level (Schmalleger, 2008; Wind, 1995).

One of the primary tools employed by hostage negotiators are information obtained about the underlying motives and psychological makeup of the hostage takers because that understanding enables them to structure their negotiating posture in the manner most conducive to achieving a positive outcome. Hostage negotiators also rely on the bidirectional effect of the Stockholm phenomenon, according to which a psychological connection develops between hostages and hostage takers. In the case of hostages, this is not particularly helpful to negotiators, but as it pertains to hostage takers, the Stockholm syndrome is very helpful because it often results in the development of empathy for the hostages which greatly facilitates a positive outcome (DeFabrique, Romano, & VanHasselt, 2007).Hostage negotiators also try to use the waiting period to their advantage because they understand that hostage takers are under stress and that the psychological and physical discomfort associated with prolonged stalemates can soften the position of the hostage takers and therefore, their susceptibility to concessions. Ultimately, hostage negotiators employ these tools in combination to achieve a successful resolution.

References

Butler, W.M., Leitenberg, H., and G.D. Fuselier. "The Use of Mental Health Professional

Consultants to Police Hostage Negotiation Teams," Behavioral Sciences and the Law 11 (1993): 213-221.

DeFabrique, N., Romano, S.J., and VanHasselt, V.B. "Understanding Stockholm

Syndrome," FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, July 2007, 10-15.

Schmalleger, F. (2008). Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st

Century. New Jersey: Pearson.

Wind, B.A. "A Guide to….....