Stockholm Syndrome: A Political DiagnosisThe true origin story of a controversial label
From the show
Iconic Names ExplainedMost people believe this condition explains why victims bond with abusers, but the term was actually coined to protect police reputation. During a 1973 bank siege, authorities needed to discredit hostages who criticized dangerous law enforcement tactics. Nils Bejerot’s concept shifted the narrative from recklessness to victim instability, creating a lasting myth about survival psychology.
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