Fact Check: Stockholm syndrome named after a 1973 bank robbery hostage situation.

Fact Check: "Stockholm syndrome named after a 1973 bank robbery hostage situation"

What We Know

The term "Stockholm syndrome" originated from a bank robbery that occurred in Stockholm, Sweden, in August 1973. During this incident, a man named Jan-Erik Olsson took four bank employees hostage. The standoff lasted for six days, during which the hostages reportedly developed a bond with their captors, demonstrating behaviors that aligned with the psychological phenomenon now known as Stockholm syndrome. Initially, the phenomenon was referred to as "Norrmalmstorg syndrome," named after the square where the robbery took place, but it later became internationally recognized as Stockholm syndrome (What is Stockholm syndrome? It all started with a bank ..., Norrmalmstorg robbery, Stockholm syndrome - Wikipedia).

The term was coined by Swedish criminologist Nils Bejerot, who was involved in advising the police during the crisis. He observed that some hostages appeared to side with their captors rather than the authorities (What is Stockholm syndrome? It all started with a bank ..., Stockholm Syndrome and the art of hostage negotiation). This incident has since been used to explain similar psychological responses in various hostage situations around the world (What is Stockholm syndrome? It all started with a bank ..., Stockholm syndrome - Wikipedia).

Analysis

The claim that "Stockholm syndrome" is named after a 1973 bank robbery hostage situation is accurate and well-supported by multiple credible sources. The historical context provided by the sources indicates that the term was indeed derived from the events of the Norrmalmstorg robbery, where hostages exhibited a psychological bond with their captors, a behavior that was later categorized under the term "Stockholm syndrome" (What is Stockholm syndrome? It all started with a bank ..., Norrmalmstorg robbery, Stockholm syndrome - Wikipedia).

The reliability of the sources is high, particularly those from established news organizations and encyclopedic entries that provide detailed accounts of the incident and its psychological implications. For instance, the article from AP News offers a comprehensive overview of the incident and the subsequent naming of the syndrome, while the Wikipedia entry provides a thorough historical account and context (Stockholm syndrome - Wikipedia).

However, it is important to note that while the term has gained widespread usage, its application in various contexts (like the Patty Hearst case) has sometimes led to misunderstandings about its psychological implications (What is Stockholm syndrome? It all started with a bank ..., Stockholm Syndrome: The True Story of Hostages Loyal to Their Captor).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Stockholm syndrome" is named after a 1973 bank robbery hostage situation is true. The term originated from the Norrmalmstorg robbery in Stockholm, where hostages developed a bond with their captors, leading to the psychological phenomenon being named after the city. This is well-documented in multiple reliable sources, confirming the historical accuracy of the claim.

Fact Check: Stockholm syndrome named after a 1973 bank robbery hostage situation.