Most people know of the Stockholm syndrome as a process in which the victim of a hostage situation comes to identify with the hostage taker, but it is actually more complex than that and occurs in three stages:

• First the victim experiences an increase in association with the hostage taker.
• Then the victim usually experiences a decrease in identification with the authorities who are dealing with the hostage taker.
• Finally the hostage taker experiences an increase in identification and bonding with the victim.

- Lt.Col. D.Grossman