Desislava М. Ivanova – Psychological Reactions and Nonverbal Behavior of Hostages and Captors in Acts of Terrorism

Abstract: This article intends to explore the phenomenon terrorism and its parameters. The research objectives are associated with clarifying the theoretical framework of the concept of terrorism, analyzing the causes of terrorism, possible solutions for output and in particular, examining the psychological reactions and nonverbal behavior of the hostages and kidnappers in specific situations. The study has an interdisciplinary character and within its scope the content and the characteristics of the specific psychological effects in different phases that the kidnapper goes through are considered, as well as the analysis of the overall interaction between the captor and the victim during the crisis situation, and in particular when the „Stockholm Syndrome” appears.

Keywords: acts of terrorism, outcome, captors, hostages, psychological effects, non-verbal communication, role

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 15, January 2015, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

Read the original of the article (in Bulgarian)