Thursday, 26 October 2007
Emotional Consistency, Conflict, and the Stockholm Syndrome
Marion Ledwig, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
12:05 pm, 817R Cathedral of Learning

Abstract: When we speak of emotional inconsistencies, it is necessary to distinguish between two different kinds: first, the possibility of having two different emotions at the same time and second, the possibility of having continually fluctuating emotions. In the case of mixed feelings, there do not have to be opposite emotions present, whereas in the case of emotional conflicts this has to be the case. I agree with Ben-Ze'ev's view that the apparent paradox, that one hurts the person which one loves, is resolved by the nature of romantic love. Yet, paradoxical phenomena, such as the Stockholm syndrome, are not so easily solvable, for, even if it might be rational in the hostage situation to identify with the kidnapper (for the victim is in the same situation), this is no good reason for later on marrying the kidnapper, as has happened in reality. Finally, emotional inconsistencies can be rational.