CMRJ-525 Week 2: Stockholm Syndrome & The Mentally Ill

Introduction to CMRJ-525 Week 2

The CMRJ-525 Week 2: Stockholm Syndrome & The Mentally Ill involves understanding the psychological phenomenon known as Stockholm Syndrome and applying negotiation strategies in high-stress situations involving emotionally impacted individuals. The Owlisdom How-To guide of CMRJ-525 Week 2: Stockholm Syndrome & The Mentally Ill will provide a structured approach to answer two discussion questions: one on negotiating with a troubled individual who has caused accidental death, and the other on training prison staff to handle hostage situations, mainly focusing on Stockholm Syndrome and dealing with mentally ill captors.is a pivotal component of leadership in healthcare, where you, as a nurse leader or aspiring leader, must effectively communicate the details and implications of your projects to stakeholders. 

Jason was called into his boss’ office and given his pink slip. Jason began shouting and cursing at his boss, who ordered him out of the room and picked up the phone to call security. Jason threw a heavy ashtray across the room and accidentally struck the boss in the head, killing him. He then barricaded himself in the room, and the police were called. You are the primary negotiator. When you first speak to Jason, he is hysterical with fright. He has never been in trouble before (not even a traffic citation). He is afraid not only of what will happen to him but what will happen to his family, his son, who is graduating from high school and getting ready to enroll in college, and his youngest daughter, who is autistic and needs a lot of parental support. What could you say to Jason to reduce his stress, calm him down, and set the framework for successful negotiations?

Negotiating with Jason

• Quickly assess the situation by gathering all available information about Jason’s background and the incident.
• Approach the situation with a calm demeanor. Your composure will help set a tone of stability.
• Listen to Jason’s concerns without interruption. Show genuine empathy for his fear and distress.
• Validate his feelings by acknowledging his fear and his difficult situation. Use phrases like, “I understand this is a terrifying situation for you.”
• Jason’s immediate concerns about his family. Assure him that his family’s well-being can be discussed and arrangements can be made.
• Reassure him about his safety and the importance of peacefully working together to resolve the situation.
• Start with small agreements to build trust. For instance, ask him to remove any weapons or move away from dangerous areas.
• Establish a structured dialogue where he feels heard and understood. Ensure he knows that his cooperation is essential for a positive outcome.
• Mention the availability of professional help, such as counselors or mediators, to further assist in the situation.

Example

In the intense scenario where Jason accidentally killed his boss and barricaded himself in the office, the primary objective of a negotiator is to de-escalate his heightened emotional state and establish a framework for peaceful negotiation. Assessing Jason’s psychological state and gathering pertinent background information is crucial to understanding his motivations and fears. This insight can guide the conversation towards empathy and reassurance. Upon first contact, the negotiator should maintain a calm and composed demeanor, setting a tone of stability that can influence Jason’s emotional response.

Active listening is a critical component in building rapport with Jason. The negotiator can validate his feelings and demonstrate understanding by allowing him to express his fears and anxieties without interruption. Phrases such as “I understand this is a terrifying situation for you” 

You have been asked to train prison staff in how to act if taken hostage. In terms of the Stockholm Syndrome, adaptation, and coping with being taken hostage, what would you teach them? Develop an exercise for them that stresses dealing with both Stockholm Syndrome and those hostage takers who have a mental illness. 

Training Prison Staff on Handling Hostage Situations

• Explain Stockholm Syndrome, highlighting the development of compassion and loyalty towards captors due to the stress of captivity.
• Identify traits in both survivors and those who succumb, such as loyalty to captors and post-traumatic stress symptoms.
• Train staff to mentally prepare for the possibility of being taken hostage, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a calm and rational mindset.
• Teach them to find common ground and show empathy towards captors, which can be a survival mechanism.
• Develop a role-playing exercise where staff members act as captors and hostages. 
• Conduct a debriefing session focusing on the importance of empathy, communication, and psychological resilience.

Example

Training prison staff to handle hostage situations effectively involves a comprehensive understanding of Stockholm Syndrome and the necessary coping mechanisms to endure captivity. Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where hostages develop an emotional bond with their captors as a survival strategy. Educating staff about this syndrome includes detailing how these bonds form under duress and identifying traits common in survivors, such as loyalty to captors and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Understanding these psychological dynamics is essential for staff to navigate the complexities of a hostage scenario.

Adapting and coping mechanisms are integral to surviving a hostage situation. Psychological preparation is paramount, where staff is trained to maintain a calm and rational mindset despite the stress of captivity. Emphasizing the importance of empathy towards captors can be a crucial survival mechanism.

Closing

CMRJ-525 Week 2: Stockholm Syndrome & The Mentally Ill outlined a structured approach to answering the discussion questions on negotiating with emotionally impacted individuals and training prison staff on handling hostage situations. The key takeaway is the importance of empathy, effective communication, and psychological preparation in negotiation and training scenarios. By following these guidelines of CMRJ-525 Week 2: Stockholm Syndrome & The Mentally Ill, students can develop a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in these high-stress situations and apply these strategies effectively.

In the Next assessment of CMRJ-525, you will learn about composing and answering a graduate-level question related to the course learning objective of judging the assertion that it is always best not to negotiate with terrorist groups.