Stockholm Syndrome may well apply to entire societies which are bullied and abused by organized elements controlling that society.
Stockholm syndrome, or capture-bonding, is a psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them. These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims, who essentially mistake a lack of abuse from their captors for an act of kindness. The FBI's Hostage Barricade Database System shows that roughly 27% of victims show evidence of Stockholm syndrome.
Stockholm syndrome can be seen as a form of traumatic bonding, which does not necessarily require a hostage scenario, but which describes 'strong emotional ties that develop between two persons where one person intermittently harasses, beats, threatens, abuses, or intimidates the other.' One commonly used hypothesis to explain the effect of Stockholm syndrome is based on Freudian theory. It suggests that the bonding is the individual's response to trauma in becoming a victim. Identifying with the aggressor is one way that the ego defends itself. When a victim believes the same values as the aggressor, they no longer become a threat. Wikipedia, Stockholm Syndrome
Team Sports
Stockholm syndrome seems to be applied where individual will is supplanted by the will of another or to an ideal (or Rule Set) - a form of forced conformity. This dynamic is clearly seen in team sports. To be sure an individual willingly participating in team sports adapts ideas of
- Surrendering to an unelected authority (sport association) and authority figure (coach and referee).
- Surrendering personal initiative to rules and regulations which cannot be disputed (only in exceptional circumstances).
- Surrendering individuality to 'team spirit'.
- Indoctrinates "them versus us" mind-set.
- Indoctrinates desire to surrender (sacrifice) individuality via ardent desire to be included in a group ruled by group-think. (Gang mentality)
Is it a coincidence the authoritarian state compensates well those who indoctrinate our youth to widely accepted and clearly delineated conformity?
Links
Professional Sports: The Opiate of the Masses
Sport as the “Opiate of the Masses”: College Football in the American South
See Also
Belief
cognitive dissonance
false gods
Resonance
Stockholm Syndrome
Victim
victim consciousness
Victims Anonymous