Case 3: Natascha Kampusch
Natascha Kampusch was captured at 10 years old by her abductor, Wolfgang Priklopil. She was hidden in his basement for over eight years. She was barely fed, physically and mentally abused, and isolated for years before she was able to earn small portions of freedom. She was stuck in a soundproof, windowless cell that had a steel door ahead. She eventually used manipulative tactics in order to feel some freedom; like reading or listening to the radio.
She endured a complex case of Stockholm Syndrome; but it wasn’t an unintentional occurrence, it was rather enforced by her in order to do certain things. She used a survival strategy of earning his trust to escape. Since she experienced severe isolation, her only form of connection was her kidnapper, whom she grew pity for, not love or attachment. When she found out he committed suicide, she cried, but not out of affection, but connection. Her emotional social connection was with him for years, until she was able to heal.
Her childhood has altered how she experiences life now. She still experiences psychological conflicts; an attachment to the house she was abducted in, the complex connection between her and her captor, and how healing will take years.
Scientifc: The Harlow Monkey Experiment
An experiment run by Harry Harlow during the 1950-60s was conducted to highlight the necessity of mother-child bonding and social interaction. Infant monkeys were separated by their mothers and were given the choice of being with the cold, wire ‘mother’ with food, and the cloth covered ‘mother’ with no food. Most monkeys went towards the cloth covered mother. They visited the wired mother for food, but often stuck with the other option.