PERSONALITY TYPES

According to statistics available from the FBI, in the average population 70 percent of the people are normal, 10 percent are neurotic, 2 percent are psychotic, and 18 percent have some sort of personality disorder. Of the 10 classifiable disorders, 2 are most commonly involved in hostage-taking incidents in the United States: psychotics and personality disorders. It must be reemphasized that the U.S. statistics are based primarily on criminal incidents and not on incidents of terrorism. Political terrorists are the most difficult group to deal with because they are generally rational, have a sense of right and wrong, and form strong loyalties. The personality types referred to below, while perhaps more common in hostage-taking incidents that are not political in motivation, have still been found on many occasions to be involved in terrorist groups, particularly the antisocial personality whose criminal background and experience would prove useful for a terrorist organization.

The two types of psychotics seen in 50 percent of the hostage-taking incidents in the United States are the paranoid schizophrenic and the psychotic depressive.

          Paranoid schizophrenics are characterized by persistent false mental perceptions or beliefs such as delusions of persecution. Thinking often is loose and makes no sense. Schizophrenics can appear normal at some moments and psychotic at others.

          Psychotic depressives experience extreme sadness, hopelessness, feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness, slow speaking and speech, and indecisiveness. They have a decreased concentration and are prone to suicide.

The two personality disorders most commonly encountered are the antisocial personality and the inadequate personality.

          Antisocial personalities are repeatedly in conflict with society. They are incapable of loyalty and are grossly selfish, callous, and irresponsible. They feel no guilt and have a low frustration tolerance. They tend to blame others no matter what the circumstances. In general, they are probably the most difficult personality type to deal with.

          Inadequate personalities are unable to respond effectively to emotional, social, intellectual, and physical demands. They are inept, show poor judgement and social instability, and they lack physical and emotional stamina.

Quick Recognition Points

If a person’s behavior strikes one as "weird," he or she is probably a paranoid schizophrenic;

If the response is something similar to "Go away and leave me alone," he or she is probably a psychotic depressive;

If the demands of a hostage-taker are fairly realistic, he or she may be an antisocial personality; and

If he or she is totally unrealistic, then that person is most likely an inadequate personality.

Negotiating Tactics

The tactics that you use in negotiating with these personality types are different.

Paranoid Schizophrenic

          Find out if they have been on medication and, if so, if they have their medication with them. If you can get them to take their medication you may see an improvement in their behavior over a period of time.

          Do not try to get too close to them physically because of their need for extended protective body space.

          Keep your hands where they can see them. If you have your hands in your pockets or behind your back, they will wonder what you are hiding there.

          Do not agree, but do try not to argue, with them about their delusions because these delusions seem to have a protective function for them. You might simply tell them that you understand that they are seeing things but that you don’t see them.

          Consider the use and exploitation of the media publicity because it may satisfy their real needs.

Psychotic Depressive

          Expect slow responses and provide them with the time they need to answer your questions.

          Don’t try to rush them.

          Don’t bring any friends or relatives to the scene.

          If you want them to do something, be very explicit and directive.

          Be alert to any sudden change in mood. A sudden improvement in mood may indicate that the person has decided that suicide is his/her only solution and feels better only because he/she has arrived at that solution.

          Repeat assurance consistently. Be confident and positive that his or her problems can be solved.

Antisocial Personality

          You shouldn’t bring any family members to the scene. A high correlation seems to exist between child abuse and antisocial behavior. In most cases the relationship between an antisocial and family members is not good.

          Antisocials require a great deal of stimulation. If they aren’t getting enough from their environment, they will create some, probably in the form of violent behavior. If you think they aren’t being adequately stimulated, provide stimulation in the form of distractions.

          Don’t challenge or threaten their ego.

          Don’t appear indecisive or ambivalent.

          Don’t show force.

          Don’t talk of punishment.

          Above all do not engage in face-to-face negotiations with these persons. The only way you can convince these persons to take a certain action is to convince them that it is to their advantage to do it. They won’t do it otherwise.

Inadequate Personality

          For the inadequate personality, most of the usual negotiation tactics are effective. You must, however, be alert to the possibility of suicide and go heavy on the ego support and face-saving techniques.