Inside the Mind of a Captor: The Dark Psychology Behind Holding Others Prisoner
Colleen Stan, Jaycee Dugard, and Elizabeth Smart—names that send shivers down spines—are among the rare survivors who endured years of captivity before breaking free. But what drives a person to hold another human being hostage? What lurks in the minds of these captors, making them believe they have the right to imprison and control?
Dr. Fathali Moghaddam, a psychologist and professor at Georgetown University, has spent years studying the motivations and psychological profiles of kidnappers. A&E True Crime sat down with him to uncover the chilling truths behind these crimes.
Who Becomes a Captor? The Disturbing Profile
When we hear of a kidnapping case, the instinctive question arises: Who would do such a thing? While there’s no single blueprint for a kidnapper, research shows common traits.
Captors are overwhelmingly men—often white, aged between their thirties and fifties. To the outside world, many appear unremarkable, even friendly. Neighbors may describe them as ‘nice guys,’ and they often have stable relationships with family members. This duality—the ability to blend in while harboring a dark secret—makes them all the more dangerous.
Their victims, however, are often much younger, chosen for their perceived vulnerability. Yet, it’s not necessarily about the individual—it’s about control.
The Twisted Motivations Behind Captivity
Unlike impulsive crimes of passion, kidnappings are frequently premeditated. These captors don’t act out of psychosis; rather, they are calculated, methodical, and motivated by a hunger for absolute control.
“They aren’t necessarily mentally ill in a clinical sense,” says Moghaddam. “Instead, they are narcissists with an insatiable need for dominance. Many feel inadequate in their everyday lives and compensate by exerting power over a captive.”
For some, the desire is purely sexual. For others, it’s about domination and dependency. Some even manipulate their partners into helping them, coercing spouses or girlfriends into luring victims into their grasp. These cases, while less common, are particularly chilling.
The Predator’s Mindset: Planning the Unthinkable
Unlike impulsive crimes, kidnappings require meticulous planning. Many captors stalk their victims for days, even weeks, before striking. They learn their routines, assess their vulnerabilities, and ensure their abduction is seamless.
While popular narratives often attribute such behavior to childhood trauma, Moghaddam warns against oversimplification. “These individuals are not acting out of past pain. They are cold, calculated predators. They know exactly what they are doing and enjoy the control they wield.”
When Captivity Becomes a Psychological Battlefield
Some kidnappers go beyond physical confinement; they manipulate their victims psychologically, instilling fear and obedience. They convince captives that escape is impossible—that any attempt would result in harm to them or their loved ones. Over time, some victims, in a desperate bid for survival, form emotional bonds with their captors, a phenomenon known as Stockholm Syndrome.
But do captors ever develop genuine feelings for their victims? According to Moghaddam, the answer is clear: No.
“The captor’s attachment is not love—it’s possession. They aren’t interested in an emotional connection. They are invested in control.”
The Final Act: Breaking Free or Remaining Trapped
The psychological chains of captivity are often more powerful than the physical ones. Many victims hesitate to flee, even when opportunities arise, because they’ve been mentally conditioned to believe that resistance is futile. Yet, some, against all odds, find the strength to escape.
For every case like Jaycee Dugard’s, where years of captivity end in liberation, there are countless others where victims remain lost in the shadows, their fates unknown.
The question that haunts us all: How many more captives remain hidden, their cries unheard?
The battle against these crimes is ongoing, and understanding the psychology behind them is just the beginning. If you or someone you know has information about a missing person, never hesitate to come forward—because sometimes, a single tip is all it takes to shatter the chains of captivity.
