Psychological Aspects of Crisis Negotiation

by Thomas Strentz

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Author: Thomas Strentz

Publisher: CRC Press

Hardcover:
ISBN 10: 0849339979
ISBN 13: 978-0849339974

You arrive at the location. From the information you've been given, an individual…or individuals… has taken at least three…or ten… people hostage. There are demands made, threats boasted, and a deadline given. With all of the hysteria surrounding the scene, how do you discern what is really going on, how do you know who you are dealing with - and just what his…or their…state of mind is?

Focusing on the psychological makeup and motivation of the
hostage taker, the victim, and the negotiator, Psychological Aspects of Crisis Negotiation equips those on the scene with vital information that allows for fast, safe, and accurate decision making. The author, a seasoned FBI agent and crisis negotiation instructor, divides the content of the book into five comprehensive, yet accessible parts.

The topics in Part I discuss negotiation basics: the traits and training necessary for success, the toll that stress takes on the negotiator, negotiation teams, and the effects of third-party involvement in the process. Part II describes how to react when dealing with suicidal hostage-takers, police-assisted suicide, and crisis negotiations in a correctional setting. It also explains how to negotiate with those who have personality disorders, what to say, and not to say, to each type.

Part III discusses situational indicators as they pertain to subject surrender and volatile negotiations that involve the violent and the suicidal. Group dynamics are explored in Part IV through examination of the incidents in Waco and Ruby Ridge. This section also includes creative criteria for constructive deviation from the guidelines of negotiation. Part V illustrates hostage issues such as the phases of a crisis, the Stockholm Syndrome, and what to communicate to a hostage.

While you never know what type of situation you are responding to, Psychological Aspects of Crisis Negotiation is an important resource to have with you at all times…just in case.

Review

"Strentz combines a wide range of hands-on experiences, respect for the wisdom of some psychological concepts, and knowledge of psychopathology to give some valid, helpful advice to those who are faced with a precarious hostage or other crisis situation. He has been there and "done it." Yet he has also, through graduate work and expert coaching, learned to use psychological insights to determine an appropriate course of intervention and attain a successful outcome."
― Charles Bahn, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 51, No. 45, 2006

"…very insightful, and comprehensive. It is a great book to "carry in your CNT bag" as you give excellent recommendations on strategies to utilize when negotiating with disturbed individuals. [The author's] sense of humor throughout the book is priceless."
― Sandy Terhune, Ph.D., Santa Monica Police Department, California, USA

"…a long overdue reference book for crisis negotiators. …Psychological Aspects of Crisis Negotiations should be mandatory reading for any crisis negotiator who considers him/herself a professional."
― Russ Moore, Sergeant, San Diego Sheriff Department

" … the real gem of the book, and the reason it can be seen as a manual to have at a hostage scene, is the second section. Strenz goes into how to negotiate and what to say to different types of hostage takers. He delves into what you say to an adolescent hostage taker, a suicidal hostage taker, an inadequate personality, a paranoid schiz, a bipolar hostage taker, an extremist, even a police assisted suicide who takes hostages. This section is worth its weight in gold because he not only gives you the rationale, he gives you lists on where to go with a negotiation and what to say and not to say. This is the brilliance of Strenz’s organization."
― Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D., Executive Director Society for Police and Criminal Psychology

"Reading his book is a little like his seminar, except to see the material in a manual format makes it more alive and gives the reader confidence that they know where to go for answers if ever they find themselves negotiating for the lives of others. He organized material to make it useful even at the scene of a hostage situation. So if you want a good read and a good reference in the area of operational work, order Thomas Strenz Psychological Aspects of Crisis Negotiation. You will not be disappointed."

― Society for Police and Criminal Psychology, May 2011

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