The reaction to preserve one's life occurs against a hostile and dangerous environment created by the captors. This includes sensory deprivation such as blindfolding, isolation, poor and dirty living conditions, repeated threats, humiliation and a sense of powerlessness.
The captives thus feel the need to protect themselves and avoid the wrath of the captors. This activates conciliation, submission and appeasement as a survival tool.
As a method of self-preservation it is also seen in victims of domestic violence whom they observe are sometimes reconciled with their abuser and behave flirtatiously and submissively towards him. By turning to the dominant person for comfort, the victim de-escalates the situation. And of course in the closed environment of a kidnap situation there may only be the dominant oppressors to turn to, according to Cantor.
