Prisoners in revolt usually form an initial, loosely organized group without a specific outcome in mind. If negotiations are protracted, the group will begin to coalesce and leaders will emerge. Sometimes, planned disturbances have resulted in leaders already identified with perceived power who will give direction to other inmates. There may be spokesmen and lists of demands already prepared. Terrorists are the most well-known of the hostage takers, partly because one of the purposes of taking hostages is to gain the public's attention regarding some cause.
Terrorists tend to be ideologically motivated, adventuristic, psychopathic or a combination thereof.
Hostages are generally taken as part of a carefully thought out plan. Their actions are intended to cause or prevent some action and, unlike the other three types, they may be prepared to hold hostages indefinitely. The vast majority of hostage situations do not make national headlines nor do they involve cults or terrorism. Most incidents evolve from crimes gone awry. In a desperate attempt to escape or attenuate their circumstances, criminals take hostages and attempt to bargain their way out of a predicament.