What aspect of the hooks phase involves an inmate building a victim's ego?

The correct answer reflects the concept of a support system in the hooks phase, where an inmate works to enhance the self-esteem or confidence of a victim. This often involves creating a sense of validation or importance for the victim, which can make them more susceptible to manipulation. By building the victim's ego, the inmate can establish a stronger emotional connection, making it easier to influence the victim's decisions or actions.

In this context, a support system refers to the ways in which the inmate helps the victim feel valued and appreciated, which contributes to deeper emotional involvement. This is crucial for establishing the groundwork for further manipulation and control. In many cases, inmates are adept at finding and exploiting the vulnerabilities of their victims, using positive reinforcement and flattery as tools within this dynamic.

Other options touch on different elements of interpersonal manipulation, but they do not specifically capture the idea of enhancing a victim's sense of self-worth as the support system does. Emotional manipulation and psychological control imply a more direct exertion of power and influence, whereas trust-building involves establishing a relationship based on mutual confidence rather than the explicit bolstering of ego.