What term is defined as topics used to help calm a subject and leverage them to your advantage?

The term that refers to topics used to help calm a subject and leverage them to your advantage is described accurately by the choice "Hooks." Hooks are conversational elements that engage a person emotionally or intellectually and can facilitate rapport building. Utilizing hooks effectively can create a connection that helps to diffuse tension and encourages cooperation. In law enforcement and conflict resolution contexts, finding a hook can help officers communicate more effectively with individuals in stressful situations, allowing for a more productive dialogue.

While de-escalation techniques are crucial in reducing conflict, they encompass a broader set of strategies rather than the specific topics or points of engagement that hooks signify. Engagement strategies align closely but focus more generally on the process of connecting with a subject, rather than the specific components that can be used to draw a subject in. Communication triggers, while relevant in understanding cues that can initiate a response, do not specifically address the calming aspect of those topics in the same context as hooks do.