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Cycle of Abuse. In some areas of psychological research, violence is thought rarely to be only a one-time event. When abuse occurs in a relationship, it is said that the odds of reoccurrence increase dramatically.
Violent abuse is thus said to occur in four phases:
Phase 1: In this phase, tension is mounting within a home or situation. This is when minor conflicts occur and threats of violence may escalate. The duration of this phase may last from a few hours to sometimes months.
Phase 2: In this phase, the actual hands on abuse often occurs. The abuser may slap, kick, choke, or even commit worse bodily harm to the victim. The use of sexual acts or the use of weapons may even occur. It is in this phase that there is usually no witnesses and there is little the victim can do to stop the violence.
Phase 3: The is often called the apology phase or the "Honeymoon" phase. The abuser may apologize and show great signs of remorse and beg for forgiveness. Often times, the abuser will present gifts and tokens so that the victim will excuse the abuse. The abuser may even promise to seek treatment for the behavior and promise it will never happen again.
Phase 4: Phase 1 starts all over again in a vicious cycle. Unfortunately, the abuse begins again and most often the abuser is more violent and terrorizing in his acts. The victim is often injured to the point of hospitalization or worse and often can not find an escape out of the situation.
This cycle is seen as 'neverending', unless the 'the victim' finds a way to physically leave the situation.
Criticisms have been raised about the methodological limitations of the research from which this theory arises. While the theory 'fits' the anecdotal experience of many partners in abusive relationships, there are questions about its universal and determinist application as a prognostic tool. Coverage of this theory in the media and in popular self-help books is said to have distorted public perception of the complexity & diversity of relationship breakdown, and also contributed to the design of unsatisfactory interventions by the state in relationships.
Also see
Links:
Beyond a One Dimensional View: The Politics of Family Violence (1997) (http://www.reenasommerassociates.mb.ca/dv_canada.html)
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