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{{Short description|Social cycle theory explaining patterns of behavior in an abusive relationship}} {{About|the cycle of violence within one person's pattern of abuse|a broader pattern of violence and intergenerational cycle of violence|Cycle of violence}} [[Image:Cycle of Abuse.png|thumb|250x250px|The four phases of the cycle of abuse]] The '''cycle of abuse''' is a [[social cycle theory]] developed in 1979 by [[Lenore E. Walker]] to explain patterns of behavior in an [[abusive relationship]]. The phrase is also used more generally to describe any set of conditions which perpetuate abusive and [[Dysfunctional family|dysfunctional relationships]], such as abusive child rearing practices which tend to get passed down. Walker used the term more narrowly, to describe the cycling patterns of calm, violence, and reconciliation within an abusive relationship. Critics suggest the theory was based on inadequate research criteria, and cannot therefore be generalized upon. a ==Overview== [[Lenore E. Walker]] interviewed 1,500 women who had been subject to [[domestic violence]] and found that there was a similar pattern of abuse, called the "cycle of abuse".<ref>Bonnie S. Fisher; Steven P. Lab. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=8kHrWPLLX54C&pg=PA257 Encyclopedia of Victimology and Crime Prevention]''. SAGE Publications; 2 February 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-4129-6047-2}}. p. 257.</ref> Initially, Walker proposed that the cycle of abuse described the [[Controlling behavior in relationships|controlling]], [[patriarchal]] behavior of men who felt entitled to abuse their wives to maintain control over them. She used the terms ''the battering cycle'' and [[battered woman syndrome|''battered woman syndrome'']]. Terms like ''cycle of abuse'' have been used instead for different reasons: to maintain objectivity; because the cycle of abuse does not always lead to [[physical abuse]]; because symptoms of the syndrome have been observed in men and women, and are not confined to marriage and dating. Similarly, Dutton (1994) writes, "The prevalence of violence in homosexual relationships, which also appear to go through abuse cycles is hard to explain in terms of men dominating women."<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Dutton |first=Donald G. |year=1994 |title=Patriarchy And Wife Assault: The Ecological Fallacy |journal=Violence and Victims |volume=9 |number=2 |pages=167β182 |url=http://lab.drdondutton.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DUTTON.-1994.-PATRIARCHY-AND-WIFE-ASSAULT-THE-ECOLOGICAL-FALLACY..pdf |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229141744/http://lab.drdondutton.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DUTTON.-1994.-PATRIARCHY-AND-WIFE-ASSAULT-THE-ECOLOGICAL-FALLACY..pdf |archivedate=2014-12-29 |doi=10.1891/0886-6708.9.2.167 |pmid=7696196|s2cid=35155731 }}</ref> The cycle of abuse concept is widely used in domestic violence programs, particularly in the United States. Critics have argued the theory is flawed as it does not apply as universally as Walker suggested, does not accurately or completely describe all abusive relationships, and may emphasize ideological presumptions rather than empirical data.<ref name="Dutton&Golant">Dutton, Donald G. and Susan Golant. 1997. The Batterer: A Psychological Profile. {{ISBN|0465033881}}</ref> ==Phases== The cycle usually goes in the following order, and will repeat until the conflict is stopped, usually by the survivor entirely abandoning the relationship{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} or some form of intervention.<ref name="Newman p. 9">Willis C. Newman; Esmeralda Newman. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=c1_9nzCi4W0C&pg=PA9 Domestic Violence: Causes and Cures and Anger Management]''. Willis Newman; 12 May 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-4528-4323-0}}. p. 9.</ref> The cycle can occur hundreds of times in an abusive relationship, the total cycle taking anywhere from a few hours to a year or more to complete. However, the length of the cycle usually diminishes over time so that the "reconciliation" and "calm" stages may disappear,{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} violence becomes more intense and the cycles become more frequent.<ref name="Newman p. 9" /> ===1: Tension building=== Stress builds from the pressures of daily life, like conflict over children, marital issues, misunderstandings, or other family conflicts. It also builds as the result of illness, legal or financial problems, unemployment, or catastrophic events, like floods, rape or war.<ref name="Newman p. 9" /> During this period, the abuser feels ignored, threatened, annoyed or wronged. The feeling lasts on average several minutes to hours, although it may last as long as several months.<ref name="Johnson p. 31">Scott Allen Johnson. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=xH9ucrMFdC8C&pg=PA31 Physical Abusers and Sexual Offenders: Forensic and Clinical Strategies]''. CRC Press; 13 July 2006. {{ISBN|978-0-8493-7259-9}}. p. 31.</ref> To prevent violence, the victim may try to reduce the tension by [[Fight-or-flight response|becoming compliant]] and nurturing. Alternatively, the victim may provoke the abuser to get the abuse over with, prepare for the violence or lessen the degree of injury. However, the abuser is never justified in engaging in violent or abusive behavior.<ref name="Johnson p. 31" /> ===2: Incident === During this stage, the abuser attempts to dominate their victim. Outbursts of violence and abuse occur which may include [[verbal abuse]]<ref name="Newman p. 9" /> and [[psychological abuse]].<ref name="Johnson p. 31" /> In [[intimate partner violence]], children are [[Effects of domestic violence on children|negatively affected]] by having witnessed the violence, and the partner's relationship degrades as well. The release of energy reduces the tension, and the abuser may feel or express that the victim "had it coming" to them.<ref name="Newman p. 9" /> ===3: Reconciliation=== The perpetrator may begin to feel remorse, guilty feelings, or fear that their partner will leave or call the police. The victim feels pain, fear, humiliation, disrespect, confusion, and may mistakenly feel responsible.<ref name="Newman p. 9" /> Characterized by affection, apology, or, alternatively, ignoring the incident, this phase marks an apparent end of violence, with assurances that it will never happen again, or that the abuser will do their best to change. During this stage the abuser may feel or claim to feel overwhelming remorse and sadness. Some abusers walk away from the situation with little comment, but most will eventually [[Love bombing|shower the survivor with love and affection]]. The abuser may use [[Victim playing|self-harm or threats of suicide to gain sympathy]] and/or prevent the survivor from leaving the relationship. Abusers are frequently so convincing, and survivors so eager for the relationship to improve, that survivors (who are often worn down and confused by longstanding abuse) stay in the relationship.<ref name="Walker" /><ref>Brewster, Susan ''Helping her get free'' Seal Press 2006 {{ISBN|1-58005-167-7}}</ref> ===4: Calm=== During this phase (which is often considered an element of the honeymoon/reconciliation phase), the relationship is relatively calm and peaceful. During this period the abuser may agree to engage in counselling, ask for forgiveness, and create a normal atmosphere. In intimate partner relationships, the perpetrator may buy presents or the couple may engage in passionate sex.<ref name="Newman p. 9" /> Over time, the abuser's apologies and requests for forgiveness become less sincere and are generally stated to prevent separation or intervention.<ref name="Johnson p. 31" /> However, interpersonal difficulties will inevitably arise, leading again to the tension building phase.<ref name="Newman p. 9" /> The effect of the continual cycle may include loss of love, contempt, distress, and/or physical disability. Intimate partners may separate, divorce or, at the extreme, someone may be killed.<ref name="Newman p. 9" /> ==Critiques== Walker's cycle of abuse theory was regarded as a revolutionary and important concept in the study of abuse and interpersonal violence,<ref name="Dutton&Golant"/> but as a useful model that may be simplistic. [[Scott Allen Johnson]] developed a 14-stage cycle that broke down the tension-building, acting-out and calm stages further. In his model, there are six stages in the "escalation" or tension building stage. These lead up to the assault by acting out the revenge plan, self-destructive behavior, victim grooming and the actual physical and/or sexual assault. This is followed by a sense of relief, fear of consequences, distraction, and rationalization of abuse.<ref>Scott Allen Johnson. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=xH9ucrMFdC8C&pg=PA33 Physical Abusers and Sexual Offenders: Forensic and Clinical Strategies]''. CRC Press, 2006. {{ISBN|978-0-8493-7259-9}}. pp. 33β35.</ref> [[Donald Dutton]] and [[Susan Golant]] agree that Walker's cycle of abuse describes the cyclically abusive relationships they studied. Nonetheless, they also note that her initial research was based almost entirely on [[anecdotal]] data from a rather small set of women who were in violent relationships.<ref name="Dutton&Golant"/> Walker herself wrote, "These women were not randomly selected and they cannot be considered a legitimate data base from which to make specific generalizations."<ref name="Walker">Walker, Lenore E. (1979) ''The Battered Woman''. New York: Harper and Row.</ref> ==See also== {{columns-list|colwidth=18em| * [[Abusive power and control]] * [[Adverse childhood experiences]] * [[Culture of fear]] * [[Domestic violence]] * [[Gaslighting]] * [[Idealization and devaluation]] * [[Intermittent reinforcement]] * [[Love bombing]] * [[Narcissistic abuse]] * [[Psychological manipulation]] * [[Relational disorder]] * [[Traumatic bonding]] }} ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==Further reading== ===Books=== * [[Beverly Engel|Engel, Beverly]] ''Breaking the Cycle of Abuse: How to Move Beyond Your Past to Create an Abuse-Free Future'' (2005) * Biddix, Brenda FireEagle ''Inside the Pain: (a survivors guide to breaking the cycles of abuse and domestic violence)'' (2006) * Hameen, Latifah ''Suffering In Silence: Breaking the Cycle of Abuse'' (2006) * Hegstrom, Paul ''Angry Men and the Women Who Love Them: Breaking the Cycle of Physical and Emotional Abuse'' (2004) * Herbruck, Christine Comstock ''Breaking the cycle of child abuse'' (1979) * Marecek, Mary ''Breaking Free from Partner Abuse: Voices of Battered Women Caught in the Cycle of Domestic Violence'' (1999) * Mills, Linda G. ''Violent Partners: A Breakthrough Plan for Ending the Cycle of Abuse'' (2008) * Ney, Philip G. & Peters, Anna ''Ending the Cycle of Abuse: The Stories of Women Abused As Children & the Group Therapy Techniques That Helped Them Heal'' (1995) * Pugh, Roxanne ''Deliverance from the Vicious Cycle of Abuse '' (2007) * Quinn, Phil E. ''Spare the Rod: Breaking the Cycle of Child Abuse (Parenting/Social Concerns and Issues)'' (1988) * Smullens, SaraKay ''Setting Yourself Free :Breaking the Cycle of Emtional Abuse in Family, Friendships, Work and Love'' (2002) * Waldfogel, Jane ''The Future of Child Protection: How to Break the Cycle of Abuse and Neglect'' (2001) * Wiehe, Vernon R. ''What Parents Need to Know About Sibling Abuse: Breaking the Cycle of Violence '' (2002) ===Academic journals=== * Coxe, R & Holmes, W ''A study of the cycle of abuse among child molesters.'' Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, v10 n4 p111-18 2001 * Dodge, K. A., Bates, J. E. and Pettit, G. S. (1990) ''Mechanisms in the cycle of violence.'' Science, 250: 1678β1681. * Egeland, B., Jacobvitz, D., & Sroufe, L. A. (1988). ''Breaking the cycle of abuse: Relationship predictors.'' Child Development, 59(4), 1080β1088. * Egeland, B & Erickson, M - ''Rising above the past: Strategies for helping new mothers break the cycle of abuse and neglect.'' Zero to Three 1990, 11(2):29-35. * Egeland, B. (1993) ''A history of abuse is a major risk factor for abusing the next generation.'' In: R. J. Gelles and D. R. Loseke (eds) Current controversies on family violence. Newbury Park, Calif.; London: Sage. * Furniss, Kathleen K. ''Ending the cycle of abuse: what behavioral health professionals need to know about domestic violence.'': An article from: Behavioral Healthcare (2007) * Glasser, M & Campbell, D & Glasser, A & Leitch I & Farrelly S ''Cycle of child sexual abuse: links between being a victim and becoming a perpetrator'' The British Journal of Psychiatry (2001) 179: 482-494 * Kirn, Timothy F. ''Sexual abuse cycle can be broken, experts assert.(Psychiatry): An article from: Internal Medicine News'' (2008) * Quayle, E Taylor, M - ''Child pornography and the Internet: Perpetuating a cycle of abuse'' Deviant Behavior, Volume 23, Issue 4 July 2002, pages 331 - 361 * Stone, AE & Fialk, RJ ''Criminalizing the exposure of children to family violence: Breaking the cycle of abuse'' 20 Harv. Women's L.J. 205, Spring, 1997 * Woods, J ''Breaking the cycle of abuse and abusing: Individual psychotherapy for juvenile sex'' Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 2, No. 3, 379-392 (1997) <!--== Edit: Merge below text to above == '''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 re-occurrence increase dramatically. '''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 occur. It is in this phase that there are 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, 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/her 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 'never ending', unless '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.--> {{abuse}} {{Domestic violence}} [[Category:Abuse]] [[Category:Interpersonal relationships]]
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