In recent years researchers have developed typologies of domestic violence to describe the types of situations and relationship patterns in which the violence occurs. These types emerge from different causes and require different treatment responses in order to end the violence. Using the categories named by Johnson (2006), these typologies can be identified as Coercive Controlling Violence, Violent Resistance, Situational Couple Violence, and Separation Instigated Violence (1). Coercive Controlling Violence is indicated by controlling patterns, and includes such patterns as "intimidation; emotional abuse; isolation; minimizing, denying, and blaming; use of children; asserting male privilege; economic abuse; and coercion and threats" (10). Violent Resistance is violence that occurs as an act of resistance against inflicted violence. It can be done almost instinctively in the moment, or can be thought out ahead of time in response to frequent violence (15-16). Separation Instigated Violence is violence that occurs when a couple with no prior history of violence chooses to separate (22). For the purposes of our research, we will focus on Situational Couple Violence.
Kelly and Johnson describe (2008) Situational Couple Violence:
- Violence “is not based on a relationship dynamic of coercion and control ... and mostly arises from conflicts and arguments between partners” (481)
- is gender symmetric (481)
- “is not embedded in a relationship-wide pattern of power, coercion, and control” (485)
- “results from situations or arguments between partners” (485)
- “One or both partners appear to have poor ability to manage their conflicts and/or poor control of anger” (485)
- “the violence and emotional abuse are not accompanied by a chronic pattern of controlling, intimidating, or stalking behaviors” (485-6)
Typically, this type of violence occurs infrequently within a particular couple (Johnson 2006, 18), though it can become "chronic and severe, even homicidal" (3-4).
