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Irish Wedding News

26/06/2014

Women 'Are More Aggressive To Their Partners'

A new study has revealed that women are more verbally and physically aggressive to their partners, than men.

The research, conducted by psychologists at the University of Cumbria, asked 1,104 young men and women about physical aggression and controlling behaviour involving partners and friends. The students were in their late teens or early 20s as they are, statistically, the most likely to be victims of aggression; and looking at the findings, there were just as many females as males who could be classed as abusive "intimate terrorists".

The term 'intimate terrorist' was first founded in the 1990s by Professor Michael P Johnson. The sociologist, from the University of Michigan, used the phrase to define a severe form of controlling behaviour, including threats, intimidation and physical violence.

In both men and women, the study found that controlling behaviour was linked to physical aggression, with the latter tending to be more aggressive to their other half, while men are more likely to be physically aggressive to same-sex 'others', including their friends.

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Commenting on the findings, Dr Elizabeth Bates from the University of Cumbria and the study leader, said: "Previous studies have sought to explain the male violence towards women as arising from patriarchal values, which motivate men to seek to control women's behaviour, using violence if necessary.

"This study found that women demonstrated a desire to control their partners and were more likely to use physical aggression than men. This suggests that IPV [intimate partner violence] may not be motivated by patriarchal values and needs to be studied within the context of other forms of aggression, which has potential implications for interventions."

Historically, it has been found that intimate terrorists mostly tended to be men, but the new research demonstrated that women are also likely to exhibit such behaviour. Dr Bates, who presented her findings at the British Psychological Society's Division of Forensic Psychology annual meeting in Glasgow, explained: "It wasn't just pushing and shoving. Some people were circling the boxes for things like beating up, kicking, and threatening to use a weapon.

"In terms of high levels of control and aggression, there was no difference between men and women."

She added: "The stereotypical popular view is still one of dominant control by men. That does occur but research over the last 10 to 15 years has highlighted the fact that women are controlling and aggressive in relationships too.

"A contributing factor could be that in the past women have talked about it more. The feminist movement made violence towards women something we talk about. Now there is more support for men and more of them are feeling comfortable coming forward."

(JP/CD)

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"A new study has revealed that women are more verbally and physically aggressive to their partners, than men."