RESEARCH & THEORY ON FAMILY VIOLENCE Chapter 3 DR GINNA BABCOCK

Transcription

1 RESEARCH & THEORY ON FAMILY VIOLENCE Chapter 3 DR GINNA BABCOCK

2 Research Methods Research involves two-pronged process of data-gathering and analysis a theory is meaningless until tested in the empirical world. Data are useless until analyzed and explained with theory Common goals: advancement of general knowledge, to predict, explain, and to solve problems (latter usually left to the practitioners) Quantitative Research (general to specific; deductive); closed-ended questions Qualitative Research (specific to general; inductive); open-ended questions Sample: part of the population used in data-gathering (different kinds random, representative, stratified, etc)

3 Family Violence Theory Social scientists acknowledge social interactions are not random acts Patterns of behavior are learned through socialization and passed from generation to generation Most family abuse theories developed from inductive, qualitative studies at the micro level in an ecological model

4 The Classical School Individuals choose to engage in crime Cesare Beccaria = father of classical criminology People possess a free will and therefore have the ability to reason Laws must be written specifically to define criminal behavior as well as the punishment Dominant perspective for about 100 years

5 Rational Choice Criminal behavior is more than just a response to social pressures is also a choice Determine the effectiveness of interventions in order to decide how best to reduce benefits of crime and increase the cost of criminal action

6 Deterrence Theory Punishment must be swift and certain in order to deter crime Deterrent effect of punishment can be specific or general in nature How effective deterrence is, and why it works or fails is not well understood Through deterrence, recidivism is reduced in some cases of family violence

7 The Positive School-- Biological Theories Most controversial and have limited application to family violence Under this model violent or criminal behavior is beyond the control of the individual and caused by the person s biology, genetics, etc

8 The Positive School -- Sociological Theories Social Structure and Cultural Theories Culture of Violence Theory Social Disorganization Theory Strain Theory Gender-Role Theory

9 The Positive School -- Psychological Theories Social Learning Theories People not born with violent tendencies Deviance learned through environment and life experiences (e.g., peers, media) Behavior Modeling Theory Intergenerational Transmission Theory (socialization)

10 Social Control Theories Attachment Theory Relationship develops between infant and primary caregiver affects relationships later in life Children secure in their attachments are easily comforted and move freely from caregiver to stranger

11 Individual Pathology and Male Batterers Small number of domestic violence perpetrators exhibit behaviors similar to a person suffering with personality disorders Highly resistant to counseling and other forms of intervention, suggesting psychopathological sickness

12 The Conflict School Law is the means by which ruling class maintains control Lawmakers legitimize positions of superiority by dominating minorities and lower classes Poverty, minority status (including women) and unemployment important independent variables to conflict theorists

13 Patriarchal Theory Most widely used perspective on woman battering, also referred to as feminist approach Major tenets are: Gender relationships are a fundamental component of social life Power of men by virtue of their privileged status is the means by which women are controlled Ending the subordination of women by means of changing the social structure remains the major goal. Equal access and protection through law

14 Gender Inequality Female criminality has been ignored Female offenders seen as inferior and their crimes insignificant Chivalry hypothesis: women likely to be protected by the criminal justice system and given more lenient treatment In communities where mandatory arrest policies on domestic violence have been rigorously applied, number of female offenders has risen dramatically Experts argue that female offenders are self-defending against male aggression

15 Multidimensional Theory Researchers are turning to this theory to understand the complexities of family violence Ecological model identified by U S Department of Health and Human Services as the best framework to address causes, consequences, and treatment formulations for abused children