ELIMINATING THE BATTERING OF WOMEN BY MEN - SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

Based on review of representative literature, history and current rese arch indicate that battering by male partners is a major health proble m for women. Use of physical aggression and verbal coercion can be des cribed by three-term contingencies involving escape, avoidance, punish ment, and positive reinforcement. These contingencies occur within soc ietal practices, rules, and models that involve oppression of women an d insubstantial consequences for men who batter. The difficulties in d irectly observing a couple's interactions and their aggression have be en a methodological barrier to the involvement of behavior analysts in treatment of and research on domestic violence. Recommendations are m ade for behavior analysts to contribute to reducing battering through development and analysis of program components and application of cont ingency management and behavioral training technology.