NCJ Number
141157
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1993) Pages: 36-51
Date Published
1993
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relative acceptability of dating violence from the perspectives of 148 students recruited from undergraduate classes at the University of Georgia.
Abstract
Using an experimental design, subjects read descriptions of dating violence that varied according to the seriousness of the relationship, the sex of the perpetrators, and the setting in which the violence occurred. Straus's Conflict Tactics Scale (Form N) was used to assess the subjects' previous experience with dating violence. Subjects provided information on their ages, gender, and marital status. They were also asked whether they were currently dating, whether they had dated in the past, and at what age they began to date. Findings show that the subjects were more tolerant of violent behavior when the depicted relationship was serious and when the perpetrator was female. Relationship status affected not only the acceptability of the violence, particularly slapping and shoving, but also the appropriateness of various actions that might be taken following the episode, particularly those that would alter or end the relationship. Violent behavior by a male was judged to be less acceptable, more injurious, and more criminal. In addition, relative to female victims, male victims were viewed as needing less recourse or redress. Male and female subjects presented essentially similar histories of dating violence, both victimization and perpetration, and previous experience did not affect responses to the dating scenarios. The perceptions found in this study are apparently problematic and in need of change. Dating vignettes such as those used in this study might prove useful in helping students uncover their personal biases and in teaching effective conflict resolution skills. 3 tables and 34 references