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This book reviews key gender- and non-gender-related violence issues and makes a compelling behavioral argument that using violence to control others is a rational choice. Promotes deeper understanding of partner violence, aimed at more effective intervention.

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As domestic violence continues to be a focus of social and psychological concern, two basic contradictory viewpoints endure: one rooted in male power dynamics, the other maintaining that both genders use and are victimized by violence. Although both sides have their merits, neither has adequately answered the crucial question: What causes conflict to escalate into violence?

Partner Violence: A New Paradigm for Understanding Conflict Escalation adds a third, escalation-focused paradigm to the debate, addressing the limitations of the two dominant perspectives in a comprehensive scholarly approach. This concise yet comprehensive volume examines key gender- and non-gender-related violence issues and sets out a compelling behavioral argument that using violence to control others is a rational choice. Its theoretical and empirical foundations support an in-depth study of escalating aggression in violent relationships, both throughout periods of chronic conflict and in single violent episodes. This analysis promotes a broader and deeper understanding of partner violence, suitable to developing more finely targeted, effective, and lasting interventions.

Among the key topics featured are: Gender differences in aggressive tendencies. Dominance, control, and violence. Partner violence as planned behavior. The process leading to partner violence. Partner conflict dynamics throughout relationship periods and within conflicts. Gender differences in escalatory intentions.

Partner Violence is an important volume for researchers, graduate students, and clinicians/professionals across various disciplines, including personality and social psychology, criminology, public health, clinical psychology, sociology, and social work.

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Preface.- Gender Differences in Aggressive Tendencies.- Dominance and Control.- Partner Violence as a Rational Choice.- Partner Violence as Planned Behavior.- The Process Leading to Partner Violence.- Partner Conflict Dynamics Throughout Relationship Periods.- Partner Conflict Dynamics.- Observation Units of Partner Violence.- Gender Differences in Escalatory Intentions.- Observations about the Third Paradigm.

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From the reviews:
"This book examines partner violence, especially in terms of escalatory partner conflict, a new paradigm that covers both gender-related and non gender-related violence issues. ... The book successfully presents a new paradigm to help understand domestic violence, adding to the traditional paradigms citing male power dynamics and that both genders can use violence and be victims. This will be an invaluable addition to the library of those who address domestic violence, for clinicians, researchers, and those involved in public policy." (Gary B. Kaniuk, Doody´s Book Reviews, March, 2013)

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