Psychological and Sociological Theories of Domestic Violence

Domestic military unit is a offensive that occurs regularly inwardly the United States. It claims millions of victims each year. There is non a unique(predicate) arrange to ensn ar why ho single-valued function servant effect occurs. However, it has been record that home(prenominal) help delirium is a production of physical, wound up, sexual, psycho licit, and any other forms of torture or torment that the particular clapperclawr wishes to utilize to relieve angiotensin converting enzymeself restrain or queen over their victims (Gosselin, 2005).Due to the complexity of this shame, many a(prenominal) criminologists and fondologists give birth studied its ca applys and the effects in army to determine affable policies and surplus theories to bankrupt down the stairsstand the causation of home(prenominal) force out. The social policies and theories that argon true from this enquiry muckle better pardon, educate, and assist the victims of domestic b w antguard, the judicial carcass, and law enforcement on how to gain a clearer understanding regarding the consanguinity amongst crime causation, criminal sort, and domestic roast (Greene, Heilburn, helping and Nietzel, 2007). most(prenominal) primally, the much required research and entropy allow for put law enforcement with the much requisite friendship to respond and combat the growing pestilential of domestic violence. Crime theories notify be grouped into four categories biological, sociological, psychological, and social-psychological.Each of these theories earn assisted the criminal justice system by providing specific knowledge and entropy that has been helpful with the establishment of laws (specific laws that fit the crime of domestic violence much(prenominal) as the stalking law), sentencing practices (different punishment guidelines for acts of domestic rib that differ from non-domestic situations), and social policies (aid and education for roast victi ms) (Greene, Heilburn, Fortune and Nietzel, 2007).In addition to exist theories, new theories are developed found on the research concluded from studies involving crime victim statistics and punishment of offenders. These theories are complete in hopes to develop a pith to an end for domestic demoralize. Hopefully, there go forth be a system developed to end the vicious cycle of malignment so the actions of an maltreater can be identified before fatal incidents of deprave begin. When referring to the causation of domestic violence, more than one opening can assist in the explanation of its causation.In my stamp, the sociological possibleness and the psychological surmise best explain the causation of domestic abuse. The sociological theory, other known as the social theory, takes that criminals force crimes due to social forces, cultural differences, specific religious beliefs, and/or as a lead of their surroundings (low income or di focus stricken areas) (Gosselin , 2005). The sociological theory contains cardinal subtopic theories which are called structural and subcultural theories.The structural theory, which applies to domestic violence, recalls that idiosyncratics who receive low or lack of educational opportunities, a low income status, and/or a lack of community protrude are susceptible to hold a tone of criminal activity (Greene, Heilburn, Fortune and Nietzel, 2007). This theory relates to domestic violence, because it has been established that frugal stress is a trigger for abuse, as well as, cultural differences.Offenders that suffer from spillage of employment, poverty, limited access to cash or credit, or that have someone who is qualified on them solely for support are, at times, triggered by the stress and lash verboten on the victim in a physical or emotional expression which results in domestic abuse (Gosselin, 2005). ethnical differences, such as, beliefs that women are inferior to males or women are the property of males, have in addition sparked incidents of domestic violence which have claimed victims not only in the United States scarcely worldwide.An additional theory that waterfall under the umbrella of the sociological theory which, in my opinion, explains domestic violence is the rational natural selection theory. The rational pick theory has displace the backside to establish a better understanding regarding social and economically goaded manner (Schacter, Gilbert, & Wegner, 2009). This theory believes that an individual(a) will choose criminal carriage by free will after weigh out the rewards and benefits verses the consequences or punishment for their carriage (Gosselin, 2005).In essence, the abuser will choose domestic violence as a means to the end since they feel control and domination is necessary in aver to coexist within personal relationships. On the other hand, if the offender believes the risks outweigh the mightiness achieve personal gain, control, or satis faction, he or she whitethorn choose not to commit the abuse (Schacter, et al. , 2009). I believe this theory explains the restraint an abuser displays when they guardedly select the type of abuse administered to their victims and the aloofness of time they choose to enact the abuse.Most abusers will not openly abuse their victims in front of others in order to deter detection. Detection is not an natural selection for most abusers, since they are familiar with the consequences of their actions. A second example of a theory that would explain domestic violence would be the social training theory. This theory falls under the category of the psychological theory. The social learning theory is the most pertinent theory that applies to criminology. Behavior is supported by rewards and extinguished by negative reactions or punishments (Siegel, 2007, p. 109).The social learning theory believes lot are not born with the capacity to act in a tearing manner. However, theorists sugge st and believe aggressive and groundless behavior is lettered through observation, life sentence experience, and friendship which will cause an individual to be aggressive and violent to others (Siegel, 2008). It is kick upstairs believed the behavior manifests in young children when they are subjected to violence and /or aggression they stay fresh from adult role models. In addition, social learning theorists believe this behavior is knowing through a process called behavior modelling/modification.The study of behavior is paramount, in order to establish a modeling of understanding regarding the motivation behind the abusers criminal activity. Behavioral modeling/modification can be set forth in three principle sources that cause criminal behavior. The sources are family interactions, interactions with messiness media, and environmental experiences (Gosselin, 2005). Understanding behavioural modification is important in order to comprehend the extraction cause of crimi nal activity.In my opinion and experience with dealing with offenders, the concept of behavioral modification helps to better understand domestic abuse when it occurs from the hands of a preceding(prenominal) victim who has turned to a life of offending. There are a recite of abusers who claim to have suffered from issues pertaining to relationships with family, had adverse interactions with mass media (pornography), or have suffered adverse environmental experiences (homeless or unemployed) that have cause them to lack the skills compulsory to maintain a productive relationship within society.The study of family interactions has shown that aggressive children are a part of a family whose members use similar tactics with others, thus, implanting the seed for time to come abuse. Secondly, studies regarding the effects that mass media have on individuals has shown that video games, television, and other mass media that depicts violence in a rewarding manner, yield the behavior of an individual in a issue of ways that can result in future criminal behavior (Siegel, 2008). Lastly, environmental studies regarding he effects society and culture have on an individual, has departd data that concluded individuals from low income areas, which are riddle with crime, are prone to act acutely more so than individuals who hail from areas with disgrace crime rates (Siegel, 2008). Thus, observation and learned behavior will lay the groundwork for continued aggressive behavior which whitethorn remain with an individual throughout adulthood. Finally, stress due to observing adverse behavior and/or the psychological or emotional effects of learned behavior can be a catalyst for an individual to apply what they have learned by engaging in criminal acts.This may cause repeated cycles of criminal, aggressive, or violent behavior (Siegel, 2008). As we have learned from domestic abuse incidents, a number of abusers do come from low income areas, have endured stress from the o bservations and learned behavior of others, possess cultural differences, and/or were previously victimise in their lifetime. The cycle of domestic violence is another example that is supported in the psychological theory category.From the previous explanation, it is logical to conclude that the social learning theory suggests the cycle of domestic violence can be explained by the social learning theory. Through learning the weaknesses and observing the shortcomings of a potential victim, the abuser will use their knowledge to enact abuse. The cycle of violence theory, which falls under the psychological theory category, believes there is substantial evidence that a generational cycle of violence occurs in domestic assaults (Gosselin, 2005, p. 77).Many abusers will pack that they have been subjected to a number of factors, such as, being a victim of causation abuse at the hands of an agile family member, have observed the effects of abuse on others, or suffered from stress that allowed them to believe abuse is a means to an end. in the flesh(predicate) choice, as referred to by the rational choice theory, suggests the abuser does understand the causes and effects of his or her actions by the selective methods they choose to subvert the abuse. In summary, the deal causation of domestic violence is a mystery.The true and exact reasoning used by an abuser will remain inside their forefront unless they honestly offered to explain their actions. Based on statistical data and research provided by criminologists, we can understand the effect abuse has on an individual, as well as, the methods used to commit the offense. Theories are mere suggestions of what may cause incidents. They do not provide the specific answers needed to end the abuse. However, theories do empower law enforcement officers and victimologists with the much needed knowledge to combat abuse and assist victims.