Perceptions of Psychological and Physical Aggression Between Heterosexual Partners

The present research examines the impact of type of aggression (physical/ psychological) and type of dyad (male aggressor/ female victim and female aggressor/ male victim) on perceptions of a conflict scenario and its combatants. Participants read scenarios depicting a conflict between a married heterosexual couple and reported their impressions of the aggressiveness of the encounter and of the aggressor and victim. Physical aggression was evaluated more negatively (both in terms of the encounter and its combatants) than psychological aggression. Male to female violence was judged more harshly (both in terms of the aggressiveness of the encounter and impressions of the combatants) than female to male violence. Study 2 extended Study 1, assessing the relationship of experience with physical and psychological aggression on perceptions. The results from Study 1 were replicated. Contrary to predictions, experience with physical and psychological aggression did not consistently relate to perceptions of these types of aggression.