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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
09:12
The Resident-intruder Paradigm: A Standardized Test for Aggression, Violence and Social Stress
Published on: July 4, 2013
Violent men: ordinary and deviant.
Kerstin E Edin1, Ann Lalos, Ulf Högberg
1Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden. kerstin.edin@epiph.umu
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|December 29, 2007
Summary
Professionals interviewed about intimate partner violence highlighted men's responsibility. Violent men are seen as ordinary yet deviant, with complex backgrounds and relationship challenges, requiring nuanced approaches to violence prevention.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex issue with various contributing factors.
- Understanding the discourses surrounding men who perpetrate violence is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the discourses used by professionals who work with men exhibiting violent behavior in intimate relationships.
- To analyze how these professionals perceive and explain intimate partner violence and the men who commit it.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research based on interviews with professionals.
- Analysis of professional discourses on intimate partner violence and violent men.
Main Results:
- Professionals stressed the importance of men taking full responsibility for their violent actions.
- IPV is viewed as stemming from complex dynamics beyond simple power and control.
- Violent men are paradoxically seen as both ordinary (functioning in society) and deviant (holding non-standard views, struggling in relationships).
- Three patterns of aggression were identified: immediate attack, unexpected explosion, and ultimate aggression.
Conclusions:
- Challenging unreflected discourses is essential for effective violence counteraction.
- A nuanced understanding of violent men, acknowledging their complexities, is necessary for developing targeted interventions.
- Professional discourses shape perceptions and potentially influence strategies for addressing intimate partner violence.
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