Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025

The Resident-intruder Paradigm: A Standardized Test for Aggression, Violence and Social Stress
Published on: July 4, 2013
Unpacking Police Endorsement of Myths Surrounding Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: Formation and Implications
Linda Nørgaard Madsen1, Elisabeth Naima Mikkelsen1
1Department of Organization, Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Abstract:
Drawing on a qualitative case study consisting of interviews with Danish police trainees, patrol officers, and police detectives, this article explores police endorsement of myths surrounding male-perpetrated intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) and its influence on police response to IPVAW incidents. The findings show that police officers begin to believe in the myths to cope with negative emotions arising from repeated exposure to IPVAW victims, who do not behave according to expected norms of being cooperative, responsible, and innocent. This makes police officers meet victims with skepticism, low spirit, and hopelessness, making them refrain from initiating further criminal investigations, opening criminal cases, and pursuing arrests.
Related Concept Videos
Bystander Effect
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Relationship Formation
Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Fundamental Attribution Error
Stereotype Threat and Self-fulfilling Prophecies

