Episode #62
The Doc Analyzes Anything | Episode 62: Domestic Abuse
This episode discusses romantic partner abuse, including physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Why does someone stay in an abusive relationship? Why does abusive behavior sometimes escalate over time? And can we examine the variables that contribute to abuse without excusing the person engaging in it? Dr. Sparks and Dr. Meow Meow take a behavior-analytic look at romantic partner abuse. Both hosts share experiences from their own past relationships as they explore how learning history, reinforcement, aversive conditions, isolation, manipulation, and deficits in coping skills can contribute to patterns of abusive behavior. The conversation also turns to the experience of the person being abused: why leaving isn't nearly as simple as outsiders sometimes imagine, how manipulation and isolation can change the way someone interprets their own situation, and why leaving an abusive pattern can be so difficult. Understanding the variables that influence abusive behavior does not excuse it. A scientific analysis of behavior can help us understand how these patterns develop while still holding people accountable for the harm they cause. If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse, help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential support 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You can also text START to 88788. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
