Battered Woman Syndrome

Abstract

Despite the considerable attention it has been given by scholars and the media, domestic violence remains a pervasive problem in society. It has been estimated that over 50% of women will be battered, and that domestic violence affects at least two-million married couples each year. Research on the problem of domestic violence has included experiments on trial outcomes for battered women who kill their abusive spouses. This study was designed to further investigate the effects of situational, defendant and participant variables on simulated jurors' verdicts. Emotional abuse may include constant criticism, belittling, ignoring and threats, as well as jealous control, such as forced isolation of the woman from friends and relatives. Because it is more difficult to define, emotional abuse may be taken less seriously that physical battering, yet may leave long-term emotional scars, which in fact may be more damaging than physical attacks.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Chapter 1: Introduction5

Background of the Study5

Purpose of the Study6

Problem Statement6

Objectives of the Study6

Significance of the Study7

Chapter 2: Literature Review9

History of Domestic Violence and the Law16

Characteristics of Battered Women Syndrome17

Battered Women in the Criminal Justice System19

Dependency and Family Courts20

Women Who Kill in Self-Defense22

Psychological Theories About Domestic Violence and Battered Women23

Dynamics of Domestic Violence23

Learned Helplessness25

Trauma Theory and Battered Woman Syndrome26

The Battered Women Syndrome Questionnaire28

Application of Battered Woman Syndrome in Legal Contexts29

Chapter 3: Methodology37

Participants37

Materials37

Procedure42

Chapter 4: Findings and Discussion46

Results46

Manipulation Checks46

Credibility48

Individual Juror Opinions49

Jury Verdicts50

Perceptions of the Defendant51

Discussion52

Chapter 5: Conclusion59

Assessment and Decision Making60

Implications for Advocacy and Practice61

Guidelines for Future Research63

Summary65

References67

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background of the Study

Despite the considerable attention it has been given by scholars and the media, domestic violence remains a pervasive problem in society. It has been estimated that over 50% of women will be battered (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1995), and that domestic violence affects at least two-million married couples each year (Hamberger, 1994). Research on the problem of domestic violence has included experiments on trial outcomes for battered women who kill their abusive spouses.

Previous studies which have examined variables affecting the outcomes in these cases have focused primarily on situations of long-term physical abuse (e.g., Follingstad et al., 1989, 1996; Kasian et al., 1993; Mechanic, 2000). However, battered women report not only physical abuse, but also instances of emotional battering, which almost always accompany physical abuse, or may be independent of it.

The issue of emotional battering is related to Ewing's (1987) proposal that battered women have a right to psychological self-defense, that is, that living with an abusive partner has taken from her a fundamental right to experience life in a psychologically meaningful way, and that this is as much a justification for homicide as is the danger of physical abuse.

Purpose of the Study

This study was designed to further investigate the effects of situational, defendant and participant variables on simulated jurors' verdicts.

Problem Statement

Emotional abuse may include constant criticism, belittling, ignoring and threats, as well as jealous control, such as forced isolation of the woman from friends and relatives. Because it is more difficult to define, emotional abuse may be taken less seriously that physical ...