The Abusive Personality: Violence and Control in Intimate Relationships

by Donald G. Dutton

Physical violence may be the most overt manifestation of relationship abuse, but maltreatment of intimate partners takes many other forms as well. This integrative work explores the nature of male abusiveness by focusing on the development of a particular personality constellation--one that is easily threatened, jealous, and fearful, and that masks these emotions with anger and demands for control. Presenting results of controlled research with over 400 batterers, Dutton shows that many abusers exhibit high levels of trauma symptoms. This symptomatology is cogently linked to elements of childhood experience including witnessing of violence, the use of shaming techniques by parents, and insecure attachment; and, in turn, to such characteristics as terror of abandonment and the inability to regulate one's emotions or deal with conflict effectively. A concluding chapter focuses on treatment.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Abuse

214 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thoughts and treatment models but research points to heavily on borderline personality as culprit for domestic abuse.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful information, clearly written, and a book I wish that I had read several years ago.

[Defaeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3/5 an outstanding work in psychology. It brings together a range of theories and research to shed light on the psychological traits and patterns that can lead to abusive behavior, in great detail.

Not the main topic of the book, but contra to some popular movements, abusive relationships are not about gender -- it's about personality. You have the same amount of abusive women as men.

The Abusive Personality" could be seen as a classic within the niche field of understanding and treating domestic violence and abusive behavior. It has certainly been influential and continues to be widely cited. I think it may be a "classic" within the field of psychology in general. Time will tell.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar to The Batterer