PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Denise Gonzalez

MA-Research
May 1997

Why Females Initiate Aggression: A Study Examining the Reasons Behind Assaults on Men

    Contrary to the pervasive stereotype of gender aggression, research indicates that modern society may have an inaccurate perception of the problem.  The view that domestic violence is primarily perpetrated by males has become controversial.  Current research on spousal and dating violence indicates that females are as likely as men to be physically aggressive against their partners.  The current study examines reasons that female participants give for initiating violence and reasons that might prompt females to initiate violence.  A total of 225 female college students volunteered to participate in the survey.  Results provided a clearer look into the reasons females aggress, and the situations that might provoke females into aggressing.  Implications for future research are discussed.

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