Explanations of male abuse of female partners : an explication, evaluation and integration Bakker, Sonja F.
Material type:
- Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology in the University of Canterbury
- 128.4 EXP
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Vine library | TRO 128.4 EXP | Available | A00669490B |
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology in the University of Canterbury
This study contributes to the neglected but critical area of theoretical research into the etiology of male abuse of female partners. It provides an explication and evaluation of 14 realist theories of male abuse of female partners. It also identifies and briefly discusses a number of other non-realist theories that also commonly appear in the literature. Only realist theories are fully explicated and appraised within this study, as it is argued that they are the only route to gaining knowledge about the world, for many of the world's most important causal mechanisms are hidden from direct view. The study provides a new integrated theory to explain male abuse of female partners, which is developed from the theories shown to have the most explanatory and social value. This new theory, which is referred to as "The New Feminist Integrated Theory", is subsequently evaluated and is shown to have considerable practical utility, explanatory breadth and conceptual coherence. Limitations of the study, and future directions for research, are discussed.
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