https://www.csi-net.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1362814 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:56:54 GMT Fri, 13 Sep 2019 17:21:09 GMT Copyright © 2019 Chi Sigma Iota https://www.csi-net.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1362814 https://www.csi-net.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1362814 When Men Batter Women

Book being reviewed:
Jacobson N., & Gottman, J. (1998). When men batter women: New insights into ending abusive relationships. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Reviewer:
Joy Kelly

Curricular Areas:
Marital/Couple/Family Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling

Subject Headings:
Female lifespan development, Personality disorders, PTSD, Relationships, Sexual abuse, Trauma, Violence-assault, Violence-domestic

Review:
In Jacobson and Gottman’s When Men Batter Women, the authors provided a riveting account of their research regarding couples experiencing domestic violence. Through detailed descriptions of various victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse, the authors offered a comprehensive explanation for understanding various forms of domestic violence, specifically as it relates to different types of batterers.

More specifically, the authors presented a shocking finding from their research experiment in that they revealed two types of batterers distinguished by differences in heart rate during the violent altercation: the “Pit Bull” and the “Cobra.” The “Pit Bull” is characterized by a strong dependency and high emotional impulse reactivity on the intimate partner whose heart rate increases during a violent episode. In shocking contrast, the “Cobra” is distinguished by a decreased heart rate during the violent episode whose personality is typically described as more cold and calculating where violence is seemed as just a part of life.

This book serves as a fundamental resource for counselors and clients in understanding intimate partner violence on a more comprehensive level, as the text provided a detailed understanding of the concept of domestic violence, followed by covering areas of relevant clinical interest to include: assessing for risk, resources for help, batterer rehabilitation and safety planning. The book is highly accessible, affordable, and easy to read and understand.

It is important to note that most of the language on battering and intimate partner violence in this tome predominantly suggested the female as the victim in the relationship and the male as the perpetrator of the violence. The authors noted that not all perpetrators of battering are male but the research consistently has shown that in most cases of battering or intimate terrorism, the male is the perpetrator of the abuse. Additionally, it is important to note that from a couples counseling perspective, one should not conduct couples counseling with a couple who is actively in a violent relationship.

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Children of such adults with this frequent tendency towards violence are vulnerable and likey to display same or similar behaviors in schools. For example, the bully who expresses his/her owns fears on to others with verbal and/or physical abuse.

Clinical Mental Health Counselors and School Counselors should hurry to read this book!]]> Fri, 13 Sep 2019 18:21:09 GMT