Citation

Margolin G. Prev. Treat. 2000; 3(1): 21c.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/1522-3736.3.0021c

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Neil liked nothing more than to broaden and intensify discussion of important issues in clinical psychology, which he most definitely accomplished with his writings and presentations on domestic violence. The article by Jacobson and colleagues entitled Affect, verbal content, and psychophysiology in the arguments of couples with a violent husband (see record 1995-09810-001) is a good representation of the varied perspectives and methodologies that Neil brought to his work on domestic violence. This article is noteworthy in its blending of feminist and contextual values, which often are viewed as contradictory. Feminist values are evidenced in the assumptions that domestic violence is not simply physical aggression toward the spouse but is a form of men's control over women, and that men's and women's violence in relationships serve very different functions. The contextual perspective is reflected in the assumption that it is necessary to study environmental and relationship factors to identify variables associated with increases or decreases in men's battering. Methodologically, Jacobson et al. used multiple forms of data collection to examine wide-ranging phenomena surrounding violence in couples. Neil's research on domestic violence brings to light the multidimensional, complex nature of this major societal problem. He and his colleagues applied highly sophisticated observational and psychophysiological technologies that they "might find out some things that would provide hope to battered women, and even some clues as to how to reduce battering." Jacobson's synthesis of scientific, humanitarian, and feminist values has provided a unique understanding of this problem and important information for generating solutions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)