cycle of violence
a conceptual framework for understanding the persistence of battering relationships. The cycle has three phases: (a) a “honeymoon phase,” in which the batterer treats the partner lovingly; (b) a tension build-up phase, in which the batterer begins to display irritability and anger toward the partner; and (c) the violence phase, in which battering occurs. The phases are then proposed to recycle. As a battering relationship persists over time, the honeymoon phases shorten, and the tension-building and violence phases lengthen. Also called cycle of abuse. [proposed in 1979 by U.S. clinical and forensic psychologist Lenore E. Walker (1942– )]