Behind closed doors: trajectories to violence in intimate interaction

Background

Yet we know remarkably little about the explosive emergence of violence from the moment-by-moment dynamics of conflict and aggression among intimates; the interactional route to violence itself is hardly studied.

The project

This project will advance our understanding of the interpersonal origins of violence and aggression by examining its foundations in the crucible of socialisation: family interaction.

In examining the genesis and in situ escalation and resolution of conflict in English talk and embodied behaviour, this project will identify the means by which trajectories of aggression and violence are constructed. In so doing, it will seek to understand i) how participants may manage those trajectories to safer outcomes, and ii) how to manage outside intervention to detoxify such environments, with a view to informing policy.

This project will use the analytic methods of Conversation Analysis to examine a dataset of unprecedented size and intimacy. It is in the unique position of having access to naturally-occurring video recordings of interactions in British family homes filmed continuously for months on remote-controlled cameras. The project is thus distinctive in having direct access to episodes of aggression and conflict. Such footage allows us to investigate the life-span and recurrence of conflictual episodes, as well as the ways in which it may be managed in real time. It aims to answer the following research questions:

• How does conflict begin? We will examine how conflict originates, escalates and how it is – or is not – resolved.
• What are the verbal and embodied practices used in aggressive interaction? Our body language and tone of voice are just as important as the words we are saying. We will study practices such as eye-gaze and facial expression and how these contribute to aggressive responses.
• How are identities, relationships and alliances mobilised in aggressive behaviour? Individuals within families display their identities in interaction and forge alliances and coalitions – such as parents against children, sibling against sibling – that can sometimes break down. We will look at how these identities and alliances can impact the family dynamic and shape moments of conflict.
• What are the most effective strategies for i) minimising the possibility of conflict, ii) ensuring that conflict does not escalate and iii) resolving conflict once started? Once we understand how conflict and aggression develop, we can then identify ways to mitigate and reduce escalation.

Answering these questions will inform evidence-based practice in family therapy and counselling, and conflict prevention programmes in schools. In the longer term it will support Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) school national curriculum development by teaching effective interpersonal communication.

Funding

This project has been funded through a Distinguished Scholar award from the Harry Frank Guggenheim (HFG) Foundation, and the University of Essex QR Impact Fund.