Applying signal detection theory to conflict escalation as a consequence of victimization with physiological arousal covariates
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-10-2018-0386 |
| Pages | 200-212 |
| Published date | 27 June 2019 |
| Date | 27 June 2019 |
| Author | James M. Honeycutt,Jonathon K. Frost,Colton E. Krawietz |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Sociology,Gender studies,Gender violence,Social conflicts,War/peace |
Applying signal detection theory to conflict
escalation as a consequence of
victimization with physiological arousal
covariates
James M. Honeycutt, Jonathon K. Frost and Colton E. Krawietz
Abstract
Purpose –The signal detection theory has evolutionary foundations such that our ancestors who were
able to detect signals of ag gression survived, whi le those who could not were ex tinguished. The paper
examines the detection of conflict escalation signals in a domestic argument in a married couple as a
consequence of history with prior victimization and perpetration of violence. The purpose of this paper is
threefold: escalation detection differences between a trained special victim’s detective and untrained
individuals; escalation detection for individuals with domestic violence victimization; and physiological
arousal during escalation detection.
Design/methodology/approach –Subjects with various histor ies of victimization a nd perpetration
using the Straus conflict tactics scale watched a video of an argument that escalated in conflict
while their heart rate and electrodermal activity (EDA) was measured. Participants were asked to
pause the tape and write any ve rbal and non-verbal si gnal of escalating confl ict. The signal coding
used deductive, a prioi coding based on Gottman’s (1994, 2011) corrosive behaviors indicative
of conflict. A repeated measures general linear model in sex and conflict initiation using two measures of
physiological arousal revealed significant effects on EDA while watching escalating conflict as a function of
victimization history.
Findings –A series of hypotheses and r esearch questions te sted untrained people ’ssignaldetection
abilities with a train ed, special victim’s unit police investigator as a consequence of male and
female-initiated conflict. Untrained viewers reported fewer aggression signals than the police investigator. A
repeated measures general linear model using two measures of physiological arousal revealed significant
effects on EDA while watching escalating conflict as a function of victimization history. Results are
discussed in terms of the si gnal detection and excitation-transf er theories toward explaining respons es to
escalating conflict.
Research limitations/implications –A limitation of this study was asking participants to document
all abuse while not diffe rentiating between different forms (i.e. e motional, verbal, physical). A future stu dy
could investigate how well participants can detect different forms of abuse. This area of research
could be beneficial especially in the form of past history. For example, if an individual has been a
recipient of emotional abuse, do they detect significantly more signals of emotional abuse than they would
for physical abuse?
Practical implications –The findings of our study have could practical publications for advising
people who cope with conflict as they vary in their use of negotiation and physical force. The fact that
physiological arousal was heightened after exposure to the conflict escalation video as a function of
victimization due to physical force has ramifications for watching media with violent content. Therapists
could ask survivors if they feel based on their experience, that they could help others to recognize
aggressive signals or if they are immune to thes e signals, given the debate over victim des ensitization vs
heightened sensitivity.
Social implications –The authors feel it is imperative to note that our current study was designed to gain a
deeper understanding of domestic violence in order to ultimately benefit victims in the recovery process and
to (ideally) prevent recurrence of domestic violence in the future. This research is not intended to implicate
victims in anyway as being responsible for the consequences of domestic violence due to an inability to
detect signals of aggression. Indeed, future research should examine how to skillfully advise domestic
violence victims while protecting their already vulnerable self-images.
Received 23 October 2018
Revised 7 December 2018
Accepted 9 December 2018
James M. Honeycutt is
Distinguished Professor
Emeritus at Louisiana State
University, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, USA.
Jonathon K. Frost is Graduate
Teaching Assistant at College
of Humanities and Social
Sciences, Louisiana State
University, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, USA.
Colton E. Krawietz is based at
Austin Moody College of
Communication, University of
Texas, Austin, Texas, USA.
PAGE200
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JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION, CONFLICTAND PEACE RESEARCH
j
VOL. 11 NO. 3 2019, pp.200-212, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1759-6599 DOI 10.1108/JACPR-10-2018-0386
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