Hilda and Harley have been married for two years. Hilda comes home after a long day of work and finds the breakfast dishes in the sink and the unfolded laundry in the laundry basket. Harley said he would wash the dishes and fold the clothes before he left for work that morning. When the upset Hilda begins to yell at Harley, he simply turns up the television volume. Hilda gets louder, but Harley walks out of the room and slams the door. Hilda and Harley have just engaged in _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of a demand/withdraw interaction, as Hilda is making demands (yelling at Harley for not completing the tasks he said he would) and Harley is withdrawing (turning up the TV volume and eventually walking out of the room and slamming the door). It is not an example of relational aggression (which would involve deliberate attempts to harm or control the partner), intimate terrorism (which would involve a pattern of severe and ongoing abuse and control), or situational couple violence (which typically arises from a conflict or argument and does not necessarily involve a pattern of ongoing abuse).

Hilda and Harley Have Been Married for Two Years