A Study of the Interpersonal Behaviors of Male Batterers

The interpersonal behaviors of 100 male batterers were investigated using Ryan's (1977) typological classification of the FIRO-B. The proportion of various types among batterers was compared to Ryan's VA and general population normative samples. Batterers were more likely to fall into categories of loner, rebel, and pessimist and were likely to be less outgoing, less intimate, and more cautious than the general population. The batterers demonstrated more difficulty with forming interpersonal relationships and expressing intimacy than the normative samples. The findings suggest that these individuals have difficulty in expressing affection and forming relationships and did not indicate that batterers in general have high needs to control others.