Show of Power known as Display is a psychological tactic used by the batter to either ready the garden for physical abuse, to reinforce the impact of present physical abuse or to remind the victim of past physical abuse.
This concept is best illustrated by thinking of what happens with a cat which is sleeping between the refrigerator and stove. It certainly doesn’t cause you any fear. However, think of what would happen if someone were to begin poking the cat with the broomstick. It is then you would begin to observe display. The eyes would grow larger, the hair would stand up, the cat would seem to nearly double in size, the claws would become extended, the tail would begin twitching, the whisker and ears would press back and the cat would begin to growl and hiss. The purpose of this display would be to frighten off the perceived enemy. If any of you have heard that hiss or growl, you know the thud of fear in the pit of your stomach, I’m talking about. This cat may never hurt have you in the past; but for some reason, the cat’s display behavior does make you a little leery. You take its warning seriously.
The batterer uses display in much the same way. He slams things, stomps, glares, sighs, stands a certain way, stands too close, hovers, stalks, glances at guns on the wall rack, has certain facial expressions, or uses certain gestures. Some women tell of a dark shade that seems to come down over him and his eyes turn coal black. He wants to communicate the same meaning as the cat, “I can hurt you.” And the woman knows she needs to take this warning seriously.
Even if he has never physically hurt her before or it has been many years, his use of display can be very effective in gaining power. By the time he begins physically abusing her, she is terrified of him. This terror is further reinforced by the physical abuse. If he eventually were to stop physically abusing her for any reason; legal, credibility, reputation, guilt, or convenience, he would still have that same level of control over her.
This is especially true in the abuse of an elderly spouse or life-partner. See the link below. Another element involved in this conditioning is the Stockholm Syndrome. Another link below.
Psychological Abuse
Stockholm Syndrome
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Power and Control Wheel
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