“The ecological fallacy” (Dutton 1994) revised
Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research
ISSN: 1759-6599
Article publication date: 12 July 2013
Abstract
Purpose
In 1994, Dutton questioned whether there is an ecological fallacy within the feminist views of wife assault. To address this concern, he examined the literature regarding dyadic family power and violence. The main goal in this paper is to re‐evaluate the results of the Dutton paper on the basis of new literature.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, post‐1994 evidence is presented against the feminist paradigm of patriarchy, which can lead directly to this ecological fallacy. The assertions of this feminist paradigm positing that domestic violence is often linked to patriarchal values and is mainly caused by males, whereas female violence is primarily defensive and reactive, are well‐founded criticized.
Findings
The data analysed in this paper support Dutton's conclusions in the context of female perpetrated violence within heterosexual intimate partnerships, female sexual offense, child abuse and bullying, violence in female same‐sex relationships, and gender stereotypes.
Originality/value
An accurate overview of the post‐1994 literature the topics discussed in this paper is offered.
Keywords
Citation
Koller, J. (2013), "“The ecological fallacy” (Dutton 1994) revised", Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 156-166. https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-01-2013-0005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited