Domestic Violence and the Warrior Archetype: A Mythological and Depth Psychology Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between domestic violence and the warrior archetype in heterosexual men. I achieved this objective through examining mythological and depth psychological influences on behavior. Utilizing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), I focused specific attention to masculinity and femininity, and how learned gender roles influenced the activation of the warrior archetype when heterosexual men engaged in conflict with their partner. Interview questions, as well as the interpretation of answers, provided an opportunity to explore the phenomena of domestic abuse with heterosexual men. The data revealed that none of the participants associated their domestic abuse with their identity as a warrior. Furthermore, the data does not support the original thinking, that the warrior archetype contributed to the acts of domestic violence. However, the data would suggest childhood trauma, feelings of abandonment, and substance abuse, negatively effected participant thinking and behavior towards self and others.