What are three indications of Phase I tension building?

• A. The offender loses control; The victim reports injuries; The relationship improves
• B. No tension; All calm
• C. Poor communication & minor incidents of abuse; Woman is compliant & minimizes the problems in the relationship; The man feels increased tension & takes more control through dominance, causing the victim to withdraw
• D. Advanced confrontation; The couple separates

Answer: (C)

Phase I tension-building is the early part of the cycle of violence where tension begins to rise and conflicts start to escalate. Three indications are: poor communication and minor incidents of abuse; the woman being compliant and minimizing the problems in the relationship; and the man feeling increased tension and taking more control through dominance, which causes the victim to withdraw. This pattern shows tension building and a push toward control, which is why it fits Phase I. It wouldn’t fit because there’s no tension in calm situations, injuries or relationship improvement don’t match this phase, and advanced confrontation with separation reflects later stages of the cycle.