How does the woman typically react to the tension building phase?

In the tension building phase of domestic violence, it is common for the woman to deny that the tension will escalate. This denial often stems from a desire to maintain harmony and avoid conflict. During this phase, there may be an undercurrent of anxiety as the partner who is abusive becomes increasingly agitated, but rather than confronting the issue directly, the woman may choose to downplay the severity of the situation.

This reaction can be a survival strategy, attempting to manage the environment and avoid triggering further outbursts from the abuser. As the tension builds, people in the relationship may often rationalize the abuser’s behavior, believing that it will not lead to violence. By denying the potential escalation, the woman may hope to restore tranquility in the relationship and avoid confrontation, which can be a response conditioned by past experiences of manipulation or violence.

The other options represent responses that might not align with the typical dynamics observed in the tension building phase. Confronting the abuser, calling the police, or leaving the relationship are actions that may occur during different phases of the cycle of violence, such as the explosive or calm phase, but are less characteristic of the initial tension-building period where denial tends to be more prevalent.