What typically happens during the tension building phase?

During the tension building phase, there is often an increase in conflict and stress within the relationship. This phase is characterized by the abuser displaying escalating anger and aggression, while the victim may feel an increasing sense of anxiety and helplessness. Less lethal forms of battering, such as verbal abuse or minor physical altercations, are common during this time, as these behaviors build tension without reaching the peak of violence.

The victim often tries to minimize incidents in an effort to avoid escalation. They might attempt to appease the abuser or rationalize the abuse, hoping to prevent a more serious eruption, which can lead to physical violence. This minimizing behavior can stem from a fear of the consequences that might arise if the tension escalates.

In contrast, the other choices depict different phases or responses that occur either after the intensity of violence has peaked or as a reaction to it. Severe injuries and physical harm are more characteristic of the violent phase rather than the tension building phase. Expressions of remorse and behavior changes are typically observed during the reconciliation phase, not the tension building phase, which comes before any major incident of violence. The act of leaving the relationship may occur at various points but is less associated with the tension building phase, as it usually follows the pattern