Interdisciplinary Research Assignment 4 1. Domestic Violence Is A Vicious

Interdisciplinary Research Assignment 4 1. Domestic violence is a vicious cycle, and a widespread problem in the United States. It not only affects the victim, but it also affects those who witness it. Depression, redirected violence, and physical pain are among the many effects victims of domestic endure. Domestic violence is a well known problem in heterosexual households, but is it also as prevalent in homosexual ones? If so, how can communities become more equipped to handle domestic violence in homosexual households as they do in heterosexual ones? 2. To justify an interdisciplinary approach, five criteria must be followed: define complexity, produce insight by two or more disciplines, justify that no single discipline has explained or resolved the issue, the problem is at the interfaces of discipline, the problem is an unmet need or unresolved issue, and an interdisciplinary approach is able to be justified. The question at hand, how can communities become more equipped to handle domestic violence in homosexual households as they do in heterosexual ones, is applicable to each of these criteria. Firstly, the problem is complex. On its own, domestic violence is a complex issue that requires understanding from many disciplines. However, by narrowing this issue to that of homosexual households, this adds complexity. The statement alone calls upon a minimum of three disciplines; sociology, psychology, and political science and/or public affairs. Sociology because there are many social implications and prejudices in regards to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual) community, psychology due to the effects of domestic violence upon its victims, and political science/public affairs because of the community aspect of the statement. Domestic violence is far too complex of a topic to not have been solved by one discipline. The effects themselves require the understanding of not only medical skills due to subsequent injuries, but psychology to understand emotional injury and community programs and law enforcement to protect the victims. Each of the disciplines studied in regards to domestic violence converge because of their common interest. These interfaces are used to help explain the problem at hand, whether or not communities have the ability to handle domestic violence in homosexual households. In following the criteria for justifying an interdisciplinary approach, the final step is to define whether the problem is an unresolved societal need or issue. Domestic violence has always been, and will always be an unresolved societal issue. Domestic violence in homosexual households is a fairly new society issue, but is still unresolved. Through research and analysis, Group 18 will not be able to solve the issue of DV, but will be able to suggest alternatives towards better aiding victims in their community. 3. Research Map a. What is the purpose of the research? i. To analyze and solve gaps in community abilities to aide victims of domestic violence in homosexual relationships. b. What disciplines are potentially relevant?

i. Behavioral and Social Sciences ii. Health iii. Humanities iv. Public Affairs c. What are the assumptions of each discipline? i. BSS: “Human behavior is socially constructed, with raitionality

and autonomy plaing modest roles at best. People are motivated primarily by the deisre for social status.” (Repko 91) 1. Social prejudices impact how victims feel, and their choice to obtain help from the community. ii. Health: “Assume that hypothetico-deductive approach based on

the prinicipal of falsifcation is superior to description of pattern and inductive reasoning.” (Repko 90) 1. Victims of domestic violence will obtain medical attention

to injuries, and report abusers. iii. Humanities: “Assumes that those whom tradiational history had

ignored played an important but unappreciated role in historical change.” (Repko 92) 1. Previous accomplishments in homosexual rights, and antidomestic violence groups pave the way for a better future. iv. Public Affairs: “Assumes that political science can become a

science capable of preduction and explanation. (Somit & Tanenhaus, 1967, pp. 177-178)” (Repko 91) 1. Local governments and community centers are safe haven for victims. d. What are the perspectives of each discipline on the problem? i. BSS: Looks at the lack of community resources for homosexual

victims of domestic violence from a psychological, sociological, and anthropological standpoint. Interpreting the impact of sociological and pyschological factors on the victim’s decision to get help. Also analyzes how pyschological and social factors that

may impact the way law enforcement or community center workers to react to homosexual victims of DV. ii. Health: Views domestic violence through the victims subsequent

injuries. By reporting these injuries, the prevalence of domestic violence in the homosexual community can be illustrated. This gathered data, through health surverys, can be used to show morbidity and mortality rates due to domestic violence, in homosexual and heterosexual relationship, thus showing the true danger of DV. iii. Humanities: Sees the problem from a cultural perspective, and will

help determine the social/cutural relevance of domestic violence in homosexual relationships, as well as help to solve the lack of community support. iv. Public Affairs: Views domestic violence from a legal, and

community based point of view. Through conducting research within the community, solutions to the lack of community services can be made. e. What non-disciplinary sources or interpretations could cause pitfalls for

your research? i. One particular non-disciplinary source or interpretation that could cause a pitfall for Group 18’s research is that the community resources for victims of domestic violence are available to anyone who is a victim of domestic violence regardless of sexual preference. This interpretation is that, the resources are there but the victims refuse to use them because they do not cater to their “special needs”, their sexual preference.