Question
What is the I3 Model developed by Eli Finkel to explain relationship violence?
Answer
Eli Finkel, a professor of psychology in Chicago, developed the I3 model to understand the factors that predict when violence is more or less likely to occur in a relationship. The model examines three key components of any relationship situation - instigation, impedance, and inhibition.
Instigation refers to situational factors in the moment that may escalate the likelihood of violence, such as the perpetrator's perspective that their partner has provoked them or the perpetrator feeling jealous. Instigation looks at how dynamics in the immediate situation have made violence more likely to occur.
Impedance refers to more long-term or historical factors that may predispose an individual to violence, such as having personally experienced or witnessed violence in childhood. Impedance also includes personality factors like being quick to anger or very jealous. It examines how the characteristics of the people in the relationship might increase or decrease the chances of violence.
Inhibition refers to factors that might decrease the likelihood of violence, such as the perpetrator receiving therapy, anger management, counseling, or medication. Inhibition looks at dynamics that could help de-escalate situations and give perpetrators different perspectives.
The I3 model suggests that considering these three factors - the instigations, impedances, and inhibitions at play - can help predict the likelihood of relationship violence occurring. Finkel's model has led to further research examining which specific factors within each area are most influential and how these factors could potentially be addressed to reduce relationship violence. Overall, the I3 model provides a framework for understanding the range of dynamics that contribute to the complex issue of relationship violence.
This Ask the Expert is an excerpt from the course, Relationship Violence and Research, presented by Wind Goodfriend, PhD, MS, BA.
