Family violence cannot be studied in isolation from analyses of all violence in society, because it is related to philosophies of the care and training of dependents, society's perceptions of the family, and the status of women and children. The use of ethological observations represent a naturalistic approach that is more useful than studies conducted either in structured playroom settings or unstructured home environments. These ethological observations in day care settings or in situations in which the infant is separated and then reunited with the mother are able to reveal the patterns of interactions. Nevertheless, techniques that focus on more than behavior are usually necessary as well. Thus, research involving adequate time and finances should gather data through four approaches: film recordings, direct observation, indirect reports, and self-reports. 116 references.