Analysis of data from this investigation revealed that the definitions of physical abuse, neglect, and psychological abuse were not related to punishment for spouse abuse, but were related to punishment for child abuse. The endorsement of acts of physical abuse and psychological abuse as definitions of child abuse varied with the degrees of support for the punishment of child abuse. As the level of endorsement of behaviors defined as child physical abuse and child psychological abuse increased in severity, subjects' willingness to endorse severe penalties also increased. There is a somewhat close linkage between the general social perceptions of the severity of the abuse and legal perceptions of the seriousness of acts of domestic abuse. However, on occasion behaviors identified as sufficiently unacceptable to warrant justice system intervention have been perceived as acceptable and expected behavior. Thus, social service and justice system intervention is only conceivable in the most severe and extreme cases of abuse. Tables, references