THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF ATTACHMENT AND PROJECTION ARE SEEN AS THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING INTERSPOUSAL VIOLENCE. THE THEORY OF ATTACHMENT EXPLAINS WHY SO MANY WOMEN REFUSE TO LEAVE THREATENING SITUATIONS. INSTEAD OF BEING MASOCHISTIC, AS MANY COMMENTATORS SUGGEST, THEIR MOTIVES ARE MORE AKIN TO THOSE OF A CHILD THREATENED BY LOSS. THEY BECOME FEARFUL AND MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RESTORE THE RELATIONSHIP DESPITE THE IRRATIONALITY OF THEIR EFFORTS. PROJECTION, THE TENDENCY TO SEE IN OTHERS THOSE ASPECTS OF OURSELVES WHICH WE DO NOT LIKE, IS THE SECOND FACTOR PRESENT IN MOST INTERFAMILY CONFLICTS. ASSAULTS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE ASSAULTERS CONVINCE THEMSELVES THAT THE VICTIMS ARE 'BAD.' THE INTERACTIONS OF THESE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESSES CAN LEAD TO THE FOLLOWING: DEPRESSION, A COMMON OUTCOME OF MARITAL VIOLENCE; PARANOIA, IN WHICH THE PARTNER IS SEEN AS PERSECUTING OR DELIBERATELY PROVOKING THE ATTACKS; AND EXTREMES OF BOTH JEALOUSY AND SADISM LEADING TO REAL DANGER FOR THE VICTIM. DEPRIVATION OF AFFECTION IN CHILDHOOD INTENSIFIES THESE REACTIONS. A SERIES OF CASES ILLUSTRATE THESE INTERACTIONS. THE WIFE-BEATING ASSAULTS RANGE FROM CASES WHICH RESULT IN DIVORCE, TO CASES IN WHICH THE CHARGES ARE CONTINUALLY DROPPED, TO MURDER. THE ELEMENT OF DANGER TO A WOMAN WHO INITIATES A DIVORCE IS EMPHASIZED. IF THE HUSBAND IS PRONE TO VIOLENCE, THE FEELING OF LOSS WILL INTENSIFY THE POSSIBILITY OF GREATER VIOLENCE. COURTS MUST HAVE ADEQUATE MEANS TO PROTECT A WOMAN THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF SEPARATION AND DIVORCE. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)