THE AUTHOR CITES SEVERAL STUDIES THAT ACCEPT THE IDEA OF THE WIFE'S VERBAL BEHAVIOR, NOT ONLY AS AN EXCUSE FOR PHYSICAL RETALIATION, BUT AS A JUSTIFICATION OF IT. OTHER TYPES OF BEHAVIOR DEFINED AS PROVOCATIVE EITHER BY HUSBANDS OR RESEARCHERS INCLUDE AGGRESSION, NAGGING, DOMINANCE, FAILURE TO BE SUBMISSIVE, BEING TOO TALKATIVE OR TOO QUIET, BEING TOO SEXUAL OR NOT SEXUAL ENOUGH, BEING TOO FRUGAL OR NOT FRUGAL ENOUGH, AND BEING PREGNANT TOO OFTEN OR NOT OFTEN ENOUGH. THE ONLY DISCERNIBLE PATTERN IN THESE BEHAVIORS WAS SOME FAILURE OR REFUSAL OF THE WIFE TO CONFORM TO HER HUSBAND'S WISHES AND AUTHORITY. THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT THE IDEA OF PROVOCATION OR VICTIM PRECIPITATION IS NAIVE AND INSIDIOUS AND REPRESENTS AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE USE OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE. THE IDEA IS NAIVE BECAUSE IT FAILS TO PERCEIVE THE MARITAL RELATIONSHIP AS ONE IN WHICH THE WOMAN MUST CONSTANTLY NEGOTIATE. IT IS INSIDIOUS BECAUSE IT DENIES THE WOMAN THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE OR FORM HER OWN BEHAVIOR AND SUPPORTS THE HUSBAND'S AUTHORITY AND ALMOST UNLIMITED RIGHT TO CONTROL HIS WIFE. THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF THE PARTRIARCHICAL HOUSEHOLD IS DESCRIBED AND DIFFERING PATTERNS OF WIFE AND HUSBAND CONCEPTIONS OF AUTHORITY, BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH 109 SEVERELY BEATEN WIVES, ARE DISCUSSED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)