A Beating Justification Index (BJI) is developed and compared with attitudinal and demographic information. The results show that nearly all respondents reject norms which approve of wife beating but that a substantial minority (18.8%) accepts the idea of situations in which beatings are justified. The perceptions of causes of wife beating are explored. Over 20% blame the victim for her beatings. Social learning theory and structural theories are strongly supported as an explanation for why men beat women. Conventional wisdom which attributes beatings to the use of alcohol is less extensively held. Education is described as a major predictor of attitudes about the justification of beatings, and explanations are discussed regarding the relationship between the BJI, age, marital status, incomes, and other demographic variables. Findings regarding the relationship between sex role attitudes and attitudes toward wife abuse are presented. A 'cycle of paralysis' is identified in which the general public rationalizes abuse, the victim internalizes that rationalization, not making her victimization known, resulting in the public never changing its conception of abuse. Conclusions center on the need for public disclosure of the problem and for egalitarian sex role socialization. (Author abstract)