In order to identify causes of spousal abuse, current research efforts have attempted to reconstruct the communicative components of physically aggressive encounters within the family. An interactionist model of intrafamily violence, proposed by D. A. Infante, suggests that the interaction of personal, situational, and societal conditions may lead to physically aggressive behavior. Because of an argumentative skill deficiency, individuals may move more quickly from attacking each others' positions on issues, to attacking each others' self-concepts, and then to attacking each other physically. Verbal aggressiveness, possibly a result of an argumentative skill deficiency, is a destructive form of communication which often provokes physical aggression. Several other factors may contribute to, or provoke, violent interaction: a limited repertoire of conflict management strategies; inability to express feelings or emotions; attributions of hidden meaning; and a lack of--or too much--aggressiveness. Training both abused and abusive spouses in methods of constructive argument may lead to the reduction of verbal aggression, and hence, physical aggression. (A figure of an interactionist model of intrafamily violence and 17 references are appended.) (MM)