Recent research on argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness has examined the influence of these two predispositions on marital/interspousal violence and cross-cultural communication. The line of inquiry regarding intrafamily violence and aggression is beginning to emerge. R. J. Gelles and M. A. Straus have identified two intraindividual theories, seven social psychological theories, and six sociocultural theories that have been posited to explain intrafamily violence. D. A. Infante has suggested an interactionist model involving personal, situational, and societal conditions that lead to physically aggressive behavior. Further studies have found that verbal aggression is reciprocal among spouses. Additionally, the increasing frequency of intercultural interaction has led to a flurry of research in cross-cultural communication to examine how differences in behaviors between cultures can stimulate misunderstanding. Studies have explored linguistic, interactional, behavioral, and normative differences between cultures (at this point predominately between U.S. and Japanese cultures) that lead to perceived or actual conflict. (Fifty references are attached.) (KEH)