Definition and scope of psychological violence

Conceptualization of invisible aggression

Psychological violence is defined as a systematic set of behaviors, omissions and attitudes that one person deliberately exerts on another in order to destabilize them emotionally and subdue their will.

Unlike physical violence, which leaves visible and obvious marks such as fractures or bruises, this type of aggression directly attacks the victim's identity and psyche, leaving invisible scars that are often much more complex to heal.

It is not an isolated event, such as a heated argument or a one-off insult, but a pattern of behavior sustained over time.

Its dangerousness lies precisely in its progressive nature; it acts under the effect known as the "boiled frog syndrome", where the intensity of the aggression increases so slowly that the victim does not perceive the danger until the damage is severe.

Categories and manifestations of abuse

The manifestations of this violence are varied and go beyond yelling. They include verbal abuse intended to demean and ridicule, the use of irony to generate insecurity, and acts of intimidation through gestures or looks.

In addition, there are subcategories that, although sometimes studied separately, are part of this web of psychological control.

These include economic abuse, which seeks absolute control of financial resources to limit the victim's autonomy, and spiritual abuse, aimed at destroying the person's cultural or religious beliefs.

All these behaviors have the same objective: the creation of a feeling of devaluation and helplessness in the victim in order to exert power over her.

Micro-violence and subtle toxicity

In the spectrum of psychological violence, the most damaging forms are usually the least obvious, known as micro-violences. These act by accumulation, functioning as a low dose of daily poison.

Clear examples include the use of sarcasm disguised as humor ("it was just a joke"), subtle triangulation by comparing the victim to other people to make him or her feel inadequate, or selective forgetting of important dates to demonstrate disinterest.

Also included are tactics such as malicious procrastination, where the offender agrees to perform a task but delays it forever or purposely executes it poorly to generate frustration and avoid being asked to do something again.

These actions, while seemingly minor in isolation, erode self-esteem in devastating ways.

Summary

Psychological violence is defined as a systematic pattern of deliberate behaviors and omissions aimed at emotionally destabilizing the victim, attacking her identity and progressively subduing her will.

Unlike physical aggression, this abuse leaves invisible scars and acts under the "boiled frog syndrome", increasing in intensity so slowly that the victim does not perceive the danger.

It includes varied manifestations such as verbal abuse, irony, economic mistreatment or subtle "micro-violence" (sarcasm, selective forgetfulness) which, accumulated over time, devastatingly erode self-esteem and generate helplessness.