What is the fourth phase in the cycle of abuse?

• A. Tension-building phase
• B. Acute battering
• C. Calm phase, where the abuser may be attentive and abusive behaviors are minimized
• D. Remorse phase

Answer: (C)

The cycle of abuse typically includes a period after the abusive incident where tension has cooled and things seem to return to normal. This calm phase is when the abuser may be attentive, affectionate, and minimize or justify what happened. That sense of reconciliation and apparent safety helps the relationship feel stable again, which is exactly why this phase is described as the fourth part of the cycle. It isn’t real resolution; it’s a manipulation that rebuilds trust and hope, setting the stage for the next cycle of tension to begin. The earlier phases are the buildup of tension and the actual abusive event, while remorse can appear briefly but often accompanies the calm period rather than defining it.