Which of the following best describes a key characteristic of abusers?

• A. Power and control
• B. Empathy
• C. Financial stability
• D. Public speaking

Answer: (A)

Power and control is the central pattern in abusive behavior. Abusers try to dominate their partner by controlling what they do, who they see, where they go, and how they spend money, using coercion, threats, blame, and isolation to keep the other person in a subordinate position. This dynamic—seeking to exert power over someone else—is what sets abusive behavior apart. Empathy implies understanding and caring for another's feelings, which is not a defining feature of abuse. Financial stability and public speaking aren’t core elements of abuse and don’t explain why someone would mistreat a partner.