What term describes a female who has committed murder under conditions of extreme stress or provocation?

Explore the role of women in crime. Prepare with our multiple choice questions and flashcards, complete with hints and explanations for effective learning. Master your exam!

The term that describes a female who has committed murder under conditions of extreme stress or provocation is known as the "battered woman defense." This legal defense is often used in cases where women, who have been victims of domestic abuse, commit acts of violence against their abusers. It recognizes the psychological impact of prolonged abuse and the intense emotional state that can lead to a reaction that results in homicide.

The battered woman defense highlights how continuous exposure to physical or psychological violence can push an individual towards a breaking point, where they may perceive their actions as necessary for survival. It not only emphasizes the circumstances leading up to the crime but also challenges perceptions of morality and legality, considering the context of abuse in the evaluation of the woman's state of mind at the time of the offense.

In contrast, the other options focus on different legal concepts. The psychotic break defense refers to a complete loss of touch with reality, self-defense involves protection against an immediate threat, and temporary insanity pertains to a state wherein an individual cannot understand their actions due to a mental disorder. None of these adequately capture the specific context of domestic abuse that is central to the battered woman defense.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy