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Although romantic relationships are often rewarding, they are not always a positive experience for both partners. Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs when at least one partner hurts the other. There is no simple explanation for why IPV occurs, and this lack of understanding makes it difficult to help people avoid hurting their partners. Recent research suggests people with certain variants to genes, specifically genes associated with how a person processes dopamine, may be more likely to perpetrate violence. These genetic variants may be associated with violence because they influence the way people learn and how they respond to stress. My results found no evidence that three dopamine genes (DAT1, DRD2, and DRD4) are the cause of IPV perpetration. People with certain variants to these genes may be more likely to process stress in a way that results in IPV perpetration. Women with specific genetic variants seem to be especially sensitive to the effects of stressors, such as having utilities turned off, being evicted, or being unhappy with their jobs. However, this does not mean that they would perpetrate IPV when they experience stress. Overall, we need more research to better understand how these results can be used to inform programs to prevent IPV, and ultimately, this research raised more questions than it answered. Are there other genes and experiences that contribute more to IPV perpetration? How can we teach people to respond to their environments without hurting their partners? vii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .