This master’s thesis concerns violence in relationships. The thesis investigates how the phenomenon of violence between dating partners can be described and analyzed theoretically. Furthermore, the causes behind the violence are investigated. Due to the theoretical foundation of this thesis the concept is investigated based on review of empirical literature in which causes of violence between dating partners have been researched. Based on the findings in the literature it has been possible to identify relevant theories in order to analyze the concept and causes further. This method has yielded two psychological approaches; a psychodynamic approach and a social psychological approach. The thesis concludes that the two approaches support and complement each other in understanding the concept of violence between dating partners. Furthermore, it concludes that one single explanation of violence between partners does not exist