Are abusers aware that they are abusing people? /u/Brusheer No such thing as stupid questions

I know a lot of it is going to change situation to situation, but is it typically an intentional or unintentional thing? Like are most abusers aware that they are abusing their partner and just don’t care/justify it to themselves or do they truly think that what they’re doing isn’t abuse/doesn’t count for whatever reason/etc? Was watching a court case with a guy who had a reason for every instance of abuse. “I know it was bad for me to hit her/call her such and such but she did x y and z, it’s not an excuse but can’t you see my side?” And I guess I’m just wondering if he truly believes what he saying or if he’s just trying to manipulate his audience to be okay with the abuses he knows he’s committing.

I know a lot of it is going to change situation to situation, but is it typically an intentional or unintentional thing? Like are most abusers aware that they are abusing their partner and just don’t care/justify it to themselves or do they truly think that what they’re doing isn’t abuse/doesn’t count for whatever reason/etc? Was watching a court case with a guy who had a reason for every instance of abuse. “I know it was bad for me to hit her/call her such and such but she did x y and z, it’s not an excuse but can’t you see my side?” And I guess I’m just wondering if he truly believes what he saying or if he’s just trying to manipulate his audience to be okay with the abuses he knows he’s committing.