The evolutionary psychology of rape and food robbery
Article Abstract:
The Thornhills' thesis on rape as an evolutionary adaptation for coercive sex is compared with hunger as an evolutionary adaptation to commit food robbery. All six hypotheses advanced by the Thornhills' are paraphrased to include the food robbery comparison. If, as the Thornhills claim, rape is a special strategy to satisfy sexual desire, then, robbery is a special strategy to satisfy hunger. The Thornhills therefore, will accept that our psychology is evolutionarily designed for robbing food as well. At a specific level if a robber happens to rob Danish cheese, then evolution has designed our psychology to rob Danish cheese and this is really ridiculous.
Publication Name: Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0140-525X
Year: 1992
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Psychological mechanisms versus behavior: does the difference really make a difference?
Article Abstract:
Ther must be a realization that studying behavior and studying psychological mechanisms do not really make a difference. Evolutionary psychologists employ the basic steps that behavioral psychologists use in researching psychological mechanisms. The Thornhills use adaptation in seeking out psychological mechanisms instead of studying behavior. They dismiss the role of behavior in their hypotheses and focus on evolutionary psychology. This approach greatly colors their interpretation of data and the type of hypotheses they generate.
Publication Name: Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0140-525X
Year: 1992
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What about the evolutionary psychology of coerciveness?
Article Abstract:
A comparative study of the history between sexual and nonsexual coercion is suggested to thoroughly evaluate and isolate distinct features of sexual coercion. It is argued that coerciveness is a behavior in other areas of interpersonal relationships, thus, it may be an evolved adaptation not only in sexual matters but in general human behavior as well. Conflict in politics, slavery, warfare, etc. reveal that it may be a springboard for the evolution of other carefully selected coercive capabilities.
Publication Name: Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0140-525X
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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