Synopses & Reviews
Are women and men biologically destined to be in perpetual conflict? Does evolutionary genetics adequately explain sexual aggression? Such questions have been much debated in both the media and academia. In particular, the notion that rape is an evolutionary adaptation, put forth by Randy Thornhill and Craig T. Palmer in their book A Natural History of Rape (MIT Press, 2000), vaulted the debate into national prominence. This book assesses Thornhill and Palmer's ideas, as well as the critical responses to their work. Drawing on theory and data from anthropology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, primatology, psychology, and sociology, the essays explain the flaws and limitations of a strictly biological model of rape. They argue that traditionally stereotyped gender roles are grounded more in culture than in differing biological reproductive roles.The book is divided into three parts. The first part, "Evolutionary Models and Gender," addresses broad theoretical and methodological issues of evolutionary theory and sociobiology. Part 2, "Critiquing Evolutionary Models of Rape," addresses specific propositions of Thornhill and Palmer, making explicit their unexamined assumptions and challenging the scientific bases for their conclusions. It also considers other studies on biological gender differences. Part 3, "Integrative Cultural Models of Gender and Rape," offers alternative models of rape, which incorporate psychology and cultural systems, as well as a broader interpretation of evolutionary theory.
Review
"A valuable resource for anyone who is wrestling with concerns about gender dynamics, sexual aggresion, or evolutionary psychology." Joanna L. Bettmann Psychiatric Services The MIT Press
Review
"A comprehensive refutation of A Natural History of Rape." Publisher's Weekly The MIT Press
Review
"I would not have anticipated that anything good could come from the notorious recent attempts by so-called evolutionary psychology to understand human rape. But perhaps every cloud does have a silver lining. This book not only says exactly what is wrong with the crudely biological approach to rape, but also provides a wealth of real information about rape, evolution, and a good deal else besides. If you prefer complex insights to sound bites, this is a book you will want to read."--John Dupre, Director, ESRC Centre for Genomics in Society, University of Exeter The MIT Press
Review
"A comprehensive refutation of A Natural History of Rape."
— Publisher's Weekly
Synopsis
Multidisciplinary critiques of the notion of rape as an evolutionary adaptation.
Are women and men biologically destined to be in perpetual conflict? Does evolutionary genetics adequately explain sexual aggression? Such questions have been much debated in both the media and academia. In particular, the notion that rape is an evolutionary adaptation, put forth by Randy Thornhill and Craig T. Palmer in their book A Natural History of Rape (MIT Press, 2000), vaulted the debate into national prominence. This book assesses Thornhill and Palmer's ideas, as well as the critical responses to their work. Drawing on theory and data from anthropology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, primatology, psychology, and sociology, the essays explain the flaws and limitations of a strictly biological model of rape. They argue that traditionally stereotyped gender roles are grounded more in culture than in differing biological reproductive roles.The book is divided into three parts.
The first part, "Evolutionary Models and Gender," addresses broad theoretical and methodological issues of evolutionary theory and sociobiology. Part 2, "Critiquing Evolutionary Models of Rape," addresses specific propositions of Thornhill and Palmer, making explicit their unexamined assumptions and challenging the scientific bases for their conclusions. It also considers other studies on biological gender differences. Part 3, "Integrative Cultural Models of Gender and Rape," offers alternative models of rape, which incorporate psychology and cultural systems, as well as a broader interpretation of evolutionary theory.
Synopsis
Multidisciplinary critiques of the notion of rape as an evolutionary adaptation.
Synopsis
The book is divided into three parts. The first part, Evolutionary Models and Gender, addresses broad theoretical and methodological issues of evolutionary theory and sociobiology. Part 2, Critiquing Evolutionary Models of Rape, addresses specific propositions of Thornhill and Palmer, making explicit their unexamined assumptions and challenging the scientific bases for their conclusions. It also considers other studies on biological gender differences. Part 3, Integrative Cultural Models of Gender and Rape, offers alternative models of rape, which incorporate psychology and cultural systems, as well as a broader interpretation of evolutionary theory.
Synopsis
Are women and men biologically destined to be in perpetual conflict? Does evolutionary genetics adequately explain sexual aggression? Such questions have been much debated in both the media and academia. In particular, the notion that rape is an evolutionary adaptation, put forth by Randy Thornhill and Craig T. Palmer in their book
About the Author
Cheryl Brown Travis is Professor of Psychology and Chair of Women's Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Table of Contents
Talking evolution and selling difference /Cheryl Brown Travis --Female sexuality and the myth of male control /Christine M. Drea and Kim Wallen --Power asymmetries between the sexes, mate preferences, and components of fitness /Patricia Adair Gowaty --Does self-report make sense as an investigative method in evolutionary psychology? /Stephanie A. Shields and Pamela Steinke --Understanding rape /Ethel Tobach and Rachel Reed --Pop sociobiology reborn : the evolutionary psychology of sex and violence /A. Leah Vickers and Philip Kitcher.