THE SOCIOBIOLOGY OF RAPE: A Critique

Abstract

In the last chapter of his book, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis (1975), E.O. Wilson suggested that adaptive behaviours found in animals could be applied to humans. Wilson's work provided the impetus for a great deal of behavioural research which was to be carried out on a number of topics, including rape. The purpose of this paper is to look critically at the sociobiological theory of rape. This will be accomplished by first outlining the theories of Shields and Shields (1983), and Thornhill and Thornhill (1983). Second, the animal data that is utilized by sociobiologists will be critically examined. Finally, the theories of Shields and Shields and Thornhill and Thornhill will be examined critically.