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Punishment, Proprietariness, and Paternity: Men's Violence Against Women From an Evolutionary Perspective

NCJ Number
224964
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 13 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2008 Pages: 481-489
Author(s)
Aaron T. Goetz; Todd K. Shackelford; Gorge A. Romero; Farnaz Kaighobadi; Emily J. Miner
Date Published
November 2008
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Using an evolutionary perspective (Darwin’s theory of evolution), this paper examines intimate partner violence focusing on men’s violence against women.
Abstract
Those who study intimate partner violence from an evolutionary perspective often ask questions that are different from those asked by most clinical and forensic psychologists. Evolutionary psychologists are interested in ultimate explanations, referring to the evolved function of a trait, behavior, or mechanism. It is argued that (1) the recurring adaptive problem of paternity uncertainty plays a central role in intimate partner violence, (2) physical violence functions to punish and deter female sexual infidelity, and (3) sexual violence may function as an anti-cuckoldry tactic, with its occurrence related to suspicion of female sexual infidelity. Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection has changed and continues to change the understanding of the natural world. Social scientists have recognized the value of using an evolutionary perspective to guide their work, and the application of an evolutionary perspective has been used to predict successfully diverse human behaviors. This article uses the tools provided by evolutionary science to explore why violence occurs between intimate partners. The goal is to discuss an important “ultimate” or evolutionary cause of female-directed violence: paternity uncertainty. The article focuses the discussion on physical and sexual intimate partner violence. References

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