The evolutionary psychology of priesthood celibacy
Article Abstract:
Priests have always been culturally defined to be celibate. However, this study of Thornhill and Thornhill wherein they assume that psychological adaptation underlies all human behavior puts the issue of clerical celibacy in a new light. Studies have shown that many priests do not remain celibate at all and some are even successful in impregnating married and unmarried female members of their flock. This then is an excellent opportunity for priests to perpetuate their genes. As far as the married women are concerned, priests are further assured that their progeny will be cared for by their mistresses' husbands.
Publication Name: Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0140-525X
Year: 1992
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Blinded by "science": how not to think about social problems
Article Abstract:
Thornhill and Thornhill's (T and T) study is criticized for its pretensions of 'scientism' and omission of relevant social concerns. It is accused of being overly concerned with its 'phallometric' implications to the point that data has been misinterpreted and the whole point of evolutionary background T and T dwell on has become ridiculous. The real question of whether rape is socially conditioned or just a mirror of the proper functioning of an innate psychological organ in not answered. T and T's findings of rape as 'being a natural phenomenon' must be rejected for its harmful consequences.
Publication Name: Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0140-525X
Year: 1992
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Genetics, functional anatomy and coercive behaviour
Article Abstract:
Thornhill and Thornhill propose that human coercive sexuality is fixed in the population due to genetic heredity. However, they offer no basis methodologically to establish this conclusion. Their corollary finding that human population is diverse due to coercive sexual propagation does not also find support since there are no data available and they do not establish the means of supporting this in their research. The research offers no good positive results to believe that rape is a function of adaptation.
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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