#72 Randy Thornhill: Why Men Rape, and How to Prevent It With Science
Dr. Randy Thornhill is an American entomologist and evolutionary biologist. He is a professor of biology at the University of New Mexico, and was president of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society from 2011 to 2013. He is known for his evolutionary explanation of rape as well as his work on insect mating systems and the parasite-stress theory. He’s the author of several books, including A Natural History of Rape, and The Parasite-Stress Theory of Values and Sociality.
In this episode, we focus on the main topics of Dr. Thornhill’s book, A Natural History of Rape (https://tinyurl.com/yaad244x). We explore the evolutionary bases of rape; the sex differences and optimal sexual strategies that give rise to it; why women suffer so much from it, and the possible social consequences; what’s wrong with social constructionist theories of rape, and why don’t really help the victims or with its prevention; and science-based solutions to it.
Time Links:
How evolutionary theory helps us understand rape better
Sex differences in sexual strategies
Why is rape so painful to women?
The risk for women to lose a male partner after getting raped
Traits the pose an increasing risk of rape for women
Rape is not a cultural construct
Signs of physical violence and resistance reduce mate leaving
Are men also victims of rape?
Why social constructionist theories of rape don’t help
Science-based policies to prevent rape
Is advice for women to prevent rape sexist, or “victim-blaming”?
Evolutionary theory applied to clinical psychology
Follow Dr. Thornhill’s work
Follow Dr. Thornhill’s work:
Faculty page: http://biology.unm.edu/Thornhill/rthorn.htm
Books: https://tinyurl.com/y95a5myn