The term sociobiology was coined in 1975 by Edward O. Wilson in his controversial book "Sociobiology: The New Synthesis". The study of sociobiology attempts a union between two distinct sciences: sociology and biology. Sociobiologists use natural selection as a reason for why individuals act the way they do; that is, that they are genetically predisposed to act in certain ways. Behaviours such as aggression, altruism, parenting and sex habits are viewed as evidence of an uncontrollable or natural genetic make-up.
Sociobiology Theorists and Arguments
David Barash in his book The Whisperings Within argues that the prevailing strategy of each gene is to make the best deal it can to insure that copies of itself will occur in the future, and that genes are guiding individuals to act in the best way to improve fitness. One example is parental love which Barash claims is actually an evolutionary strategy whereby genes replicate themselves. They do so by inducing the parents to behave in ways that enhance the success of their offspring. That is, the love of parent for child is one way genes look after copies of themselves.
However, sociobiologists also state that men have little interest in the nurturing of their children because only women can be sure that the offspring they bear are theirs, and that due to the number of sperm they produce, men can never be sure offspring produced is actually theirs. This theory does not explain how male genes are enhancing the success of their species if they have no propensity for nurturance.
Besides such inconsistencies, a major criticism of sociobiology is that although humans do share universal behavioural tendences, they also demonstrate a tremendous diversity in behaviours as well as the crucial ability to learn and adapt. Yet, sociobiologists exclude social and cultural factors that mark humans off from other forms of animal life, dismissing such concerns as insignificant or simply biological adaptations.
Sociobilogy and the Sexual Double Standard
One example is the sexual double standard that claims "boys will be boys". Sociobiologists such as Desmond Morris believe that through natural selection, females have become more cautious in choosing a mate due to the limited number of eggs available and the time it takes to produce offspring. Men, on the other hand, have evolved into the aggressive and sexually promiscuous sex because in order to fertilize and therefore successfully spread their genes they must hunt for and compete for females.
Critics argue that applying a biological explanation to such complex behaviours suggests that these double-standards are fixed and that instead of reform, humans should accept their animal nature. A theory that reduces every human behaviour to inherited instincts functions to condone war, murder, sexual assault and selfishness in society. And by ignoring the diversity and change that has taken place in human history, humans should abandon any attempt to reform their society and culture .
Sociobiology also cannot explain global behavioural tendencies, such as the systematic destruction of the environment. If natural selection works to enhance the survival of the fittest, how can this theory explain why humans are the only species that destroys its own habitat to such an extent that no animal is capable of survival? The answer, critics claim, is social and cultural behaviours, not genetic ones are the driving force of human activitiy.
Despite the increased understanding of human behaviour that sociobiology has evinced, it remains a narrow interpretation of why individuals behave the way they do. To reduce all behaviour to animal instinct is a fatalistic view, one that suggests humanity has no control over its activities, and therefore no reason to attempt to change for the better.
Source
Barash, David. The Whispering Within. New York: Harper & Row, 1979.
Marilyn Michaud - Marilyn Michaud teaches English Literature and writing in Toronto. Her research interests include American history and culture, Gothic ...
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