The Psychological Explanations of Rape

Rape is an experience which shakes the foundations of the lives of the victims. For many its effect is long term, impairing their capacity for personal relationships, altering their behaviour and values and generating fear, Temkin (1986:17).

Rape is an extremely controversial issue and this notion is supported based on the fact that basic definitions and explanations of rape usually directly correlate with a state's lawful definition of rape. This proves problematic as many people's explanations and definitions of rape are quite different to that of the law. Social science theorists argue that rape is a learned action with which society plays a crucial role, Ellis (1989). Based on this theory it seems only logical to propose that there should be differing definitions and explanations of rape from generation to generation. A good example to consider is that of older generations who are less likely to use marital rape as a definition of rape. In this essay I aim to outline three main psychological explanations for the causes of rape, which are: the evolutionary approach, the feminist approach and the social learning approach.

Earlier explanations of rape by Dizinno and Thornhill (1986) have explained it as an evolved, facultative behaviour that is condition- dependent. In this view, rape may be engaged in by men who are relatively unsuccessful in competition for the resources and status necessary to attract and reproduce successfully with desirable mates. Thornhill and Palmer (2000), have grounded their evolutionary explanation of rape in the Darwinian theory. They have argued that rape is a sexually motivated behaviour, not an act of power and control, which is in complete contrast to the feminist approach to rape. Rape is...

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...en from his village never to return. Although rape-free does not mean completely, compared to Western societies they are very few. Perhaps it can be argued that to some extent society plays a significant role in the amount of criminal activity committed.

In conclusion, there are a number of valid explanations for the causes of rape, however these explanations do not take into account individual differences such as culture, race and sex. For example the evolutionary approach does have a narrow minded view in the sense that they only explain rape from a male perspective, when in reality, although rare, there do exist women who rape men, and also, however shameful it may appear, there is no explanation as to why men rape other men. It is necessary to point out that the causes of rape are multifaceted. The most plausible explanation incorporates a variety of factors.