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Sexual coercion and forced in-pair copulation as sperm competition tactics in humans

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Abstract

Rape of women by men might be generated either by a specialized rape adaptation or as a by-product of other psychological adaptations. Although increasing number of sexual partners is a proposed benefit of rape according to the “rape as an adaptation” and the “rape as a by-product” hypotheses, neither hypothesis addresses directly why some men rape their long-term partners, to whom they already have sexual access. In two studies we tested specific hypotheses derived from the general hypothesis that sexual coercion in the context of an intimate relationship may function as a sperm competition tactic. We hypothesized that men’s sexual coercion in the context of an intimate relationship is related positively to his partner’s perceived infidelities and that men’s sexual coercion is related positively to their mate retention behaviors (behaviors designed to prevent a partner’s infidelity). The results from Study 1 (self-reports from 246 men) and Study 2 (partner-reports from 276 women) supported the hypotheses. The Discussion section addresses limitations of this research and highlights future directions for research on sexual coercion in intimate relationships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, 2912 College Avenue, 33314, Davie, Florida, USA

    Aaron T. Goetz & Todd K. Shackelford

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  1. Aaron T. Goetz
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  2. Todd K. Shackelford
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Correspondence to Aaron T. Goetz.

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Aaron T. Goetz received his B.A. in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2002 and his M.A. from Florida Atlantic University in 2005. He is a Ph.D. candidate in evolutionary psychology at Florida Atlantic University. His research interests include men’s anti-cuckoldry tactics and sexual coercion in intimate relationships.

Todd K. Shackelford received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997. He is an associate professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University, and chair of the Evolutionary Psychology Area. His current research interests include conflict between the sexes, particularly with regard to sexual behavior.

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Goetz, A.T., Shackelford, T.K. Sexual coercion and forced in-pair copulation as sperm competition tactics in humans. Hum Nat 17, 265–282 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-006-1009-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-006-1009-8

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