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On the Origin and Extension of the Incest Taboo

On the Origin and Extension of the Incest Taboo This paper presents new evidence and a model which are consistent withthe theory that the prohibition of familial mating became universal andmay have originated because of the problem of inbreeding. The new evidence has to do with why the incest taboo may be extended to first cousins;of all the available theories, only that of inbreeding seems to explain thecross-cultural variation in cousin marriage. The model described here generates estimates of reproductive rates that might have obtained in earlierhypothetical populations. These estimates suggest that the differences in reproductive rates between familial and nonfamilial matings may have beengreat enough for people to have recognized the disadvantage of inbreedingand to have consciously prohibited it. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Behavior Science Research SAGE

On the Origin and Extension of the Incest Taboo

Ember, Melvin
Behavior Science Research , Volume 10 (4): 33 – Nov 1, 1975
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References (23)

Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
Copyright © by SAGE Publications
ISSN
0094-3673
DOI
10.1177/106939717501000402
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This paper presents new evidence and a model which are consistent withthe theory that the prohibition of familial mating became universal andmay have originated because of the problem of inbreeding. The new evidence has to do with why the incest taboo may be extended to first cousins;of all the available theories, only that of inbreeding seems to explain thecross-cultural variation in cousin marriage. The model described here generates estimates of reproductive rates that might have obtained in earlierhypothetical populations. These estimates suggest that the differences in reproductive rates between familial and nonfamilial matings may have beengreat enough for people to have recognized the disadvantage of inbreedingand to have consciously prohibited it.

Journal

Behavior Science Research – SAGE

Published: Nov 1, 1975

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