Reference no: EM13507042

In the article, "Born to Rape?," Margaret Wertheim reviews the book, A Natural History of Rape: The Biological Basis of Sexual Coercion, by biologist Randy Thornhill and anthropologist Craig Palmer. Thornhill and Palmer's hypothesis is that rape is a genetic, evolutionary mechanism which helps males produce offspring (procreate). Wertheim argues that Thornhill and Palmer use "sloppy science" to support their hypothesis. She identifies several problems with their research design and data collection. For example, Thornhill and Palmer use data from the United States to describe rape patterns world-wide. This data set would not be an accurate representation of world-wide rape patterns as it is limited to the United States. Because of the problems with the data used to test the hypothesis, Wertheim determines that Thornhill and Palmer's hypothesis needs further testing to determine its validity. ------------- Answer the following questions: 1) Describe three problems Wertheim finds with Thornhill and Palmer's research design/data collection. Give specific examples (do not use the example provided in the introduction). (9 points) 2) Describe Thornhill and Palmer's "rape prevention" program for men and women. (6 points) 3) If Thornhill and Palmer's hypothesis was accepted as valid, how would that effect the trial and conviction of a rapist? (5 points)