An Examination of the Westermarck Hypothesis and the Role of Disgust in Incest Avoidance Among Fathers.

ABSTRACT: From an evolutionary perspective, incestuous behavior is puzzling. The goal of this study was to assess the tenability of the Westermarck hypothesis (1891, 1921)-that people who live in close physical proximity with one another during childhood will develop a sexual indifference or aversion toward one another-and the mediating role of disgust as an incest avoidance mechanism in father-daughter relationships. A sample of fathers with daughters ( N = 632) from Canada and the United States were recruited by Qualtrics-a survey platform and project management company-to complete an online survey. The results from this study did not support the viability of the Westermarck hypothesis as a mechanism that facilitates incest avoidance for fathers. Physical proximity was not associated with incest p

SUBMITTER: Pullman LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10358401 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature