A comparative study of deviations from sexual mores

American Sociological Review • Vol/Iss. 17 • Published In • Pages: 135-146 •
By Brown, Julia

Abstract

This article investigates which sexual behaviors are tabued (tabooed) and the frequency and severity of their punishments. Results indicate that incest, abduction, and rape are more frequently tabued, and that frequent tabuing is associated with more severe punishment. Human and supernatural agency in punishment is also examined.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)

Hypotheses (4)

HypothesisSupported
"High positive correlations were found between the punishments for the following pairs . . . c) premarital indulgence by a man and rape of an unmarried girl; d) premarital indulgence by a man and premarital indulgence by a woman . . ." (139)Supported
"High positive correlations were found between punishments for the following pairs . . . e) adultery by a man and adultery by a woman; f) adultery and rape by a man" (139)Supported
"High positive correlations were found between the punishments for the following pairs of deviations: a) premarital indulgence by a man, and adultery with another man's wife; b) premarital indulgence by a man and adultery by a woman . . ." (139)Supported
"The more frequently a given type of sexual behavior was tabued by the sample societies, the more severe the punishment and vice-versa" (139)Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas  Amelia Piazza