sociobiology

[ soh-see-oh-bahy-ol-uh-jee, soh-shee- ]

noun

1. the study of social behavior in animals with emphasis on the role of behavior in survival and reproduction, engaging branches of ethology, population genetics, and ecology.

sociobiology

/ ˌsəʊsɪəʊbaɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the study of social behaviour in animals and humans, esp in relation to its survival value and evolutionary origins

sociobiology

/ sō′sē-ō-bī-ŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of the biological basis of the social behavior of animals, based on the theory that such behavior is often genetically determined and that the genes governing this behavior are subject to the usual mechanisms of evolution. Sociobiology posits that an animal will normally behave in ways that will increase the survival of its genes in the gene pool, either by increasing its own reproductive success or the reproductive success of an individual or group that is closely related and thus shares some of the organism's genes. Sociobiologists seek to find explanations for animal behaviors such as aggression and altruism in relation to the survival of the animal's genes.

sociobiology

1. An area of inquiry in biology , still somewhat controversial but gaining wider acceptance. Its central tenet is that many human behavioral and social traits are genetically inherited and are thus determined by genetic makeup and not culture.

Notes

Sociobiology is on the “nature” side in the nature-nurture controversy .

Derived Forms

• ˌsociobiˈologist, noun

Other Words From

• so·ci·o·bi·o·log·i·cal [soh-see-oh-bahy-, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l, soh-shee-], adjective
• soci·o·bio·logi·cal·ly adverb
• soci·o·bi·olo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sociobiology¹

First recorded in 1945–50; socio- + biology

Example Sentences

Sure enough, the institution holds his personal papers — including boxes of documents related to the sociobiology wars.

From Salon

But Wilson's ideas inspired other researchers, and although still somewhat controversial, sociobiology today “is a major thrust of both evolution and behavioral ecology,” Simberloff says.

From Science Magazine

When Dr. Wilson attended a 1978 debate about sociobiology, protesters rushed the stage shouting, “Racist Wilson, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!”

From New York Times

Of his many accomplishments in evolutionary biology, his biggest contribution was probably in the new scientific field of sociobiology, in which he addressed the biological basis of social behavior in animals, including humans.

From Washington Post

Wilson’s sociobiology theories transformed the field of biology and reignited the nature vs. nurture debate among scientists.

From Seattle Times