Sc. Maxson, Some misunderstandings and misinterpretations about sociobiology and behavior genetics in Lifelines by Steven Rose, BEHAV BRAIN, 22(5), 1999, pp. 898
Lifelines by Steven Rose is supposed to present a new perspective on biolog
y replacing an emphasis on genes with one on organisms. However, much of th
e book is a highly biased critique of sociobiology and behavior genetics. S
ome of the flaws in Rose's description and depiction of these fields are pr
esented and refuted. Also, it would appear that these aspects of the book a
nd many others are, in fact, related more to Rose's perennial concern for t
he ideology, social origins or social consequences of behavioral biology. T
hese concerns are, I believe based, in part, upon Rose's misunderstandings
and misinterpretations of genetics, behavior genetics, and sociobiology.