Domestic violence affects over 500,000 women in the United States. It is a crime which, though not exclusively befalling women, nevertheless affects primarily women. David Buss, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Texas in Austin, argues that research shows there may be an evolutionary explanation behind those figures.

That argument was made in a recent paper published by Buss in the Journal of Family Violence. In the article, he explains that domestic violence evolutionarily carried the selective advantage of being tied to reproductive success, allowing males to ensure their partner does not have another male's child.

According to Buss, domestic violence is more likely where there is a man with a female partner who has a higher "mate value," meaning more intelligent, physically attractive or having a greater earning potential than him. In such cases, the man is more likely to engage in violence or reduce her self-esteem to keep her from leaving him.

This isn't the first time Buss has made this type of argument. Sources said he has previously argued that jealousy is a behavior that evolved to keep couples together. Buss and colleague Joshua Duntley from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in Galloway say there are several studies supporting the connection between partner violence and reproductive success.

The paper has sparked controversy and criticism among those who say it contains overly simplistic assumptions that don't apply to many relationships and that it is likely to be interpreted as an excuse for such violence. But Buss says that greater understanding of the causes behind domestic violence can help society identify those who may be at increased risk, so as to offer them better protection.

Source: newscientist.com, "Domestic violence gets evolutionary explanation," Wendy Zukerman, Sep 28, 2011.