Westermarck effect
Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word Westermarck effect. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word Westermarck effect, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say Westermarck effect in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word Westermarck effect you have here. The definition of the word Westermarck effect will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofWestermarck effect, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
First hypothesized by Finnish anthropologist Edvard Westermarck (1862–1939) in his book The History of Human Marriage (1891).
Noun
- A hypothetical psychological effect through which people who live in close domestic proximity during the first few years of their lives become desensitized to later sexual attraction. It is one explanation for the incest taboo.