Final answer:
E.O. Wilson's book Sociobiology was controversial because it focused on genetics and natural selection as the main explanations for behavior, disregarding the influence of the environment. This sparked a nature versus nurture debate.
Step-by-step explanation:
E.O. Wilson's book Sociobiology was controversial because it suggested that animal and human behavior, including social interactions, can be explained primarily by genetics and natural selection, without considering the influence of the environment. This sparked a debate known as the 'nature versus nurture' debate, which questions the role of genetics versus the role of the environment in determining behavior and characteristics in organisms. Critics argued that sociobiology overlooked the significant impact of environmental factors on behavior.