NCJ Number
194776
Journal
Legal and Criminological Psychology Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2002 Pages: 1-13
Date Published
February 2002
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The article discusses the application of evolutionary psychology in criminal psychology and criminal behavior literature.
Abstract
The author explores the utility of evolutionary psychology theories in criminal psychology and criminal behavior research. The scope of the article is limited to the applications of evolutionary and selectionist (Darwinian) theory to sex differences in criminality, sexual coercion, sexual deviance, the role of kinship in criminal behavior and persistent antisocial behavior. Sex differences in criminality are discussed from the perspective of biological and reproductive drives shaping male competitiveness and in turn, increased male criminality as compared to female criminality. Characteristics of sexual coercion and the cost benefit analysis employed by men considering sexually coercive behavior is discussed. Genetic and developmental factors that may create sexual deviance are presented. The author concludes that criminal behavior is a heritable trait and that evolutionary psychology theories provide explanations for the commonly accepted correlation of age and sex to crime as well as the inverse relationship between degree of kinship and homicide and that criminal behavior in general should be reviewed from a Darwinian perspective. 82 references, acknowledgments