Study Notes on Evolutionary Psychology and Crime

2000CCJENA Psychology of Crime - Week 2: Evolutionary Psychology

Lecture Outline

  • The principles of evolution and gene-based evolutionary theory

  • Evolution and behavior (Evolutionary Psychology)

  • Crime-focused evolutionary approaches

  • Psychological mechanisms underlying propensity for criminal behavior in us all

  • Offender-focused evolutionary approaches

  • Individual differences in criminal behavior

Evolution as the Scientific Foundation of Human Nature

  • Definition of 'Human Nature':

    • Refers to what it means to be human, encapsulating the essence of humanity.

    • Includes characteristics and innate behaviors such as ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.

    • Comparison: Just as there is a concept of 'Cat nature' vs 'Dog nature', human nature embodies intrinsic qualities.

The Principles of Evolution

Darwin's Theory of Evolution

  • Pre-Darwinian Perspective:

    • Dominated by creationism: the belief in a divine creator producing immutable species.

    • Each species was believed to remain unchanged over time.

  • Darwin's Evolutionary Theory:

    • Contrast with creationism: proposes species evolve, adapting and changing over time.

Natural Selection

  • Overproduction of Offspring:

    • All species tend to produce more offspring than can survive.

  • Environmental Pressures:

    • Threats to survival can emerge from various sources (e.g., new predators, climate changes).

    • Leads to a struggle for existence among individuals.

  • Traits and Adaptations:

    • Individuals differ in traits that affect survival and reproduction.

    • Those best suited (i.e., the fittest) reproduce more successfully.

    • Traits enhancing survival are inherited by future generations.

  • Genetic Makeup Changes:

    • New generations differ genetically from their predecessors, as only the genes of successful reproducers are passed on.

  • Nature of Natural Selection:

    • Not random; it involves the selection of advantageous genes over generations.

Evolution as Adaptation

  • Adaptation Mechanism:

    • Evolution represents an organism's adaptation to its environment rather than progressing towards complexity.

  • Emergence of New Traits:

    • Over time, new traits may appear, contributing to an appearance of advancement while many ancestral traits persist.

Cesare Lombroso and Criminal Behavior

  • Lombroso's Theory:

    • Lombroso viewed evolution as a hierarchy, claiming criminals are evolutionary throwbacks (Homo delinquens).

    • He considered adult European males as the pinnacle of evolution.

Gene-Based Evolutionary Theory

  • Understanding Evolution:

    • Darwin proposed evolution without knowledge of genetic mechanisms.

  • Gregor Mendel's Contributions:

    • Introduced the concept of 'hereditary units', known today as genes.

Genes

  • Composition of Genes:

    • Genes dictate physical traits (e.g., eye color, skin color).

    • Offspring consists of replicated genetic material from parents.

  • Species' Genetic Make-Up:

    • Species carry evolutionary history within their DNA.

    • Sharing genetic similarities (e.g., humans share 98% of genes with chimpanzees).

Evolution and Genes - Mutations

  • Definition of Mutations:

    • Genetic mutations introduce new traits to a lineage.

  • Impact of Positive Mutations:

    • If a mutation enhances reproductive success, it spreads through the population.

  • Role of Mutations in Evolution:

    • Genetic mutations are the foundation of evolutionary change.

The Selfish Gene

  • Central Concept:

    • From an evolutionary viewpoint, genes serve as the core driver of life's continuity.

    • Genes are considered immortal as long as they are passed to future generations.

Evolution and Behavior

  • Behavioral Evolution:

    • Organisms evolve behaviors that maximize the transmission of their genes through generations.

Sociobiological Perspective on Social Behaviors

  • Ultimate Aim of Social Behavior:

    • All social behaviors are ultimately geared towards ensuring gene transmission.

  • Common Ground in Sociobiology:

    • Sociobiologists analyze social behaviors across species.

  • Relevant Behaviors to Criminology:

    • Altruism and parental investment reflect evolutionary influences in human behavior.

Altruism

  • Kin Selection:

    • Acting altruistically towards genetic relatives enhances shared genetic survival (inclusive fitness).

  • Reciprocal Altruism:

    • Refers to mutual exchanges of altruistic acts among individuals.

  • Game Theory Application:

    • Example: prisoners’ dilemma elucidates strategic cooperation vs competition.

Parental Investment Theory

Trivers' Insights (1972)

  • Investment and Mate Selection:

    • Parents that invest significantly in their offspring tend to be choosy in mate selection.

    • Females search for partners who can provide resources and support long-term child-rearing.

  • Male Investment Strategies:

    • Males often exhibit less selectivity and may pursue multiple partners, competing with other males for mating opportunities.

The r-K Continuum

  • Reproduction Strategies:

    • Organisms utilize strategies along a spectrum:

    • r-strategy: Focused on producing many offspring with minimal investment (quantity over quality).

    • K-strategy: Involves fewer offspring with significant care and investment (quality over quantity).

Evolutionary Psychology

Central Ideas

  • Adaptive Purposes of Mechanisms:

    • The original adaptations may not be relevant in today's context.

  • Unconscious Operations:

    • Evolved mechanisms do not operate at a conscious level, impacting behavior without deliberate awareness.

  • Behavioral Repertoire:

    • Mechanisms do not provide a fixed set of responses at birth—they can change based on environmental contexts.

Crime-Focused Evolutionary Approaches

Application to Criminal Behavior

  • Origin of Criminal Behaviors:

    • Criminal behaviors may have been adaptive responses at points in evolutionary history.

  • Encoded Mechanisms:

    • Evolutionary origins continue to shape human psychological makeup through evolved mechanisms.

Violent Offending

  • Human Violence:

    • The natural tendency toward violence does not imply a generalized aggression but questions whether violence served adaptive strategies for reproductive success.

  • Perspectives on Violence:

    • Evolutionary psychologists study the contexts and reasons behind human violence, suggesting it may have adaptive roots.

Factors Influencing Violence

Power and Status

  • Male Violence Dynamics:

    • Most assaults and homicides involve male perpetrators.

    • Violence may confer competitive advantages:

    • Resource acquisition from weaker males.

    • Protection against attacks.

    • Enhancing status and attracting sexual partners through displays of power.

  • Status in Male Violence:

    • Acts of male violence often revolve around asserting status or restoring honor and reputation.

Sexual Proprietariness

  • Mate Protection Dynamics:

    • Males developed possessive tendencies towards their mates due to uncertainties in paternity.

  • Consequences of Jealousy:

    • Male jealousy can provoke violent behaviors, as can female retaliation in response to male violence.

Genetic Relatedness and Violence

  • Intrafamilial Homicide Statistics:

    • Research indicates that non-genetic relatives are eleven times more likely to be involved in cases of familial homicide than genetic relatives.

    • Adopted and step-children frequently represent abuse victims.

    • Evidence supports weaker parental investment in non-biological relationships.

    • Statistical data:

    • 48% of familial homicides involve acquaintances, 27% strangers, and 25% relatives (Marie Wilt, 1974).

    • 48% acquaintances, 27% strangers, 19% relatives, 6% blood relatives (Daly & Wilson, 1982).

Offender-Focused Evolutionary Approaches

Individual Differences in Offending

  • Explaining Variations:

    • Offending may vary due to demographic and environmental factors, reflecting the same underlying psychological mechanisms.

    • Alternatively, criminal behavior might be a divergent strategy addressing adaptation challenges with genetic underpinnings.

Concealing Criminality as an Adaptive Strategy

  • Disguising Criminal Behavior:

    • Criminals often mimic law-abiding individuals to hide their misconduct.

  • Psychopathic Behaviors:

    • Psychopaths may exhibit superficial charm despite lacking empathetic feelings—learning to feign appropriate social responses.

Cads and Dads Concept

  • Cads:

    • Represent men who feign fidelity and support but engage in deceitful (r-strategies) reproductive behavior.

  • Dads:

    • Refers to partners committed to long-term caregiving (K-strategies).

  • Criminality and Genetics:

    • It is suggested that cads possess a higher genetic predisposition to criminal behavior compared to dads.

Demographic Variations in Criminal Behavior

  • Biological Factors:

    • Gender is a significant factor; males commit approximately 80% of crimes.

  • Adaptive Solutions:

    • Males and females evolve distinct adaptive solutions due to varying reproductive challenges.

  • Age-Crime Curve:

    • Crime rates escalate post-puberty, peak in late teens—aligning with competitive mating behavior.

    • Increased presence of risk-taking and resource accumulation, followed by a decline in crime as individuals mature (commonly due to parenting or marriage).

  • Sex and Age Factors:

    • Indicates a correlation between criminal tendencies, gender, and age.