An Overview of Evolutionary Psychology

First, psychological theory suggests that a person’s environment and past can influence their ability and desire to commit crime while biological theory suggest a person’s DNA makeup could influence their ability to commit crime. “Biological theories within the field of criminology attempt to explain behaviors contrary to societal expectations through examination of

The biological theories are essential to the criminal justice profession so that they won't assume that a person's genetic characteristics cause a person to commit a crime. However, there are born criminals and “these types of criminals are the most dangerous, and can be identified through his or her stigmata or identifying characteristics” (Akers, Sellers, See, & Kieser, 2013, p. 10). Biological theories are the bases for severe criminal behavior mostly found among people who are born with an innate impulse to commit a

In the modern world, mankind is surrounding by a plethora of unique animals, plants, and other organism that have a certain natural design all their own. For instance, every organism appears to be best suited in their natural environment, as they are usually able thrive under unique conditions that may not optimal for every organism. Thus, it would appear as though divine intervention was necessary for this perfect design and placement of an organism into their environment. Consequently, this was the ideology for many centuries until Charles Darwin explained how these “illusions” fit into his theory of natural selection. Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection stated that the process by which forms of life having traits that better enable them to adapt to specific environmental pressures, such as predators, changes in climate, or competition for food or mates, will tend to survive and reproduce in greater numbers than others of their kind, thus ensuring the perpetuation of those favorable traits in succeeding generations (Cite). Although it is widely accepted that many of human’s physical traits are inherited from their parents, the notion that the mind has evolved and is designed to function is certain ways is still controversial (Cite). With that being said, the majority of theories that illustrate how the mind develops are still being debated. Moreover, the

BTEC Level 3 Applied Science Unit 34: criminal psychology Explain how psychological perspectives have been used to explain criminal behaviour Biological theory Biological theory advances the evolution and cognition with an emphasis on the conceptual integration afforded by evolution. Biological theories: Biological perspective is relevant to the study of the psychology in three ways: comparative method: Many species can be studied and be compared. This can help them in search of human behaviour. physiology: The nervous system and hormones work, how the brain functions and how the structure can affect criminal behaviour.

According to Annie Murphy Paul’s research (2011), one of the first things babies learn before they are born are the sounds of their surroundings, and most important, the sound of their mother’s voice—her voice is the clearest to the baby so it is the most soothing and calming. Babies also learn smells and tastes in utero, once the olfactory receptors and taste buds are developed. This teaches the baby what is and is not safe to consume. Overall, babies learn about the culture they are going to enter—they learn their mother’s accent and the variety of food available.

The Nature and Nurture debate, one of the oldest debates in the history of psychology, questions whether or not criminal behaviour is a result of the nature of a person, meaning something that lies in their genes causing a person to act in a certain way, or nurture, the environment, therefore criminal behaviour as a result of a person’s life experiences (Sincero, 2012). This essay shall look in depth and answer to how the four areas of criminal behaviour, which are biological, sociological, psychological and environmental, as part of the nature and nurture debate, can explain criminality and deviance. This will be done by discussing a number of theories and experiments that have come to the surface over time. Researching the nature and nurture debate, it is shown that the debate continues to interest people today, mainly because of what is thought will be the outcome of these findings, which is preventing people turning to criminal behaviour by understanding people’s genetics, how they were born and avoid situations that lie in the environment to stop them interacting with criminal activities.

Evolutionary psychologists therefore look for a theoretical combination of all the different scientific disciplines examining human’s behaviours and beliefs under this biological "view of a single, universal panhuman design" (1992). Therefore, evolutionary psychology can be described as a new theory based hypothesis that combines the current principals of psychology with the main principals of evolutionary biology (Buss, 1996). This study will critique evolutionary theory under the subsequent headings.

Lifespan development is a scientific approach to questions about growth, change, and stability in physical, cognitive, social, and personality characteristics at all ages from conception to death (Feldman, 2014 Seventh Edition). In reading the chapter I found three theories very interesting evolutionary, cognitive, and psychodynamic. The reason I find evolutionary perspective because I feel as though this perspective or theory is the base of study. When we are born we have genetic make-up for two people with two family trees. The blending is sometimes a hard transition. We all have been around child and seen their parents’ characteristics in the child. Evolutionary perspective attributes to the genetic inheritance from our ancestors, contending that genes determine not only traits such as skin and eye color, but certain personality traits and social behaviors (Feldman, 2014 Seventh Edition). We all see and new edition in a family and sit and try and pick out which parent the child looks like. We are a very diverse place. The traits and genetic studies are a constant for new developments and updated current practices. Education on social norms of new populations are a must. As we learned throughout history change is a shock. We need to educate and adapt to the societal new comers. Problems occur in the lag between establishment of new members and educative process which has caused some havoc for community members. With more and more cultural differences and blending there

However, while the overstimulation of the Id and the failure to acquire and develop the the Ego and SuperEgo leads to criminal tendencies, while aggression may be out of adaptive values, and while genetic studies have pointed towards the influence of genes and criminal behaviour, these theories alone are insufficient to account for crime. Evolutionary theory does not explain or predict for the extreme degrees of aggression in individuals nor has the genetic theory proven for 100% heritability; which raises the need for us to examine the Nurture camp of crime theories as well.

Evolution or trade over the years takes place through the methods of natural and sexual selection. In response to troubles in our environment, we adapt each physically and psychologically to ensure our survival and replica. Sexual selection principle describes how evolution has shaped us to provide a mating advantage rather than just a survival advantage and happens via two wonderful pathways: intrasexual competition and intersexual choice. Gene choice concept, the modern rationalization behind evolutionary biology, takes place thru the desire for gene replication. Evolutionary psychology connects evolutionary ideas with present day psychology and focuses in general on mental variations: adjustments within the manner we think with the intention to enhance our survival.

Biological Theories are vastly growing with fascinating research. The main stump is concretely linking it to criminal behavior, because some theories are more relatable than others. Theories involving temperament and hormones give real life biological explanations, while others like extrovert and introvert behaviors, and neuroticism explain a weaker link to crime. However, all theories are valuable in exploring the root of crime.

Biological psychologists believe that human behaviour is directly linked to our physiological make-up and is caused by activity in our nervous system particularly those in the brain. These can be studied in many ways include: the lesion method and studying the brains electrical activity using brain scanning technology such as CAT scans. (Cullis et al. 1999 p410-427) In addition it also investigates the role of genetics and hormones. We all inherit a unique genetic make-up known as genotype and so differ in terms of personality, ability, temperament and so forth. When focusing on the genetic influences identical twins, family history or use adoption studies maybe used. (McLeod S, 2015)

The behavior of a criminal individual is a major center point for psychologists. Many experts have researched and debated the outcome of criminal behavior. Is it genetic makeup that makes an individual a criminal or is it their upbringing and background that influences their behavior? Studies and laboratory experiments have been used to try to determine the conclusion of an individual’s deviant behavior. The debate of this topic has resulted in concepts that both DNA and the conditions of an individual’s environment do play an important factor in the misconduct of an individual. There are also criminology theories such as classical theory, positivist theory, and deterrence of theory that help support the study of criminal behavior. These theories

Many psychologists have done many hours of research on criminal behaviour, of hoping to discover an explanation about why a person commits a crime. The debate as been on whether criminals are born this way (nature) or is it blamed on (nurture) the way a person is brought up. To say that criminals are biologically different to non- criminals would be an insubstantial way to process the situation, since genes mostly

Anthropologists and other scientist use different types of method to study the evolution of human behavior, depending on their specific interest and expertise. First approach is the Paleontological Reconstruction; these reconstructions were constructed on the anatomy of existent of hominins and the archaeological remains, which they were connected. They were also found associated among behavior, anatomy, and ecology discovered in non-human primate species and in modern humans. Next is the Biological approach, which is understandable that human cultural behavior has affected human evolution. Biological and evolutionary heritage may have developed several methods behavior that has been discovered by others. Third approach is the Evolutionary Psychology, which emphasize on understanding the behaviors or cognitive modules adaptations. Evolutionary psychologist is convinced that our evolved behavior may indicate or should be explained in terms of theoretical environment of evolutionary adaptedness. Lastly, is the Human Evolutionary Ecology, which emphasize more on psychological experiments and surveys of individuals living in developed countries, also on the ecological factors that impact reproduction success in the few remaining hunter gathered