An evolutionary perspective on antisocial behavior: Evolution as a foundation for criminological theories

Abstract

This chapter introduces the reader to the key evolutionary theories that have been put forward to help us understand not only criminal behavior, but analogous antisocial behaviors as well, from a developmental perspective. The evolutionary perspective states that (a) individuals are in competition with one another for survival and reproduction, and (b) that as a social species they depend on one another, resulting in the necessity of adherence to group norms in order to foster cooperation and sharing. The age crime-curve and the life-course persistent offending are here explained with sex differences in risk-taking, the life history theory, and two proximal mechanisms, attachment and activation relationships with parents.