L2 - The Evolutionary Perspective Flashcards
Who is considered the father of criminology, and what were the two tenets of his theory?
Lombroso:
- the basis of all crimes originates in the brain
- criminals are an evolutionary throwback to more primitive species
Criminals have atavistic stigmata
What are atavistic stigmata?
Physical characteristics of more primitive stages of human evolution, such as large jaws or a sloping forehead
What was the main argument which brought Lombroso’s theory into disrepute?
Crime is a social construction - defined by laws, which change across time and contexts (e.g. homosexuality & prostitution)
Therefore, how can there be a genetic/biological contribution to something that is a social construction?
What’s the idea of the selfish gene?
It is a gene which has one’s own survivalAnti-sociality and violence are strategies to pass on one’s genes to the next generation, it is a successful cheating strategy.
Describe the relationship between the resources that a man has and his appeal to the opposite sex/potential partners.
The more resources, the better the ability to attract young, fertile children. Females are looking for men that can protect and raise their children, increasing the chance of passing their own genes to the next generation?
According to the evolutionary perspective, why does aggression occur?
Aggression is used to ‘grab’ resources - dominance, status, territory, women, competitors.
e.g. bar fight, playground, prison etc
What is the definition of fitness, according to the idea of the selfish gene?
An organism’s ability to pass on its genetic material
What are the two ways that males can maximise genetic fitness, and which is easier for men to adopt?
- Put all your eggs in one basket, and invest time, effort, and resources in just a few offspring
- Put an egg in every basket, and invest little or no parental effort or resources.
–> this second, cheating, strategy is easier and less demanding for men to adopt.
The ‘ultimate cheater’ lives a nomadic lifestyle. What does this entail?
A nomad wanders around constantly:
- fidgety; never stays in the same place for too long
- use and abuse resources, relationships and people
- fails to follow any life plan
- sensation-seeking
- impulsive
What is the gold standard to assess psychopathy?
PCLR - psychology checklist revised
Ultimate cheaters tend to be…what?
Psychopaths
Why are psychopaths ultimate cheaters?
It seems to work - subgroup of people who do not want to contribute equally to society like the rest of their community. Want maximum benefit from minimal effort. As they still exist, the strategy must work.
When ultimate cheaters are interviewed, do they see a problem with their strategies?
No, not at all. They would tend to make a point similar to: ‘in life, there are givers and there are takers, and I am happy to be the taker.’
Manipulation, fearlessness and fighting traits are most suited to an environment with which characteristics?
Rich ecological niche
Competitive social climate
Low parental investment
High fertility
Reciprocal altruism, careful mate selection, and good parenting are traits which are suited most to which characteristics?
Harsh ecological niche
Co-operative social climate
High parental investment
Low fertility
Which sex is more violent?
males are more violent than females, e.g. commit more same-sex homicides, more likely to be a murderer than a female, etc
What did Hyde (1986) find about the effect sizes for differences between sexes in the forms of aggression typically used?
Aggressive fantasies - .84
Physical aggression - .60
Imitative aggression - .49
Willingness to shock others - .39
What did Archer (2004) find about sex differences and different forms of aggression?
Peak between 20 and 30 years old for aggression. Sex differences in physical aggression - more common in males. Consistent across cultures. Higher indirect aggression in females - limited to later childhood and adolescence.
- Greatest difference is in terms of physical aggression. When you look at verbal and relational aggression, the sex differences wain.
Females will use verbal and relational aggression to get rid of competitors (gossiping etc)
How will females typically use aggression and why?
Females will use verbal and relational aggression to get rid of competitors (gossiping etc)
According to the evolutionary perspective, why are men more likely to be the victims of homicide than females?
Because male aggression is more likely to result from a competition for a long term female partner
What is the reason for male violence within the home?
To dominate, deter and control potential cheating by the partner - wants to avoid investing energy, resources and time etc into offspring that do not carry their genes.
According to Richard Trombley (?), which period of life is our most aggressive?
When we are 2 years old.
Why aren’t social explanations of sex differences in aggression valid?
Because the differences between the sexes are stable throughout childhood.
If social explanations were valid, we should see changes in the sex differences, e.g. girls’ attempt to establish more dominance when they are physically ahead of boys at their earlier onset of puberty
Why might violence increase during the teenage years?
Tied to sexual selection and competition. Individuals become sexually active, go out more, look for mates and resources.
