A Unified Crime Theory: The Evolutionary Taxonomy

Citation

Boutwell, Brian B.; Barnes, J. C.; Beaver, Kevin M.; Haynes, Raelynn Deaton; Nedelec, Joseph L.; & Gibson, Chris L. (2015). A Unified Crime Theory: The Evolutionary Taxonomy. Aggression and Violent Behavior.

Abstract

Multiple scientific disciplines have weighed in with different viewpoints regarding the origins of criminal behavior in human beings. What is lacking, however, is a framework capable of uniting the theoretical viewpoints into a single overarching perspective. The current article offers such a framework. Drawing on a variety of influences, we argue that many types of crime can be understood in the evolutionary context of human life history. Along these lines, we present a framework capable of explaining different patterns in criminal offending both at the individual level as well as the macro-level. Although the current article offers only a starting point, the way forward in the study of crime should involve a multi-disciplinary, multilevel explanatory framework. The evolutionary taxonomy we propose represents a step in that direction.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2015.09.003

Keyword(s)

Evolutionary taxonomy life-history Moffitt

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Aggression and Violent Behavior

Author(s)

Boutwell, Brian B.
Barnes, J. C.
Beaver, Kevin M.
Haynes, Raelynn Deaton
Nedelec, Joseph L.
Gibson, Chris L.

Year Published

2015

Edition

30/2015

ISSN/ISBN

1359-1789

DOI

10.1016/j.avb.2015.09.003

Reference ID

7730