To prepare for this assignment:
• Review the online article, "Crime and Conflict: Homicide in Evolutionary Psychological Perspective." Think about how evolutionary theory might account for criminal behavior.
• Think about the degree to which evolutionary theory is a predictor of criminal behavior. Specifically, reflect on whether it is a significant factor or a minor factor in predicting criminal behavior.
• Select two crimes with which you are familiar to which evolutionary theory may be applied. For each of the crimes, reflect on how the aspects of the criminal behavior and the characteristics of the criminal(s) might be explained by evolutionary theory.
• Reflect on whether or not you think evolutionary theory accounts for criminal behavior, and consider your reasons why.
The assignment (1-2 pages):
• Briefly describe the crimes you selected.
• Explain how evolutionary theory accounts for each crime, using specific examples.
• Explain whether or not you think evolutionary theory accounts for criminal behavior and why, using specific examples.
Criminal Behavior: A Psychosocial Approach
Chapter 3, "Origins of Criminal Behavior: Biological Factors" (pp. 52-60 & 68-70)
Daly, M. & Wilson, M. (1997). Crime and conflict: Homicide in evolutionary psychological perspective. Crime & Justice, 22, 51-100. Retrieved from http://homepage.univie.ac.at/ali.al-roubaie/hpdocs/dnload/schletz/daly1997.pdf.