Written by one of the leading figures in biosocial criminology and evolutionary psychology, this work explores the tight relationship between criminality and indiscriminate sexuality within the framework of life history theory. The underlying thesis is that traits associated with a strong libido, indiscriminately expressed, are intertwined with traits associated with criminal behavior; that is, excessive interest in sexual adventures pursued in an irresponsible way is undergirded by the same individual short- run hedonistic traits that define criminality. While traditional criminology tends to view sexual and criminal behavior as separate domains, many biosocial criminologists, evolutionary psychologists, neuroscientists, and behavioral and molecular geneticists are not at all surprised that a link exists between criminality and sexuality. Research shows that the statistical relationship between indiscriminate sexuality and criminal behavior is stronger than for most other variables associated with crime, although most studies dealing with this relationship are from outside the dominant environmentalist paradigm of criminology. Using life history theory as the theoretical umbrella for exploring the relationship between indiscriminate sexuality and criminal behavior, the book explores how and why criminal behavior is related to hypersexuality. Life history theory, which has a long and fruitful history of use among evolutionary biologists who use it to investigate the relationship between mating strategies and the environment among various species of animals (including humans) is particularly suited to understanding how an exclusive focus on mating effort is related to criminal behavior. This book will be of interest to scholars and students in criminology, psychology, and sociology, and anyone interested in examining the interconnection between biological, psychological, and socio- environmental factors in relation to criminal behavior.
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This work explores the tight relationship between criminality and indiscriminate sexuality within the framework of life history theory.
Chapter One: Bringing Biology Back InIntroductionBiosocial CriminologyThe Fallacy of Genetic DeterminismBehavior and Tinbergen’s Four QuestionsChapter Two: Behavioral Genetics: Genes and HeritabilityFrom Gene to ProteinThe Concept of HeritabilityTwin and Adoption StudiesHeritability in Different EnvironmentsShared and Non-Shared EnvironmentGene-Environment Interaction and Gene-Environment Correlation Chapter Three: Molecular Genetics and Behavior Genetic PolymorphismsQuantitative Trait LociEpigeneticsDopaminergic Polymorphisms and Criminal and Sexual BehaviorGenetics and Human FreedomChapter Four: How Criminal Traits Evolve and Are RetainedCrime is NormalAltruismEmpathyCooperation Creates Niches for CheatsDetecting and Punishing CheatsChapter Five: Evolutionary Theories of CrimeEvolutionary Theories of Crime: Past is PrologCheater and Conditional Adaptation TheoriesThe Gender Ratio IssueThe Age-Crime CurveChapter Six: Life History Theory and the Covariance of Sexual and Criminal TraitsThe Basics of Life History TheoryHuman Life Histories and the K-FactorLinking Sexuality to Criminal Traits and BehaviorsThe Role of the Environment on Life History StrategiesChapter Seven: The Human BrainThe Enchanted Loom and Reinforcement Sensitivity TheoryWiring the Brain: Experience Expected and Experience Dependent MechanismsSynaptogenesis as Neural DarwinismNeurotransmittersThe Serotonergic SystemNorepinephrine and Epinephrine Testosterone and CortisolChapter Eight: The Antisocial Personalities: Psychopaths and SociopathsDifferentiating Antisocial Personality Disorder, Psychopathy, and Sociopathy The Psychopathy Checklist-RevisedEvolutionary ConsiderationsThe Neurobiology of PsychopathyNeurochemistry Associated with PsychopathySociopathyChapter Nine: The Sex Ratio, Fast Life Histories, and CrimeThe Sex RatioCrime and the Sex RatioThe Sex Ratio in the African American CommunityThe Sex Ratio, Illegitimacy, and PovertyHigh Sex Ratios and CrimeReferences
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781032504629
Publisert
2024-11-28
Utgiver
Vendor
Routledge
Vekt
250 gr
Høyde
229 mm
Bredde
152 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
124

Forfatter

Biographical note

Anthony Walsh is a professor of criminal justice at Boise State University. He has taught biosocial criminology, statistics, and philosophy of law there for 34 years. He received his PhD in criminology from Bowling Green State University in 1983. He worked as a marine, merchant seaman, police officer, and probation officer before entering academia at the age of 44. He is widely published, with 50 books and 150 articles and book chapters on a variety of topics including criminology and biosocial aspects of crime. He was awarded lifetime achievement awards from both the Biosocial Criminology Association and the Biopsychosocial Section of the American Society of Criminology for his research in biosocial criminology. His work has been featured on the Phil Donahue Show, Nova, and Nippon (Japanese) TV.