The Role of Evolutionary Explanations in Criminology

Criminology is widely accepted to be an interdisciplinary subject. However, evolutionary approaches are conspicuous by their absence in mainstream criminological contexts. Although the reasons for this theoretical lacuna are no doubt varied, we argue that the time is apposite for a measured consideration of the role of evolutionary explanations in criminology. By drawing on the idea of vertical integration and through recognition of how different theories are typically pitched at different levels of analysis we describe how evolutionary approaches might be integrated with mainstream criminological theories. The integration of evolutionary approaches with strain, control, and developmental approaches are given specific consideration. We illustrate how this integrated perspective can inform our understanding of one substantive area in criminology, the nature of punishment. We conclude that the growing literature in evolutionary forensic psychology and recent developments in the application of evolutionary theory to human behavior provide a valuable opportunity for criminologists to broaden their theoretical horizons and more fully consider how evolutionary approaches may contribute to their discipline.