Definition
Theory that contends that men exhibit more deviancy and criminal behavior than women because of women’s preference for mates that either are able to or appear to provide resources.
Introduction
The evolutionary neuroandrogenic (ENA) theory provides fundamental explanation of the differences between genders in respect to cognition and behavior. This theory has two components; the genetic evolutionary factor which explains the why, and neurology and endocrinology factors which explain the how component. It describes how each sex contributes to the reproductive process and also examines the physiology of sexual differentiation. The theory states that gender differences in cognition and behavior stem from reproductive needs in response to natural selection (Ellis 2011).
Over the years, females have evolved the proclivity to form lasting sociosexual relations with males who are inclined to provide optimal resources. In this theory, it is assumed that females will reproduce more...
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References
Ellis, L. (2006). Gender differences in smiling: An evolutionary neuroandrogenic theory. Physiology & Behavior, 88(4–5), 303–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.03.034.
Ellis, L. (2011). Evolutionary neuroandrogenic theory and universal gender differences in cognition and behavior. Sex Roles, 64(9–10), 707–722. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9927-7.
Ellis, L., & Das, S. (2012). Delinquency, androgens, and the family. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 57(8), 966–984. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624x12440564.
Ellis, L., & Hoskin, A. W. (2015). The evolutionary neuroandrogenic theory of criminal behavior expanded. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 24, 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2015.05.002.
Ellis, L., Das, S., & Buker, H. (2008). Androgen-promoted physiological traits and criminality: A test of the evolutionary neuroandrogenic theory. Personality and Individual Differences, 44(3), 701–711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2007.10.003.
Ellis, L. (2005) A theory explaining biological correlates of criminality. European Journal of Criminology, 2(3), 287-315. https://doi.org/101177/1477370805054098
Johnstone, R. A., Reynolds, J. D., & Deutsch, J. C. (1996) Mutual mate choice and sex differences in choosiness. Evolution; international journal of organic evolution, 50(4), 1382–1391. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.1996.tb03912.x
Hoskin, A. W., & Ellis, L. (2014). Fetal testosterone and criminality: Test of evolutionary Neuroandrogenic theory. Criminology, 53(1), 54–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12056.
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Carballea, D., Padron, D., Tourgeman, I. (2020). Evolutionary Neuroandrogenic Theory. In: Shackelford, T.K., Weekes-Shackelford, V.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2899-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2899-1
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