Many studies have shown that where there is more economic inequality, there is often more violent crime. Some evolutionary psychologists have suggested that violence may be a functional response for males in inequitable environments, due to increased status competition. Whilst the association between inequality and violence has been replicated many times, the underlying mechanisms for the association have not previously been investigated. This talk will discuss the idea of violence as an adaptation; as well as how inequality may affect your cognition, and lead to an increased likelihood of violence.

Jaye McLaughlin earned her PhD at the Centre for Culture and Evolution, at Brunel University. Her thesis examined Socioeconomic Inequality and Violent Crime