The theory’s premise is that progression in genetic information causes attendant changes within the cultural realm, with the association of the influences deriving from both facets being definitive of the attributes of human communities. Its basic idea is that societies, compared to biological organisms, experience progress over time. Three distinct stages – which start with savagery, transition to primitivism, and then conclude with civilization – characterize this development. Additionally, societal changes also trigger shifts in cultural predispositions and are, therefore, multifaceted. According to Lenski, technology is a critical factor that facilitates the spread of knowledge and information that has been integral to societal advancement starting from the pre-industrial age, transitioning through the industrial epoch, and culminating in post-modern times. An evaluation of the progression of crime, deviance, and social control through these stages is demonstrative of the theory’s applicability.
The forms and means of crime and deviance were rudimentary during the pre-industrial age, and social control was primarily informal and relied on communal responsibility. However, as society progressed into the industrial era, the methods and tools of crime and deviance also advanced and social control became more formal as governments gained greater authority over society. Ubiquitous information and technology characterize the post-industrial and post-modern phases that have spurred unprecedented innovations in all fields. Consequently, the use of the dark web and computers to perpetrate crime and deviance is now common as people are more informed. Similarly, tighter and more institutionalized forms of social control are the norm. Thus, experiences of the development of the means and methods of crime through history supports the theory by illustrating that deviance, crime, and social control develop as access to further knowledge increases over time.