Evolutionary-adaptive and nonadaptive causes of infant attack/desertion in mammals: Toward a systematic classification of child maltreatment.

摘要: Behaviors comparable to human child maltreatment are observed widely among mammals, in which parental care is mandatory for offspring survival. This article first reviews the recent findings on neurobiological mechanisms nurturing (infant caregiving) behaviors mammals. Then major causes of attack/desertion toward infants (conspecific young) nonhuman mammals classified into five categories. Three categories 'adaptive' terms reproductive fitness: (i) non-offspring; (ii) biological with low value; and (iii) under unfavorable environments. The other two nonadaptive failures motivation, induced by: (iv) caregivers' inexperience; or (v) dysfunction brain required behavior. proposed framework covering both adaptive factors comprehensively classifies varieties mammalian infant cases will support future development tailored preventive measures each case. Also included remarks that relevant interpretation available animal data humans: (1) any kind abuse/neglect not justified modern societies, even if it regarded as animals from viewpoint evolutionary biology; (2) group-level characteristics cannot be generalized individuals; (3) risk neither deterministic nor irreversible.