Final answer:
The research finding that best supports atavism is that criminals may exhibit traits of earlier human ancestors, though modern research highlights environmental influences and the interplay of genes and environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The research finding that best supports the concept of atavism would be d) Criminals often exhibit physical or psychological traits resembling earlier human ancestors. Atavism is an outdated criminological concept suggesting that criminals possess physical or psychological traits of earlier stages of human evolution. This concept is associated with the work of Cesare Lombroso, an Italian criminologist from the late 19th century, who believed that criminality was inherited and that criminals could be identified by physical anomalies.
Modern research contradicts this idea, highlighting the significance of environmental factors, genetic predispositions, and the complex interplay between genes and environment as influences on behavior. For instance, the work of Sutherland evidences that criminal behavior can span generations within families not necessarily due to atavism but due to social and environmental factors. Additionally, the field of evolutionary psychology explores how behaviors may have adapted over time due to both genetic and environmental pressures.