Final answer:
The true statement regarding biosocial and biological theories of criminality is C) Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to criminality. Criminal behavior is influenced by a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors such as social and economic conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the student's question is C) Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to criminality. This statement aligns with the current understanding in social psychology and criminology, which acknowledges that both biosocial and biological theories play a role in explaining criminal behavior. Biosocial theories suggest that while some people may have a genetic predisposition to certain behaviors, their environment can significantly impact whether they engage in criminal activity.
According to Social Disorganization Theory, a person is not inherently destined to commit crimes but could be influenced by factors such as poverty and family disruption in their local environment, which are associated with higher rates of deviance. Meanwhile, sociobiology posits that certain behaviors can be inherited and that natural selection plays a role in retaining them; however, it also recognizes the importance of environmental effects on behavior.
Conflict theory, inspired by Karl Marx and others, examines how social and economic factors—rooted in inequality in the system—contribute to criminal behavior, suggesting that society's structure can predispose individuals to criminality. Overall, modern research supports the idea that criminality results from a complex interplay between genetic predispositions and the social environment.