Heredity influence on aggressive vs nonaggressive antisocial behavior is described as which?

• A. Inheritable tendencies have no role in crime.
• B. Heredity only affects nonaggressive crimes.
• C. Inherited tendencies may play a crucial role in causing crime, with stronger influence for aggressive antisocial behavior than for nonaggressive crimes.
• D. Environmental factors completely override genetic factors in aggression.

Answer: (C)

Heredity contributes to antisocial behavior, but its impact is greater on aggressive acts than on nonaggressive ones. Research in behavioral genetics shows that inherited factors can increase the overall risk of engaging in crime, yet this influence tends to be stronger for aggression-related antisocial behavior than for nonaggressive forms. This means inherited tendencies may play a crucial role in causing crime, particularly when aggression is involved, though environmental factors also shape outcomes and do not entirely erase genetic predispositions. The other statements misrepresent the relationship: heredity does have a role, its influence is not limited to nonaggressive crimes, and environment does not completely override genetic factors in aggression.