Which statement about genetic and biological explanations for crime is listed?

Which statement about genetic and biological explanations for crime is listed?

• A. High MAOA with secure upbringing.
• B. Absence of autonomic nervous system differences.
• C. High serotonin levels.
• D. Low MAOA in combination with a history of maltreatment.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is how genetics and environment interact to influence criminal behavior. In this view, a genetic susceptibility only translates into higher risk when paired with certain environmental experiences. The MAOA gene, which helps break down monoamines in the brain, has a low-activity variant that has been linked to greater antisocial outcomes, but mainly when combined with childhood maltreatment. This illustrates a gene–environment interaction — the environment modifies how a genetic factor affects behavior, rather than genetics alone determining crime. Thus, the statement about low MAOA in combination with a history of maltreatment best fits this concept. It captures that risk arises from the interplay between a biological factor and an adverse environment. The other options don’t reflect this interaction: high MAOA with secure upbringing would not typically elevate risk, absence of autonomic nervous system differences ignores a broad range of physiological factors involved, and high serotonin levels don’t map cleanly onto criminal behavior in the same way this gene–environment interaction does.

The main idea is how genetics and environment interact to influence criminal behavior. In this view, a genetic susceptibility only translates into higher risk when paired with certain environmental experiences. The MAOA gene, which helps break down monoamines in the brain, has a low-activity variant that has been linked to greater antisocial outcomes, but mainly when combined with childhood maltreatment. This illustrates a gene–environment interaction — the environment modifies how a genetic factor affects behavior, rather than genetics alone determining crime.

Thus, the statement about low MAOA in combination with a history of maltreatment best fits this concept. It captures that risk arises from the interplay between a biological factor and an adverse environment. The other options don’t reflect this interaction: high MAOA with secure upbringing would not typically elevate risk, absence of autonomic nervous system differences ignores a broad range of physiological factors involved, and high serotonin levels don’t map cleanly onto criminal behavior in the same way this gene–environment interaction does.