What is a likely statement made by an early positivist regarding crime?

An early positivist would likely emphasize that crime is determined by individual traits because positivism places a strong focus on the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to criminal behavior. Positivist theorists believe that individuals engage in crime due to inherent characteristics or predispositions, which may include genetic influences, mental health issues, or other personal factors. This perspective marks a departure from earlier theories that primarily attributed crime to social or environmental conditions.

In the context of criminology, early positivists such as Cesare Lombroso argued that physical and psychological traits could be linked to criminality, indicating a belief that crime stems from attributes that reside within the individual. Hence, this view reinforces the idea that crime is not simply a result of social influences or moral failings, but rather an outcome of intrinsic characteristics that can predispose individuals to criminal behavior.