Today's positivist sociologists now recognize the importance of __________ for understanding deviant behavior.

A) religion
B) psychological traits
C) heredity
D) social factors

Today's positivist sociologists recognize the importance of social factors for understanding deviant behavior. They focus on the role of social structures, institutions, and socialization processes in shaping individuals' behavior and attitudes. Factors such as poverty, inequality, social exclusion, and discrimination are believed to contribute to deviant behavior. This perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding the context in which deviance occurs, rather than individual traits or characteristics.