Who is generally credited with the origins of trait theory regarding delinquency?

César Lombroso is generally credited with the origins of trait theory regarding delinquency. He was an Italian criminologist and physician who proposed that criminal behavior was inherent and could be explained through biological determinism. Lombroso introduced the idea that certain physical characteristics could be indicative of a "born criminal," paving the way for the study of traits in understanding delinquency.

His work emphasized the notion that biological and physical traits could predispose individuals to criminal behavior, which forms the basis of trait theory. In contrast, other figures like Sigmund Freud focused more on psychological aspects rather than biological traits. Albert Bandura was influential in the development of social learning theory, emphasizing the role of social influences over inherent characteristics. Ivan Pavlov is best known for his work in classical conditioning, which does not directly relate to the framework of trait theory as it pertains to delinquency. Thus, Lombroso's contributions are foundational in linking biological traits to delinquent behavior.