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Antisocial Behaviors Types: Anti-social behavior is any sort of behavior that goes against the norms that society has placed. Many different types of extreme Anti social behaviors have been documented and observed including aggression to those around them, cruelty, violence, theft, and vandalism. Other lesser traits that could be considered antisocial are noncompliance, lying, manipulation, and other activities such as drug and alcohol abuse.

Causes: Developmental: In Utero: Studies done by the by Dutch Scientists have shown a direct link to maternal malnutrition during a child’s development in Utero can lead to the development of Anti-social Personality Disorder. The development of much of the brain is active during the first two trimesters. Mothers who were not able to get proper nutrients during this time were directly effecting the brain development of their child. This lack of development increased the chance that a child would be affected by ASPD. Implications of this information are very large as most mothers who live in poverty or in third world countries are often not able obtain proper nutrients, which, based on this study, will lead to many of these children becoming delinquents.

Early Childhood: It is often found that children who are abused are more likely to develop Anti-social behaviors later in life. This abuse often teaches children that violence is acceptable, and leads to the formation of their own violent tendencies and an increased aggressive drive. Being abused as a child does not mean that one will automatically develop ASPD, instead a study done by __________ showed that within a study only 7% of the people interviewed could actually be considered to have ASPD. Other factors such a self perserverance, biological conditions, and social status most likely also had an effect on whether or not ASPD developed.

Adolescents: Anti-Social behavior in late adolescence is a common factor. During this time adolescents may break social norms as a way to escape parental and other societal pressures. Other components, such as friend groups, may have an opposite effect by promoting anti-social behavior (peer pressure). APSD is also able to be determined in adolescents.

Genetic:-Disease and Disorder: Mutations in certain genes have been believed to be the cause of antisocial behavior. The overexpression of a certain neurotransmitter, seretonin, is believed to be the cause of this behavior. Serotonin, which controls the brain’s pleasure center, is constantly active which makes one decide to do things to satisfy themselves, rather than think of the consequences. As many of the behaviors are pleasure oriented, a overexpression of seretonin leads one to actively seek out these situations. Inheritance: It is believed that certain personality characteristics are passed down from genes. This can be seen in a child’s temperment as they are born. Certain traits that are dominant in people who conduct antisocial behavior are pronounced in a child’s temperment.

Signs, symptoms, and treatment: Aggression and Cruelty- onset of childhood aggression called conduct disorder is seen in children. Different types of abuse are present (Abuse spouses or others physically, substance abuse is also a symptom). A sign of aggression is also bullying, neglect, and being frequently irritable and angry. Often getting into fights with others Impulsivity- failure to think ahead, or of consequences. Perform actions with no regret or thought.

Self-Image-those with anti-social behaviours represent an arrogant attitude. Often they are self-centered, thinking only of themselves. There is a lack of concern when hurting others.

Disregard for right and wrong-break rules, frequent run-ins with the law. Repeatedly violating rights of others. Constant lying, deceit, and manipulation.

Diagnosing and Treatment-To be diagnosed with antisocial behavior a person must represent symptoms in childhood (conduct disorder). A person usually is not diagnosed until after age 18, but must represent symptoms through childhood. This can be difficult to diagnose and treat since people with antisocial behaviors would not seek care, or listen to others. It may take a court mandate for people to seek treatment they need. Diagnosis is done by a trained mental health professional.

DSM IV entry criteria- A. There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15, as indicated by three (or more) of the following: 1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest. 2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure. 3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead. 4. Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults. 5. Reckless disregard for safety of self or others. 6. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations. 7. Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another. B. The individual is at least age 18 years of age. C. There is evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15. D. The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia or a manic episode.

Because the criteria for diagnosing Antisocial Personality Disorder emphasize overt violations of social rules, it is not surprising that it correlates so well with criminality. Research on American criminals showed that 25 to 30 percent of the imprisoned inmates meet the criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder. Canadian researcher Robert Hare (1983) reported that 40 to 50 percent of the convicted prisoners in Canada met the criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder and that in some Canadian prison populations the rate was as high as 75 percent. Psychopathic prisoners on average, have longer sentences and are less successful in staying out of prison than nonpsychopathic prisoners-DSM IV TR

Treatment

Examples in Society: Bullying-Due to the increased aggressive drives and extreme narcissism, bullying is a classic case of antisocial behavior. narcissism gives the bully a feeling of superiority, and their aggressive drive usually enables them to go out and act on their narcissistic impulses. Many believe that bullying is only something that occurs in schools, however, it is known to happen in many adult situations as well, such as in the workplace. In most cases bullying remains as verbal abuse, yet different degrees of aggression can lead to different degrees of reactions, and therefore it is possible for violence to occur.

Drug/Alcohol abuse: People with antisocial behaviors are more likely to develop problems with alcohol. Studies link alcoholism with aggression, and for people with antisocial behaviour are more susceptible to alcohol-related aggression. Since those with antisocial behaviour have a disregard for the laws and act in self-harming behavior, alcohol abuse would fit into this characteristic. Epidemiologic Catchment Area Survey surveyed 20,291 people who met the DSM criteria for antisocial behaviour and found they were 21 times more likely to abuse alcohol during their lives than the people who did not meet the antisocial behaviour (Regier et al. 1990).

Disregard for Others: Neglect of responsibilities Theft--stealing from stores, other people. Tend to shoplift often or steal others property such as jewelry or clothes from friends. Defying authority-ignoring authority types such as teachers, parents, police, The steretypical business man who will do “anything to get to the top” is an example of a person that shows characteristics of antisocial behaviours. They engage or facilitate in illegal actions, push past others to get ahead, perform unethical actions for self-fulfilling ends.

Serial Killers: A pattern has been discovered within serial killers that have been caught. After a great depth of psychological testing it has been discovered that most serial killers conduct a great deal of anti-social behavior. As a child they are often engaging in violent acts such as hurting fellow children or animals. They also are known to be very smart and manipulative. Such behavior continues into adulthood, yet it is better hidden as consequences are more dire.

Ted Bundy Case: Ted Bundy was one of the captured serial killers that was given psychological testing. Based on the DSM IV TR he was classified with APSD. It was said that many people believed he was incredibly charming and manipulative which allowed him to more easily capture his victims. He also showed no remorse for any of the crimes he committed.

Citations

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Personality and disinhibitory psychopathology: Alcoholism and antisocial personality disorder. Sher, Kenneth J.; Trull, Timothy J. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Vol 103(1), Feb 1994, 92-102

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