...ABSTRACT This study examines previous research of antisocial personality disorder. Both biological and psychological research was examined. This paper will attempt to identify common environmental factors shared among people with antisocial personality disorder. PROBLEM STATEMENT Undoubtedly, the first question asked by many upon the gruesome discovery of a murder victim is, “Who could commit such a heinous crime?” Newspaper journalists, broadcast reporters, and the public alike, have asked the question, “What kind of person is capable of taking another person’s life?” A person with Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) is capable of just that and much more. Common careers of people diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder include, sales, management, and business professionals, as well as con artists. This is not an exhaustive list of careers for the antisocial person, as it is common practice for an antisocial person to be a career criminal, and in the most severe cases a serial killer. APD has been defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association as a person having, “a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others” (1994, p.645). The criteria outlined in the DSM-IV notes that APD behavior is indicated by at least 3 of the following characteristics: 1) failure to conform to social norms, 2) deceitfulness, 3) impulsivity, 4) irritability, 5) reckless disregard...
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...The Antisocial Personality Disorder is (APD) is a serious disease that affects many males and causes a great threat to families, friends, and even complete strangers. Most personality disorders may cause an inconvenience to a person’s family and friends, but usually harm themselves more than others. Antisocial Personality Disorder contrasts from other personality disorders because the defining trait is a predatory attitude toward other people. “They have a chronic indifference to and violation of the rights of one’s fellow human beings. The cause of antisocial personality disorder is unknown. Genetic factors and environmental factors, such as child abuse, and people with an antisocial parent are believed are at an increased risk to the development of this condition. (1) A common tendency of those with APD is criminal actions. These actions can range from stealing of everyday items to rape and/or murder. It is obvious that APD is a serious disorder with serious consequences. Criminologists need to have an understanding of APD as evidenced in the offender. Antisocial Personality Disorder affects less than one percent of females and about three percent of males and usually occurs before age 15. Most of these men are involved in some sort of criminal behavior. One heart-wrenching characteristic of men with this disorder is that they show no remorse for their victims or anyone involved. Those with APD are grandiose, arrogant, callous, superficial, and manipulative. Effectively,...
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...Antisocial Personality Disorder By Psych Central Staff Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a long-standing pattern of a disregard for other people's rights, often crossing the line and violating those rights. It usually begins in childhood or as a teen and continues into their adult lives. Antisocial personality disorder is often referred to as psychopathy or sociopathy in popular culture. Individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder frequently lack empathy and tend to be callous, cynical, and contemptuous of the feelings, rights, and sufferings of others. They may have an inflated and arrogant self-appraisal (e.g., feel that ordinary work is beneath them or lack a realistic concern about their current problems or their future) and may be excessively opinionated, self-assured, or cocky. They may display a glib, superficial charm and can be quite voluble and verbally facile (e.g., using technical terms or jargon that might impress someone who is unfamiliar with the topic). Lack of empathy, inflated self-appraisal, and superficial charm are features that have been commonly included in traditional conceptions of psychopathy and may be particularly distinguishing of Antisocial Personality Disorder in prison or forensic settings where criminal, delinquent, or aggressive acts are likely to be nonspecific. These individuals may also be irresponsible and exploitative in their sexual relationships. Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder Antisocial...
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...Antisocial Personality Disorder I. Antisocial personality disorder is a personality disorder characterized by an extreme lack of respect for the rights of others, apparent lacking of ethical principals, irresponsible behavior without regard for consequences, deceitfulness, and quite often history of criminal activity. A. Victims of this disorder were formerly known as socio- and/or psychopaths. B. Victims are most often male and must display signs of the disorder before the age of 15 to be diagnosed as ASPD. C. Nearly half of all people diagnosed as ASPD have been convicted of criminal offenses. II. ASPD is characterized by little or no sense of conscience and no concern for the safety of one’s self or others making its victims dangerous and usually nonfunctioning members of society. (Howard, Richard) A. Emotional 1. People with ASPD often lack empathy and cannot relate to the feelings of others. 2. Remorse is absent in ASPD sufferers and they will often justify deceitful and criminal acts on others to themselves. (Myers, David G.) 3. Despite lacking the ability to empathize with others people with ASPD can often be quite cunning and use charm to deceive others for their personal gain. B. Behavioral 1. ASPD sufferers act impulsively and without regard to consequences. 2. ASPD has a higher association with drug/alcohol abuse then any other personality disorder. 3. Their impulsiveness and lack of remorse make those with ASPD very likely to commit...
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...journalists, broadcast reporters, and the public alike, have asked the question, “What kind of person is capable of taking another person’s life?” A person with Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) is capable of just that and much more. Common careers of people diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder include, sales, management, and business professionals, as well as con artists. This is not an exhaustive list of careers for the antisocial person, as it is common practice for an antisocial person to be a career criminal, and in the most severe cases a serial killer. APD has been defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association as a person having, “a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others” (1994, p.645). The criteria outlined in the DSM-IV notes that APD behavior is indicated by at least 3 of the following characteristics: 1) failure to conform to social norms, 2) deceitfulness, 3) impulsivity, 4) irritability, 5) reckless disregard for safety of self or others, 6) consistent irresponsibility, and 7) lack of remorse (1994, p. 645). It is essential to isolate the cause or causes of antisocial behavior because people with APD account for such a large portion of the criminal population. In The Antisocial Personalities, David Lykken notes, “that these criteria identify more than half of the men we refer to as common criminals” (1995, p.5). There is...
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...ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER What is Antisocial Personality Disorder? this disorder was previously known as both psychopathic and Sociopathic personality disorder. Like most personality disorders, there are many aspects that may add to the increase of symptoms. Because the symptoms are long lasting, the idea that symptoms begin to appear in childhood or at least teenage years is well accepted. Studies have shown that a large proportion of folks with this disorder have noticeable behaviors earlier to age 15. These behaviors include trouble with authority, legal disagreements, cruelty to animals, fire setting, and a dislike or anger toward authority. This disorder is identified much more frequently in males. What are the symptoms of antisocial personality? The symptoms of antisocial personality disorder include a long-lasting form of disrespect for the rights of others. There is a failure to conform to society's customs and expectations that often results in various arrests or legal participation as well as a history of untrustworthiness where the individual attempts to con people or use deception for personal profit. Recklessness if often present, including angry outbursts, failure to consider consequences of behaviors, irritability, and/or physical assaults. Some claim that a major factor of this disorder is the reduced ability to feel sympathy for other people. This incapacity to see the hurts, concerns, and other feelings of people often results in a disrespect...
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...Case Analysis: Antisocial Personality Disorder People with antisocial personality disorder (ADP) behave in a manner that disregards another person’s rights. Many of the characteristics of antisocial personality disorder include, reckless behaviors toward oneself and others, aggression, difficulty planning, irritability, and impulsivity (Hansel & Damour, 2009). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, antisocial personality disorder occurs in approximately 3% of males and 1% of females in the population (American Psychological Association, 2012). Additionally, people with antisocial personality disorder are manipulative toward others and initially behave in a charming, romantic, and loving manner (Hansel & Damour, 2009). Oftentimes the terms psychopath and sociopath are associated with people who have antisocial personality disorder because of the similar characteristics and behaviors. For example, lack of deep emotional connection, impulsivity, and continuous violations of social norms are characteristics of ADP and psychopathy (American Psychological Association, 2012). The case of Theodore Bundy provides an analysis of a man who meets the criteria for someone who has antisocial personality disorder. Many people and theorists have been interested in the story behind Theodore Bundy and television producers made movie reenacting Theodore Bundy’s acts of violence against several women. Theodore Bundy’s Background Theodore Bundy was born in...
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...Antisocial Personality Disorder The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) lists 10 major disorders and grouped them based on the nature of the symptoms. There is Class A, odd or eccentric disorders, within this category fit Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal Personality Disorder. A generalization for this class could be that the disorder is rooted within their mind whether that means distancing themselves from others because they would rather be alone or that they deeply mistrust people. Class B disorders are known as Dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders. This is the class where Antisocial personality disorder fits in. What I see in this grouping is disorders that rely on other people in such a way where the person with the disorder “feeds” off of the reactions he gets from his actions. Finally there is Class C, the anxious or fearful disorders such as OCPD, Dependent, or Avoidant Personality Disorder. The one I’m going to focus on however is the Antisocial (Psychopath) Personality Disorder. This disorder is described as “a disregard for and violation of the rights of others” (Psychology One) or in other words a person who doesn’t care about what effects his actions might have on others. Some things they might do are break laws, frequent lying, starting fights, lack of guilt or remorse, and not taking personal responsibility. “The Personality Puzzle” adds that, “when deceit and manipulation become core aspects of an individual’s way of dealing...
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...Antisocial Personality Disorder: Affecting Families & Children Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is perhaps the most imperative personality disorder, in terms of its societal impact as well as its perpetuation to cause severe psychological, legal, and safety issues. “Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others” (www.mentalhealth.gov). Sociopathy was an earlier term often used to describe an individual with the traits that indicate antisocial personality disorder. These characteristics include impulsive behavior, aggression, inability to respect authority, consistent immoral behavior with negative consequences (even...
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...Antisocial Personality Disorder Samantha D. Pearson Jefferson Davis Community College September 30, 2015 Introduction Antisocial personality disorder, also known as ASPD, is a type of chronic mental condition in which a person's ways of thinking, perceiving situations and relating to others are dysfunctional — and destructive. ("Antisocial Personality Disorder." - Mayo Clinic. Web. 28 Sept. 2015.) People with antisocial personality disorder typically have no regard for right and wrong and often disregard the rights, wishes and feelings of others. ("Antisocial Personality Disorder." - Mayo Clinic. Web. 28 Sept. 2015.) There are 200,000 to 3 million ASPD cases documented in the US every year. (Web. 29 Sept. 2015.)...
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...Antisocial personality disorder—Also referred to as sociopaths, this is a disorder characterized by a disregard for the rights and feelings of others. Assessment will onset at about 15 years of age. There will be a childhood history of lying, staling, fighting, truancy and disregard of authority. Adolescent history may include aggressive sexual behavior, excessive use of alcohol and drug use. Adulthood may be marked by continued behavioral problems combined with poor work performance, parenting problems and frequent problems with law enforcement. A person with this disorder is mostly concerned with gaining personal power or pleasure and will exploit others to suit their needs and will have a profound lack of empathy. There is no relationship...
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...Antisocial Personality Disorder According to the DSM-14-TR, Antisocial personality disorder can be defined as, a pervasive pattern of disregard and violation of the rights of other individuals starting from childhood or adolescence and continues through adulthood. A person with Antisocial Personality Disorder usually tends to have no remorse for criminal or disorderly actions, may be deceitful, often lie, steal, and often violate rules that may result in arrest. People with Antisocial Personality Disorder may also have problems with irresponsibility with holding a job, having financial difficulties, properly caring for a child, or neglecting to keep up with child support. “Prevalence of ASPD In community samples are about 3 percent in males and only 1 percent in females, prevalence estimates within clinical settings have varied from 3 percent to 30 percent, depending on predominant characteristics of the sampled population” (DSM-IV-TR). Although higher prevalence rates occur with substance abusers, people admitted with a substance related disorder cannot be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder unless the signs of it were present as a child. If the substance abuse also occurred during childhood, then both substance abuse disorder and Antisocial personality disorder should be diagnosed (DSM-IV-TR). A study performed by Catherine F. Lewis, M.D., examined the relationship between violent behavior, substance abuse and dependence in 41 incarcerated women diagnosed...
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...individual’s criminal behavior is not one-dimensional, the presence of a mental disorder such as antisocial personality disorder can play a role in a person criminal behavior. Antisocial Personality Disorders Personality disorders are a class of mental disorders characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience, exhibited across many contexts and deviating markedly from those accepted by the individual's culture (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). For an...
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...Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a condition that a person will have a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploring, or violating the rights of others. This condition is often criminal in prisons. ASPD is also not like people in a certain way. ASPD is not diagnosed under age of 18, but will be diagnosed at the age of 15, if there is a history of symptoms of other disorders. ASDP is more common in men than women, three present of men and one percent of women. The causes of ASPD are still unknown to this day. Psychologist are still doing case studies and research to find a cause. Many factors and a person’s genes can lead to having ASPD. This condition occurs to people who are and/or were in prison. Some doctors and researchers think Psychopathic Personality Disorder is the same as Antisocial Personality Disorder, but others think they are the same and not the same. There is something that doctors and researchers found that is linked: childhood...
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...301.7 Antisocial Personality Disorder Diagnostic criteria “A. There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three (or more) of the following: B. The individual is at least age 18 years. C. There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years. D. The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or a manic episode.” (Psychiatric News) Description Antisocial personality disorder is a condition characterized by repetitive behavioral, patterns that are contrary to usual moral, ethical standards, and cause a person to experience continuous conflict with society. Signs of Antisocial personality disorder include aggression, callousness, impulsiveness, irresponsibility, hostility, a low frustration level, marked emotional immaturity, and poor judgment. A person who has this disorder overlooks the rights of others, is incapable of loyalty to others or to social values, is unable to experience guilt or to learn from past behaviors, is impervious to punishment, and tends to rationalize his or her behavior or to blame it on others. “Antisocial personality disorder, also known as psychopathic personality or sociopathic personality often brings a person into conflict with society as a consequence of a pattern of behavior that is amoral and unethical. Complications that might arise from having this disorder include: frequent imprisonment for...
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