ANTI-SOCIAL
PERSONALITY
DISORDERS
By: Aaron Yoon & Sydney Jackson
ASPD: What is it?
An Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a disorder
characterized by lack of conscience and disregard for the rights of
others, as well as a disrespect for the law. It usually develops by
age fifteen, but signs can start much earlier.
(Online Schools, 2012) (Wikipedia, 2012)
More Commonly Known As…
Psychopathy and sociopathy are known as subsets of ASPD, but
they are very similar in meaning. There are a few key points in
the similarities and differences between psychopathy and
sociopathy.
(Wikipedia, 2012)
Similarities
• Lack of conscience/guilt/remorse/empathy
• Can be extremely violent
• Can’t be cured
• Tend to get involved in criminal action because of disrespect for
the law and others
• Deceitful
• If not a criminal or outwardly violent person, can be hard to
spot
(Online Schools, 2012) (Ronson, 2011) (The Cassiopaean
Experiment, 2012)
Differences
• Psychopaths can be manipulative and charming, while
sociopaths lean more towards being socially awkward.
• Psychopaths can take months or years planning a crime, while
sociopaths aren’t as dedicated and are more impulsive.
• Psychopaths are extremely detailed; sociopaths not so much.
(Online Schools, 2012) (Ronson, 2011) (The Cassiopaean
Experiment, 2012)
Early Signs
Early signs of someone having an ASPD are harming
animals/siblings/friends, setting fires/playing with fire, showing
no remorse for actions, and being harder to control or teach
lessons to than most children.
(Online Schools, 2012) (Ronson, 2011)
Brain Development
• Research into the brain of psychopathic killers & testimonies
from ASPD sufferers have shown that significant brain damage
or defects in brain development, specifically in the cerebral
cortex, have led to their disorder. The cerebral cortex is home to
emotions like empathy, guilt, remorse, and shame.
• Some research, however, claims that sociopathic development
stems more from environmental circumstances than actual brain
damage.
(Experience Project, 2009) (Taylor, 2011)
Traits of a Psychopath
• Intelligent, cunning, charming, witty, confident, & a magnet for
the opposite sex
• Detailed & precise
• Can easily fake emotions they lack (guilt, empathy) to win over
someone’s trust or to manipulate them
• Narcissistic
(Online Schools, 2012) (Ronson, 2011) (The Cassiopaean
Experiment, 2012) (Walter, 2011)
Traits of a Sociopath
• Commonly practices (& is good at) lying
• Uses others for self-benefit
• Impulsive
• Like psychopaths, can be more intelligent, witty, and confident
than most people
(Online Schools, 2012) (Ronson, 2011) (The Cassiopaean
Experiment, 2012) (Walter, 2011)
The Life of a Psychopath
Because psychopaths are very detailed and organized, they may
appear well-rounded and disciplined in school and work. They
can be successful in their career because of their confidence and
ability to manipulate. They are usually able to get married and
start a family as well, while being able to hide their lack of
conscience.
(Online Schools, 2012)
The Life of a Sociopath
Sociopaths, however, tend to be more of an outcast. They are
more likely to have family problems, and their constant abuse and
lies to friends usually ends poorly. Their impulsivity can lead to
bad decision-making. Some sociopaths, if they can’t cope with
their disorder, can end up homeless.
(Online Schools, 2012)
ASPD in Culture
The general assumption is that people with Antisocial Personality
Disorders are terrifying maniacs that are constantly plotting some
sort of crime. Whether it be in books, movies, or stories, ASPD
have a bad reputation in culture. A lot of this one-sided view
comes from Hollywood.
(Ronson, 2011) (The Cassiopaean Experiment, 2012)
ASPD in Hollywood
Just like with most things, Hollywood likes to exaggerate and
play up reality to make an entertaining film. Most, if not all,
psychopaths in the movies are wildly violent and suffer from
extreme bloodlust. For example, in the movie The Silence of the
Lambs, psychopaths are portrayed as being ruthless cannibals. In
real life, however, that is a very rare circumstance.
(Ronson, 2011) (The Cassiopaean Experiment, 2012)
ASPD in Our Lives
Psychopaths and sociopaths are more common than one might
think. They make up part of our workforce as businessmen,
doctors, teachers, and even therapists. The criminals are those
who are considered sufferers of ASPD who couldn’t cope with
their disorder.
(Walter, 2011)
Works Cited
• "Antisocial Personality Disorder." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation,
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04 Dec. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2012.
Ronson, Jon. The Psychopath Test: A Journey through the Madness
Industry. New York: Riverhead, 2011. Print.
Taylor, Matthew. "Psychopaths: Born Evil or with a Diseased Brain?"
BBC News. BBC, 15 Nov. 2011. Web. 13 Apr. 2012.
"The Psychopath: The Mask of Sanity." The Cassiopaean Experiment.
Web. 12 Apr. 2012.
TwilightPlacebo. "What Causes a True Sociopath? Is There a Cure?"
Experience Project. 3 Aug. 2009. Web. 13 Apr. 2012.
Walter, Laura. "Suspect You Might Be Working for a Psychopath?
Here's How to Cope." ProQuest Career and Technical Education.
Penton Business Media, Inc. and Penton Media Inc, 26 Sept. 2011.
Web. 12 Apr. 2012.
"What Is the Difference Between a Psychopath and a Sociopath?"
Online Schools. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2012.