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, 04 Dec Web. 13 Apr Ronson, Jon. The Psychopath Test: A Journey through the Madness Industry. New York: Riverhead, Print. Taylor, Matthew. "Psychopaths: Born Evil or with a Diseased Brain?" BBC News. BBC, 15 Nov Web. 13 Apr "The Psychopath: The Mask of Sanity." The Cassiopaean Experiment. Web. 12 Apr TwilightPlacebo. "What Causes a True Sociopath? Is There a Cure?" Experience Project. 3 Aug Web. 13 Apr 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 Web. 12 Apr "What Is the Difference Between a Psychopath and a Sociopath?" Online Schools Web. 13 Apr