Chapter 10 Conduct Disorder and Related Conditions

Terms Commonly Used Antisocial Aggressive Oppositional Socially Maladjusted Disorderly Delinquent

Oppositional Defiant Disorders Children with ODD exhibit recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures

Conduct Disorders More serious than ODD –Behavior violates the rights of others, destroys property, persistently violates rules –Broad label used to identify a number of aversive and socially disruptive behaviors (going against societal norms)

Childhood-onset conduct disorder –Occurs before age 10 –Shows early characteristics of physical aggression, disturbed peer relationships, and early oppositional or noncompliant behavior Adolescent-onset –Occurs after age 10 –Overt displays of aggressive behavior and to have disturbed peer relations

Characteristics of Conduct-disordered Children (DSM-IV-TR) Aggression to People and Animals –Often bullies, threatens, or intimidates others –Often initiates physical fights –Has used a weapon that can cause serious harm –Has been physically cruel to people –Has been physically cruel to animals –Has stolen while confronting a victim –Has forced someone into sexual activity

Destruction of Property –Has deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention of causing serious damage –Has deliberately destroyed others’ property

Behavioral Excesses Aggression Noncompliance –Physically attacks others –Verbally Abusive –Destroys property –Sets fire –Vandalizes –Cruel to animals –Revengeful –Breaks established rules –Does not follow commands –Argues –Does the opposite of what is requested

Behavioral Deficits Moral Behavior –Shows little remorse for destructive behavior –Appears to have no conscience –Lacks concern for feelings of others

Behavioral Deficits Social Behavior –Has few friends –Lacks affection or bonding –Has few problem-solving skills –Acts aggressively and impulsively rather than cooperatively –Constantly seeks attention –Poor conversation skills –Doesn’t know how to reward other peers and adults socially

Behavioral Deficits Academics and School –Generally behind in academic basics, particularly reading –Has difficulty acquiring new academic information –Truant

Antisocial-Aggressive Behavior Aggression/violence used to control others through coercion –Example: child resorting to tantrum in order to get parents to buy them something in a store

Noncompliance Refusing to do what is requested One of most common childhood behavior problems –Ignoring requests of adults –Delaying, passively resisting, arguing, or giving excuses for not doing something

Prevalence Boys more likely diagnosed as having conduct disorder than are girls Males exhibit more aggression, stealing, vandalism, fire setting, and school-related problems Females display more lying, substance abuse, running away and prostitution

Causes Three general causes –Biological causes including genetic inheritance –Family factors such as child-rearing and disciplinary practices –Modeling by parents, peers, or others

Treatment Psychodynamic therapy – not shown to be effective Catharsis – not shown to be effective in reducing aggression Social learning and behavioral approaches – some programs have been effective, although they require specific targeting of behaviors for intervention

Pathways to Juvenile Delinquency Adolescent violent criminality (the aggressive versatile path) The nonviolent path The illicit drug use path