Antisocial Disorder
Since the beginnings of psychiatry in the early 19th century, it has
been
recognized that there are persons whose persisting antisocial behavior
can not
be understood in terms of mental disorder or neurotic motivations.
The father of
French psychiatry, Phillipe Pinel, noted that some people
seem to behave crazily
without actually being crazy. The German
systematisist, like Robert Koch, first
coined the term "psychopathic" to
describe such phenomenon now known
as personality disorders. Webster defines
antisocial as "hostile or harmful
to organized society being marked by
behavior sharply deviating from the social
norm." The diagnostic criteria for
antisocial personality are as stands:
there us a pervasive pattern of
disregard for and violation of the rights of
others occurring since the age
of fifteen years. 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, uses of aliases, or
conning others for personal
profit or pleasure. 3. Impulsivity or failure to
plan ahead. 4. Irrational
ability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated
physical fights or
assaults. 5. Reckless disregard for safety for self or
others. 6. Consistent
irresponsibility as indicated by repeated failure to
sustain constant work
behavior or honor financial obligations. 7. Lack of
remorse, as indicated by
being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt,
mistreated, or stolen from
another.
Bibliography
Black, C. Understanding Psychology, 1992,
Ladies Home Journal. pp 15-19.