Angela Gray: Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Antisocial personality disorder is a disregard for others rights and violating theses rights. This disorder starts as a child to people who carry this disorder portray the characteristics of irritability, aggressiveness, lack of remorse, and irresponsibility. A psychopath falls under the umbrella of antisocial personality disorders. A psychopath is a person with a personality disorders which is inherited from their parents at birth. Flashes of these inherited factors show and happen in the child upbringing this includes torture animals at a young age, playing weird dark games as a kid, or ripping heads of toys. A perfect example of a Psychopath is Edmund Kemper. A man who showed his psychopath tendencies at a young age that grew into to him becoming a serial killer.

Antisocial personality disorder is “a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood.” (National Institute of Mental Health, 2007). It is often characterized by blatant inattention to social norms and laws, pathological lying, putting others at risk for personal benefit, and an obvious lack of remorse (NIMH, 2007). One of the most notorious people with this disorder is Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer and necrophiliac whose sexual nature and gruesome offenses captured the nation’s attention (Talbott, n.d.). This paper will attempt to provide an overview of Dahmer’s life, as well as explain how both nature and nurture played roles in not only the production of a criminal, but also in the personality of all people.

According to studies led by King’s College researchers, it has been confirmed that “psychopathy is a distinct subgroup of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)” (Gregory et. al n.p) and similarly to psychopathy, the more severe ASPD behavioral patterns are, the symptoms can be referred to as sociopathic or psychopathic. Furthermore, according to Nigel Blackwood, Ma, MD.MRCPsych, “MRI scans...found that psychopaths had structural brain abnormalities in key areas of their ‘social brains’” (Gregory et. al n.p). The areas of the brain, in which are deficient in psychopaths, are important when comprehending an individual emotions’, intentions, and moral

Cullen is an exemplary example for a person experiencing anti-social personality disorder. He possess superficial charm, a grandiose sense of self worth, pathological lying, lack of remorse, and, most of all, he believes that it is the hospital administrator’s and orders fault for not stopping or reporting him ("Serial Killer Gets Prime Time Audience." 1). Psychopaths have the ability to charm others into

Psychopathy, in both the mental health and criminal justice systems, has emerged as one of the most important clinical constructs of the 21st century (Hare, Clark, Grann, & Thornton, 2000, p. 623). Where clinically, psychopathy is traditionally described as a combination of inferred socially deviant behaviors and personality traits. Some traits and behaviors a psychopath is seen to possess are commonly known, for example, to being impulsive, selfish, aggressive, lacking remorse, shame, feeling for others, pathologically lying, and having asocial or antisocial behaviors (Hare, & Neumann, 2006, p. 59-60). One of the reasons as to why psychopathy has come to see an increase in the development of its theoretical and applied interest is the

Humans turn to manipulation when they desperately want something, without focusing on the consequences. For instance, in the novella Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, characters such as Zeena and Ethan use manipulation when they need or want something. For example, Ethan uses manipulation in order to impress or be with Mattie. This is shown, when Ethan believes, “If the Hales were sorry for him they would surely respond to his appeal… He was planning to take advantage of the Hales’ sympathy to obtain money from them on false pretences.” (112-113), proving Ethan is manipulating the Hales’ sympathy in order to have enough money to leave with Mattie. Zeena also uses her health in order to manipulate others. For instance, Zeena grabs Ethan’s attention

To be considered antisocial is to isolate oneself from general social conditions and demonstrate behaviors that deviate from the social societal norm. Antisocial Personality disorder describes an individual that lacks values and habitually violates societal standards in regards to ethics and social behavior. Individuals with this disorder can be described to lack empathy, act impulsively, and have flagrant disregard for other people. It is hard for them to form engage in positive social exchanges or maintain relationships with others. It was only until the early twentieth century that Antisocial Personality disorder was named. Previously, these individuals were categorized as psychopaths due to the thrill-seeking and cunning nature of their actions. Psychopaths have the ability to change their personalities to ultimately get what they desire then revert back to a malicious, egocentric state. When faced with a dangerous adventure, for those with ASPD the choice will always be to peruse the danger. This is due to a constant underlying feeling of restlessness (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2011, p. 272). Although these traits can be deemed “psychopathic” this disorder is not only seen in those who have established themselves as violent criminals, but in those who have established as high-ranking members in society. How can this disorder differentiate itself so starkly within people? Although there are no direct medical test to diagnose this disorder,

As defined by the American Psychiatric Association (2013), individuals diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) exhibit “a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. Individuals, both with and without ASPD, often find themselves facing stiff consequences when they break the law by violating the rights of others. The propensity of individuals with ASPD to break such laws is one possible explanation for the prevalence of ASPD increasing from a range of 0.2% to 3.3% in the general population to 47% in prisons (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Fazel & Danesh, 2002). With such a disparity between the general and prison prevalence of ASPD, it is clear that society is adroit in isolating the undesired behaviors of individuals with ASPD; however, society also has a responsibility to protect the rights of those diagnosed with a bonafide illness. If ASPD is the cause of an individual’s incarceration, then their successful reintegration into society relies on treating the underlying diagnosis, and in order to do that, it is important to understand the neurobiological foundations of ASPD.

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), opposition defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD) are three distinct disorders based upon their respective diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. If ODD and CD were mild forms of ASPD, then there would need to be causal relationship between the childhood manifestations of ODD and CD and the adult manifestation of ASPD. There is evidence of comorbidity between ODD and CD, and also evidence to suggest that children diagnosed with these disorders may go on to develop ASPD later in life; however, correlation does not equal causation. The three disorders have subtle but important differences in their associated behaviors, underlying causes, treatment outcomes, and neurological signs.

This paper will briefly examine the movie Silence of the Lambs and the possible Antisocial Personality Disorder portrayed in the movie. It will involve critical thinking in the identifying and discussing of the disorder as found in the movie, how this disorder might have developed, a discussion pertaining to the accuracy of the disorder found within the movie, and briefly discuss some possible treatments for this disorder. Although a wide array of credible sources exists such as the DSM-5, each have their own respective definitions and descriptions of Antisocial Personality Disorder. While numerous sources offer an abundance of other publications readily available to an individual that will aid them in their research of the information regarding Antisocial Personality Disorder, this paper will generally focus on the disorder found within the chosen movie, Silence of the Lambs, with the assistance of the reputable and credible source of the DSM-5.

The concept of psychopathy originated in the 1800s to describe individuals that consistently failed to conform to societal norms and exhibited antisocial behavior that did not fit the concept of mental illness of the time period. While, psychopathy was a common term used to describe individuals suffering from this disorder other descriptions were coined such as “Pinel’s term “manie sans delvie” meaning mania without delirium in the 1700s, to describe patents whose ‘affective faculties were disordered’” or Pritchard’s term “moral insanity” (Ogloff 520). In the 1930’s Partridge argued that psychopathy was a social rather than a mental disorder and proposed that the concept of sociopathy be introduced as a more accurate description. The American Psychological Association adopted Partridge’s term for their Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel in 1952. However, in 1968 the American Psychological Association changed the diagnostic label from sociopath to “personality disorder, antisocial” for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel – II that continued through to the DSM - III in 1980 and the DSM - III-R in 1987 and the DSM - IV in 1994. Today the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel categorizes antisocial personality disorder as a personality disorder and it is named as such. Unfortunately, not much research has been conducted

Cognitive theory also explains the lack of remorse common in people with antisocial personality disorder by hypothesizing that those with the disorder genuinely cannot recognize a point of view other than their own. Based on the views of the biological perspective of psychology, antisocial personality disorder is a result of deficient functioning in the frontal lobe of the brain, explaining the lack of ability to plan ahead, strategize efficiently, experience sympathy, or

Antisocial personality disorder is one of the hardest mental disorders to treat. Treatment is long term and may better the situation but the disorder will not be cured. It is also very rare for an individual with ASPD to seek help for themselves due to their denial of symptoms. Oftentimes, help is only sought if the individual is in legal

In response to the infidelity, Amy meticulously stages her own disappearance and creates a devious scheme to frame Nick of her murder. She goes to extreme lengths to and displays psychopathic behaviors throughout the film to assure that her “lazy, lying, cheating, oblivious husband will go to prison” for her murder and be put on death row. Amy inflicts intense emotional, mental and physical pain on Nick, and sustained self-inflicted

The issue of antisocial personality disorders has joined the study of criminology and psychology together to provide an accurate depiction of this disorder. Psychologists believe that individuals who suffer from antisocial personality disorders are more susceptible to commit criminal activity than the general population. Those who suffer from antisocial personality disorder or APD tend to lack self control, culpability, and generally show no signs of remorse for their actions no matter how heinous. “Individuals with antisocial personality disorder APD have reduced impulse control, lack of empathy and guilt, and show few signs of remorse (Wahlund, 2006 pg.1082). These individuals do suffer from a personality disorder however; they are still able to comprehend the mindset of others and generally are used to influence others to accomplish their own agenda.