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Antisocial Personality Disorders and Criminal Behavior

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Abstract Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by various behavioral symptoms (including impulsivity or failure to plan ahead, disregard for the safety of others and irresponsibility), interpersonal symptoms (deceitfulness), affective symptoms (including a lack of remorse) and other symptoms (such as irritability and aggressiveness, repeated behaviors that are grounds for arrest, and the onset of conduct disorder prior to the age of 15 years). Although laws differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, this mental health condition may be grounds for a defense against criminal charges provided an accurate and timely diagnosis of the disorder is made. The diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, though, is frequently confounded by the presence of a broad spectrum of comorbid disorders. Because there is often a great deal at stake, the accurate diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder in criminal cases has become the focus on an increasing amount of research in recent years, an issue that also forms the focus of this study. An overview of antisocial personality disorder is followed by a discussion concerning what instruments are typically used for diagnosing antisocial personality disorder and the implications of these diagnoses. Finally, a summary of the research and important findings are presented in the study's conclusion. Key words: Abnormal, antisocial, criminal behavior Antisocial Personality Disorders and Criminal Behavior

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