Antisocial Personality Disorder : Psychopathy.

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Heather Pauline   
4/21/03
Psych313

Antisocial Personality Disorder : Psychopathy

   
    Antisocial personality disorder, similar to psychopathy, was typically thought to

be associated with drug dealers, murderers, and other criminals to the common

individual.  What’s surprising about all this, though, is that these behaviors are

found in politicians, business executives, professors, and other important people

in our society.  Criteria for being diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder by

the current DSM-IV involves two major characteristics.  The first being there must

be a presence of a conduct disorder before the age of 15.  This includes truancy,

lying, running away from home, vandalism, and arson.  The second being there

is a continuation of this pattern of antisocial behavior into adulthood.  An adult

with antisocial personality disorder reveals irresponsible behaviors, like breaking

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the law and being reckless.  I will be referring to the story of a young man’s life,

named Bill, who has shown implications of antisocial behavior all his life as I

discuss the implications behind antisocial personality disorder.        

    What biological and psychological inconsistencies are researchers finding that

are a basis for this disorder?  There are several areas that are related to

antisocial behaviors.  The first of these factors being the role of the family.  As in

the story of Bill, his father was ...

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