Psychopath and Psychopath and Antisocial Personality Antisocial Personality

DisorderDisorderAre they the same?

One of these men was diagnosed with One of these men was diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder and the other Antisocial Personality Disorder and the other is a Psychopath, do you know the difference?is a Psychopath, do you know the difference?

Above is the DSM-IV definition of Above is the DSM-IV definition of Antisocial Personality Disorder.Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Antisocial Personality Disorder Continued

A. Current age at least 18 B. Evidence of conduct disorder with the

onset before age 15, as indicated by history of 3:

1. Truancy 2. Running away 3. Fights 4. Using weapons 5. Forcing sexual activities 6. Physical cruelty to animals 7. Physical cruelty to people 8. Destruction of other’s property 9. Fire-setting 10. Lying 11. Stealing without confrontation of a

victim 12. Stealing with a confrontation of a victim

C. A pattern of irresponsible and antisocial behavior since age 15, as indicated by at least 4 of the following:

1. Unable to sustain consistent work behavior

2. Fails to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behavior

3. Irritable and aggressive 4. Fails to honor financial obligations 5. Fails to plan ahead, or is impulsive 6. Has no regard for the truth 7. Reckless 8. Lacks ability to function as a parent 9. Has never sustained a monogamous

relationship for more than a year. 10. Lacks remorse D. Occurrence of antisocial behavior not

exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia or manic episodes.

Above is the characteristics of a Above is the characteristics of a psychopathpsychopath

Psychopath A. Must be 18 to diagnoseB. Characteristics that describe psychopath: 1. Glib and superficial 2. Inflated and arrogant self- appraisal 3. Lacks remorse 4. Lacks empathy 5. Deceitful and manipulative 6. Early behavior problems 7. Adult antisocial behavior 8. Impulsive 9. Poor behavior controls 10. Irresponsible

The words psychopath and The words psychopath and antisocial behavior is used to antisocial behavior is used to describe the same people.describe the same people.

Antisocial personality disorder and psychopath are used interchangeably when describing those individuals that demonstrate antisocial behavior, behavior that goes against the norm of society. However, Antisocial Personality Disorder is the only one that is diagnosed in the DSM-IV.

For instance, “One such pattern of maladaptive personality functioning is psychopathy, a syndrome characterized by profound affective and interpersonal deficits that predispose a person to antisocial behavior (Fowler, 2009).

There are six tests to diagnose a psychopath: There are six tests to diagnose a psychopath: Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Novaco Anger Scale and Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Index, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Provocation Index, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, PCL-R, Violence Risk Appraisal Guide, and HCR-20.PCL-R, Violence Risk Appraisal Guide, and HCR-20.

One test for Antisocial Personality Disorder: One test for Antisocial Personality Disorder:MMPI-2 MMPI-2

““The question of whether antisocial The question of whether antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and psychopathy personality disorder (ASPD) and psychopathy are largely similar or fundamentally different are largely similar or fundamentally different constructs remains unsolved”. constructs remains unsolved”. (Poythress,2010).(Poythress,2010).

From my research, Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder are separate constructs; however, characteristics intertwine that make them appear one in the same. Despite this, only Antisocial Personality Disorder is categorized in the DSM-IV as a disorder.

References:

Fowler, K., Lilienfeld, S., & Patrick, C. (2009). Detecting psychopathy from thin slices of behavior. Psychological Assessment, 21(1), 68-78.

Poythress, N., Skeem, J., Douglas, K., Patrick, C., & Edens, J., (2010). Identifying subtypes among offenders with antisocial personality disorder: cluster analytic study. Journal of Abnormal Psychology,119(2), 389-400.