i pulled up near a gas station. i told the service station guy to give me all of his money. i then...
TRANSCRIPT
I pulled up near a gas station. I told the service station guy to give me all of his money. I then took him to the bathroom and told him to kneel down and then I shot him in the head twice. The guy didn’t give me any trouble but I just felt like I had to do it. [The next morning, I left my car at another service station] I went in and told the guy to give me the money…Then I shot him.
Personality disorder = psychological disorder characterized by inflexible and enduring behavior patterns that impair social functioning. Dysfunctional behavior patterns that
impair people’s social functioning without depression or delusions.
Personality disorders symptoms Ego syntonic = feels like a normal part
of oneself Most have interpersonal problems Can be difficult to diagnose in initial
session Difficult to treat & can affect treatment
of other disorders
Personality disorders are classified within clusters defined by common features
1) Cluster A Main feature is odd or eccentric in nature Within this cluster:
▪ Paranoid PD – distrust and suspiciousness▪ Schizoid PD – detachment from social
relationships (does not want them)▪ Schizotypal PD – feels intense discomfort in
close relationships; has distorted thinking and eccentric behavior.
2) Cluster B Main feature is dramatic, emotional, or
erratic Within this cluster:▪ Antisocial PD – disregard for social norms and
rights of others▪ Borderline PD – instability in relationships, self-
image, and mood; impulsive▪ Histrionic PD – excessive emotionality and
attention seeking▪ Narcissistic PD – elaborate, need for
admiration, self-centered
3) Cluster C Main feature involves anxiety or
fearfulness Within this cluster:▪ Dependent PD – submissive, need to be
taken care of▪ Avoidant PD – social inhibition and
inadequacy▪ Obsessive-Compulsive PD – orderliness,
perfectionism, need to control things
Formerly called a sociopath or psychopath Usually male Lack of conscience becomes plain before age
15 Common characteristics:
1. Superficial charm2. Absence of delusions and irrational thinking3. Absence of “nervousness”4. Unreliability5. Untruthfulness and insincerity6. Lack of remorse or shame7. Poor judgment and failure to learn by
experience9. Incapable of love10. Unresponsiveness in general interpersonal
relations11. Sex life impersonal and trivial12. Failure to follow any life plan
“Criminal” is a legal term denoting conviction for breaking a law: Not all people with ASPD are
criminals (or in jail) Not all people in jail or considered
criminals have ASPD▪ Many criminals do show responsible
concern for their family and friends. ▪ Antisocial personalities feel and fear little.
Jeffrey Dahmer Killing spree 1978-1991 of 17 knownmen & boys. Murders involved rape, dismemberment, cannibalism, & necrophilia.
Henry Lee Lucas 32 years of crime Confessed to killing 360 women, men, and children. Murders involved beating, suffocation, shooting, and stabbing
Biological-Twin, family, and adoption data show strong genetic influence- Show little autonomic nervous system arousal is stressful situations-Violent repeat offenders have 11% less frontal lobe tissue than normal.
Neither “bad” genes alone nor a “bad” environment alone predispose later antisocial behavior.-Nature vs. Nurture interact
Antisocial behavior seems to age out after 40- could still show ASPD features (lying; poor work
habits)
Most don’t seek treatment for ASPDNo treatment shown to be effectiveMore likely to end up in jail than in
treatmentFocus is on prevention –
Target antisocial children & channel characteristics (fearfulness, low anxiety) into positive roles▪ athletics, adventure, military