Conduct Disorder Analysis

Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) form a cluster of childhood disorders considered to be “disruptive behavior disorders” (American Psychiatric Association, 2004). Although most violent adolescents have more than one mental disorder and they may have internalizing disorders, for example depression or substance abuse, there appear to be increasingly higher rates of physical aggression found in these adolescents who experience disruptive behavior disorders than for those with other mental disorders. The fact that violent juvenile offenders are more likely to have these diagnoses is not surprising, because impulsive and/or aggressive behaviors are part of their diagnostic criteria. Additionally, there is relatively high co-morbidity with substance abuse disorders, which are also associated with juvenile violence (Moeller, 2001). Individuals with conduct disorder have the following features but this list is not inclusive for example they may have little empathy and little concern for the feelings, wishes, and wellbeing of others, respond with aggression, may be callous and lack appropriate feelings of guilt re remorse, self-esteem may be low despite a projected

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

Review of literature indicates that there have been, and still are sociopathic children who kill, and commit sadistic crimes in this world. Is it possible that such young people can develop sociopathic traits? This paper intends to prove so. Sociopathic children display certain archetypes that can either be taken as a warning, or something to go off of when getting the child help. Children who develop sociopathic traits at a young age can most likely be treated with the help of psychologists, and constant encouragement from parents. However, some children do not take to the treatment and do not feel empathy, or remorse to those around them. If these children are not treated for their behavior, problems are more than likely to

Researchers attribute part of the reason those with conduct disorder can’t cope with adversity and get caught and stay in high sensation seeking and impulsivity is because their brain has “deficits in prefrontal executive function and to rapid maturation of the subcortical motivation system” (Romer, 2010).This causes a disability in thinking clearly and rationally about decisions. Fortunately, multisystem therapy (MST) has been proven to effectively treat CD with the exception that effectivity correlates with socioeconomic status. “Reviews of parent training interventions for treatment of conduct problems suggest that economic disadvantage…moderates treatment response, with youth who are not disadvantaged benefitting more from treatment” (Lundahl, Risser, & Lovejoy, 2006). Thus, it is important to treat, not only the children or adolescents with CD, but the parents too. Conduct disorder can represent the effects of combining economic disadvantage and internalizing the belief that one can have different means to reach their goals. Hence, this may be the reason why people exhibiting CD steal clothes or break into a store to steal cash. However, while there is hope at effectively treating those with CD, it is important to remember that

Barry et al. (2000) conducted a study in which took a look at children who were diagnosed with both ADHD and problems with conduct. The findings suggest that children with ADHD and severe conduct problems are more likely to have characteristics of psychopathy (Barry et al, 2000). The current literature review will explore all the characteristics a child may possess that are classified as “psychopathic”, the

Lee N. Robbins, PhD., was among the first to publish a large scale research study on adults who as children, showed deviant behavior. Her findings revealed that the majority of adults with antisocial behavior also displayed symptoms relating to conduct disorder as children. Additionally, she concluded that about one third of those with conduct disorder will be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder as adults (Kjelsberg, 2006).

Popular portrayals of psychopaths are diverse and conflicting, ranging from impulsive and violent criminals to corporate figures who skillfully maneuver their way up the social ladder. Despite this diversity a well validated measure of psychopathy, the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R), has come to dominate clinical and legal practice. The PCL-R covers two basic domains: an interpersonal affective domain that encompasses core traits like callousness and manipulativeness, and an antisocial domain that entails disinhibition and chronic antisocial behavior. The PCL-R is often used to help make decisions in legal matters like hat sentence an offender should get (Skeem

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.

Conduct disorder may be diagnosed whenever a child or adolescent seriously misbehaves by using aggressive or non-aggressive conduct against other individuals, property, or animals. This behavior may be characterized as destructive, threatening, deceitful, belligerent, dishonest, physically cruel, or disobedient. Among these behaviors one may find stealing, causing intentional injury, or forced sexual activity. The behavioral disorder does not consist of an isolated incident, but rather of a pattern of severe and repetitive behavior. However, in Jacob’s case there are signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. This disorder presents a long lasting pattern of hostile, defiant, negativistic behavior found in children or adolescents who do not

Scientific research has shown that behavioral problems occurring in early childhood and adolescence have long been thought to be a risk factor for a future of depression, antisocial behavior, and even violence. Specifically, conduct disorder (CD) which is a complicated set of behavioral and emotional problems affecting nine percent of boys and two percent of girls is thought to be a precursor to all of the above conditions. CD is a disorder that develops over a long period of time; and children can carry the side effects of negative behaviors well into their adulthood.

In the past years, there have been hundreds of cases reported of children committing horrible, unthinkable crimes. It is hard to believe that anyone, especially children, could ever commit such horrendous acts. Whether or not a child who commits such a malicious crime is an actual psychopath or not is a common asked question. As soon as the public finds out that a malicious crime has been committed by a young child, they could easily assume that the child who committed the crime is psychopathic and will be for the rest of their lives. But is it possible that someone who commits a horrible crime as a child could grow up and realize what they did was wrong, and feel remorse for what they have done in the past? We have to consider what behaviors the child had shown before and after they had committed the crime, and what motivated the child to commit the crime, before we permanently label them a psychopath. All of the information in this paper was based off a review of literature. The review of literature was retrieved from various experts such as Carl Jung, Jacqueline Stenson, Christian Keysers, Ryan Schill, Paul Mattaiuzzi, and Katherine Ramsland. This review of literature indicates that not all children who commit such crimes can automatically be labeled a psychopath and that they are able to grow up into adults that exhibit normal behavior.

Conduct disorder is an externalizing childhood disorder and involves a child displaying behaviors that violate societal norms or other people’s own rights. The causes of such deviant and aggressive behavior may be linked to genetic, neurobiological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Some propose that peer influences may also be etiological factors to such disorders. First, characteristics of aggression are generally more heritable than other delinquent behaviors such as stealing. It is also suggested that the MAOA gene on the X chromosome responsible for the break down of certain neurotransmitters is less active in those with conduct disorder. However, studies show that there is only an increased risk for conduct disorder among children when the environmental factor of being maltreated co-occurs with the decreased MAOA activity.

Conduct Disorder is a behavioral disorder and it is usually diagnosed during childhood or the teen years. Children with this disorder tend to have a disruptive and/or violent behavior. Children may also have trouble following rules. The behavior is diagnosed as Conduct Disorder when it is long-lasting. Common symptoms of Conduct Disorder are aggressive behavior such as fighting, or harming others or animals, destructive behavior such as intentional destruction of property, deceitful behavior such as lying, or violation of rules. Children with Conduct Disorder may be irritable or have low self-confidence, they may also throw temper tantrums. They will have little guilt for hurting others. The cause of Conduct Disorder is unknown but it is presumed

My hypothesis on conduct disorder in children can lead to criminal activity in adulthood. The research that was conducted from this question was that of Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Department of Psychology. Sampson and Laub (1997) discussed conduct disorder as not being a single cause of adult criminal behavior, but instead the start to what they termed as a life of “cumulative disadvantage”. The conduct disorder might indeed be the initial cause of problems, but may be replaced by the effects of disapproving, negative reactions from others.

Conduct disorder in childhood and adult antisocial personality disorder: Antisocial personality disorder and conduct use disorder is seen in most individuals suffering from alcohol and other substance disorders hence it is imperative to ascertain this diagnosis