The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher mental functions such as personality, attention, arousal, behaviour control etc., as well as being closely linked with structures involved in emotion and memory development (e.g. the amygdala). Damage to the PFC may disrupt normal behaviour functioning and cause some individuals to engage in negative, antisocial behaviours, or even have an extremely negative personality change. However, arguments suggest the behaviour may be a result of poor childhood upbringing with negative social surroundings.
S.2.1a of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 defines antisocial behaviour as “conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person”. Individuals who are antisocial tend to be very impulsive, inconsiderate of others, lack motivation in personal progression and disregard social norms.
It is argued that the trait is caused by social influences, such as strict disciplinary enforcements by parents, bullying behaviours within families and ignorance of prosocial acts, causing an operant conditioning of negative and abusive behaviour to be forced upon the child (Patterson Debaryshe, & Ramsey, 1990).
Further arguments suggest antisocial behaviour is a result of poor welfare, by the mother, during prenatal stages such as smoking. (Liu & Wuerker, 2005). Exposure to nicotine in the womb has been associated with altering the brain’s chemical levels, such as reducing levels of dopamine and
This definition is very different than the actual clinical meaning, which defines someone with antisocial personality disorder as someone who "persistently disregard and violate others' rights." (Comer,
In behavioural theorist B. F. Skinner 's perspective; an individuals personality development is heavily influenced by their environment and prior experiences (Sincero 2012) , he wrote that 'A person does not act upon the world, the work acts upon him ' (Skinner 1971) . Skinner proposed that the development of an individuals personality is largely dependant on the way in which significant adults in their lives would reward or punish then throughout the course of their childhood. (Carter Grivas 2005, p. 407-408) Therefore, children and adolescents raised by abusive and aggressive parents are more inclined to also be come aggressive and hostile towards peers. (Hellesvig-Gaskell n.d)
Sadly, there are millions or children from around the world who encounter some form abuse. The abuse Dave encounter was physical, emotional abuse, and neglect from his mother. It is currently believed that factors that may increase the likelihood of developing antisocial behavior are child abuse and having an alcoholic parent. These factors are considered to be independent of each other, but may also be interactive in their effect on behavioral development (Pollock).
Moreover, another factor believed to contribute to child abuse is the widespread belief that it is completely appropriate to utilize physical punishment when disciplining children. The book claims that parents tend to cross the line between “appropriate” physical punishment and child abuse when they get angry and use physical punishment for discipline their children. Also, the book claims that they are various social factors that contribute to child abuse. These are lack of education, poverty, family problems, and unemployment. These factors all have the ability to cause individuals a great deal of stress. When stress builds up in an individual, an individual may be more likely to become physically aggressive towards their children whenever
Often times, children of permissive parents are manipulative. This is because the parents submit to their children if they act out. Children of permissive parents are impulsive, the children do not learn how to control themselves. Children brought up by this parenting style “do slightly worse in school during adolescence and are more likely to be aggressive and somewhat immature in their behavior with peers and in school”
Antisocial personality disorder is a form of enduring mental disorder in which a individual 's cognition, ability to perceive situations, and ability to relate to other people is dysfunctional and can even be destructive. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder characteristically are seen to have no regard for the socially, or legally established rules for appropriate behaviors, with an often blatant disregard of the privileges, needs and moods of others. Those who are diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder have a habit of provoking and antagonizing others, as well as manipulating or treating peoples either very harshly or with a sense of callous indifference. They are likely to be found, and brought into treatment because they were caught violating the law, landing in recurrent trouble, however they will show no culpability or repentance. They may make up stories, act aggressively and often rashly, which leads them to have problems with drug and alcohol use. These traits are likely to make people with this chronic mental condition, antisocial
According to research antisocial disorder causes violent acts in children of a young age. Review of literature indicates that antisocial personality disorder is a mental condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others. This behavior is often criminal (Berger, 2014). It has been said that people who have experiences a traumatic event in their life many develop antisocial personality disorder, which can also cause them to be very violent (Black, 2013). Researchers say they don’t know for sure what causes this disorder. Many state that how the person interacted in their early years around family and friends can be a major factor to this disorder (Gorhol, 2014). The environment they grew up in such as substance abuse, child abuse, or neglect has been said to be linked with antisocial personality disorder (Black, 2013).
The acts from family members influence a child’s behavior, use of life skills, and personal responsibilities as an adult. Some family members, most notably parents, will act out in an aggressive manor towards their children. Aggressive traits in a family is a strong indication that the child in the family will carry
In all humans’ brains, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the determining factor for empathy, morals, and emotions. The problem comes when the PFC is damaged, which causes alterations in the mental state. University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health reveals that the damage to this part of the brain is due to reduced structural integrity and less activity in the PFC, determined by diffusor tensor images (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Because doctors determine the behavioral integrity of a person by the function of their PFC, it is the main focus for determining psychopathic tendencies (“Psychopaths’ Brain Show Differences in Structure and Function”). So psychiatrists are now able to examine an MRI of a brain and look at the prefrontal cortex to determine if they have a higher liability of having behavioral inconsistencies or psychopathic qualities, therefore providing a visual confirmation of a mental deformity. Robert M.
Antisocial personality theory is a combination of traits, such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, hedonism, and inability to empathize with others, that make a
Antisocial behaviour (ASB) broadly encompasses human character traits and behaviours that are generally viewed as unpleasant or immoral, such as reduced empathy, aggression and violence. Consequently, ASB is unconducive to forming healthy interpersonal relationships and functional living and on a large scale is socio-economically detrimental to societies. Therefore, research into ASB’s aetiology is important for potentially informing its prevention and management and in turn reducing its negative outcomes. This essay investigates the possible causal role of prefrontal cortex (PFC) dysfunction and structural abnormalities in ASB, focusing on specific PFC subregions; as well as the roles of other brain regions, genetics and the environment. It argues that there is significant evidence that the dysfunction of several brain regions, including the PFC and areas of other lobes, can lead to ASB. The underlying reason(s) for the dysfunction may be brain damage and/or genetic and environmental influences.
Antisocial personality disorder is defined as “a type of chronic mental condition in which a person’s ways of thinking, perceiving situations, and relating to others are dysfunctional – and (often times) destructive.” According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, “people with antisocial personality disorder typically have no regard for right and wrong, and often disregard the rights, wishes, and feelings of others.” They will “antagonize, manipulate, or treat others harshly with callous indifference. They may often violate the law, landing in frequent trouble, yet (they) show no guilt or remorse.” As such, people with this disorder can all too often present both a serious and legitimate danger – both to themselves
Antisocial Personality Disorder is a chronic mental condition in which a person thinks, perceives, and relates to others in a destructive and dysfunctional way. Someone with this disorder normally has no consideration for right or wrong, and pays no regard to the feelings and wishes of others. They may act menacingly and impulsively; they may even lie and feel no remorse. Most people with Antisocial Personality Disorder have problems with drug and alcohol abuse. This disorder is often quite criminal.
Through the decades, researchers have tried to solve the mystery of the enigmatic prefrontal cortex. Along with the famous case of Phineas Gage (Harlow,1848), many studies have attempted to answer the burning question of either or not lesions to the prefrontal cortex lead to an antisocial behavior. The PFC, which is found in the frontal lobe and has an executive function, helps us have an appropriate response to social situations. Why is it important to study this matter? Because we are social creatures and knowing how to act in society is one of our basic needs. The studies which will be presented show that there is an obvious link between dysfunction of the PFC and an antisocial way of acting.
Through the decades, researchers have tried to solve the mystery of the enigmatic prefrontal cortex. Along with the famous case of Phineas Gage (Harlow,1848), many studies have attempted to answer the burning question of either or not lesions to the prefrontal cortex lead to an antisocial behavior. The PFC, which is found in the frontal lobe and has an executive function, helps us have an appropriate response to social situations. Why is it important to study this matter? Because we are social creatures and knowing how to act in society is one of our basic needs. The studies which will be presented show that there is an obvious link between dysfunction of the PFC and an antisocial way of acting.