Antisocial behavior: what it is, risk factors and disorders

The behaviors that we carry out individually as a member of a society, can serve both to preserve and maintain coexistence and to disturb it, or alter the climate and harmony of is. That is, there are prosocial behaviors and, also, antisocial behaviors.

Throughout this article we will review the conception and characteristics of antisocial behaviors, as well as the risk factors and associated diagnoses.

• Related article: "The 11 types of violence (and the different types of aggression)"

What is antisocial behavior?

By antisocial behavior we understand the set of behaviors, practices or actions that have as their objective the disturbance of the social order or the aggression to this. In the same way, all those speeches that promote this type of act are also considered as part of antisocial behavior.

Traditionally, these acts and behaviors have been categorized as transgressions, abuses, infractions or crimes tried and punished both by law and by society in general.

People with antisocial behavior can establish the focus of their action both in foreign spaces or properties, through acts of vandalism, robbery or robbery, such as with the intention of harming others through assaults, assaults and offenses, as well as abuse and bullying.

• You may be interested: "Antisocial Personality Disorder: causes, symptoms and treatment"

What are its main characteristics?

The main problem that exists with the need to establish what can be considered antisocial behavior and what not, since the definition of antisocial behavior as all that conduct or behavior that violates social norms or people's rights it encompasses too great a number and variety of acts.

For example, it is not the same to judge a robbery as antisocial behavior than a graffiti on a wall, or a demonstration against some law or unjust situation. However, all of them are aimed at altering the established order.

The fact that there is so much flexibility in interpreting certain behaviors as antisocial behaviors is a problem in today's society. In addition, there is a perception that in recent years the number of antisocial behaviors has increased considerably, it may be that in response to changes and social phenomena and economic lived.

In addition, it must be taken into account in each culture or society can determine a series of guidelines or norms established that roughly regulate which behaviors are considered an aggression or attack on society and which are not.

However, there are a number of factors that can be useful when evaluating and distinguishing a performance as antisocial:

• Evaluation of the severity of the acts.
• Evaluation of the performance in terms of distancing from the socially established guidelines.
• Sociocultural context in which it takes place.

Taking these factors into account, we can determine that, at the moment, there are no objective and clear criteria to serve as a guide. to evaluate and qualify antisocial behavior, as well as to determine exactly what acts should be excluded from this hashtag.

Despite this, we can establish that antisocial behaviors are those acts that violate the rules or social norms that regulate the coexistence, as long as they present a degree of severity higher than that of all those behaviors that are carried out in the day to day of the people.

What causes them or what risk factors are there?

Another of the fields that some disciplines investigate such as sociology, psychology, criminology or even legislation, are both causes and risk factors that can predispose the general population to carry out any type of antisocial behavior.

Although the exact causes why a person may develop antisocial behavior are not known, there are a number of risk factors that can increase the probability of developing a behavior antisocial.

These factors are divided into individual, family and context factors.

1. Individual factors

Elements such as temperament or personality, as well as impulsivity and attention problems or difficulty in adapting to changes can be basic risk factors for the development of antisocial behaviors.

Likewise, the lack of problem-solving skills, a low school or social adjustment and a lack of socio-cognitive skills, make it difficult for the person to find effective and satisfactory alternatives in conflict resolution beyond the behaviors antisocial.

• You may be interested: "Sadistic personality disorder: symptoms and characteristics"

2. Family factors

The family environment as well as parenting styles are essential when favoring the appearance or development of antisocial behaviors. Experiences such as separation from parents, changes of home or experiences of more extreme situations of abuse or domestic violence can be triggers for these behaviors.

What's more, inappropriate parenting styles such as very permissive or authoritarian styles they can also have a strong effect on them.

3. Environmental factors

The sociocultural context, the influence of the media, school, peer groups o Some institutions, groups or associations may also favor or encourage aggressive, violent or angry reactions from some people.

Associated diagnoses

Although these behaviors do not have to occur as a consequence or in association with any psychological pathology or disorder. There are a series of diagnoses in which this type of behavior appears repeatedly.

1. Antisocial personality disorder

According to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), antisocial personality disorder is defined by the appearance of a pattern of behavior that reveals a general disregard for the rules and rights of others.

The main symptoms or signs of this diagnosis include infringement of the rules, deception and manipulation as the main distinguishing features of this disorder. As well as impulsiveness, lack of remorse or disregard for the safety of others.

In order for this diagnosis to be made, the person must be over 18 years of age, otherwise it is considered to be a dissocial personality disorder.

2. Conduct personality disorder

In this second case, the behaviors are practically the same as those of antisocial disorder personality, but with the difference that they manifest at an earlier age, specifically in childhood or during adolescence.

These behaviors categorized as antisocial must occur on a recurring basis and be qualitatively much more serious than the typical rebellious behaviors expected at that age.