Antisocial Personality Information
Forensic Psychologist Interview on Psychopathy, Narcissism & APD
This interview series with forensic psychologist Duane Dobbert explores the world of the pathologically narcissistic.
A 35-year veteran of the criminal justice profession, Dr. Duane Dobbert has experience as a clinician, consultant, educator, researcher, expert witness, and has developed training programs on the identification of sexual predators.
Dobbert is author of the books Understanding Personality Disorders and Halting the Sexual Predators among Us: Preventing Attack, Rape and Lust Homicide, and is currently a professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.
In the following article series Dr. Dobbert shares his expert insight into the mind of the self-absorbed.
Narcissism & Antisocial Personality: Quick Links to Articles in the Duane Dobbert Interview Series
Antisocial & Narcissism Similarity: What Do ASPD and NPD Have in Common?
Both personality disorders present extreme egocentricity to the exclusion of others. Those with APD or a pathological level of narcissism believe they are the smartest, the most attractive, most influential, and thus "better" than anyone else.
Characteristics of Antisocial Personality Disorder: What are the Traits of APD that Individuals Typically Show?
ASPD is a deficit of concience. The individual (most commonly male) lacks the ability to feel and is therefore incapable of experiencing genuine concern for others. He feels no empathy for the plight of others and no guilt or remorse if his conduct inflicts harm on those around him.
Causes of Antisocial PD: Is it nature, nurture or a little bit of both?
There has been much debate and research associated with etiology of ASPD, and there is evidence to support the hypothesis that its causes are both biological and genetic. This article explores some of the evidence supporting the etiology of psychopathy.
Types of Antisocial PD: Are There Different Degrees of Patholological Egocentricity?
Are there different degrees of APD, or is it all or nothing? There is the cruel, uncaring ASPD who actually enjoys physical violence; the cold, calculating, intelligent ASPD swindlers who manipulate the system to meet their needs and finally, the more pedestrian antisocial personalities who cheat, lie, and practice infidelity, but do not break the "big" criminal statutes. If someone is considered to be clinically antisocial, can he or she ever change? Dr. Duane Dobbert shares his professional opinion.
More about Personality Disorders
See Dr. Dobbert's website to learn more about his books on antisocial personality, the site Psychology Prof Online for more information on personality disorders or look to the Suite 101 article What Is a Personality Disorder?
