Describe the characteristics and biological causes of APD (Antisocial Personality Disorder).

Characteristics:

-       Lack of long-term/future planning. Makes poor decisions and is often impulsive

-       Getting aggressive and frequently getting into fights           

-       Breaking the law/ codes of civilised behaviour. Lying, stealing or conning

-       Failing to hold down a job for long, or not paying back money to people

-       Lack of empathy, not feeling guilty about hurting others

Causes:

·         Biological: Damaged amygdala (emotion- recognising and responding to stress and fear in others) or reduction in grey matter (specifically in the PFC)
Raine et al. (2000)
Aim: To test whether APD is caused  by problems with the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an area which helps control an individual’s social behaviour

Method: MRI scan of men with and without APD
Results: APD sufferers had 11% less prefrontal cortex  than  non-APD sufferers
Conclusion: Reduction  in brain grey matter could be responsible for causing APD.