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.
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