A Review of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Abstract

Antisocial personality is a type of personality characterized by persistent violation of social norms, infringement on others’ rights, and a lack of responsibility. It is closely associated with aggressive behavior, criminal activity, and poor social adaptation. With the increasing prominence of mental health issues, the formation mechanisms and intervention pathways of antisocial personality have gradually become a major focus of research. Existing studies suggest that antisocial personality is not caused by a single factor, but rather results from the interaction of multiple biological, psychological, and social factors. Therefore, systematically reviewing its theoretical foundations, influencing factors, and intervention approaches is of great significance for understanding its developmental mechanisms and formulating effective intervention strategies.

In clinical diagnosis, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines it as Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and specifies that diagnosis must be based on persistent patterns of behavior. Meanwhile, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) published by the World Health Organization provides additional clarification of related characteristics. It should be noted that antisocial personality differs from psychopathy, with the latter placing greater emphasis on emotional coldness and manipulativeness [3]. The formation of antisocial personality can be explained from multiple theoretical perspectives. Biological theories suggest that genetic factors play a significant role, and twin studies have demonstrated a high heritability of antisocial behavior [4]. Neuroscientific research further indicates that dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex may lead to impaired impulse control. From a psychological perspective, psychoanalytic theory attributes antisocial personality to insufficient development of the superego; behaviorist theory emphasizes the role of reinforcement history in shaping maladaptive behavior; and cognitive theory highlights the presence of cognitive deficits such as hostile attribution bias. In addition, social environmental theories propose that parenting styles, peer influence, and socio-cultural context play crucial roles in personality development [8].

Citation

Xiang S, Tang Y, Zhang J. A Review of Antisocial Personality Disorder. WebLog J Depress Anxiety. wjda.2026.d2905. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19965059