Antisocial Personality Types
Interview with Psychologist Dr. Duane Dobbert on Forms of ASPD
Are there different degrees of Antisocial Personality Disorder, or is it all or nothing? Is recovery possible? Dr. Duane Dobbert shares his professional opinion.
This is the fourth in a series of articles based on interviews with forensic psychologist, professor and author Dr. Duane Dobbert. In these interviews, we will explore various subtopics relating to Antisocial and Narcissistic PDs. This fourth article focuses on types of Antisocial Personality.
Background
What is Antisocial Personality Disorder?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMS-IV-TR), Antisocial PD(abbreviated APD or ASPD) is a psychological personality disorder characterized by lack of empathy or conscience, a difficulty controlling impulses and manipulative behaviors. This disorder is sometimes also referred to as psychopathy or sociopathy, however, Antisocial Personality Disorder is the clinical terminology used for diagnosis (APA 2000).
Question to Dr. Dobbert
Are there different forms or levels of Antisocial Personality Disorder, and can someone with Antisocial PD be rehabilitated?
My experience with ASPDs is vast, and I see Antisocial Personalities as coming in three “flavors”:
- There is the cruel, uncaring ASPD who actually enjoys physical violence.
- I also see the cold, calculating, intelligent ASPDs who manipulate the system to meet intrinsic psychological needs and extrinsic needs, wants, and desires without any consideration of the impact on others; often people in "high places", politicians, corporate executives.
- I also believe that the severity of ASPD is on a continuum. The first two are at one end and at the opposite end is a group of ASPDs that, while they possess the same diagnostic characteristics, are fearful. Prospective consequences deter them from going "too far". They will cheat, lie, and practice infidelity, but do not break the "big" criminal statutes. They sound big and tough, but are actually cowards who choose flight over fight.
Is Rehabilitation Possible?
It is my firm position that someone with ASPD will never change his behavior unless he finds that the consequences for his behavior are so personally painful, they exceed the pleasure derived from the behavior.
More about Dr. Dobbert
A 35 year veteran of the criminal justice profession, Dr. Duane Dobbert has experience as a clinician, consultant, educator, researcher, and expert witness, and has developed training programs on identification of sexual predators. He is author of the books Understanding Personality Disorders and Halting the Sexual Predators among Us: Preventing Attack, Rape and Lust Homicide. Dr. Dobbert is currently a Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.
More about Personality Disorders
See Dr. Dobbert's website to learn more about his books on personality disorder, Psychology Prof Online for more information on mental illness or other Suite101 articles including Overview of Personality Disorders, Psychopathy, Sociopathy or APD and What Is a Psychopath?
