Easier to navigate Suite101 PD articles and very difficult to navigate questions surrounding antisocial behavior.
Well, I’ve completed a series of Suite101 articles with basic information relating to each Personality Disorder as well as organizing links to various article series listed on the PD homepage. It should now be easier for you to quickly access PD pieces that are of particular interest to you.
In the latest PD article, Psychopathy, Sociopathy and APD, I’ve attempted to disentangle these terms so often used interchangeably to describe the Antisocial Personality. The PD thought leaders don’t even agree on the precise definitions, but I’ve presented their opinions in hopes of clarifying the murky semantics surrounding antisocial behavior.
The next issue that’s on my mind is the genetic roots of psychopathy. You can explore a summary of one recent study in the article Early Signs of Psychopathy, and before the end of the week I promise to post another synopsis of a not as recent, but equally interesting, twin study of psychopathic tendencies.
As someone educated in the sciences, I think that this type of research is invaluable in helping us understand the roots of antisocial behavior. They do, however, stir up many Orwellian questions and concerns. And although I am thinking in unlikely extremes, scientific research into childhood traits indicative of future psychopathy can’t help but bring to (my) mind a future with tests and subsequent labels for toddlers that “look suspicious.”
I joke, but perhaps you are wondering the same thing? Sounds like a future PD discussion topic that I’ll soon be posting, that is if you don’t beat me to it.
