Objections+and+Revisions

=Objections: Antisocial Personality Style vs. Disorder=

First and foremost, criminality is based on empirical data. Interviews, testing, and other methods of measurement are all fine, however, ASPD is known for lies and deceit. Therefore, many people propose that much of the data recorded could actually be false-- but the similar traits that manifested through the tests cannot be denied. When it comes to ASPD, there have been a few disagreements with the terms in use. For example, the terms 'moral inferiority,' 'psychopathic inferiority' and 'psychopath' all held a negative connotation and are are rarely used when talking about ASPD (the term psychopath is still used, however, it holds negative baggage). Dr. Millon and numerous other psychologists, psychiatrists, and doctors felt that the DSM-IV treated ASPD as a "checklist of "bad boy" behaviors," when in reality, some people with ASPD do not act out to hurt everyone around them. These people harness the traits of ASPD, but do not use them to harm others. There is now a chart that differentiates the personality and the disorder.

Table 2: ASPD Style vs. Disorder
(Niolon, 2000)
 * || **Personality Style** || **Personality Disorder** ||
 * **Cognitive Style** || Shows superficial charm and easily make friends. Decision making is externally oriented. They show poor judgment and sometimes impulsive behavior, and justify and rationalize, and have difficulty learning from mistakes. They resent authority, tend to be competitive, but are poor losers. || Charm develops into a tendency to lie and "conn" others for profit or enjoyment. Decision making is more rigid and inflexible, and can be motivated by "getting even" for real or perceived "slights." Impulsiveness can lead to spur of the moment decisions that result in joblessness and homelessness. They externalize responsibility for behavior, and blame all problems on others. They can easily default on debts and obligations, and leave others suffering with no concern. Resentment of authority can take on an aggressive quality. ||
 * **Emotional Functioning ** || Lacks a sense or empathy as well as responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Often have a feeling emptiness and seek excitement to relieve the boredom. Assume the worst in others so can be argumentative and easily irritated. || Lack of empathy develops into a lack of guilt, shame, or even basic remorse for the harm they cause to others. Impulsivity and emptiness can lead to recklessness with no appreciation for the danger, sexual acting out, and substance use in order to relieve the boredom. Can be assaultive and abusive when they feel frustrated. ||
 * **Relationships ** || Adept at reading social situations and cues; uses this information to persuade others into meeting their needs. Assume others are like them, so seldom honest and open. || Reads others to manipulate them because they see others as basically ways to gratify their desires. No real loyalty or accountability to "loved" ones. Assume others are like them, so highly distrustful; likely to see environment as a "dog-eat-dog world" and think it's best to "get" others before they "get" you. Sometimes they show a cold disregard for others, while at other times a contemptuous disdain. When told of someone being victimized, they may not care or may say the person deserved it for being stupid. ||
 * **History ** || Irresponsible with money sometimes, but able to work and support themselves, may be quite successful sometimes || Spend money carelessly, fail to honor financial obligations, can't maintain stable work due to the discipline this requires; leave one job without another ||