Recent discussions have emerged surrounding the connection between antisocial behavior and sociopathy. It has been suggested that not all individuals exhibiting antisocial traits are true sociopaths, as some behaviors may be learned rather than indicative of a person’s inherent character. This distinction is significant because if antisocial behavior stems from deeply ingrained personality traits rather than social learning, it implies that the number of sociopaths may be much higher than previously believed. Alternatively, if many antisocial individuals possess kind and loving qualities beneath their troubling behavior, the landscape of sociopathy looks different.
In the last few months, conversations have also focused on the differences in antisocial behaviors between genders. Some argue that societal influences encourage males to exhibit more violent and antisocial tendencies, leading to the belief that these behaviors arise from social learning rather than inherent personality traits.
As part of my university course on “The Psychology of Gender,” I have turned to original research in lieu of standard textbooks due to a scarcity of unbiased sources. One remarkable book I came across is Sex Differences in Antisocial Behavior by Dr. Terrie Moffitt and her colleagues. This work is essential for anyone seeking to understand sociopathy and is well worth its modest price of $20 to $25.
This book is not merely an opinion piece; rather, it presents extensive research from the Dunedin multidisciplinary health and development study, which tracked about 1,500 individuals born between April 1, 1972, and March 31, 1973, in Dunedin, New Zealand. It covers their lives up until age 21 and has also collected data on them at age 32, which will also be discussed in future posts.
The study gathered a wealth of health data, analyzing antisocial behavior as one of its many focal points. Researchers utilized interviews with parents and teachers, as well as self-reports from the subjects themselves, to compile comprehensive assessments. They sought to answer critical questions regarding gender differences in antisocial behavior, including:
- Do males consistently show higher levels of antisocial behavior in all situations?
- Are there notable developmental differences in antisocial behavior between sexes?
- What factors contribute to the observed gender disparities?
- Do the consequences of antisocial behavior differ for men and women?
In the coming weeks, I will summarize and discuss the findings of this research alongside other relevant studies. For context, if we accept the 1% prevalence rate for PCL-R psychopathy within this population, we can anticipate around 15 individuals classified as psychopaths. With antisocial personality disorder occurring at a rate of approximately 4%, we might expect about 60 sociopaths based on this statistic.
The study’s assessment process was thorough, including:
- Parent reports at ages 5, 7, 9, 11 using the Rutter Child Scale, which evaluates behaviors like fighting, lying, stealing, and disobedience.
- Teacher reports conducted at the same ages as above.
- Self-reports at ages 11, 13, 15, 18, and 21 on age-appropriate antisocial behaviors.
- At ages 18 and 21, participants were encouraged to nominate a close friend or family member to provide insight into their behaviors regarding aggression and substance use.
Results indicated that males displayed higher levels of antisocial behavior than females at every age, with the smallest difference noted at age 15. The study revealed that while drug and alcohol use was relatively similar across genders, it still showed a higher prevalence among males, corroborating findings from psychopathy research that indicates a disproportionate contribution to criminal activity by a small number of offenders.
To summarize, the Dunedin study has identified a pattern of antisocial behavior among both males and females that resembles traits seen in psychopathy—a disorder that typically manifests during childhood. The number of antisocial individuals identified aligns closely with expected figures, which may have been underestimated. As more data is being compiled on personality traits and intimate partner violence, I look forward to sharing those results in future discussions.
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To further explore these themes, check out this blog post about reclaiming power after trauma, or delve into the topic of parental alienation for deeper insights. For an overview of sociopathy and narcissism, this resource is highly recommended.