Skin conductance, which measures sweat gland activity on the hands, is a physiological indicator of autonomic nervous system functioning. Because sweat gland activity is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, which is activated during states of arousal or anxiety, skin conductance is used as a direct measure of these emotional states.

Skin Conductance as a Measure of Autonomic Arousal

Individuals with antisocial personality disorder appear to process emotions differently than most people. A key characteristic is their failure to exhibit fear in response to environmental cues that typically signal impending punishment, pain, or other negative stimulation.

Google

According to the DSM-5, antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a complete disregard for the rights and feelings of others. This disregard manifests in several ways, including repeatedly engaging in illegal acts, deceiving or conning others, acting with impulsivity and recklessness, showing irritability and aggression, and failing to fulfill responsibilities like paying debts. Specific examples of these behaviors include involvement in illegal enterprises, cruelty toward others, abandoning jobs with no alternative plans, having multiple sexual partners, getting into frequent fights, and showing reckless disregard for safety, such as through repeated arrests for driving while intoxicated. Individuals with this disorder feel no remorse for their actions and will manipulate, exploit, or abuse others without any sense of guilt.

DSM-5 Diagnostic Features of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

The behavior of individuals with antisocial personality disorder, stemming from their lack of a moral compass, presents a significant problem for other people and for society as a whole.

Societal Impact of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Individuals with ASPD often adopt a worldview where the world is seen as unkind and self-serving, justifying the use of any means to get by. They tend to objectify others, viewing them as pawns to be manipulated or abused for a specific purpose, rather than as sentient beings. This perspective is coupled with a profound lack of empathy, making them incapable of understanding others' emotional states. They frequently display an over-inflated sense of self and arrogance, alongside a superficial charm used to manipulate people by telling them what they want to hear.

Cognitive and Interpersonal Traits in Antisocial Personality Disorder

Emotional Deficits and Fearlessness in ASPD

A 2019 study by Stuppy-Sullivan and Baskin-Sommers on incarcerated males with antisocial personality disorder revealed that high-magnitude rewards negatively impact their cognitive abilities. Specifically, the presence of large rewards was found to impair perception, worsen executive function when individuals were consciously aware of the rewards, and diminish inhibition, particularly when tasks required significant working memory.

Cognitive Impairment in ASPD from High-Magnitude Rewards

Analyze the following case study. Identify three distinct behaviors exhibited by the individual that demonstrate a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others. For each behavior you identify, explain how it exemplifies this pattern.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After