544 Chapter 13 Psychological Disorders
People with narcissistic personality disorder have an inflated or grandiosesense of self. Those with paranoid personality disorder show an extreme degreeof suspiciousness or mistrust of others. Those with schizoid personality disorderhave little if any interest in social relationships, display a limited range of emo-tional expression, and are perceived as distant and aloof. And those with bor-derline personality disorder tend to have stormy relationships with others,dramatic mood swings, and an unstable self-image. In all, the DSM identifies tenpersonality disorders (see Concept Chart 13.6). The most widely studied of theseis antisocial personality disorder (APD), which is the focus of our attention here.
Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder
People with antisocial personalities (sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths)show a flagrant disregard for the rules of society and a lack of concern for thewelfare of others. They are not psychotic; they maintain contact with reality. Butthey tend to act on impulse—doing what they want, when they want. They aretypically irresponsible and take advantage of other people for their own needs orpersonal gain. They lack remorse for their misdeeds or mistreatment of othersand appear to be untroubled by anxiety or undeterred by the threat of punish-ment or by punishment itself.
Some people with antisocial personalities engage in criminal behavior, butmost are law-abiding (Robins, Tipp, & Przybeck, 1991). They may display a high
narcissistic personality disorder Atype of personality disorder characterizedby a grandiose sense of self.
paranoid personality disorder A typeof personality disorder characterized byextreme suspiciousness or mistrust ofothers.
schizoid personality disorder A type of personality disorder characterized bysocial aloofness and limited range ofemotional expression.
borderline personality disorder A typeof personality disorder characterized byunstable emotions and self-image.
antisocial personality disorder (APD)A type of personality disorder character-ized by callous attitudes toward othersand by antisocial and irresponsiblebehavior.
Concept 13.30People with personality disordersexhibit excessively rigid patterns ofbehavior that ultimately make it diffi-cult for them to relate to others ormeet the demands that are placedupon them.
CONCEPT CHART 13.6Personality Disorders
Type of Disorder Major Features or Symptoms
Paranoid personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder
Antisocial personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder
Avoidant personality disorder
Dependent personality disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
High levels of suspiciousness of the motives and intentions of others but without the outright paranoid delusions associated withparanoid schizophrenia
Aloof and distant from others, with shallow or blunted emotions
Persistent difficulties establishing close social relationships; holdingbeliefs or showing behaviors that are odd or peculiar but not clearly psychotic
A pattern of antisocial and irresponsible behavior, callous treatmentof others, and lack of remorse for wrongdoing
A failure to develop a stable self-image, together with a pattern oftumultuous moods and stormy relationships with others and lack of impulse control
Dramatic and emotional behavior; excessive demands to be the centerof attention; excessive needs for reassurance, praise, and approval
Grandiose self-image and excessive needs for admiration
Pattern of avoiding social relationships out of fear of rejection
Pattern of excessive dependence on others and difficulty makingindependent decisions
Excessive needs for orderliness and attention to detail, perfectionism, and rigid ways of relating to others
An Antisocial PersonalitySerial killer Ted Bundy, shownhere shortly before his execu-tion, had no feelings of remorseover killing others but displayeda kind of superficial charm thatis sometimes found in peoplewith antisocial personalities.
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