Analysis and Difference between Antisocial Behavior and Behavior Disorder - Essay Example

How do antisocial behaviors differ from conduct disorders? Provide at least one example that supports your answer. Antisocial behaviors are defined by the American Psychiatric Association as “a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood” (McCallum, 2001). It implies a blatant and persistent disregard for other people’s rights. It is a behavior which basically pits the child against other people and other people’s rights. On the other hand, conduct disorders are defined as a mental disorder of childhood or adolescence “characterized by a persistent pattern of violating societal norms and the rights of others; children with the disorder may exhibit physical aggression, cruelty to animals, vandalism, robbery, truancy, cheating, and lying” (WebMd, 2009). Based on the definitions given above, the two disorders are basically similar with each other. They imply repeated manifestations of negative behavior and violations of other people’s rights. It also manifests during childhood and, if uncorrected, these symptoms continue into the child’s adolescent and adult years. These disorders are different from each other in the sense that antisocial behavior usually precedes conduct disorders. Studies reveal that conduct disorders manifests as clusters of antisocial behaviors in children and adolescents (Petras, 2006). Conduct disorders which manifest in adolescents may soon develop into the antisocial personality disorder which is seen in adults. Antisocial behavior manifests less as a full blown disorder. It is a general term used to refer to violations of social rules or actions against others (Sholevar, 1995). Conduct disorders usually manifests with significant impairment in the person’s daily functioning at home and in school activities to the point that their behavior becomes unmanageable by their loved ones. Therefore, conduct disorders refer to a “severe level of antisocial behavior in which the everyday functioning of the individual is impaired, as defined by parents, teachers, and significant others” (Sholevar, 1995). Compare and contrast the “pre-industrial” family structure with the 21st Century family structure. What do you think accounts for the differences? The preindustrial family structure manifested as a more extended family structure. Data from the U.S. Census indicated that nineteenth century America preferred a more extended family structure. The pre-industrial families were more likely to live near or with their ancestors and later, even their descendants. The shift to the nuclear family manifested more after the mid-1930s when family values started to defragment and became more in keeping with modern-day American living. The transition during the 1930s to the 1950s from the extended to the nuclear family structure was gradual. The modified extended family was still seen during the industrial period, but the relations among family members became less personal and less frequent. Daily family dinners, became weekend get-togethers. And with the industrial age becoming more and more expansive, these get-togethers soon trickled down to occasional visits with family members. The nuclear family soon became the trend in the 21st century household (Ruggles, 1994). The pre-industrial family also had greater focus on the role of the household. The home served not just as the family’s residence, it was also the “focus for the family’s various domestic activities such as eating, sleeping, and child-rearing, [and], the site of a multiplicity of activities” (Bennett & Watson, 2002). The pre-industrial family structure also catered to both blood ties, friendship, and work ties. Apprentices, lodgers, servants and other unrelated individuals shared household space with the family. They also worked together and participated in daily activities with each other. The separation of the workplace from the home became the catalyst which made the family more nuclear and less extended. The nuclear family of the 21st century became less focused on the family and its members and now catered to a more industrial and modern set-up where family values of togetherness were diminished. Compare and contrast social control theory with self-control theory. Provide an example to illustrate your answer. The social control theory emphasizes that children have the potential to violate the mandates of social and moral laws. It also believes that modern society provides various opportunities for the youth to engage in illegal activities. And these delinquent activities presented opportunities for children to find instant gratification. These social control theorists further explain that people “obey the law because their behavior is controlled by their upbringing and socialization” (Siegel & Welsh, 2006). Since individuals were taught to function in society, they came to develop a strong moral sense, which now preconditions them not to hurt other people and not to violate social values and norms. The actions of people are controlled by the very nature of their learned values and their regard for their families and societal laws. Theorists set the example of young adults and even adolescents who refuse to engage in criminal activities because of the fear of damaging their self-image and their relationship with others (Siegel & Walsh, 2006). The control of behavior stems mostly from their upbringing and the expectations of society. In contrast, the social theory points out that there are differences in class and ethnicity in society; these differences fall beyond the influence and intimacy of the family. Because of this, the social theorists emphasize that “something beyond the intimacy of family surroundings is operative in the emergence of delinquent patterns; something in the cultural and social atmosphere apparent in certain sectors of society” (Matza, 1999). This theory focuses less on the influence of society in the child’s delinquent behavior. It focuses more on the factors beyond the family and beyond the person’s personal qualities. An application of this theory may be seen on the prevalence of delinquent behavior among young adults living in certain areas prone to violence, dominated with poverty, and infiltrated by gangs. Identify types of behaviors that are generally considered to be anti-social. If manifested by one of the children in a family, how would these behaviors affect the family structure? How would it affect the parent(s)? How would it affect the siblings? Types of behavior that are generally considered to be anti-social include: angry aggressive, or disobedient behavior; and absence of pro-social behavior which includes communicative, affirming, or cooperative behavior (Psychology Encyclopedia, 2009). Their anger and aggression is often directed towards other children who are younger and who are highly vulnerable to their physical strength. Hence, these children are often seen as bullies. They also display a blatant disregard for rules and regulations. When they are in school, they are often in detention; once they leave school, they are usually seen in and out of juvenile detention. If these types behavior are manifested by one of the children in the family, these behaviors would affect the family structure in the sense that the family structure and harmony is disrupted. The focus of the parents would now be on the misbehaving child, and less towards the other children in the family. The dysfunctional family can often make the parents ignore antisocial behavior from their children. But when the children move on to deviant behavior “at which point, the spouses are pitted against each other in mutual blame and undermining” (Feldman, 1993). They start to fight and this behavior creates a stormy atmosphere for the children who eventually become unhappy in their home life. And more antisocial behavior ensues from this dysfunctional family. For siblings, antisocial behavior often makes them feel like they are not given enough attention. They feel that the anti-social child is getting too much attention from their parents and from everyone else. It often leads them to engage in similar anti-social behavior in order to gain attention for themselves. And since, they are more or less being ignored by their parents, the more they feel they can get away with this type of behavior (Orford, 1987). There is a high degree of possibility that siblings of antisocial children also end up manifesting antisocial behavior. Works Cited Antisocial Behavior - Causes and characteristics, Treatment (2009) Psychology Encyclopedia. Retrieved 30 August 2009 from http://psychology.jrank.org/pages/37/Antisocial-Behavior.html Bennett, T. & Watson, D. (2002) Understanding Everyday Life. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing Feldman, M. (1993) The psychology of crime: a social science textbook. New York: Cambridge University Press Matza, D. (1999) Delinquency and drift. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons McCallum, D. (2001) Personality and dangerousness: genealogies of antisocial personality disorder. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Medical Dictionary: Conduct Disorder (2009) WebMd. Retrieved 30 August 2009 from http://dictionary.webmd.com/terms/conduct-disorder Oxford, J. (1987) Coping with disorder in the family. London: Taylor and Francis Publishing Petras, H. (2006) Longitudinal relationship between Conduct Disorder and later Offending – A Gender Comparison. All Academic. Retrieved 30 August 2009 from http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p126289_index.html Sholevar, G. (1995) Conduct disorders in children and adolescents. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Publication Siegel, L. & Welsh, B. (2006) Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law. California: Cengage Learning Read More