Antisocial Behaviors - Essay Example

Running Head: Antisocial Behaviors Exhibiting Antisocial Behavior: Actual Case Revealed This essay is written to present a profile of an individual exhibiting antisocial and delinquent behavior. This person’s profile is compared to one of the following theories of delinquent behavior: Social Control Theory or Self Control Theory. A discourse on which theory best emulates the behavior characteristics of the person profiled would likewise be presented. The essay includes following areas of discussions: (1) an introduction of the person profiled; (2) the consequences that have been a result of the person’s behaviors; (3) opinion on the major factors, which have contributed to the person’s behaviors; (4) the interventions that have been tried with the person in attempts to improve behaviors, including personal opinions on any programs, services the person should be involved with; (5) a comparison of similarities between the person profiled and a person with antisocial behaviors; and (6) comments on similarities or differences between the person profiled and what have been learned about people with antisocial behaviors.

Introduction Individuals exposed to diverse scenarios and experiences react differently. There are a multitude of factors that influence the behavior of people. The ability to interact and socialize is dependent on external and internal factors which directly affect the individual’s perception and response to various stimuli. Some experiences could be both traumatic and ingrained in an individual’s memory causing an emergence of antisocial behaviors. This essay is hereby written to present a profile of an individual exhibiting antisocial and delinquent behavior.

The personal, family and community background of the individual would be delved into with the aim of evaluating the factors which influenced the predilection for behaving antisocially.Personal Profile The individual’s name is Jorge, 46 years of age, married, currently experiencing chronic illness of various kinds. He admitted exhibiting antisocial behavior ever since he was on his elementary level in school. He fears rejection, is basically shy, does not enjoy interacting with others for social reasons except for compliance to academic requirements, he admits to having mood swings, and imposed a self recluse in his own room.

He was an adopted child and the only child in the family. His mother, a university professor, works full time to support the family. His father does not have a regular job also due to chronic illness and an amputated leg. The family changed residences five times since his birth and likewise, transferred in five different schools and colleges. He was diagnosed to have developmental problems in preschool and necessitated a consultation with a child psychologist.Consequences He is frequently depressed with limited outlets to express his emotions.

He has a fairly small circle of friends. He usually was not updated on recent changes in academic schedules and requirements due to his solitude. He stopped schooling due to loss of interest and partly because of the need to attend to his father’s illness. He does not have the drive to engage in new activities nor to apply for a regular full time job. He seldom accepts responsibilities and has tendencies of neglecting his duties. His illnesses caused him to be dependent on pain relievers.Factors that Contributed to Antisocial Behavior There are a variety of factors which greatly influenced Jorge’s antisocial and delinquent behavior, to wit: (1) frequent transfer in residences and schools abruptly affected his development of a steady and stable social circle; (2) chronic illness of his father is a stress factor affecting his behavior and social skills; (3) as an adopted child, he admitted experiencing a distant feeling from his adoptive parents; (4) he is supported by his wife and his nuclear family showers him with enough love and affection he feels he cannot find elsewhere; among others.

Interventions Other than the consultation with a child developmental psychologist during his preschool years, Jorge has no other interventions to address his antisocial behavior. In my personal opinion, this is not appropriate given that the consequences of his behavior might eventually worsen. He should be made to actively participate in group activities and be made to attend in social functions to improve his social skills, make him more responsible and see the benefits of teamwork. Likewise, due to his dependence on pain relievers, he should seek professional help of a toxicologist and a psychiatrist to detoxify him and address his antisocial and delinquent behaviors.

Comparison with Persons Exhibiting Antisocial BehaviorKayne (2009) enumerated the characteristics of persons exhibiting antisocial behavior as: “behaves impulsively, thoughtlessly jeopardizing the safety of himself and others; is manipulative, lies or cons his way through situations; will not follow rules, enjoys breaking the law; borrows money without repaying it; steals; is overly aggressive, often picking fights; is willing to hurt others emotionally or physically without remorse; is arrogant and overly confident; likes to set fires; and is cruel to animals.

” In the case of Jorge, the does not exhibit all of the above traits except the following: impulsive behavior, manipulative, does not follow rules, borrows money without repaying, aggressive, and arrogant.Conclusion The primary cause for Jorge’s antisocial and delinquent behavior is traced from his lack of attachment to his adoptive parents, the frequent transfer of residences and schools and the lack of genuine commitment and involvement in daily activities. He was fully and completely dependent on his mother for financial, emotional, physical support even during the times when he got married and raised six children.

His illness rationalized his dependence for pain relievers but confounded his weak personality. Despite being previously overly confident, arrogant, and being susceptible to fights during his early adulthood, he became very loving to his children to the point of giving excessively beyond his means. He had always loved animals. The lack of controls imposed by his busy mother contributed to his delinquent behavior, consistent with Hirachi’s theory of social control. Further, “delinquency results from the weakness in four elements: attachment, commitment, involvement and belief.

”(Snedker & Herting, 2008, p. 4 - 6) As such, the main source of support for Jorge became the factor which contributed to his antisocial and delinquent behaviors.ReferencesKayne, R. (2009). What is Antisocial Behavior? Conjecture Corporation. Retrieved 11 September 2009 from Snedker, K. & Herting, J. (2008). Revisiting Hirschi�s Social Control Theory: Examining Changes in Self-reported Delinquent Behavior among Youth. Retrieved 11 September 2009 from