Antisocial Personality Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

Criterion 1

Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest

– Disorder

• Consistently violates social norms through illegal activities

– Style

• Puts its own value system above that of the group and is occasionally caught up in conflict thereby

Criterion 2

(2) Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure

– Disorder

• Uses various forms of deceit to achieve its own ends

– Style

• “Slippery”, tending to finesse critical points and spin objective events to its advantage

–Without engaging in outright deception

Criterion 3

(3) Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead

– Disorder

• Too impulsive to consider the consequences of its actions

– Style

• Naturally spontaneous and self-indulgent

• Knows when a failure to delay gratification would violate social norms or lead to substantial harm to self or others

Criterion 4

(4) Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults

– Disorder

• Aggressive to the point of repeated fights or assaults

– Style

• Assertive in creating a felt physical presence

Criterion 5

(5) Reckless disregard for safety of self or others

– Disorder

• Recklessly disregards the safety and welfare of both self and others

– Style

• Simply see themselves as being less resistant to risk than the average person, but not impulsively careless or foolhardy

Criterion 6

(6) Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations

– Disorder

• Consistently irresponsible as to work and financial obligations

– Style

• Prefers to remain free of external constraints and to spend on the joys of the present rather than save prudently for the future

Criterion 7

(7) Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another

– Disorder

• Rationalizes exploitation of others

– Style

• Aggressively or impulsively self-serving within moral, social, and legal boundaries