Antisocial Personality Disorder Quiz

Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, occurring since age 15.
• Symptoms include a history of deceitfulness, impulsiveness, failure to conform to social norms, and a lack of remorse for wrongdoing.
• ASPD is more commonly diagnosed in males.
• Previously known as psychopathic and sociopathic personality disorder.
• Strongly associated with criminal behavior.
• Hart and Hare (1997) estimated that 15% of the prison population are psychopaths, and they commit approximately 50% more criminal offences than non-psychopathic criminals (North America data).

MAOA Gene

• The MAOA gene encodes an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters like serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine.
• A mutation in the MAOA gene (low activity variant, MAOA-L) results in less enzyme production, leading to neurotransmitter accumulation, which can affect mood and behavior.
• MAOA is located on the X chromosome.
• Brunner (1993) researched whether antisocial behavior in closely related males had a genetic basis, discovering a mutation in the MAOA gene and a condition called Brunner's syndrome.
• Cases et al (1995) found that mice lacking the MAOA protein showed increased serotonin and noradrenaline levels ( minimal dopamine change), in particular during development.
• Ansorge et al (2004) found elevated serotonin during development correlated with altered emotional behavior in mice. Cases et al (1996) found postnatal serotonin depletion reverses brain abnormalities in MAOA-deficient animals.
• Beaver, DeLisi, Vaughn, and Barnes (2010) examined the association between MAOA gene activity and gang membership and weapon use, finding that males with low MAOA activity alleles had an increased risk of engaging in these.
• McDermott (2009) studied how participants with low MAOA activity were consistently more likely to punish a partner in a game involving sharing money, more so in response to unfair/unfavorable sharing.

Sex Differences

• Men exhibit greater vulnerability to psychopathy compared to women, but this isn't fully explained by gene ratios.
• Sex hormones potentially play a part, with studies like Sjoberg et al (2008) showing a link between MAOA-L, high testosterone, and antisocial behavior in men.
• Estrogen might be protective against aggression. Testosterone, a male hormone connected with aggression, might, in those with MAOA-L, exacerbate vulnerability to aggression.

Structural Differences in the Brain

• Damage to the prefrontal lobes (as seen in Phineas Gage, Damasio, 1994) can result in acquired sociopathy.
• Regions of the prefrontal cortex are essential for social reasoning and behavior. Studies like Raine et al (1997; 2000) found reduced prefrontal cortex grey matter volume and altered glucose metabolism in violent offenders. Budhani, Richell, and Blair (2006) found impairments in orbitofrontal cortex activity in psychopaths.
• Amygdala volume is typically reduced in psychopaths (Tiihonen et al, 2000). Decreased amygdala activity occurs during facial fear recognition (Deeley et al, 2006), while performance in tasks sensitive to amygdala damage is also reduced.
• Craig et al (2009) found abnormalities (low levels) in connectivity within the uncinate fasciculus (UF) connecting the amygdala and OFC, especially in the right hemisphere, of psychopaths.

Neurodevelopment and Aggression

• Brain circuits linked to social evaluation and decision-making include the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.
• MAOA-L men's amygdala is often unrestrained, leading to hyper-reactivity and potential misattribution of hostile intent.
• Buckholz and Meyer-Lindenberg (2008) suggested that the MAOA genotype affects an individual's "socioaffective scaffold" by altering serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) levels during critical developmental periods.
• MAOA-L carriers are more vulnerable to adverse early life experiences.
• Genetic risk ("loading the gun") rarely triggers antisocial behavior or aggression on its own (Buckholtz and Meyer-Lindenberg, 2008). It typically interacts with other developmental and environmental factors.

Test your knowledge on antisocial personality disorder, including its symptoms, diagnostic trends, and genetic factors. This quiz explores key studies and findings related to aggression and personality disorders, offering insights into both biological and emotional aspects. Perfect for psychology students and enthusiasts!