Anti-social Behaviour - Social Development

Social Development

Intent and discrimination may determine both pro- and anti-social behaviour. Infants may act in seemingly anti-social ways and yet be generally accepted as too young to know the difference before the age of 4 or 5. In preschool, children who have an increase in aggression is normal. Lack of aggression may lead to depression and anxiety later in life; however, continued aggression can indicate problems. Persistent anti-social behaviour may lead to antisocial personality disorder. Berger states that parents should teach their children that "emotions need to be regulated, not repressed".

In Utero: Studies done by the by Dutch Scientists have shown a direct link to maternal malnutrition during a child’s development in Utero can lead to the development of Anti-social Personality Disorder. The development of much of the brain is active during the first two trimesters. Mothers who were not able to get proper nutrients during this time were directly effecting the brain development of their child. This lack of development increased the chance that a child would be affected by ASPD. Implications of this information are very large as most mothers who live in poverty or in third world countries are often not able obtain proper nutrients, which, based on this study, will lead to many of these children becoming delinquents.

Early Childhood: It is often found that children who are abused are more likely to develop Anti-social behaviors later in life. This abuse often teaches children that violence is acceptable, and leads to the formation of their own violent tendencies and an increased aggressive drive. Being abused as a child does not mean that one will automatically develop ASPD, instead a study done by Luntz and Widom, showed that within a study only 7% of the people interviewed could actually be considered to have ASPD. Other factors such a self perserverance, biological conditions, and social status most likely also had an effect on whether or not ASPD developed. ' Adolescence:' Anti-Social behavior in late adolescence is a common factor. During this time adolescents may break social norms as a way to escape parental and other societal pressures. Other components, such as friend groups, may have an opposite effect by promoting anti-social behavior (peer pressure). APSD is also able to be determined in adolescents.