Treating antisocial offenders.

Other

May 2021

Full Citation

Mongold, J. L., Braswell, M., Lester, D., & Van Voorhis, P. B. M. L. D. (2009). Treating antisocial offenders. Correctional counseling and rehabilitation., 7th ed., 299-314. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=reference&D=psyc6&NEWS=N&A…

Abstract

Persons with Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) are often viewed as cunning and manipulative and frequently engaged in criminal behaviors. These types of individuals are well represented in prison and other corrections populations. Another common characteristic of APD is a general disregard for people with whom they have relationships. For example, frequent displays of verbal and/or physical aggression, manipulation of others for personal gain, and feelings of little or no responsibility or remorse for such conduct are often associated with this disorder. These traits and behaviors also describe Cleckley's (1941) classic work on "psychopathy," which was the original term used to describe persons with APD in the past and is still in use in both popular and professional contexts today (Rockett et al., 2007). Sociopath is another popular term, used especially in the news media, that can evoke an element of fear to the mystery associated with persons suffering from APD. While our current understanding of APD has evolved from the original view of psychopaths, some of those observations remain accurate today. Despite the challenges of using more classic terms in conjunction with more contemporary descriptions, our discussion will include both, and they will be used interchangeably throughout this text. This chapter will describe the antisocial offender and examine the treatment options available. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)