The act of blatantly or covertly displaying hostility and intentional aggression towards others is considered antisocial. A person who has a pattern of antisocial behaviour will disregard others’ rights, rebel against authority, commit fraud, or steal, and act recklessly without regard to his or her own safety or the safety of others. Children as young as age 3 or 4 can exhibit antisocial behaviour. A failure to intervene is likely to result in these coercive behaviours persisting and worsening over time.

At an event, shy people might be more reserved out of fear of social interaction, while antisocial people may be hostile towards social interaction. It is also worth noting that the term ‘asocial’ is not synonymous with antisocial behaviour.

The word ‘a’ means without and the word ‘anti’ means against, so anti-social behaviour means a lack of social behaviour while a-social implies a disregard for social interaction. There are a variety of biological and environmental factors that may lead to antisocial behaviour, especially in children, and early identification is the key. Here are some causes, types and factors of antisocial behaviour.

Different categories of Antisocial Behaviour

Antisocial behaviour can be divided into three categories based on distinct behaviours:

• Antisocial behaviour is personal. It involves actions directed at a specific person or group of people. A common example of this type of behaviour is bullying, where the individual targets a specific individual and ruthlessly bullies them.
• Antisocial behaviour is a nuisance. It is when a person causes a lot of harm to a certain society. Using verbal or physical abuse against a disabled or old individual may be an example.
• Environment-based antisocial behaviour. Behaviour that affects the environment, such as the environment in buildings and the environment in public spaces. Some examples would include damage to property and graffiti.

Antisocial Behaviour Examples

Some examples of antisocial behaviour are given below:

• Continuing to play loud music in spite of complaints in a persistent and negligent manner
• Harassment and insults directed at a specific individual or community
• Threatening or using violent acts against someone or a group
• Breaking or vandalizing public or someone else’s property, graffiti, and arson
• Driving while intoxicated or high
•  Inappropriate use of automobiles and vehicles
• The act of dumping trash on public or private property
• The act of trespassing on privately owned or public property
• Assault and theft 
• Public nuisance
• Neighbourhood disputes
• Rowdy behaviour and criminal offence

Causes and symptoms

Throughout life, controlling social settings such as family, community, and school contribute to the development and emergence of antisocial behaviour. Furthermore, the personality, temperament, cognitive abilities, presence of rebellious peers, exposure to violence, criminal behaviour, and a lack of effective problem-solving skills are factors that contribute. Behavioural and psychological issues, like ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, impulsivity, and depression, often go hand in hand with antisocial behaviour.

Antisocial behaviours are frequently attributable to a combination of biological, psychological, and social influences that begin during adolescence and persist into adulthood.

Antisocial behaviours are believed to have a strong genetic component. Genetic influences, such as anomalies in the prefrontal cortex, may be linked to inheriting antisocial tendencies.

Prenatal neural tube defects, underweight births, substance abuse by mothers, congenital brain damage, and other long-term maladies are all biological risks related to pregnancy that can lead to such behaviour. Also, the inconsiderate or careless way of treating the child is also another factor.

Factors that pose a risk to children in the family environment include:

• Antisocial behaviour in the parents
• Alcoholism and substance/ drug abuse by parents
• An uncertain and stressful home life
• Inadequacy of parenting abilities to provide 
• Use of violent punishment and intimidation
• An event such as divorce, death, or estrangement that shatters parent-child relationships
• Maternal depression and other mental health problems in parents
• Poor economic conditions and lack of employment causing economic distress

In addition to the environment in the house, there are also factors like: 

• Violent media exposure, including television, movies, internet sites, and video games 
• Games played in school
• Behaviour among peers 
• Exposure to unsafe community

• Violent media exposure, including television, movies, internet sites, and video games 
• Games played in school
• Behaviour among peers 
• Exposure to unsafe community

Children are more likely to become insensitive to violence and to behave aggressively or antisocially as a result. 

Diagnosis and treatment plan

For antisocial behaviour prevention and intervention to be effective, communication between teachers and parents or caretaker is essential, as is the availability of trained school psychologists and counselors.

Low-risk students have been shown to benefit from initiatives at school focused on anger resolution, emotional awareness, and stress management. It’s necessary to report antisocial behaviour to parents at the earliest.

Personalized prevention programs, which may include psychological support, educational assistance, skill development, and behavioural counseling, are beneficial to students who may be at greater vulnerability due to their family and societal influences.

By offering professional assistance to parents and counseling them effectively, schools encourage parents to develop parenting skills that will prevent their children from engaging in antisocial behaviours. 

Besides this, one may also seek the assistance of a professional counselor or through local council. It’s always better to seek help at an early age when detection is possible, but even if you’re an adult, it’s never too late to get help. 

Antisocial personality disorder is a type of mental illness which is marked by antisocial behaviors. Healing hearts and mind is here to help you. Our anti social behaviour team is here to assist you.

If you would like to talk to us about anti social behaviour you can call us on
07801 567850