U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Bad Boys, Bad Men: Confronting Antisocial Personality Disorder

NCJ Number
183694
Author(s)
Donald W. Black M.D.; C. Lindon Larson
Date Published
1999
Length
256 pages
Annotation
This volume examines this history and nature of antisocial personality disorder (ASP); explains its connection with juvenile delinquency, domestic assault, other violent crime, and drug abuse; and details progress toward treatment of this mental disorder.
Abstract
The text is intended as a resource for mental health professionals, criminologists, crime victims, families of individuals with ASP, and others interested in understanding antisocial behavior. The title is derived from the finding that ASP is up to eight times more common in men than in women. The discussion uses information from case studies, scientific data, and current events and notes that this disorder affects up to 7 million people in the United States. The author cites new findings from genetics and neuroscience that support the conclusion that this condition has biological causes. The text describes the warning signs that predict which children are more likely to become dangerous adults and explains treatment techniques. It emphasizes that not all people who commit isolated misdeeds have ASP, but all people with ASP exhibit a wide range of antisocial behavior. The disorder’s unpredictable range of expressions often lead it to be misdiagnosed and explains as a one-time occurrence or the predictable result of a chaotic childhood. The volume concludes with a list of suggestions to family members on how to cope with a person with ASP, advice to persons with ASP, and information refuting common myths about ASP. Reference notes, list of recommended readings, and index