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What Are the Causes of Antisocial Behavior?

Antisocial behavior refers to acts that cause physical or psychological harm on people or property. Some examples of antisocial behavior include lying and being cruel to others, stealing from others and physical assaulting others. Emotional disturbances usually accompany this behavior. It is distinguished from antisocial personality disorder, also called sociopathy or psychopathy, in that it may not carry over into adulthood and become part of a person's lifelong behavior patterns.

  1. Coercion Theory

    • It is unknown what the underlying cause of antisocial behavior is or even if such a cause exists. However, psychologists do have some theories. One theory for the cause of antisocial behavior is known as coercion theory. Coercion theory proposes that a person exhibits antisocial behavior to coerce others to give in to his demands, for example, a child who throws a temper tantrum to make her parents buy her candy.

    Social Developmental Model

    • Psychologists who believe in the social development model believe that as children are "rewarded" for their antisocial behavior, they soon begin to commit themselves to antisocial behavior patterns when attempting to solve problems. That's because belief in antisocial values is a strong predictor of future antisocial behavior.

    Substance Abuse and Poor Nutrition During Pregnancy

    • Another theory states that drug use, smoking, alcoholism and poor nutrition during pregnancy are antecedents of child antisocial behavior. This theory hypothesizes that it is poor health that is the cause and effect of antisocial behavior. Scientists who believe this also believe that parenting style, child characteristics and personality traits and quality of life at home and at school are all contributing factors to antisocial behavior. Scientists therefore believe that antisocial values and behavior develop later in life.

    Peer Pressure

    • Psychologists and sociologists believe that peer pressure may play a role in a child developing antisocial behavior: if a child's friends are likely to engage in antisocial behavior and later brag about it, then the child is far more likely to engage in such behaviors later in life. The child and his friends begin mutually reinforcing such antisocial behavior and values. This also may go hand in hand with the belief that a poor or inattentive parenting style often influences such behavior and beliefs.

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