Islamic Online University

Child Psychology

Lecture 18

Personality Development: Social & Antisocial Personality

Francesca Bocca del Monferrato

francesca.bocca@me.com

Social & Antisocial Personality

After discussing about personality development in both positive and negative terms, I want to
focus on an aspect of personality which is very important for a Muslim to possess. Pro-social
behaviour is something very encouraged in Islam, and there is a big amount of psychological
literature on this topic. Anti-social behaviour is its opposite, and when it is excessive it can
become Anti-Social personality disorder. In todays lecture, we will discuss the concept of
personality traits, and the position of social behaviour int them; we will also learn how to
influence children to show as much social behaviour as possible.

Personality traits
Before starting to deal with prosocial and antisocial behaviours in detail, we should introduce
the psychological concept of personality trait.

Traits (sometimes called dispositions) are a concept used to describe human personality, and
trait theory is one of the different approaches to study personality. Traits are something stable
in the personality, and they can be observable or interior, in the form of behaviours, emotions
or thoughts. Some examples of traits are shyness, perfectionism and impulsivity. Trait
psychology is connected with analysing such traits and measuring them.

The first important contribution to trait psychology was made by Gordon Allport (1897-1967),
an American psychologist. At his time, psychoanalysis and behaviourism were the main
psychological currents, and he disagreed with both: he thought that psychoanalysis
analysed man at a too abstract level, and that behaviourism did it at a too concrete level. He
tried to develop a median theory, which could be the most useful to describe the human
beings. He tried to divide psychological traits in three types

Common (or nomothetic) traits: this means very dominant and stereotypical
traits, or something that individual is known for. People with such personalities
often become so known for these traits that their names are often synonymous
with these qualities. Famous english words deriving from people because of their
personality are: Freudian, Machiavellian, narcissism, Don Juan, Christ-like.
However, the majority of us does not have such a personality, and the few who do
develop such traits later in life.

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 Central Traits: These are the general characteristics that form the basic
foundations of personality. These central traits, while not as dominating as cardinal
traits, are the major characteristics you might use to describe another person.
Terms such as intelligent, honest, shy and anxious are considered central traits.

Secondary Traits: These are the traits that are sometimes related to attitudes or
preferences and often appear only in certain situations or under specific
circumstances. Some examples would be getting anxious when speaking to a
group or impatient while waiting in line.

The type of traits we will talk about today are the second and third type, central and
secondary. For Allport, central traits are the outline, the building blocks of a personality (they
may however vary among cultures), while secondary traits are not as important and are not
always evident. However, there is an almost infinite number of possible traits that could be
defined to describe a person.

We will now spend a few words about the method used to isolate and define traits. Such
research is usually performed using personality questionnaires.

Figure 1 shows an example of a personality questionnarie1 .The questions, or items, of a

personality quesionnaire must be as short and easy to understand as possible. The
researcher must develop bot positive and negative items for each trait, meaning quesions in
which the response a lot means both strong and weak trait. An example is: I am outgoing
vs I am shy.

When developing a personality questionnaire, the researcher can decide how the responses
will be given. Since open ended questions are generally difficult to evaluate and analyse in a
statistical fashion, closed ended questions are mostly used. The types are:

Yes/no questions - The respondent answers with a "yes" or a "no".

Multiple choice- The respondent has several option from which to choose.

Scaled questions - Responses are graded on a continuum (example : rate the

appearance of the product on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most
preferred appearance).

1 If you are interested in seeing more questions, or to take the test yourself, it is available for free at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/personality/index.shtml
This questionnaire is based on the personality model of the Big Fives
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After the data has been collected, the statistical technique of factor analysis is employed.
With this technique, data are analysed and the main important variables along which the data
vary are identified. Using this technique, Allport has identified his model of personality traits.

However, using similar materials and techniques, other researchers have arrived to different
conclusions. For example, Hans Eysenck proposed that one can explain personality along
three major traits: extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism.

There is currently no agreed upon number of psychological traits, but the model of Allport
includes the dimension of social-antisocial behaviour, and as such is interesting for our study.

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Another note is that even though not always explicitly, all models of personality talk of take
into account extraversion vs. introversion, a concept close to social vs. antisocial behaviours.

Antisocial Personality disorder

Personality disorders are defined as: Personality disorders are a group of psychiatric
conditions in which a person's long-term (chronic) behaviours, emotions, and thoughts are
very different from their culture's expectations and cause serious problems with relationships
and work.2

In most personality theories, one can find the idea that, when a personality trait becomes too
extreme, it can evolve into a personality disorder. We will focus on the antisocial personality
disorder, its diagnosis and therapy.

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is described by the American Psychiatric Association's

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fourth edition (DSM-IV-TR), as a personality disorder
characterised by "...a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others
that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood."3

Another reference work for diagnostic criteria of psychiatric disorder is the International
statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (ICD10), published by the
World Health Organisation. Although there is no antisocial personality disorder in it, one can
find a disorder called dissocial personality disorder.

Diagnostic criteria are the following:

(A) There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others
occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three or more of the following:
i. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviours as
indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
ii. deception, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others
for personal profit or pleasure;

iii. impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead;

iv. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or
assaults;

2 Personality disorders in A.D.A.M. medical encyclopaedia

3 Antisocial personality disorder Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth edition Text Revision (DSM-
IV-TR) American Psychiatric Association(2000) pp. 645650
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 v. reckless disregard for safety of self or others;

vi. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain

consistent work behaviour or honour financial obligations;

vii. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalising having

hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another;

(B) The individual is at least age 18 years.

(C) There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years.

(D) The occurrence of antisocial behaviour is not exclusively during the course of
schizophrenia or a manic episode.

(E) The individual must be at least 18 years of age to be diagnosed with this disorder
(Criterion B), but those diagnosed with ASPD as adults were commonly diagnosed
with conduct disorder as children. The prevalence of this disorder is 3% in males
and 1% from females, as stated in the DSM IV-TR.

To summarise, even though antisocial personality disorder is something that can be

diagnosed only after the 18th birthday, its symptoms and characteristics are presence since
infancy under the form of conduct disorder, which is characterised by a prolonged pattern of
antisocial behaviour such as serious violation of laws and social norms and rules.

The questions we still have to answer now are: which is the place of social-antisocial
behaviour in Islam? And, which are the ways to limit the problem of antisocial behaviour
during childhood?

Prosocial behaviour in Islam

First, a definition of prosocial behaviour: it is that type of actions which have a good effect
and provide benefit to others, to the social group of the individual. These actions (sharing,
making gifts, answering for help or volunteer) could have different motives: altruistic or
egoistic. In Islam, the type of prosocial behaviour which is rewarded by Allah is the one which
is done for His sake.

In contemporary psychology, prosocial behaviour is studied as an evolutionistic trait, as

something which evolved for the conservation of humankind. Scientists try to find analogies in
the animal kingdom, and to reduce this behaviour as nothing more of an instinct. This optic is
unacceptable in Islam, and we will now analyse just some of the many Quranic verses andn
hadith which deal with this topic.

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In the Quran, the believers are described as a socially compact group:

The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is
right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and
His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in
Might and Wise.4

Prosocial behaviour is explicitly mentioned in the Quran as one of the ways to obtain Heaven:

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and
earth, prepared for the righteous Who spend [in the cause of Allah ] during ease and
hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the
doers of good. 5

4 Quran 9:71

5 Quran 3:133-134
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A special status is given to the spouses and the parents, as we can see:

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find
tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are
signs for a people who give thought.6

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good
treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them
[so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.And lower to
them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as
they brought me up [when I was] small."7

6 Quran 30:21

7 Quran 17:23-24
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From the above Quranic verses we can already see how social behaviour in general is
encouraged among the believers, and in particular among the closest relatives: spouses and
parents.

In the Hadith literature, the examples of social behaviours are many and detailed, and it is
possible for the believer to form a detailed etiquette about how to interact with others. Some
of the topics dealt with in the hadith literature are:

Speech, and generosity: The Prophet saidLet him who believes in God and the
Last Day either speak good or keep silent, let him who believes in God or the Last
Day be generous to his neighbour, and let him who believes in God and the Last
Day be generous to his guest.8

Chastity: The Prophet is reported to have said, "Those of you who own the
means should marry for this should keep their eyes uncraving and their chastity
secure. Those who don't may practice fasting as it curbs desire." 9

Merciful treatment of females: "Anyone who has a daughter or a sister and he

treats her well and looks after her welfare and training carefully and marries her at
the right place, Allah will reward him with Paradise."

Responsible behaviour with neighbours: "O Apostle of Allah! Who is not a

believer in Allah? The Prophet said, "Whose neighbour does not feel secure on
his account."

Treatment of orphans and poor: "He who supports an orphan shall be as close
to me in Heaven as are these fingers to each-other." He is also reported to have
observed: "He who endeavours to relieve the widow, the depressed and the
needy is as one who strives in the service of Allah, and, in Divine reward, he is as
one who permanently fasts during the day and spends one's nights in prayers."

Fraternal bond of Islam: "Every Muslim is a Muslim's brother. He should neither

harm him himself nor leave him alone (when someone else does so but try his
best to help him and to protect him). Whoever among you will fulfil the need of his
brother Allah will take it upon Himself to fluffing his needs, and a Muslim who will
remove the distress of a Muslim brother will, in, return find a distress of his
removed by Allah on the Day of Requital, and anyone who will hide the shame of a
Muslim, his sins will be hidden by Allah on the Last Day."

8 An-Nawawi, Hadith 15

9 Bukhari, Vol. 3, No. 129

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 Responding to favours: Whoever does you a favour, respond in kind, and if you
cannot find the means of doing so, then keep praying for him until you think that
you have responded in kind.10 Another narration: Whoever receives good and
says to the good-doer: may Allah reward you; then he has been satisfactorily
praised.11

Making gifts: The Prophet was also reported to have said: Exchange gifts, as
that will lead to increasing your love to one another.12

Honesty & Truthfulness: Verily, truthfulness leads to righteousness and

righteousness leads to Paradise. A man may speak the truth until he is recorded
with Allah as truthful; and verily, lying leads to wickedness and wickedness leads
to the Hellfire. A man may tell lies until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.13

We can see how, from the hadith we have just read, the kind of behaviour the the Prophet
aimed at creating in the Muslim Ummah is radically opposite to the one that a person with
antisocial behaviour has.

Recognise and counter antisocial behaviour

A first way to deal with children and adults who shows some problems in social manners is to
understand the cause of this problems. The possibilities are three:

He behaves in an antisocial manner because of ignorance,

The person is selfish, so simply does not care about the others,

The person suffers from a psychiatric disorder, and needs medical help to solve
this problem.

To rule out the first possibility, whomever shows signs of antisocial behaviours should be
taught the following narrations from the Prophet

10 Abu Dawood

11 Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Righteousness, Number 2035, Hasan

12 Bukhari

13 Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Number 6308

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Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Messenger of Allah observed: He will not enter Paradise whose
neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct.14

Narrated Abu Shuraih: The Prophet said, By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does
not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! It was said, Who is that, O Allahs Apostle? He
said, That person whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil.15

If the knowledge of such narrations does not improve the behaviour, the possibility of
carelessness and of psychiatric problems are still possible. To distinguish between those two
alternatives, we should refer to the diagnostic criterion that we have discussed while talking
about anti-social behaviour. If the quantity and intensity of symptoms is more than the
diagnostic threshold, anti-social personality disorder should be diagnosed, otherwise the
individual would still be technically normal.

However, since in Islam anti-social behaviour in whichever intensity or magnitude is not

acceptable, we should learn something about therapy of conduct disorder and anti-social
behaviour.

First of all, dealing with children, one should know that in preschool, it is normal for children to
have an increase in aggression. 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. Parents should teach their children that emotions
need to be regulated, not repressed, as this is the healthiest approach.

Many children with a conduct disorder may have coexisting conditions such as mood
disorders, anxiety, Post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, hyperactivity, learning
problems, or thought disorders which can also be treated. Research shows that youngsters
with conduct disorder are likely to have ongoing problems if they and their families do not
receive early and comprehensive treatment. Without treatment, many youngsters with
conduct disorder are unable to adapt to the demands of adulthood and continue to have
problems with relationships and holding a job. They often break laws or behave in an
antisocial manner.

Treatment of children with conduct disorder can be complex and challenging. Treatment can
be provided in a variety of different settings depending on the severity of the behaviors.
Adding to the challenge of treatment are the child's uncooperative attitude, fear and distrust
of adults. In developing a comprehensive treatment plan, a child and adolescent psychiatrist

14 Sahih Muslim, 15

15 Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Number 45

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may use information from the child, family, teachers, community (including the legal system)
and other medical specialties to understand the causes of the disorder.

Behaviour therapy and psychotherapy are usually necessary to help the child appropriately
express and control anger. Special education may be needed for youngsters with learning
disabilities. Parents often need expert assistance in devising and carrying out special
management and educational programs in the home and at school. Home-based treatment
programs such as Multisystemic Therapy are effective for helping both the child and
family.Treatment may also include medication in some youngsters, such as those with
difficulty paying attention, impulse problems, or those with depression.

Treatment is rarely brief since establishing new attitudes and behavior patterns takes time.
However, early treatment offers a child a better chance for considerable improvement and
hope for a more successful future.

To conclude, I would like to provide you with some concrete examples of anti-social
behaviour which is commonly a sign for a psychological problem in the child or adolescent.
The following list sets out what behaviour the UK police classify as anti-social:

Substance misuse such as glue sniffing

Drinking alcohol on the streets

Problems related to animals such as not properly restraining animals in public

places

Begging

Prostitution related activity such as curb crawling and loitering

Abandoned vehicles that may or may not be stolen

Vehicle nuisance such as "cruises" revving car engines, racing, wheel spinning
and horn sounding.

Noise coming from business or industry

Noise coming from alarms

Noise coming from pubs and clubs

Environmental damage such as graffiti and littering

Inappropriate use of fireworks

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 Inappropriate use of public space such as disputes among neighbours, rowdy or
inconsiderate behaviour

General drunken behaviour (which is rowdy or inconsiderate)

Hoax calls to the emergency services

Pubs or clubs serving alcohol after hours

Malicious communication

Hate incidents where abuse involves race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age
or disability

Firearms incidents such as use of an imitation weapon.

Conclusion
In Islam, we are commanded to be socially active in our environment. All the Muslims have
rights upon us: unrelated Muslims have the right to be treated with honesty and in a friendly
manner, neighbours should be treated well and given gifts, the family has the right to merciful
and balanced treatment.

However, during development, it is common that children show an increase of aggression

and even anti-social behaviour around 4 to 5 years. The priority is to teach them to redirect
their emotions, and familiarise them to the Sunnah of the Prophet in doing so. If this phase
does not turn out to be transitory, further measures should be taken: first trying to diagnose a
personality disorder, and the proceed with appropriate psychological or psychiatric treatment.

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