KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT UNIT CODE: APS 100 UNIT NAME: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT NAME: SYLVIA NJOKI ESILABA C117/2923/2012 TASK: WRITE A PAPER ON PERSONALITY DISORDERS. LECTURER’S NAME: MRS. ESTHER MUTHOGA
INTRODUCTION.
A person’s character structure is a product of habitual attitudes, values and reaction towards human relationships. The foundation of this structure is often laid down early in life and extends over a long period of time. When this characteristic ways become exaggerated to a degree that they are inappropriate, it may be a sign of personality disorder. A personality disorder is a long – standing inflexible, maladaptive pattern of behaving and relating to others which usually begins in childhood. People with personality disorders tend to have problems in their social relationships and work and may experience personal distress as well. Among the more commonly found types of disorders or personality and character are the following; a) Antisocial Personality Disorder. b) Obsessive-compulsive personality. c) Narcissistic Personality Disorder. d) Paranoid Personality Disorder. e) Histrionic Personality Disorder. f) Passive-aggressive Personality. g) Explosive Personality Disorder. h) Inadequate Personality Disorder.
1) Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Two teenage boys held a teacher down while a third poured gasoline over him and set him on fire. Fortunately, another teacher intervened in time for a rescue but the boys showed no remorse, did not consider it wrong and were disappointed that they had not actually murdered the teacher, whom they didn’t know. “Next time we will do it right,” said the ring-leader.
Such people lack critical emotions like empathy; the ability to take another
References: a) PSYCHOLOGY AND LIFE, 14TH edition by Zimbardo and Gerrig. b) PSYCHOLOGY, 3rd edition by Carole Waide and Carol Tavris. c) ESSENTIALS OF PSYCHOLOGY AND LIFE, 10th edition by Zimbardo. d) THE ESSENTIAL WORLD OF PSYCHOLOGY, by Samuel E. Wood and Ellen Green Wood. e) PSYCHOLOGY, 2nd edition by Zimbardo Philip and Ann L Weber.