Differences between being asocial and antisocial

Perhaps you have heard the expression: “Don’t be so antisocial!” Curiously, it is an expression that we use incorrectly many times, since we use antisocial to really refer to someone who is asocial (with difficulties or disinterest in relating). We use this term (antisocial) – misused -, for example, to refer to friends who suddenly do not want to go out or who seem more “hermitish” than usual. However, The differences between being asocial and antisocial are notableand in this article we will talk about them to clearly distinguish these two concepts.

In reality, these are two terms that only share the suffix (-social). Although both concepts have to do with someone’s way of being, they have nothing to do with each other. What exactly does each one mean? If we took these two ways of being to the extreme, what mental or personality disorders would we find behind them? Let’s find out.

Asocial and antisocial: how are they different?

To know the differences between being asocial and antisocial, the best way to do it will be to know what each concept means. In each definition we will see how one term differs from the other.

What is it to be antisocial?

When we talk about someone antisocial We refer to a person who is dedicated to breaking the rules established at a legal and social level., which goes against the social order. That is, someone who is rebellious, who, although integrated into society, shows this tendency to alter social peace.

Furthermore, it is common to carry out this type of behavior through violence. We must differentiate here an antisocial person (or with a tendency to show antisocial personality traits) from a person with antisocial personality disorder (PD).

Antisocial personality disorder

In this last case, we speak of a disorder typified as such in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It is characterized by a dominant pattern that is disrespectful of the rights of othersmanifested since the age of 15.

Antisocial PD is manifested through a series of symptoms (criteria) such as the tendency to lie, impulsivity, irresponsibility, non-compliance with social norms, irritability and aggressiveness, lack of remorse, etc. That is to say, an antisocial PD is much more serious than simply being antisocial.

And asocial?

On the other hand, when we talk about someone who is asocial we are referring to a person who finds it difficult to integrate and relate to society (or who directly has no interest in doing so). That is, he does not break the rules like the antisocial, but rather he finds it difficult (or has no interest in) integrating, participating in groups, relating, etc. Given all this, he is a person who prefers solitude.

As we said, in reality, in many cases being asocial is not a difficulty, but rather a lack of motivation on the part of the person, who prefers to do activities alone, and who has no interest in social relationships. If we took this way of being to the extreme, we would find autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or even schizoid personality disorder.

Schizoid personality disorder

In the latter case, people with schizoid PD, also classified as such in the DSM-5, manifest a dominant pattern of detachment in social relationshipsas well as little variety of expression in emotions in interpersonal contexts.

That is, in schizoid PD we are not only talking about being “asocial” to an extreme degree, but other types of symptoms are also included. Some of them are the following: enjoying few or no activities, showing little interest in having sexual experiences with someone, not wanting or enjoying intimate relationships, almost always choosing solitary activities, being indifferent to the praise or criticism of others, etc

Two very different ways of being

As we see, the differences between being asocial and antisocial are evident. These are two very different ways of being. While the asocial person presents a lack of motivation to participate in interactions social norms, as well as a preference for solitary activities, the antisocial person acts in violation of social norms, often in a violent way.

In this second case, we sometimes talk about people who even commit crimes, such as robberies (in the most extreme cases, someone with antisocial PD can even commit murder). Thus, to illustrate these two concepts, let’s think in a graphic and very simplified way about the antisocial as the classic criminal or hooligan and in the asocial like the hermit who prefers to live in solitude.

However, an antisocial person can also be asocial, although they do not have to. That is to say, They are phenomena that do not have to appear together. What we must be clear about is that the antisocial can be someone who is very sociable (far from asociality) and yet violate the rights of others or social norms, which can also make it difficult for them to integrate into society (as would happen with the asocial person, although for clearly different reasons).

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