ASPD Core Traits Assessed 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which trait describes an individual with ASPD who consistently blames others and never accepts personal responsibility?
- Externalization of blame (Correct answer)
- Compulsive lying
- Impaired empathy
- Reckless thrill-seeking
Correct answer: Externalization of blame
Externalizing blame — consistently attributing fault to others rather than oneself — is a core feature of ASPD.
Question 2: A person with ASPD repeatedly borrows money with no intention of repaying it. Which core trait best explains this behavior?
- Narcissistic entitlement
- Exploitation without remorse (Correct answer)
- Impulsive aggression
- Shallow affect
Correct answer: Exploitation without remorse
Exploitation of others without remorse is a hallmark of ASPD, reflecting disregard for others' rights.
Question 3: In clinical assessment, 'callousness' in ASPD primarily refers to:
- A tendency toward emotional outbursts
- Indifference to others' suffering or distress (Correct answer)
- Heightened sensitivity to personal criticism
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
Correct answer: Indifference to others' suffering or distress
Callousness in ASPD means lacking concern or empathy for the feelings and hardships of others.
Question 4: Which of the following BEST distinguishes the deceitfulness trait in ASPD from ordinary dishonesty?
- It occurs only under extreme stress
- It is pervasive, habitual, and self-serving across many contexts (Correct answer)
- It is linked to delusional thinking
- It is primarily driven by fear of punishment
Correct answer: It is pervasive, habitual, and self-serving across many contexts
ASPD-related deceitfulness is persistent and calculated for personal gain, not situational or fear-driven.
Question 5: An individual with ASPD who commits crimes despite prior arrests demonstrates which core trait?
- Paranoid ideation
- Failure to conform to social norms and lawful behavior (Correct answer)
- Obsessive rule-following
- Delusional grandiosity
Correct answer: Failure to conform to social norms and lawful behavior
Persistent failure to conform to social norms and laws — even after consequences — is a diagnostic criterion for ASPD.
Question 6: How does 'shallow affect' manifest in a person with ASPD?
- Intense emotional reactions to minor events
- Limited emotional depth or range, with emotions used instrumentally (Correct answer)
- Chronic depressive episodes
- Uncontrollable crying in social situations
Correct answer: Limited emotional depth or range, with emotions used instrumentally
Shallow affect means displaying emotions superficially — often to manipulate others — rather than experiencing them deeply.
Question 7: Which scenario best illustrates the 'irritability and aggressiveness' criterion of ASPD?
- Feeling nervous before a job interview
- Repeatedly getting into physical fights or assaulting others (Correct answer)
- Avoiding conflict to maintain peace
- Experiencing panic attacks in crowds
Correct answer: Repeatedly getting into physical fights or assaulting others
Repeated physical fights or assaults reflect the irritability and aggressiveness criterion listed in ASPD's DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
ASPD Core Traits Assessed 2
Which trait describes an individual with ASPD who consistently blames others and never accepts personal responsibility?