The Role of Empathy in Antisocial Symptoms

Abstract

Antisocial behavior refers to actions that violate social norms. Such a tendency is a result of multifaceted processes. Within an individuals development, genetic factors and environmental factors come into play. While research widely covered empathetic factors, family factors, and genetic factors in inducing antisocial behavior, few studies have reviewed and integrated these factors from a perspective of developmental psychopathology. This study, therefore, aims to explore how empathetic factors, family factors, and genetic factors influence the development of antisocial symptoms. This study argues that (1) sympathetic empathy plays an essential role during antisocial development and could relate to ones mentalizing process; (2) parenting style plays an important role in predicting future antisocial behavior; (3) and different oxytocin receptor single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have varying effects on antisocial behavior. This review can contribute to the development of effective intervention programs for at-risk adolescents.