Hurting Animals Is A Symptom Of A Psychological Disorder. Additionally, apd overdiagnosis may result from inattention to issues of social context, trauma history, and symptom pervasiveness. An individual who is able to engage in cruelty to animals appears to have no conscience, and thus no remorse for his or her behavior.
Although animal cruelty is currently used as a diagnostic criterion for conduct disorder, research establishing the diagnostic significance of this behavior is essentially nonexistent. Conduct disorder is characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates either the rights of others or major age appropriate societal norms or rules. Serious intentional abusers actually derive satisfaction from hurting animals.
Kids who abuse animals most likely are repeating a lesson learned at home from their parents or guardians.
Neither objective nor projective personality testing reliably differentiates apd. People with cd often show aggression to people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and/or serious violations of rules. They found that the psychopathy trait is related to intentionally hurting or torturing animals, as was a composite measure of all three dark triad. Avoiding work, social, or school activities for fear of criticism or rejection.