Asociality

Asociality refers to the lack of a strong motivation to engage in social interaction and/or the preference for solitary activities. Developmental psychologists use the terms "nonsocial," "unsocial," and "social disinterest" to refer to a similar conceptual construct. Asocial is distinct from antisocial as the latter implies an active dislike or antagonism toward other people or the general social order. The condition is often confused with misanthropy.

Asociality is a symptom frequently observed in schizophrenia patients. It is characterised by an inability to 'empathise', to feel intimacy with, or to form close relationships with others (Davidson & Neale 1994).

Asociality is not necessarily perceived as a totally negative trait by society, since expressing asociality has been used as a way to express independence of the mind from prevailing ideas (dissent). Expressing asociality can also be used as a form of humour to indicate an issue (e.g. used for pointing out the exaggerations of social network services (Kahney 2004)).

Asocial behavior in popular culture

• The Big Bang Theory: Sheldon Cooper displays asocial tendencies in his focus on intellectual pursuits over interpersonal relationships and his lack of interest in expanding his social circle. Sheldon also exemplifies the difference between social disinterest and shyness discussed in Coplan & Armer (2007)^[1] as he does not avoid social situations out of anxiety but due to a preference for solitary activities or a lack of desire for social interaction. Sheldon also has many tendencies that are not asocial in nature, for example his lack of social knowledge and questionable ability to empathize, both of which indicate Asperger's syndrome (high-functioning autism). As an example of his asocial side, in season 3 episode 12, while Leonard, Penny, Howard, and Bernadette are on a double date, Raj remarks to Sheldon, "Great, they got girlfriends and they just abandon us," to which Sheldon responds "That is great, isn't it?" Sheldon's plan for a wonderful evening is to "perform a full backup, re-initialize and then install all of my operating systems"; Raj wants to go to a bar to meet women but it takes a bribe to get Sheldon to accompany him. While at the bar, a girl takes an interest in Sheldon while Raj also finds a girl and the four of them return to Sheldon's apartment; however, when Raj and his new friend begin making out, Sheldon's "date" asks to sleep in his bed with him. Not understanding her intention, Sheldon allows the girl to sleep in his bed, wishes her a good night, and tells her that he'll sleep in Leonard's bed.
• Daria: the fictional character Daria Morgendorffer also displays asocial tendencies from a standpoint of logic and reasoning, sometimes misinterpreted with "near total misanthropy".
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Lisbeth Salander she is described by the author as both an introvert and asocial.

See also

References

1. ^ Coplan, R. J., & Armer, M. (2007). A "Multitude" of Solitude: A Closer Look at Social Withdrawal and Nonsocial Play in Early Childhood. Child Development Perspectives 1(1), 26-32.

• Davidson, Gerald C.; Neale, John M. (1994). Abnormal Psychology, 6th Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-56891-9. http://books.google.com/?id=U03D9fhnGeEC. 
• Kahney, Leander (28 January 04). "Social Nets Not Making Friends". Wired (magazine). http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2004/01/62070. 
• Coplan, Robert J.; Prakash, Kavita; O'Neil, Kim; Armer, Mandana (2004). "Do You "Want" to Play? Distinguishing Between Conflicted Shyness and Social Disinterest in Early Childhood". Developmental Psychology, 40(2), 244-258. 
• Coplan, Robert J.; Armer, Mandana (2007). "A ‘‘Multitude’’ of Solitude: A Closer Look at Social Withdrawal and Nonsocial Play in Early Childhood". Child Development Perspectives, 1(1), 26-32. 
• Larson, Reed W. (1990). "The Solitary Side of Life: An Examination of the Time People Spend Alone from Childhood to Old Age". Developmental Review, 10(1), 155-183. 
• Leary, Mark R.; Herbst, Kenneth C.; McCrary, Felicia (2003). "Finding pleasure in solitary activities: desire for aloneness or disinterest in social contact?". Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 59-68. 
• Larson, Reed W. (1990). "The Solitary Side of Life: An Examination of the Time People Spend Alone from Childhood to Old Age". Developmental Review, 10(1), 155-183. 
• Jennings, Kay D. (1975). "People Versus Object Orientation, Social Behavior, and Intellectual Abilities in Preschool Children". Developmental Psychology, 11(4), 511-519. 

This social psychology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This developmental psychology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e