9. Failure to Conform to Work and Social Obligations: The Elusive Commitment in ASPD
When we talk about responsibility, most people think of obligations to work, family, or society. Yet, for those with ASPD, these commitments are more like mirages than concrete landmarks. These individuals might appear engaged, but their relationship with responsibility is far more nebulous.
It’s tempting to label this as laziness or a lack of ambition, but that’s a surface-level interpretation. People with ASPD can be incredibly driven, albeit usually for self-serving purposes. They view work and social obligations through a lens of immediacy, often disregarding long-term benefits or commitments for short-term gains.
This aspect adds another layer to the already intricate fabric of ASPD. Their failure to conform to societal expectations about work and social obligations isn’t simply a choice but an outcome of their skewed perception of rewards. For them, the traditional concept of delayed gratification may not hold water; they want the payoff, and they want it now. (9)
