Asociality

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)).

Asociality in popular culture

• House: Gregory House the fictional character of the series portrays an 'extreme' asocial person.

See also

• Antisocial (often confused with asociality)
• Conformity (antonymic)
• Delusion
• Dissent
• Misanthropy
• Psychosis
• Schizoid Personality Disorder
• Schizophrenia

References

• Davidson, Gerald C.; Neale, John M. (1994). Abnormal Psychology, 6th Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0471568919. 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.