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Externalizing Behavior

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Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences

Synonyms

Antisocial behavior; Behavior problems; Conduct problems; Delinquency; Disorderly conduct; Disruptive behavior

Definition

Externalizing behavior comprises any of a wide variety of generally antisocial acts (i.e., acts that violate social norms and/or are harmful to others). These acts include those that are targeted at another individual (e.g., aggression), as well as acts that may be considered victimless (e.g., substance use). Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5), with primarily externalizing features include oppositional defiant disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, conduct disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, externalizing behaviors may also be present for individuals experiencing other mental health difficulties. Notably, externalizing behaviors frequently co-occur with other disorders, including substance abuse disorders and internalizing problems (e.g., depression, anxiety; American Psychiatric...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA

    Rebecca Kauten

  2. Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA

    Christopher T. Barry

Authors
  1. Rebecca Kauten
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  2. Christopher T. Barry
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rebecca Kauten .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Virgil Zeigler-Hill

  2. Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA

    Bradley A. Green

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© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

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Kauten, R., Barry, C.T. (2020). Externalizing Behavior. In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_894

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