What does it mean to be antisocial, and how does it differ from simply being shy or introverted?
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Antisocial implies an *active dislike* of other people and being around them – someone who is antisocial will, in a sense, *really* not like other people.
Someone who is shy or introverted, on the other hand, is more *uninterested in* or *afraid* of or *intimidated by* the thought of being around other people, but doesn’t typically dislike them as a general rule. A shy person, especially, might *very much want* to be around people but be afraid to, and an introvert might *very much* enjoy *not* being around people without disliking them.
A lot of these terms are non-scientific, or at best misused. “Antisocial” for example, would be a severe mental disorder. “Introvert” and “Extrovert” are two extremes in a range, and the person who came up with the terms (Carl Jung) said they don’t apply to any actual person.
But in everyday usage, these are colloquialisms which means they can really mean whatever whomever said them intended. So “Introvert” _can_ mean the same thing as “shy”, and “antisocial” could mean anything from “man that guy is not friendly” to “I don’t feel like hanging out today”. Or, you know, “shy.” It’s more a context thing than an actual definition.
Antisocial — actively avoids social situations/people
Shy — a person with difficulty engaging in social situations. They likely will not volunteer responses without knowing the person well.
Introverted — a person for whom social interactions are draining. Introverts need time alone to recuperate after dealing with people.
Some describe me as antisocial, but I would not consider myself to be–I do not avoid social situations because I dislike people. I have a bit of shyness–I am unlikely to be the person who initiates a social interaction. I am an extremely strong introvert–social situations leave me very drained.
Introvert: finds it tiring to hang out with people
Shy: means they find it scary or daunting to hang out with people
Antisocial: means they don’t like hanging out with people
You’re getting some incomplete and potentially misleading answers here (so far), OP.
There’s a dictionary definition … and then there’s a psychological/medical definition.
The dictionary definition is basically “unsociable” or “doesn’t like to socialize” (which is what most other people mentioned).
However, “antisocial” has a specific meaning in psychology and it’s *definitely* _**not**_ “doesn’t like to socialize” or “avoids social situations.”
In the field of psychology, “antisocial personality disorder” (ASPD) is the modern diagnosis used for someone that, in the past, would have been called a sociopath or a psychopath.
(Side note: While the terms “sociopathy” and “psychopathy” were used in the 19th century and early 20th century and have entered the common lexicon, especially in criminal justice, in modern psychology these are never terms or diagnoses that have been included in the *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders* (DSM) or the *International Classification of Diseases* (ICD), the two diagnostic manuals for mental health.)
ASPD is characterized by a lack of empathy, difficulty maintaining relationships, lack of regard for or understanding of right and wrong, and — most importantly — a lack of respect or regard for the rights of others … sometimes down to and including their right *to exist*. Which is why many serial killers are diagnosed with ASPD . . . though not everyone with ASPD automatically becomes a serial killer, by any means.
So. Context matters here.
Your buddy calling you antisocial? He’s probably pissed you didn’t show up at his party on Friday night.
Your physician or therapist concerned that you are displaying antisocial behaviors? *Very* different concern!
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