{"id":589,"date":"2021-09-23T16:29:51","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T16:29:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/?p=589"},"modified":"2021-09-25T18:40:21","modified_gmt":"2021-09-25T18:40:21","slug":"asocial-vs-antisocial-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/asocial-vs-antisocial-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Asocial vs Antisocial: 3 Things That Demonstrate the Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>People often mistakenly use the word \u2018<em>antisocial<\/em>\u2019 when talking about someone who is <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/aloof-personality-traits\/\">quiet and aloof<\/a>. In reality, the word \u2018<em>asocial<\/em>\u2019 would fit better. To put an end to this confusion, let\u2019s compare asocial vs antisocial.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #222222;color:#222222\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #222222;color:#222222\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/asocial-vs-antisocial-difference\/#Asocial_definition\" title=\"Asocial definition\">Asocial definition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/asocial-vs-antisocial-difference\/#Antisocial_definition\" title=\"Antisocial definition\">Antisocial definition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/asocial-vs-antisocial-difference\/#Asocial_vs_antisocial_3_key_differences\" title=\"Asocial vs antisocial: 3 key differences\">Asocial vs antisocial: 3 key differences<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/asocial-vs-antisocial-difference\/#1_An_asocial_person_is_withdrawn_from_society_an_antisocial_person_is_opposed_to_it\" title=\"1. An asocial person is withdrawn from society; an antisocial person is opposed to it\">1. An asocial person is withdrawn from society; an antisocial person is opposed to it<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/asocial-vs-antisocial-difference\/#2_An_asocial_person_avoids_conflict_an_antisocial_can_get_hostile_and_confrontational\" title=\"2. An asocial person avoids conflict; an antisocial can get hostile and confrontational\">2. An asocial person avoids conflict; an antisocial can get hostile and confrontational<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/asocial-vs-antisocial-difference\/#3_Being_antisocial_is_often_linked_to_low_empathy_being_asocial_is_not\" title=\"3. Being antisocial is often linked to low empathy; being asocial is not\">3. Being antisocial is often linked to low empathy; being asocial is not<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/asocial-vs-antisocial-difference\/#Asocial_and_antisocial_have_similarities_and_are_not_mutually_exclusive\" title=\"Asocial and antisocial have similarities and are not mutually exclusive\">Asocial and antisocial have similarities and are not mutually exclusive<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Asocial_definition\"><\/span>Asocial definition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Being asocial means not having the desire to socialize, <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/how-introverts-make-friends\/\">meet new people<\/a>, and expand one\u2019s circle.<\/p>\n<p>An asocial person is someone who has no interest in social affiliation. But they are not necessarily hostile or unfriendly towards others. They are just <em>uninterested<\/em> in establishing contact with those around them.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Antisocial_definition\"><\/span>Antisocial definition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Being antisocial goes further than just being unsociable and also means being opposed to society and other people in a certain way.<\/p>\n<p>The word \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/antisocial-vs-introverted-difference\/\">antisocial<\/a>\u2019 defines someone who has no interest in looking nice and friendly to others. They don\u2019t care to conform to the unwritten rules of accepted social behavior. An antisocial person can be inconsiderate of other people\u2019s feelings and act rude and disrespectful.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Asocial_vs_antisocial_3_key_differences\"><\/span>Asocial vs antisocial: 3 key differences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_An_asocial_person_is_withdrawn_from_society_an_antisocial_person_is_opposed_to_it\"><\/span>1. An asocial person is withdrawn from society; an antisocial person is opposed to it<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The most important difference between asocial and antisocial lies in the <strong>attitude one has towards society and other people<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>An asocial person withdraws and separates themselves from society. They may <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/why-do-i-feel-like-i-dont-belong-anywhere\/\">feel like they don\u2019t belong anywhere<\/a> and have nothing in common with other people.<\/p>\n<p>Typically, it\u2019s a loner who makes a conscious choice to isolate themselves from society because they find joy and meaning in other things than socializing. Their behavior mainly has to do with indifference to and separation from other people. Hence the lack of motivation when it comes to socializing.<\/p>\n<p>As for being antisocial, it suggests active hostility towards society and being opposed to other people. Of course, not every individual with this trait is a criminal or commits an antisocial act. But an antisocial person clearly goes against the majority either because of their views or character traits.<\/p>\n<p>They have an unfriendly attitude toward other people, expect the worst from everyone, and are unwilling to offer help and understanding to those around them.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_An_asocial_person_avoids_conflict_an_antisocial_can_get_hostile_and_confrontational\"><\/span>2. An asocial person avoids conflict; an antisocial can get hostile and confrontational<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In other words, an asocial person is a <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/signs-of-a-loner\/\">peaceful loner<\/a> while an antisocial one has a hostile attitude toward others.<\/p>\n<p>Asocial individuals prefer to be left alone because they don\u2019t want anyone to disturb their peace of mind. For this reason, they also tend to avoid conflict.<\/p>\n<p>They will most likely just ignore someone they don\u2019t like or agree with. In a conflict situation, they will withdraw rather than go for open confrontation. An asocial person behaves this way because they don\u2019t want any turbulence in their life.<\/p>\n<p>An antisocial individual, on the other hand, can easily get hostile if they are annoyed by someone\u2019s behavior or words. They won\u2019t shy away from calling people out for their faults. Sometimes they may get confrontational without a good reason.<\/p>\n<p>In general, an antisocial person tends to get easily annoyed by other people, which paves the road to conflict. An approach to conflict situations is another basic difference between asocial and antisocial personalities.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Being_antisocial_is_often_linked_to_low_empathy_being_asocial_is_not\"><\/span>3. Being antisocial is often linked to low empathy; being asocial is not<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Being antisocial <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/7108052\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">is associated<\/a> with lower empathy levels. A person who has this trait tends to be inconsiderate of other people\u2019s feelings and unconcerned about the consequences of their own behavior.<\/p>\n<p>For example, an antisocial person can say something rude to a stranger in the street or interrupt someone in a disrespectful manner just because they are uninterested in the topic of the conversation.<\/p>\n<p>Antisocial people don\u2019t care to appear friendly or make a good first impression on others. Nor do they give much importance to how their words and actions make others feel. This is a consequence of a lack of empathy paired with a hostile and often conceited attitude.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, being asocial doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that a person has low empathy. Yes, they tend to be indifferent and uninterested in other people too, but they don\u2019t like to cause trouble to anyone.<\/p>\n<p>Asocial personalities have a more friendly attitude than antisocial ones and consider how their behavior affects others.<\/p>\n<p>In reality, some asocial people happen to be empathetic deep inside, but they have learned to hide their sensitive side due to trauma or social conditioning. For example, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Power-Misfits-Find-Place-World-ebook\/dp\/B08LTNJVTZ\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">my book<\/a>, I write about individuals with schizoid tendencies who are aloof and asocial but have a sensitive core.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Asocial_and_antisocial_have_similarities_and_are_not_mutually_exclusive\"><\/span>Asocial and antisocial have similarities and are not mutually exclusive<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Despite all the above differences, asocial and antisocial also share common traits.<\/p>\n<p>For example, both asocial and antisocial people tend to find social interaction unrewarding and not worthy of their time. Neither of them is the type to enjoy socializing at parties and hanging out with big groups of people. Both avoid participating in small talk and social niceties and have little interest in other people.<\/p>\n<p>Based on the above similarities and differences between asocial vs antisocial, you can have both traits at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive.<\/p>\n<p>If you have recognized yourself in the descriptions above, don&#8217;t rush to consider yourself a cold-blooded psychopath. Not all antisocial people have some kind of personality disorder or mental health issues. After all, there are many <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/116655\/dpr26.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">types and causes<\/a> of antisocial behavior. But this is a topic for another article.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>People often mistakenly use the word \u2018antisocial\u2019 when talking about someone who is quiet and aloof. In reality, the word \u2018asocial\u2019 would fit better. To put an end to this confusion, let\u2019s compare asocial vs antisocial. Asocial definition Being asocial means not having the desire to socialize, meet new people, and expand one\u2019s circle. An &#8230; <a title=\"Asocial vs Antisocial: 3 Things That Demonstrate the Difference\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/personality\/asocial-vs-antisocial-difference\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Asocial vs Antisocial: 3 Things That Demonstrate the Difference\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":590,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/589"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=589"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/589\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}