Research on factors which contribute to the development of antisocial personality disorder is reviewed. Methodological issues are critiqued, including major assessment instruments and frequently used research designs. Factors which current research indicates might lead to the continuation of antisocial behavior from childhood into adulthood are discussed. Issues examined include biosocial research, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and psychosocial research. The psychosocial research focused on three variables: parent-child attachment, parental discipline and monitoring, and problem solving skills. Implications for further research and treatment are also discussed. The paper concludes that there is professional acceptance that childhood conduct disorder is a feature in the development of antisocial personality disorder, and that individuals with a history of antisocial personality disorder perpetuate a disproportionate amount of murder, rape, arson, robbery, drunk driving, and child and spouse abuse. These individuals are also disproportionately represented in the mental health and criminal justice systems. Early and accurate identification of children who are at risk for development of a conduct disorder is required, followed by enrollment in preventive treatment. Assessment devices used in research and intervention need to better control for observer bias, and research designs need to better account for confounding variables. (Contains 54 references.) (Author/JDD)