Sociopath Vs Psychopath

You must be very familiar with these glamorous terms Psychopathy and Sociopathy; especially through the movies, series and theatre world. Psychopathy and Sociopathy do not appear in Psychology literature, though there is an umbrella term for these known as an Antisocial personality disorder.

The symptoms of Antisocial Personality disorder are as follows:

• Persistently break or disobey the law
• Deceptive and habitual liar
• Does not plan ahead and is very impulsive
• Is very aggressive and prone to fighting
• Has no regard for the safety of others
• Is very irresponsible with finances
• Lack of guilt or remorse for his actions

More than 3 symptoms are already present in both psychopaths and sociopaths by the time they are 15 years old

Who is a Psychopath?

Research has found out that a Psychopath is born; that is, a psychopath is a psychopath because of his/her genetic predisposition. However, a genetic predisposition does not ensure that a psychopath has not suffered from a trauma in his childhood. Psychopathy is associated with a physiological brain difference. The region of the brain that is related to impulse management and emotion regulation is underdeveloped.

If you are a Psychopath, you will have trouble forming stable and real attachment with others and your relationships will generally be shallow and artificial. You are also able to manipulate everything in a way that benefits your own cause the most; look trustworthy, presentable, stable and hold goods jobs. You most likely have a loving and happy family and are well educated and most of it is through self-learning.

A Psychopath plans and backs up a crime in detail and hence it is very difficult to unearth.

Who is a Sociopath?

Research has found out that Sociopathy is purely an outcome of environmental factors like abusive or negative environment in childhood which exposed them to emotional abuse, physical abuse or a traumatic experience.

If you are a Sociopath, your actions are more erratic and impulsive than a psychopath. Unlike psychopaths, you have a problem forming an attachment with an exception of Like-minded people. You are also unable to hold stable and long-term jobs or have a normal family life. You cannot manage your anger and have violent outbursts.

As a Sociopath, you are impulsive when it comes to criminal activity and are not able to plan it well. You have no regard for the consequences of your behavior.

Although, both psychopaths and sociopaths pose a lot of risk to the society; the risk is a little higher with psychopaths because they experience lesser guilt and often dissociate from their actions without having any emotional attachment. The pain of others is meaningless to them.

Learn more About Dr Prerna Kohli

Also, Read About the Signs of a Psychopath