Difference Between Sociopath And Psychopaths

Improved Essays
Sociopaths and psychopaths have several things in common such as a disregard for the law and the right of others, a remorseless mind, and a tendency of violent behavior. Many psychologists debate whether there should be a difference at all between them, but there are some individuals that do differentiate them. They both have an antisocial personality disorder but psychopaths are described as someone whose disorder is hereditary, while a sociopath is someone whose behaviors are a result of child neglect and/or abuse or a brain injury.
There are several ways you can tell the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath but the most noticeable is how they form relationships with others and their behavioral characteristics. Most sociopaths are very nervous, will easily get agitated, and have temper meltdowns. Sociopaths will also rapidly and unpredictably change emotions which makes them prone to having emotional outbursts. Although some sociopaths are able to seduce people with a “kind of a glow or charisma that can make them seem more charming or more interesting than
…show more content…
Even though they may or may not hold onto that job for long or their marriages, they can easily manipulate others and find another job and someone else to trust them. Not all sociopaths and psychopaths are criminals the same way not all criminals are sociopaths or psychopaths. A person whose behavior points them towards these genetic and antisocial personality disorder is “...not necessarily a mass murder, or even violent at all, but is probably still not someone you should closely befriend, take on as your business partner, ask to take care of your children, or marry” (Stout, 109). Both sociopaths and “psychopaths are social predators who charm, manipulate, and ruthlessly plow their way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, shattered expectations, and empty wallets” (Hare,

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Although many may meet the criteria for both, it does not mean they are necessarily a psychopath or should be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Even though both are often interchangeably used as synonym terms, research and studies have proven to be…

    • 716 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Sociopathy Vs Psychopathy

    • 1481 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Statements of Interest The misconception of many is to assume that psychopathy and sociopathy are the same disorders. While they are very similar there are key characteristics which make them different. These mental disorders are classified differently in the DSM-5 “The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders” in addition to that both are under the subgroup of antisocial personality disorder.…

    • 1481 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The short film Breathe directed by Toby Meakins depicts two men conjuring a ghost by holding their breath, the longer they hold their breath the more she does. The one man who had obviously done the interaction before then suffocates the man that he introduces to the supernatural girl. I believe that he does this because he classifies as a person with antisocial personality disorder. I think this because he shows a lot of indicators that would classify him as a psychopath or a sociopath. There are slight distinctions between psychopaths and sociopaths although they do share multiple personality traits including a disregard for laws and social morals, disregard for the rights of others, a failure to feel remorse or guilt, and a tendency…

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    `Psychopathic personality' was once widely used but was superseded by `sociopathic personality' to indicate the social aspects of the disorder, but now `antisocial personality disorder' is the preferred term. The term psychopath is commonly used incorrectly in the media to describe someone who has done something considered “evil.” Terrorists, mass killers and bombers often get labeled with this term before anyone has caught them, let alone had time to make an assessment of them. It’s become shorthand for people who do terrible things, and that disconnect from the reality of the situation is a problem in the way we view people and their actions. By labeling someone a psychopath, it’s easy to write them off as evil and never look at the actual factors that go into their actions.…

    • 1339 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Throughout the history of time, there have been many different types of serial killers and psychopaths. They have ranged in age, location, gender, religion, and upbringing. The great debate of nature vs nurture always arises when asked what caused the people to do it. Was it because of nature of the beast, or did the person have a traumatic up bringing? Nature vs nurture is not a black and white statement, it is a combination of both that makes the person do and act out the way they did.…

    • 2034 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The article “Confessions of a Sociopath” illustrates M.E. Thomas’s frustration with the stigma attached to sociopaths. The media’s perception of sociopaths is that they are all the same crazed serial killers hell bent on killing people, which in reality isn’t near the truth. The truth of sociopaths is that they are people that show no remorse and use deception often, as well as they ignore social cues, all of which aren’t necessarily bad, but the average sociopath isn’t a killer. Most sociopaths are very enjoyable people and can form relationships with others like anyone else can, People also misinterpret how sociopathy forms. Many believe that it is a result of a child being mistreated and having a rough experience growing up…

    • 306 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Rubinstein also addresses the lack of sympathy in sociopaths themselves and how their culture affects their behavior. He makes sure to thoroughly infer that sociopaths are products of their genes and environment. He later finishes stating that reason for sociopath's’ behavior is greatly society doing, due to the ostracization of the mentally ill. The article is written by Noah Rubinstein, a licensed psychologist and founder of a psychological treatment online database and news outlet.…

    • 840 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Psychopath vs Sociopath: How are they Different There are lots of similarities between a psychopath and a sociopath but lots of people just group them together as the same thing. There are a couple similarities but most importantly, a lot of differences. Psychiatrists group them both as having an antisocial personality.…

    • 388 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Psychopaths are often those who suffer from personality disorders. Along with antisocial personality disorder, there is borderline personality disorder as well. Borderline personality disorders deals with more of the stability of those afflicted. They could suffer with anxiety and emotional instability. These along with the right settings can cause paranoia.…

    • 1441 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The behavior of a sociopath closely mirrors that of a psychopath. They share many symptoms such as the ability to behave in any way that results in them getting what they want. The differentiating factor is that a psychopath doesn't have a conscience that inflicts him or her when they are doing something wrong or immoral. A sociopath has a conscience and can feel guilt, yet it's not strong enough to make them want to stop. A sociopath's impulses and wants are stronger than his or her conscience, but their conscience is still present.…

    • 180 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It is sociopaths that tend to act more impulsively and cause havoc. Most psychopaths are able to live inconspicuously in society, but that does not mean that there aren 't a large number of imprisoned psychopaths and sociopaths. In 2013, it was said that psychopaths make up from 20 to 30% of the imprisoned population, and it was shown that they were more likely to be involved in violent crimes and were also more likely to have repeated transgressions than people not afflicted with the these disorders. With that being said, psychopathic and sociopathic behavior has a wide a range as other mental conditions. One might be able to adapt in society well while another may not be able to exist without corruption and violence.…

    • 947 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    They want to act out of their fantasies. The same fantasies they had had as children are the ones they want to still act out as adults. Once they have had their first kill, they want to continue so they find the kill that is as perfect as their fantasy. There is a lengthy list of some of the motivators as to why children abuse animals. Some of these motivators are the children want something to control or retaliate against, to express aggression through an animal.…

    • 2351 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Psychopaths tend to be without any conscience and they are incapable to feel any type of emotion. One reason for this, is due to psychopaths interpreting anything pertaining to emotion, with a neutral or nonchalant attitude. Since psychopaths don’t seem to be able to feel any type of emotion, they tend to be notorious liars. They can lie to be able to get what they want and to turn things into their favor. Due to that fact, psychopaths also seem to be master manipulators, making sure that everything goes according to their…

    • 1699 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It is very difficult to identify psychopaths because they look just like us. However, psychopaths are very manipulative individuals and they can get just about anyone to believe their web of lies. Unfortunately, these individuals exit and live in our neighborhoods. Psychopaths individuals do not have a specify look so it is very hard to identify them. They speak, walk, and dress like many of us.…

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Sociopath Essay

    • 1221 Words
    • 5 Pages

    There are some people, there are varying parts of the spectrum with some people showing minimal tenancies while others act on all tendencies to the extreme. They can also be categorized by the focus of their antisocial behavior. Common Sociopaths are characterized by their lack of conscience, alienated sociopaths are known by their inability to love and to be loved. Aggressive sociopaths follow the others, but also incorporate an of sadistic nature., while dissocial sociopaths have no problem follow rules as long as the rules are wrong rules which would not be acceptable in society. All sociopaths are quite manipulative and gain pleasure from dominating and humiliating their victims who are usually friends, parents, siblings, and partners.…

    • 1221 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays