Do you know the differences between psychopath and sociopath?

We often use the terms “psychopath”» and “sociopath”» interchangeably, as if there were no differences between them. This is how we name people who distance themselves from social norms, who act with violence or who have low or no capacity to feel empathy.

Although according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) Both share a common diagnosis: antisocial personality disorder.a good part of the scientific and professional community assures that they are two independent clinical entities.

Where do you find your greatest distinction? In its origin. In this article we clarify the meeting points and the main differences between these two concepts, to unravel the mystery of these intriguing personalities.

General definitions

Before delving into the main elements that justify the categorical differentiation of psychopathy and sociopathy, it is important to offer a definition of each of these concepts.

Psychopath

A psychopath is a person with a marked emotional insensitivity, although he usually shows a charming and seductive side.. In this way, and as strange as it may seem, They are often educated, with stable relationships and jobs.

Their ability to persuade is part of their manipulative behavior, as they use their apparent charisma to hide their true intentions and gain the trust of people who want to use them for their benefit.

Sociopath

For his part, a sociopath has great difficulties managing his emotions, which leads him to have violent and even criminal reactions. Their impulsiveness means that they do not go unnoticed in society..

In turn, you may experience some empathy and feelings of guilt. Sociopathy is characterized by having a sense of morality, but the sense of good and evil is not compatible with that of the culture where the subject develops.

Main differences between a psychopathic person and a sociopath

Regardless of the official distinction, from a cultural and historical point of view, psychopathy and sociopathy respond to different criteria. We analyze some of them.

1. The origin

The main difference lies in the origin of that behavioral pattern. Studies such as the one published in Journal of Aggression and Violent Behavior carried out by Dr. Jack Pemment, from the University of Mississippi, tells us that the key to the distinction is at the brain level.

In the words of Homs, unlike antisocial or sociopathic disorders, the psychopath has a lesion in the brain, located in the temporal lobe, which can be detected by a test called EEG (electroencephalography).

In turn, as geneticist David Lykken explains in his book antisocial personalities (1994), The psychopath’s personality has a neurobiological basis while sociopathy develops due to social and environmental factors..

In this sense, traumatic experiences, a dysfunctional and violent family environment or exposure to models of antisocial behavior can contribute to the deployment of a sociopathic personality. Of course, the theory has its nuances, since most disorders or behaviors of this type have both a genetic and environmental basis.

2. Participation in criminal behavior

Due to their difficulties controlling their impulses, it is more common to find sociopathic people carrying out criminal behavior. They usually have spontaneous reactions of violence and aggression. Instead, Psychopathic people tend to be more planned and calculating in their criminal actionsstrategically breaking the law.

However, there is a lot of controversy about it. With the appearance of the PCL-R psychopathy test (Psychopathy CheckList- Revised) by the renowned criminal psychology researcher Robert Hare, psychopathy ceased to be a broad and vague concept and became a valid and reliable psychological construct.

At the same time, it is essential to make clear that Not all sociopaths are criminals, not all criminals are sociopaths.

3. The reason for the attack

In the case of sociopathic people, aggressiveness manifests itself as a reaction to specific situations.. That is, they may become aggressive in response to stimuli or events that they perceive as threatening, driven by intense emotions of anger, fear, or frustration.

In psychopathic people, aggression derives from the search for personal achievements or the satisfaction of their desires or needs. In other words, They use violence as a means to achieve their goals, not as an end in itself.. It is more of a tool to get what they want.

4. Empathy and guilt

Unlike psychopaths, Sociopaths may feel some remorse for their actions. Likewise, they may have a developed conscience and show empathy and loyalty toward certain people, but their sense of right or wrong incorrect It is based on the norms and expectations of your social group. That is, they respond to the subculture of the environment in which they live.

Instead, The psychopathic personality is characterized by marked emotional insensitivity and an absence of guilt.. Their difficulty connecting emotionally with other people leads them to manipulate or harm without feeling any remorse. This factor causes interpersonal relationships to be affected, making them prone to inflict harm on those close to them.

Similarities

As we said previously, both personality types are classified under the common diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder according to the latest version of the DSM.

This means that Both sociopathy and psychopathy exhibit a persistent pattern of disruptive behavior that violates social norms.as well as a tendency to act aggressively.

Final comment

In conclusion, it can be said that sociopaths are often the result of a careless and negligent family or social upbringing, while psychopaths present an innate antisocial tendency that would have its origin in various genetic and brain alterations. In both, genetics and environment are present, they just vary in their degree of influence..

However, both represent complex psychological profiles that require careful analysis and deep understanding to adequately address their implications in criminal and forensic psychology.

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