Psychopath and Sociopath are the way of describing the violent monsters. The best example for describing them is by just thinking of the movie characters Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, Norman Bates in Psycho, and Annie Wilkes in Misery. From that movie, you will get an idea about what is violent monsters or Psychopath and a Sociopath. But certainly, psychopath and sociopath exist and hide among us.
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The Difference Between A Psychopath And A Sociopath?
If you like to know more about Psychopath and sociopath, here in this article “What’s the Difference Between a Psychopath and a Sociopath? An Expert Weighs In” you will find the important distinction between the psychopath and Sociopath. Read on.
What is a Sociopath?
A sociopath is actually a person with an antisocial personality disorder. Antisocial personality is defined as the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders’. And also it can be diagnosed at the age of 18 or above.
What is a Psychopath?
The psychopath is more severe from a sociopath with more symptoms. Therefore all psychopaths are sociopaths, but not all sociopaths are necessarily psychopaths. It is also called as Antisocial behavior.
When it comes to their commonalities sociopath and psychopath also have their own unique behavioral characters. So let’s find out the common difference between a Psychopath and a Sociopath. Let’s have a look.
Psychopath:
- Unable to form emotional attachments or feel real empathy with others.
- They often have disarming or even charming personalities.
- They are extremely manipulative and can easily gain people’s trust.
- They learn to mimic emotions, despite their inability to actually feel them and will appear normal to unsuspecting people.
- They are well educated and hold steady jobs.
- Some are so good at manipulation and mimicry that they have families.
- Other long-term relationships without those around them ever suspecting their true nature.
- Psychopaths carefully plan out every detail in advance and often have contingency plans in place, when committing crimes.
- Due to their clam and charismatic natures, intelligent psychopaths make excellent white-collar criminals and “con artists”.
Sociopath:
- Sociopaths tend to be nervous and easily agitated.
- They are volatile and prone to emotional outbursts, including fits of rage.
- They are likely to be uneducated.
- Unable to hold down a steady job or stay in one place for a long.
- It is difficult but not impossible for sociopaths to form attachments with others.
- To a particular individual or group, they are able to form an attachment.
- They have no regard for society in general or its rules.
- In the eyes of others, sociopaths will appear to be very disturbed.
- Any crimes committed by a sociopath, including murder, will tend to be haphazard, disorganized and spontaneous rather than planned.
Cause of Sociopath and Psychopath
The cause of psychopathy is different than the cause of sociopathy (1). It is believed that psychopathy is largely the result of “nature” while sociopathy is more likely the result of “nurture” (environment). Psychopathy is related to a physiological defect that results in the underdevelopment of the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and emotions. Sociopathy, on the other hand, is more likely the product of childhood trauma and physical, emotional abuse. Because sociopathy appears to be learned rather than innate, sociopaths are capable of empathy in certain limited circumstances but not in others, and with a few individuals but not others.
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So hope you liked this article “What’s the Difference Between a Psychopath and Sociopath? An Expert Weighs In” and find useful. From the above article, you may have got the idea about what is Sociopath and Psychopath and also the major difference. If you had loved this article we had love to hear about your results. Are there any questions or if you have any other suggestion and inquiries you can get in touch with me through the comments section.