Psychopath vs. Sociopath: What’s the Difference? 

You see them in movies, read about them in books, and meet them on the streets almost daily. Sociopaths and psychopaths sit next to you in cafes, shop in the same malls, and work in the same office. And in most cases, you don’t even notice that they have a specific condition.

People usually use the terms “psychopath” and “sociopath” to informally describe someone with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). But even though these aren’t official diagnoses, experts often distinguish between them based on behavior. 

Impulsivity, lack of care for others, tendency to take risks, and aggressive behavior can also be behavioral traits of a person with BPD. Check out whether you have one and get personalized insights on how to deal with it.

Key takeaways about antisocial personality disorder

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) doesn’t recognize sociopathy or psychopathy as separate mental health conditions. Instead, they are informally used to describe traits connected to antisocial personality disorder. 

• About 3-15% of people with APD likely have psychopathy, and another 30% likely have sociopathy. [1]

• They have such common traits as impulsivity, lack of empathy, repeated lying, and reckless disregard for social norms. Yet, both conditions show these traits differently.

• People with sociopathic tendencies can act violently on impulse. They may be extremely emotionally unstable. In contrast, psychopaths lack empathy and are unable to form emotional attachments.

• Sociopathy is typically linked to genetic factors and a history of unstable family life. Psychopathy can stem from biological factors. 

The difference between psychopaths and sociopaths

People might perceive sociopaths as hot-headed and aggressive, while psychopathic behavior may be seen as manipulative and unempathetic. But in reality, it’s a bit more complicated. Read the table to compare a typical psychopath vs. a sociopath.

Sociopaths	Psychopaths
Tend to be highly emotional and experience mood fluctuations.	Experience very little emotion and instead tend to mimic some feelings.
Behave impulsively and often follow the immediate desires.	Have methodical behavior and meticulously plan every step, but sometimes make impulsive decisions.
Engage in spontaneous crimes and acts of violence driven by immediate circumstances.	Demonstrate consistent, thoroughly planned criminal behavior.
Get angry and defensive quickly. Have a weak conscience but try to rationalize their behavior.	Underreact in stressful situations. Typically lack empathy, so they don’t feel guilty about their actions.

What’s also important in the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath is that the first one can try to build short-term, unstable relations. In contrast, the second one purposely avoids getting into relations with others.

The ability to mimic others’ emotions is one of the most important psychopathic traits. This is why when you meet such people, you may initially think they are charming and charismatic. It is extremely difficult to spot their tendency for emotional abuse in advance.

Similarities between sociopaths and psychopaths

• Psychopathic or sociopathic behavior is a form of antisocial personality disorder. These aren’t official mental disorders but rather clusters of ASDP (which was earlier called ‘sociopathic personality disturbance’) that make people harm themselves and everyone around them.

• Violent behavior is another symptom of these conditions. People with sociopathy and psychopathy are often aggressive. They don’t understand the risks and may engage in dangerous situations. 

• The first symptoms of psychopathy and sociopathy both appear in childhood and early teenage years. Problems with behavior and communication, as well as mood swings, could be the first symptoms of ASDP. 

• Both conditions involve an inability to build healthy relations, a lack of guilt for antisocial actions, and disregard for laws and norms. Gaslighting is also an integral part of communication with sociopaths and psychopaths.

Sociopath vs. Psychopath vs. Narcissist

Although sociopaths, psychopaths, and narcissists share certain traits, the key difference is in how they act.

• Sociopaths tend to be unpredictable, show extreme behaviors, and get easily bored.

• Psychopaths strive to become leaders, where they use their charm and calculated thinking to get anything they need.

• Narcissists want to get public attention, so they may become influencers, public speakers, or leaders who seek admiration.

Trait/Behavior	Sociopath	Psychopath	Narcissist
Empathy	Low	None	Low
Emotional Control	Poor	Excellent	Poor
Long-Term Planning	Minimal	Excellent	Minimal
Motivation	Impulsive	Goal-Oriented	Ego-Driven
Social Relationships	Unstable	Superficially Stable	Based on Validation
Manipulation	Unskilled	Highly Skilled	Occasional

What is sociopathy?

The term sociopath means a person who tends to do what’s right for themselves without paying attention to other people’s suffering. They usually don’t feel guilt and tend to be manipulative and dramatic while having a pervasive pattern of unpredictable mood. 

“Sociopaths do not care about other people and so do not miss them when they are alienated or gone, except as one might regret the absence of a useful appliance that one has somehow lost.” ― Martha Stout, American psychologist, author of The Sociopath Next Door, Ph.D., served on the faculty in psychology in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Building friendly or romantic relations with these people could be a real rollercoaster: they may try to use you for personal gain or be pretty aggressive. Even more, people with sociopathic traits face an increased risk of substance abuse and drug dependence. 

Sociopathic traits

• Impulsive behavior. Sociopaths act without thinking about the consequences, which can lead to unpredictable behavior. Consistent irresponsibility and inability to meet financial obligations are also common.

• Difficulty forming relationships. While sociopaths may form some emotional attachments, they are typically quite short-term and don’t turn into a stable family life.

• Poor emotional control. They get angry very easily and find it difficult to mask their emotions.

• History of law-breaking. Sociopaths disregard societal norms and laws, which may result in criminal activities.

How a sociopath can behave in real life

Imagine Anna, a young woman who seems fun and spontaneous. She’s the life of the party, super-energetic, and full of ideas.

Still, friends notice that she often makes promises she can’t keep or borrows money without returning it. Anna is quite impulsive: she can quit a job without a further plan or get angry without a clear reason. She lacks empathy and doesn’t really care if her actions hurt someone. Even more, Anna can be rather dramatic and manipulative when it comes to getting what she wants.

This combination of charm, unpredictability, and disregard for consequences perfectly illustrates the sociopathic traits.

What is psychopathy?

A psychopath is a person who lacks emotion and empathy, doesn’t care for others, and can’t love. These people also neglect behavioral norms and have little in common with morality. This is why a lot of serial killers are diagnosed with psychopathy.

There isn’t a term like “emotional psychopath.” These people usually don’t experience any feelings but are good at pretending. They develop emotional intelligence to appear normal and get what they need from others.

“A psychopath can tell what you’re thinking, but what they don’t do is feel what you feel. These are people without a conscience.” ― Robert D. Hare, CM, is a Canadian forensic psychologist, known for his research in the field of criminal psychology.

About 2-3% of the general population lives with ASPD. [2] At the same time, in corporate leading positions, the number of people with psychopathy reaches up to 12%, which proves the fact that psychopaths strive for authority and power. [3]

Psychopathy personality traits

• Calculated behaviors. Psychopaths are great planners who can manipulate others without raising suspicion.

• Lack of empathy. They rarely form genuine emotional attachments and often see people as tools for personal gain.

• Superficial charm. Psychopaths can adapt their own behavior and appear charismatic and likable at first sight to get what they want.

• Lack of remorse. They have almost no guilt or concern for the harm they cause, whether emotional or physical. In the criminal justice system, psychopathy is linked to higher rates of violent crime. 

Jordan Smoller, American psychiatric geneticist, believes, “Psychopathic individuals have a neurobiologic impairment in the ability to recognize and process fear and sadness in the facial expressions or voices of other people. It’s as though they’re blind and deaf to the pain of those around them.”

How a psychopath can behave in real life

Let’s think about John. He’s calm, charming, and always knows how to attract people. At work, everyone sees him as reliable and talented. 

Yet, behind the scenes, he manipulates colleagues, passes others’ ideas as his, and uses people to get ahead. Unlike Anna, he doesn’t act out impulsively: every step he takes is well‑planned. This calculated behavior, paired with a lack of real empathy, shows the classic traits of psychopathy.

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Causes of sociopathy and psychopathy

Researchers aren’t sure of the exact cause of ASPD, but the reasons for psychopathy and sociopathy seem to be different. 

Sociopathy is usually strongly linked to a specific genetic combination and childhood trauma, particularly physical or sexual abuse. While the first aspect increases the risk of sociopathy, the second one may trigger the condition to develop. 

Learn more about whether you live with trauma and get personalized tips to overcome it with Breeze’s test.

Psychopathy is more a result of exceptional genetics, biological, and environmental factors. People living with it can have a dysfunctional amygdala ― a part of the brain responsible for reactions to dangerous situations and emotional regulation. 

Can psychopathy and sociopathy be confused?

Interestingly, yes. Sometimes, even professionals can make different diagnoses. While these two terms seem rather distinct, it’s essential to remember that they aren’t described in DSM-5. Thus, there are no clinical criteria to define each as a separate, officially recognized disorder.

This is what James Fallon, American neuroscientist, states about the phenomenon: “Robert Hare (Canadian psychologist) has pointed out that sociologists are more likely to focus on the environmental or socially modifiable facets of the disorder, so prefer the term sociopathy, whereas psychologists and psychiatrists prefer to include the genetic, cognitive, and emotional factors as well as the social factors when making a diagnosis, and therefore would opt for psychopathy.”

Common myths about psychopathy and sociopathy

Despite more people learning about mental disorders, there are still a lot of false beliefs about sociopaths and psychopaths. Here are some of the most common ones:

Myth 1: All sociopaths and psychopaths are criminals 

While sociopathy and psychopathy are linked with criminal behavior, [4] many people with these traits live a normal life. Not all sociopaths commit crimes under impulse, and not all psychopaths plan illegal activities. Some of them can manage their reactions and live like most of us.

Myth 2: A psychopath and a sociopath are the same  

Even though these terms are related, the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath is significant. The word psychopath means that someone has very little empathy and can stay calm even when hurting others. A sociopath is more impulsive and emotional.

Myth 3: Psychopaths are always violent 

Psychopathy does not equate to physical violence. Many psychopaths avoid violence altogether, as it can expose their plans.

Myth 4: Both personality disorders are untreatable 

In reality, various therapies and medical treatments can help manage emotional instability and reduce aggressive behavior. Moreover, if conduct disorder (a precursor to ASPD) is diagnosed on time, early treatment can prevent the development of more severe symptoms. [5]

The difference between a psychopath and a sociopath: treatment options

In most cases, people living with antisocial personality disorder don’t struggle themselves, but rather impact the lives of everyone around them. So, if your loved one has some symptoms, it’s best to contact an expert.

Note that it is difficult to identify the appropriate treatment for such people, as the causes are complex. What’s more, both sociopaths and psychopaths don’t believe that they need treatment, so providing therapy can be rather challenging. However, several things can help reduce the symptoms of ASPD. Here they are. 

Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and mental health treatment to deal with antisocial behavior

Patients with sociopathic and psychopathic traits may not want to visit therapy or even change anything at all. However, appropriate treatment can help reduce risky behavior and develop healthier relationships with others.

Medication

There are no medicines that deal with such conditions, but lots of drugs for other disorders can reduce the symptoms. For instance, psychostimulants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers may be helpful in some cases.

Conclusion

If you experience the symptoms typical of psychopathy or sociopathy, contact a specialist accredited by the American Psychiatric Association or any other recognized mental health organization. With a professional, you’ll take a full assessment for this and other personality disorders, consider other factors influencing your behavior, and get an appropriate treatment. 

If you want to self-assess it in advance, use the Hare Psychopathy Checklist created by a Canadian psychologist, Robert Hare, to get a rough idea of what happens to you.

Sources

1. Johnson, Scott. “Understanding the violent personality 2019. Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal.” 2019
2. Kristy A. Fisher; Tyler J. Torrico; Manassa Hany. “Antisocial Personality Disorder.” 2024
3. University of San Diego. “USD Professor Simon Croom Pens Fortune Article on Prevalence of Psychopathy in Corporate Leadership.” 2021
4. Bhambhani, Lavina & Prakash, Shakti & Tripathi, Mahesh. (2021). “Psychopathy and Sociopathy: A Modern Understanding of Antisocial Personality Disorder (Review of Literature).”
5. Black DW. “The Natural History of Antisocial Personality Disorder.” Can J Psychiatry