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, the behavior of such people is a bit… different.
Impulsivity, lack of care for others, tendency to take risks, and more are just a few symptoms of both conditions. But what’s the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath?
Key Takeaways
- People who have antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) are often called sociopaths or psychopaths informally.
- Both share traits such as impulsivity, lack of empathy, and disregard for social norms, but they show these traits differently.
- People who exhibit sociopathic tendencies often act violently on impulse and display extreme emotional instability. In contrast, psychopaths are characterized by a lack of empathy and genuine emotional responses; they can plan their every move carefully.
- Sociopathy is typically linked to genetic factors and childhood trauma, while psychopathy is thought to stem from biological factors, such as brain abnormalities.
The Difference between a Psychopath and a Sociopath
It might look like these conditions are similar, like the Spider-Men from the movie “No Way Home,” but they are not.
Usually, people perceive sociopaths as hostile and aggressive, while psychopathy is more a definition of manipulative and unempathetic personalities.
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 swings. | 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 criminal behavior characterized by premeditated actions and never remorse. |
Get angry and defensive quickly. Have a weak conscience but try to rationalize their behavior. | Underreact in stressful situations. Typically lack a conscience and empathy, so they don’t feel guilty about their actions. |
What’s also important in the difference between sociopath vs. psychopath is that the first type 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 psychopath traits. This is why when you meet such people, you may think they are charming and charismatic initially.
For instance, in the movie “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” the main character, Tom Ripley, manages to gain the trust of entirely different people, seamlessly blending into their social circles. Sociopaths usually can’t do this. So, I truly recommend watching this film to understand psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder better.
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Similarities between Sociopaths and Psychopaths
There are also some signs that are similar between sociopaths and psychopaths, even though the differences are pretty clear.
- Psychopathic or sociopathic behavior is a form of antisocial personality disorder. These aren’t official mental health conditions but rather clusters of ASDP 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.
- Some signs help notice psychopathic and sociopathic traits on the spot. These include cruelty to animals, lying, stealing, breaking things, and general hostility.
- Both conditions involve an inability to build healthy relations, a lack of guilt for antisocial actions, and disregard for laws and norms. What is gaslighting in relationships? It is also an integral part of communication with sociopaths and psychopaths.
Sociopath vs. Psychopath vs. Narcissist
When it comes to understanding antisocial behaviors, narcissists always also come up in conversation, along with sociopaths and psychopaths.
Although sociopaths, psychopaths, and narcissists share certain overlapping traits — such as manipulative behavior and a lack of empathy — they are fundamentally different in how they think, feel, and act.
Here’s how they often show up:
- Sociopaths tend to be unpredictable ones who may show extreme behaviors that make them stand out as unreliable or erratic.
- Psychopaths can blend into leadership roles or positions of influence, where they use their charm and calculated thinking to further their interests.
- Narcissists are often found in roles that center on public attention, such as influencers, public speakers, or leaders who seek admiration.
Here’s a clear breakdown of their distinctive psychopath vs. sociopath vs. narcissist traits:
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?
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.
Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho,” Alex Forrest in “Fatal Attraction” and even Sherlock Holmes in the early books and movies ― all of them have more or less sociopathic traits.
Such people usually ignore others’ feelings while doing what’s right for them without paying attention to social norms. Can sociopaths feel guilt? Usually, no.
They tend to be manipulative and dramatic while having unpredictable mood swings. Building friendly or romantic relations with these people could be a real rollercoaster ― they may try to use you for personal gain and can be pretty aggressive.
Sociopathic traits
- Impulsive Behavior: Sociopaths act without thinking about the consequences, which often leads to volatile or unpredictable behavior.
- Difficulty Forming Relationships: While sociopaths may form some emotional attachments, these are typically limited and often self-serving.
- Poor Emotional Control: They are prone to outbursts of anger or frustration and find it difficult to mask their emotions.
- History of Law Breaking: Sociopaths disregard societal norms and laws, which may result in criminal behavior.
What is psychopathy?
There are many examples of psychopaths in modern culture. From Joker in “The Dark Knight” to Catherine Tramell in “Basic Instinct,” these characters add unpredictable twists to all movies.
So, what is a psychopath? It’s a person who lacks emotion and empathy, doesn’t care for others, and can’t love. These people also neglect social norms and have little in common with morality.
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, Canadian psychologist.
Experts identify 4 types of psychopaths: narcissistic, borderline, sadistic, and antisocial.
What’s more, there isn’t a term like “emotional psychopath.” These people usually don’t experience any feelings, but they are good at pretending.
They develop emotional intelligence to appear normal and get what they need from others.
About 1 in every 22 people globally struggle with psychopathy. At the same time, in corporate leading positions, their number reaches up to 12%, which proves the fact that psychopaths strive for authority and power.
Psychopathy symptoms
- Calculated Behaviors: Psychopaths are meticulous planners, capable of manipulating others without raising suspicion.
- Lack of Emotional Attachment: They rarely form genuine emotional relationships and often see people as tools for personal gain.
- Superficial Charm: Psychopaths are skilled at appearing charismatic and likable, which helps them blend into society.
- Lack of Remorse: They have almost no guilt or concern for the harm they cause, whether emotional or physical.
Causes of Sociopathy and Psychopathy
Now, we’ll dive a bit deeper. Let’s learn to discover what can be a reason for psychopathic and sociopathic tendencies in people’s behavior. Below, I’ll shed light on the peculiarities of each condition’s psychology.
Interestingly, researchers aren’t sure of the exact cause of ASPD, but the reasons for psychopathy and sociopathy seem to be different.
What makes a sociopath? This condition is usually a result of 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.
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What makes a psychopath? At the same time, psychopathy is more a result of exceptional genetics and biological factors. These people often have the dysfunctional amygdala ― a part of the brain responsible for reactions to dangerous situations and emotional regulation.
To sum up, psychopaths are often born with specific traits, whereas sociopath characteristics are a result of environmental factors.
Common Myths About Sociopaths vs. Psychopaths
Despite more people learning about mental health topics, there are still a lot of false beliefs about sociopaths and psychopaths. Here are some myths worth debunking:
Myth 1: All Sociopaths and Psychopaths Are Criminals
While sociopathy and psychopathy are linked with criminal behavior, many of these people with these traits lead crime-free lives. Psychopaths, for instance, may excel in certain careers due to their detached demeanor and strategic thinking.
Myth 2: Sociopaths and Psychopaths Are the Same
Though related, the two terms describe distinct behaviors, as evidenced in this article.
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 Are Untreatable
While challenging, therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help individuals with ASPD manage some behaviors.
Psychopathic vs. Sociopath: Treatment Options
Is it bad to be a sociopath or a psychopath? In most cases, such people don’t struggle with their conditions but can 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.
Psychotherapy
The main thing people need to do to succeed in therapy is to understand that they need it. Sadly, most patients with sociopathic and psychopathic traits don’t want to change anything. Nevertheless, it can help reduce risky behavior and develop healthier relations. The earlier such people start therapy, the more effective it is.
Medication
There are no medicines that deal with such conditions, but lots of drugs for other disorders can reduce the symptoms. Have ADHD and take antidepressants? They probably won’t be helpful. However, psychostimulants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers sometimes improve the state of the patient.
We recommend contacting a specialist to take a full sociopath vs psychopath diagnostic assessment, learn more about your specific condition, and choose an appropriate treatment. If your loved one has similar symptoms, there are ways you can help them.
Rychel Johnson, M.S., LCPC, comments on the topic, “Both sociopathy and psychopathy are conditions that are challenging to identify and treat. Individuals with these traits often lack insight into their behavior and may resist change. However, some therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), may be beneficial in managing symptoms and reducing harmful behaviors. Research continues to develop on the potential effect of therapeutic interventions for both sociopathic and psychopathic tendencies.”