Is psychopathy the same as sociopathy? Are they two sides of the same coin? If not, how are they different? In this article we will learn the 8 differences between Psychopathy and Sociopathy.
Before clarifying the differences between psychopathy and sociopathy, we will first define what each of these disorders is, and then analyze their differences related to their behavior, origin of the pathology, emotions, etc.
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Psychopathy vs. sociopathy
Psychopathy is a mental disorderThe DSM-5 (Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders) classifies it as an antisocial personality disorder. This disorder involves deviant social behavior, manipulation of others for one’s own benefit, lack of respect for rules or for the rights of others (and violation of these), as well as lack of empathy and the ability to experience emotions.
On the other hand, the psychopath’s intellectual capacity is preserved.. Sociopathy, on the other hand, is considered by some experts to be more than an “innate” personality disorder (as would be psychopathy). (as psychopathy would be), an acquired trait, influenced by environment and upbringing. However, other authors do classify sociopathy as an antisocial personality disorder.
Thus, we could say that for many, psychopathy and sociopathy are two variants of the same personality disorder (antisocial personality), characterized by contempt and violation of the rights of others. It is known that up to 3% of the population population may suffer from an antisocial personality disorder.
Thus, although they are two different disordersThey share some characteristics, such as a general pattern of contempt for others (their rights, freedoms, safety …), and the presence of manipulation and deception for their own benefit.
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The 8 differences between Psychopathy and Sociopathy.
But how does Psychopathy differ from Sociopathy? Let’s look at the most important differences between a psychopath and a sociopath below.
1. Origin of the pathology
Many experts believe that “psychopath is born and sociopath is made“. In other words, psychopathy is of innate origin, with a certain genetic predisposition to suffer from it. On the other hand, sociopaths “emerge”, influenced by the environment (environmental factors) and by the education they receive.
In fact, it is for this reason that numerous investigations have attempted to analyze the brain differences that exist in psychopaths vs. “healthy” people. That is to say, the apparently genetic origin of psychopathyhas led to study their brain structures and functions, finding certain differences with respect to people without psychopathy or sociopathy.
Specifically, it has been found that psychopaths have less activity in certain brain regions (those responsible for impulse control and emotional regulation). Sociopaths, on the other hand, are thought to arise mainly as a result of certain environmental factors. (e.g. sexual or emotional abuse, childhood trauma, psychological maltreatment, etc.).
2. Type of behavior and impulsivity
Another difference between psychopathy and sociopathy is that sociopaths tend to be more impulsive. sociopaths tend to be more impulsive and manifest more erratic behavior. and manifest more erratic (aimless) behavior than psychopaths. This causes sociopaths to manifest uncontrolled fits of rage, as well as impulse control disorders, facts that make it difficult for them to lead a “normal” life, as we will see below.
In other words, sociopaths act in a less calculated, more erratic, and more erratic way.. Psychopaths, on the other hand, are able to manifest a more “controlled”, reasonable, serene or “restrained” behavior; thus their behaviors are more calculated. Psychopaths may be able to control everything they do and devise highly calculated plans to get what they want.
3. Guilt
Psychopaths do not experience guilt when they make mistakes or when they harm others (even if these are serious harms, such as raping or killing someone); in sociopaths, on the other hand, guilt may exist.
4. Dissociation
Another difference between psychopathy and sociopathy is that psychopaths have a greater capacity for dissociation. psychopaths are more able to dissociate (“detach”) from their (“detach”) from their actions. This is related to the previous difference, since the greater the dissociation, the less the sense of guilt.
Dissociation implies not getting emotionally involved with actions, i.e., acting out with the actions, i.e., acting “as if they had not been performed”. In other words, in general, emotional involvement is lower in psychopaths than in sociopaths.
5. Empathy and emotions
Although empathy may be absent or impaired in both pathologies, in psychopathy the impairment is greater; ie, a psychopath lacks empathyHe/she can see someone suffer and not feel the slightest compassion, since he/she does not connect with emotions (nor with others), does not experience them (although he/she may pretend to feel them), he/she is dissociated from them.
This is the case of many psychopaths, although it should be noted that suffering from psychopathic we must emphasize that suffering from psychopathy or sociopathy does not necessarily imply falling into violence or delinquency, i.e., these people do not have psychopathy or sociopathy.that is to say, these people do not necessarily have to be violent or murderous.
6. Manipulation
On the other hand, continuing with the differences between psychopathy and sociopathy, the degree of manipulation in both disorders also variesThus, psychopaths are generally more manipulative than sociopaths. This means that psychopaths can be seen as more charming people than sociopaths, without arousing any “suspicion” of their intentions, actions or behaviors.
7. Type of life
As a result of the above, the type of life of each of them also tends to vary.. Psychopaths, as a result of “dazzling” the people around them and manipulating them (often without them realizing it), can lead an apparently normal life, with recognized job positions (for example, top executives).
8. Manner of delinquency (if they do it)
The last of the differences between psychopathy and sociopathy is related to the way they commit crimes. We insist that neither psychopathy nor sociopathy implies violence or delinquency; that is, they are people who may commit crimes, but it does not have to happen. However, when it does occur and they commit a crime, the way they do it is different.
Thus, while psychopaths can significantly reduce the risks of their criminal acts (because they prepare everything well, they have everything under control), sociopaths, by acting more erratically, are more reckless, sociopaths, acting in a more erratic way, are more reckless (they do not take into account the consequences of their actions), and (they do not take into account the consequences of their actions), and are more likely to be caught or “hunted”. In other words, and so that we understand each other, the crimes of the latter tend to be more “botched”.