Is psychopathy the same as sociopathy? Are they the two sides of the same coin? If not, how are they different? In this article we will know 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, to later analyze their differences related to their behavior, origin of the pathology, emotions, etc. .
Psychopathy vs. sociopathy
Psychopathy is a mental disorder, which in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders) is classified as a antisocial personality disorder. This alteration entails deviant social behavior, manipulation of others for one's own benefit, lack of respect for the rules or for the rights of others (and violation of the themselves), as well as a lack of empathy and the ability to experience emotions.
On the other hand, the intellectual capacity of the psychopath is preserved Sociopathy, on the other hand, is considered by some experts, more than a “inborn” personality disorder (such as psychopathy), an acquired trait, influenced by environment and upbringing. However, other authors do classify sociopathy as an antisocial personality disorder as well.
Thus, we could say that for many, psychopathy and sociopathy are two variants of the same personality disorder (antisocial personality), characterized by contempt for and violation of the rights of others.It is known that up to 3% of the population may suffer from antisocial personality disorder.
Thus, although these are two different disorders, they share some characteristics, such as a general pattern of contempt for others (their rights, freedoms, security...), and the presence of manipulation and deception for their own benefit.
The 8 differences between Psychopathy and Sociopathy
But, how does Psychopathy differ from Sociopathy? We are going to see the most important differences between a psychopath and a sociopath below.
one. Origin of the pathology
Many experts believe that “you are born a psychopath and become a sociopath”. In other words, psychopathy is of innate origin, with a certain genetic predisposition to suffer from it. Instead, sociopaths "emerge", influenced by the environment (environmental factors) and by the education they receive.
In fact, that is why numerous investigations have tried to analyze the brain differences that exist in psychopaths vs. he althy people". In other words, the apparently genetic origin of psychopathy, has led to the study of its brain structures and functions, finding certain differences with respect to people without psychopathy or sociopathy.
Specifically, it has been found that psychopathic people have less activity in certain brain regions (those responsible for impulse control and emotional regulation). Sociopaths, on the other hand, are believed to arise mainly from certain environmental factors (for example, sexual or emotional abuse, childhood trauma, psychological abuse, etc. ).
2. Type of behavior and impulsivity
Another difference between psychopathy and sociopathy is that generally sociopathic people tend to be more impulsive and manifest more erratic (aimlessly) than psychopathic people.This causes sociopaths to manifest uncontrolled rage attacks, as well as impulse control disorders, facts that make it difficult for them to lead a “normal” life, as we will see later.
That is, sociopaths act in a less calculated, more erratic way Psychopaths, on the other hand, are capable of manifesting more “controlled”, reasonable, calm or “contained”; thus their behaviors are more calculated. Psychopaths may be able to control everything they do and hatch highly calculated plans to get what they want
3. Culpability
Psychopaths do not experience guilt when they make mistakes or when they do harm to others (even if this is serious harm, such as rape or kill someone); in sociopaths, on the other hand, the feeling of guilt can exist.
4. Dissociation
Another difference between psychopathy and sociopathy is that psychopaths are more able to dissociate (“separate”) from their Actions. This is related to the previous difference, since the greater the dissociation, the less feeling of guilt.
Dissociation implies not becoming emotionally involved with actions, that is, acting “as if they had not been done”. In other words, emotional involvement is generally lower in psychopaths than in sociopaths.
5. Empathy and emotions
Although empathy may be absent or altered in both pathologies, in psychopathy the alteration is greater; that is, a psychopath lacks empathy; You can see someone suffer and not feel the slightest compassion, since you do not connect with emotions (or with others), you do not experience them ( although you can pretend to feel them), you are dissociated from them.
This is the case of many psychopaths, although we must emphasize that suffering from psychopathy or sociopathy does not necessarily mean falling into violence or delinquency , that is, these people do not have to be violent or murderous.
6. Handling
On the other hand, continuing with the differences between psychopathy and sociopathy, the degree of manipulation in both disorders also varies; thus, generally psychopaths are more manipulative than sociopaths. This means that psychopaths can be seen as more charming 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 one of them also tends to vary Psychopaths, as a consequence of “dazzling ” to the people in the environment, and by manipulating you (many times without their realizing it), they can lead an apparently normal life, with recognized job positions (for example, senior executives).
8. Manner of committing a crime (if they do so)
The last of the differences between psychopathy and sociopathy is related to their way of committing crimes. We insist that neither psychopathy nor sociopathy implies violence or crime; that is, they are people who can commit a crime, but that does not have to happen. However, when it happens and they commit crimes, the way to do it is different.
Thus, while psychopaths can significantly reduce the risks of their criminal acts (because they prepare everything a lot, they have everything under control), the Sociopaths, acting more erratically, are more reckless (disregard the consequences of their actions), and are more likely to be found out or “hunted down.” That is to say, and so that we understand each other, the crimes of the latter tend to be more “botched”.