How to distinguish between a psychopath and a sociopath?

When talking about those who have no respect for the rights and feelings of others, it is common to talk about words like "psychopathy" and "sociopathy."

Now... are these two terms synonymous? The answer is not exactly, although it is a complex matter. Let's explore it in this article, in which we will see how to differentiate between a psychopath and a sociopath.

• Related article: "Psychopathy: what happens in the psychopath's mind?"

The 4 keys to distinguish between a sociopath and a psychopath

The first thing to keep in mind is that both psychopathy and sociopathy are concepts controversial, in the sense that there is no scientific consensus (in Psychology and Psychiatry) about its definition.

The closest to delimiting them conceptually that has been done is to create the diagnostic categories of Antisocial Personality Disorder and Disocial Personality Disorder, belonging to the DSM 5 and ICD 10 diagnostic manuals, respectively.

These two categories are very similar or almost indistinguishable when it comes to describing the symptoms of psychopathologies that they express in words, and it is often understood that they explain corresponds to psychopathy and sociopathy, although they do not completely overlap with these concepts (in part, due to the lack of specificity of these last).

Now this does not mean that neither sociopaths nor psychopaths exist. Beyond the creation of diagnostic manuals, whose raison d'être is to portray psychological alterations in the most reliable and detailed way possible, it has been decades since Psychologists and behavioral science researchers generally speak of psychopathy and sociopathy to define sets of problematic traits or directly psychopathological. These are something like unofficial psychological constructs, which allow each person to become an approximate idea about the behavior of certain individuals although several ends are left for tie.

As we have seen, both psychopathy and sociopathy are concepts associated with Antisocial Personality Disorder, which already reveals something about what they are: it is about psychological alterations that are reflected in all areas of the individual's life because its symptoms are integrated into the personality of this.

These symptoms have to do with a lack of empathy, a disregard for legality and written and unwritten social norms, and the vision of others as tools to achieve something.

From here, let's see how to distinguish a psychopath from a sociopath.

1. The psycho has more long-term vision

Although both psychopathy and sociopathy occur in individuals who generally give in to their urges, comparatively, the term "sociopath" is used in individuals with serious problems to achieve long-term goals and prioritize them ahead of your more immediate impulses. Thus, psychopaths are more calculating and have greater resources to "cover their tracks" by violating the rules and persuading or seducing others to use them for their benefit.

• You may be interested in: "The 10 types of Personality Disorders"

2. The sociopath is due to physical or mental health problems suffered at some point in their life

In general, it is understood that psychopaths behave in an anomalous and harmful way due to mainly genetic factors; However, sociopaths behave in a chaotic or hostile way because of personal problems such as a traumatic childhood, a brain injury, etc.

3. The psychopath has a greater capacity for socialization

As the psychopath is not due to having suffered an experience with disruptive power in his behavior, he has a greater capacity to direct all of her actions to a specific purpose, while what the sociopath is more spontaneous and has trouble predicting their own actions.

4. The sociopath has serious problems climbing socially

Sociopathy is associated with precariousness and lack of resources, while psychopathy is more transversal in this sense. In fact, various investigations suggest that some skilled and well-paying jobs give an advantage to those prone to psychopathy, by enhancing their tendency to compete and not empathize with others. In other words, psychopathy does not always have to pose obstacles to prosper economically and socially.

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