Differences between psychopathy and sociopathy

Most knowledgeable in the areas of psychology, psychiatry Y criminology conceives that the Antisocial Personality Disorder It is a heterogeneous category, although the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association, 1994) considers it as a set with a unique identity.

In his book David lykken (1994) maintains that the subjects that make up this group “are characterized by a persistent predisposition towards antisocial behavior” (p. 45).

Antisocial Personality Disorder, psychopathy and sociopathy

In order to establish the differences between psychopathy Y sociopathy, we will proceed to examine both cases. It could be said, despite not enjoying official recognition, that these are two of the three main categories into which this disorder bifurcates:

Psychopathy

Psychopathy is expressed by innate antisocial tendencies due to both biological, quantitative differences in temperament or qualitative factors in the brain function of those who suffer from it, which make it difficult for them to socialize when they are of increase.

• To deepen the analysis of psychopathy, we invite you to read the article: "Psychopathy: what happens in the psychopath's mind?"

Sociopathy

These are individuals with a normal temperament, but who do not have acquired socializing attributes such as consequence of a negligent and incompetent upbringing on the part of the main agents of socialization: the fathers.

Parenting is decisive in sociopathy

The dynamics of the negligent educational style by the parents results, in the future, in wild children unable to socialize properly and committing crimes. If in addition, the parents of these young people were also raised under irresponsible and indifferent supervision, being immature in this aspect it is very difficult for them to know how to straighten their offspring, if they are concerned the most minimum. David lykken suggests that recent cultural changes in the United States have contributed to the increased incidence of this inept parenting.

As the author himself says: “the antisocial personalities responsible for the majority of crimes in the United States are not psychopaths. They are sociopaths ”(p.10). So that, sociopathic personalities are more numerous and they represent a major social problem due to the increase in crime and violence rates. They are very present in Western society, and more in cities than in rural populations.

The typical sociopath profile

Sociopathy is the broadest subgenre of Antisocial Personality Disorder. In it we find individuals (usually young men although the presence of women is increasing) who did not socialize well in childhood and adolescence. These deficiencies in their moral and affective development are the necessary basis for a case of sociopathy to arise.

• "Sociopaths (...) have impulsive characteristics or patterns of habits that can be attributed to deviant learning that interacts, perhaps, with deviant genetic tendencies" (p. 47).

This should not mislead us, since the temperament of a sociopath is often normal despite parental clumsiness; while others may be nervous or constant stimulus seekers. The majority of the prison population meets the diagnostic criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder, which identifies more than half of the men we consider "common criminals."

In summary, the sociopath is the failed product of a careless and undisciplined upbringing. It must be said, however, that having received a poor education is not the only factor that explains sociopathy. It is not uncommon to meet people who, despite the many difficulties they went through during their childhood, have been able to seek their place in the world and be individuals with whom we can relate with total normal.

Bibliographic references:

• Lykken, D. (1994). Antisocial personalities. Barcelona: Herder.
• Pozueco, J. M. (2010). Integrated psychopaths: psychological profile and personality. Madrid: EOS Legal Psychology.
• Werlinder, H. (1978). Psychopathy: A history of the concepts. Analysis of the origin and development of a family of concepts in psychopatology. Uppsla, Stockolm: Almqvist & Wiskell International.