A psychopath usually lacks control, whereas a sociopath is all about control. A psychopath is a disorderly killer, a socipath more orderly. A psychopath tends not to be able to control their emotions, a socipath often has to feign them.
You can be a psychopath or a sociopath without being a murderer though. There is a school of thought that our entire society is built around psychopaths’ whims as most politicians are – which seems ever more true right now, sadly!
Most psychologists would say that the terms are interchangeable, although one obvious difference is that a psychopath does not reject the rules of society (indeed, they frequently manipulate them), but simply believe they do not apply, in part or in whole, to them. A sociopath, on the other, wholly rejects society’s mores, even though they may conceal this (or try to). Therefore, the public image a psycopath might project is not as intentionally deceptive as a sociopath’s. Ultimately, psychopaths (or most of them) can still function in society (indeed, some 10-15% of the population display clinical psychopathic traits), but sociop[aths cannot.
In retrospect I guess I ought to have said it depends on whether you mean the clinical terms or how they are perceived in relation to crime. Behavioural Analysis studies suggest a psycho is a disorganised killer, a socio an organised one…though these may, as Hannibal Lecter suggested, be blunt tools.
One thing most psychologists agree on; real-life psycho’s are never as interesting, personality wise, as the fictional ones. They’re often intelligent, but actually really boring people, with silly obsessions that run amok.
Dear @Susan Think Classical Mythology, Apollo and Dionysus, Order and Chaos. A psychopath is orderly and precise like Apollo and a sociopath is chaotic and driven by impulse like Dionysus.
My apologies, no need for drama; just meant it seems much faster to do a minimal online search for various thoughts on the subject. Some of the answers here are quite interesting, agreed.
I think it depends on how much they piss you off as to what the technical term is. Lol. Seriously though, sociopaths function very well within in society and fly under the radar easily because they are terrific mimics and can also be charismatic. They are not all serial killers or murderers. They are not necessarily bad people either. The actual disorder is called anti social personality disorder, and the things that go along with that – like narcissism, pathological lying, and completely self-centeredness – come from them not having normal emotions, and therefore, not having empathy.
I have had 2 sociopaths in my life, and from what I can tell, they mimic constantly. It’s almost like they’re constantly trying on personalities, trying to fit in, and get people to like them. They mimic everything – other people, television, books, movies, whatever. I caught them mimicking things I said verbatim or something we watched on TV together, or read a book they were reading and all of sudden realized “that’s where it’s coming from!” In general, if they’re really trying to stay positive, they’ll mimic the most positive things out there – religion, positive affirmations, etc., and that seems to be healthy for them. They do definitely have their own personalities, but if they get in a funk, they’ll regress to what they know best which seems to be “I am so perfect, and everybody and everything sucks.” When that happens, or if, God forbid, you piss them off or call them on bullshit, watch out! They have a temper.
Interestingly, been researching this myself lately. According to psychiatrist friends/research ppl they now think there’s v little difference between the two and the terms get used interchangeably. This was backed up in THE PSYCHOPATH TEST by Jon Ronson which I read last week.
I wasn’t sure what the differences were, that is why I asked. It has been very interesting. One thing I have noticed is one is organised and the other is not.
A psychopath usually lacks control, whereas a sociopath is all about control. A psychopath is a disorderly killer, a socipath more orderly. A psychopath tends not to be able to control their emotions, a socipath often has to feign them.
other way round. psychopaths tend to be more organised and careful killers, whereas sociopaths are disorderly. See the link below.https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2015/02/12/differences-between-a-psychopath-vs-sociopath/ plus anything by Andy McNab
So strange because a book I read by the bloke who started the BSU suggested otherwise. Interesting.
One murders, the other manipulates.
You can be a psychopath or a sociopath without being a murderer though. There is a school of thought that our entire society is built around psychopaths’ whims as most politicians are – which seems ever more true right now, sadly!
I’m sure someone will tell you but if they haven’t by the time I get home ill explain
In clinical terms they are the same thing.
A phychologist??
Both antisocial personality disorders and sometimes referred to as that. https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2015/02/12/differences-between-a-psychopath-vs-sociopath/
Thank you @Lesley. I was looking for the one which feels no remorse or guilt. Trying to explain to a friend.
I researched it in depth for my last but one book 😉
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/the-difference-between-a-psychopath-and-a-sociopath-10422016.html
Most psychologists would say that the terms are interchangeable, although one obvious difference is that a psychopath does not reject the rules of society (indeed, they frequently manipulate them), but simply believe they do not apply, in part or in whole, to them. A sociopath, on the other, wholly rejects society’s mores, even though they may conceal this (or try to). Therefore, the public image a psycopath might project is not as intentionally deceptive as a sociopath’s. Ultimately, psychopaths (or most of them) can still function in society (indeed, some 10-15% of the population display clinical psychopathic traits), but sociop[aths cannot.
Accroding to Jon Ronson, I would pass the psychopath test.
In retrospect I guess I ought to have said it depends on whether you mean the clinical terms or how they are perceived in relation to crime. Behavioural Analysis studies suggest a psycho is a disorganised killer, a socio an organised one…though these may, as Hannibal Lecter suggested, be blunt tools.
One thing most psychologists agree on; real-life psycho’s are never as interesting, personality wise, as the fictional ones. They’re often intelligent, but actually really boring people, with silly obsessions that run amok.
Dear @Susan Think Classical Mythology, Apollo and Dionysus, Order and Chaos. A psychopath is orderly and precise like Apollo and a sociopath is chaotic and driven by impulse like Dionysus.
I’ve always read them as being entirely the opposite to that…
This is such a great post. It has inspired humour and toing and froing with ideas. Nice one Susan Hunter
Me is very confused!
I don’t know the doctor hasn’t explained that to me yet! Next appointment maybe ???
Haha you and me both!
See u in the waiting room ?
Spooky – I looked up exactly that last night!
Thanks everyone
I actually wrote a blog post on the ASPD spectrum…
http://www.embosso.net/2017/01/27/sociopath-or-addict/
Thank you for your input. I wanted other people’s opinions. Does that answer your comment?
There is also the option to scroll on by!
Spelt differently.
My apologies, no need for drama; just meant it seems much faster to do a minimal online search for various thoughts on the subject. Some of the answers here are quite interesting, agreed.
Neither necessarily is a murderer !
Yes @Kathryn , I have discovered that!
And we are surrounded by them in real life aren’t we?
I think it depends on how much they piss you off as to what the technical term is. Lol. Seriously though, sociopaths function very well within in society and fly under the radar easily because they are terrific mimics and can also be charismatic. They are not all serial killers or murderers. They are not necessarily bad people either. The actual disorder is called anti social personality disorder, and the things that go along with that – like narcissism, pathological lying, and completely self-centeredness – come from them not having normal emotions, and therefore, not having empathy.
Sums it up great, @Anna, it was the mimicry I was curious about.
I have had 2 sociopaths in my life, and from what I can tell, they mimic constantly. It’s almost like they’re constantly trying on personalities, trying to fit in, and get people to like them. They mimic everything – other people, television, books, movies, whatever. I caught them mimicking things I said verbatim or something we watched on TV together, or read a book they were reading and all of sudden realized “that’s where it’s coming from!” In general, if they’re really trying to stay positive, they’ll mimic the most positive things out there – religion, positive affirmations, etc., and that seems to be healthy for them. They do definitely have their own personalities, but if they get in a funk, they’ll regress to what they know best which seems to be “I am so perfect, and everybody and everything sucks.” When that happens, or if, God forbid, you piss them off or call them on bullshit, watch out! They have a temper.
Wow Anna! Sounds quite frightening! Like something out of the books I have read.
You have described my daughter in law to a T! Come to that, my mother and sister! For some niave reason, thought it only applied to criminals…… X
@Susan thanks for the question ! I have enjoyed all the replies and I trust you have too 🙂
I have, because automatically you think of villains in books read. Pleased you have enjoyed the answers too.
The spelling!
Haha
Interestingly, been researching this myself lately. According to psychiatrist friends/research ppl they now think there’s v little difference between the two and the terms get used interchangeably. This was backed up in THE PSYCHOPATH TEST by Jon Ronson which I read last week.
I wasn’t sure what the differences were, that is why I asked. It has been very interesting. One thing I have noticed is one is organised and the other is not.
From what I understand, they think it’s more to do with personality and intelligence now (whether organised or not) than the label.
I like to hear others take on it, the comments are intetesting
True there’s little difference. The sociopath does not have quite the detachment of the psychopath for example…
There is very little difference, and traits can overlap. I worked in a top security forensic mental hospital for ten years. Surrounded by them ….