Differences between Psychopath and Sociopath

Psychopath vs. Sociopath

The terms psychopath and sociopath are often used to describe individuals who exhibit a persistent disregard for the feelings and rights of others. Neither "psychopathy" nor "sociopathy" are official clinical diagnoses in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Instead, they are popularly and sometimes clinically used terms to describe traits that fall under the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). A person must be at least 18 years old to be diagnosed with ASPD, and symptoms must have been present before the age of 15.

While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, many mental health professionals and researchers distinguish between them based on a number of key characteristics. The general consensus is that psychopathy is a more severe condition with genetic and biological origins, while sociopathy is thought to develop primarily from environmental factors. A common axiom used to distinguish the two is, "psychopaths are born, and sociopaths are made."

Comparison Table

Category	Psychopath	Sociopath
Primary Origin	Believed to be largely genetic or biological; linked to underdeveloped parts of the brain that regulate emotion and impulse control.	Believed to be mainly the result of environmental factors, such as childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect.
Emotional Capacity	Experiences a profound lack of emotion and inability to form genuine emotional attachments. Often feigns emotions to manipulate others.	Has a limited but present capacity for empathy and remorse. Can form attachments to specific individuals or groups.
Behavior	Cold, calculating, and meticulous. Crimes, if committed, are often well-planned. Can maintain an outward appearance of normalcy and hold steady jobs.	Impulsive, erratic, and prone to emotional outbursts and fits of rage. Behavior is more spontaneous than premeditated.
Conscience	Possesses little to no conscience. Believes their actions are justified and feels no remorse for harming others.	Possesses a weak conscience. May understand that an action is wrong but will rationalize their behavior.
Social Relationships	Forms artificial, shallow relationships to exploit others. Often seen as charming and charismatic on the surface.	Capable of forming close bonds with a few individuals, but struggles with most social relationships and has no regard for societal rules.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Psychopath and Sociopath

Relationship to Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

ASPD is the formal diagnosis associated with these traits. It is defined by a pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others, including deceitfulness, impulsivity, aggressiveness, and a lack of remorse. Research by Canadian psychologist Robert Hare, who developed the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R), suggests that while most individuals identified as psychopaths meet the criteria for ASPD, most people diagnosed with ASPD are not psychopaths. Some experts view psychopathy as a more severe variant of ASPD, characterized by a greater lack of empathy and a more calculated, manipulative interpersonal style. Sociopathy, in contrast, is often considered more closely aligned with the general diagnostic criteria for ASPD, particularly its behavioral aspects like impulsivity and aggression.