People often use these labels interchangeably, but the reality is that these are two distinct conditions. Neither psychopathy nor sociopathy is a true mental health diagnosis. In the world of psychiatry, both fall under the umbrella of a condition called antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).
Sociopath is an unofficial term to describe a person who has ASPD, whereas psychopathy describes a set of personality traits. However, ASPD and psychopathy can overlap.
ASPD and psychopathy share some similar traits, including aggression and a lack of remorse. Sociopaths tend to act more impulsively and erratically compared to psychopaths.
Sociopaths generally struggle to maintain a job or a family life, whereas psychopaths may be able to do so. While psychopaths generally struggle to form attachments, sociopaths may be capable with like-minded individuals.
Sociopaths tend to be nervous and easily agitated. They are volatile and prone to emotional outbursts, including fits of rage. They are more likely than psychopaths to be uneducated and to live on the fringes of society.
They are sometimes unable to hold down a steady job or stay in one place for a long time. It is often difficult but not entirely impossible for sociopaths to form attachments with others.
In the eyes of others, sociopaths will generally appear to be disturbed or erratic. Any crimes they commit, including murder, will tend to be haphazard and spontaneous rather than planned.
Because of their erratic behavior, sociopaths are easier for both professionals and nonprofessionals to identify compared to psychopaths.
Psychopaths tend to be aggressive and predatory in nature. They view others as objects for their amusement. Although they lack empathy, psychopaths often have disarming or even charming personalities.
They are manipulative and can easily gain people’s trust. They learn to mimic emotions, despite their inability to feel them, and will appear normal to unsuspecting people. Psychopaths are often well-educated and hold steady jobs.
Unlike their sociopathic counterparts, psychopathic criminals are calm and meticulous. From a law-enforcement perspective, the cold-blooded nature of psychopaths makes them effective criminals.
As such, they are generally more difficult to identify than sociopaths. Unfortunately, it can be hard to know when a psychopathic predator has targeted you for exploitation.
Ultimately, psychopathy is rarer than sociopathy and is the most dangerous of antisocial personality disorders. Not surprisingly, many serial killers, including Ted Bundy, Dennis Rader (BTK) and John Wayne Gacy, have been unremorseful psychopaths. Indeed, it is estimated that nearly 50 percent of all serial killers are psychopaths.
Next week’s column will focus on contributing factors leading to this pathology.
Christina Martinez, LCSW, is the program manager of the Los Banos Clinic of Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, located at 40 W. G St., Suite C, in Los Banos.
