1. Psychopath or sociopath?
Similarities and Differences

2. The distinction between terms:
According to the American Psychiatric Association both psychopaths and sociopaths are types of anti-social personality disorders.
They have many common behaviors and personality traits.
The sociopath-psychopath difference is generally determined by:
the causes of the individual’s condition
specific aspects of their personality and behaviors
Though psychiatrists often consider and treat sociopaths and psychopaths as the same, criminologists treat them differently because of the difference in their outward behavior.

3. Diagnosis
The APA has several criteria for diagnosis of an anti- social personality disorder
disregard for the rights of others
a lack of empathy for others
difficulty with genuine intimacy
manipulative behavior
impulsive behavior
MUST be 18 years or older

4. Stages of Behavior Development:
Psychopathic/sociopathic behaviors begin at approximately fifteen years of age.
Usually starts with excessive cruelty to animals
Next is a lack of conscience, remorse or guilt for hurtful actions to others at a later stage
Early crimes tend to be less violent, violence increases with confidence

5. Definitions
Psychopath:
a person suffering from chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behavior
Sociopath: a person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behaviors and a lack of conscience

6. Clinical Differences:
Sociopath is the term used when the anti- social behavior is a result of a brain injury or negative sociological factors like parental neglect, delinquent peers, belief system and upbringing.
Psychopath is used when the underlying cause leans towards the hereditary – meaning that there is a familial history of mental illness.

7. Psychopaths are BORN. Sociopaths are MADE.
In other words…
Psychopaths are BORN. Sociopaths are MADE.

8. Origin of illness:
Psychopaths: Psychologists generally use the term psychopathy to imply an inborn (innate) condition of the individual.
Sociopaths: Sociopath generally implies that environmental factors, such as upbringing, have played a role in the development of their anti-social personality

9. Psychopaths vs. Sociopaths
Suffers from:
Anti-social personality disorder
lack of empathy
no conscience
Predisposition to Violence
Varied (low to high)
Suffers from:
Anti-social personality disorder
High impulsivity
Predisposition to Violence
High

10. Psychopaths vs. Sociopaths
Impulsivity:
Varies – generally low
Behavior:
Controlled
Criminal Behavior:
participates in schemes
takes calculated risks
minimizes evidence or exposure
Impulsivity:
High
Behavior:
Erratic
Criminal Behavior:
tends to leave clues
acts on impulse
high risk crimes

11. Psychopaths vs Sociopaths
Criminal Predispositions
Tendency to commit premeditated crimes with:
controllable risks
criminal opportunism
fraud
calculated or opportunistic violence
Criminal Predispositions
Tendency to commit impulsive or opportunistic crimes
excessive risk taking
impulsive or opportunistic violence

12. Psychopath vs. Sociopath
Types of Crimes Committed
psychopaths are meticulous planners (Ponzi schemes)
their crime go undetected for a long time – white collar crimes (fraud, embezzlement)
violent crimes are rare
MOST prolific serial killers are psychopaths
Types of Crimes Committed
unplanned/erratic
crimes of opportunity (car jacking, mugging, fights)
disorganized, leave clues
feel guilt (murder/abuse)

13. Psychopaths vs Sociopaths
Social relationships
appear superficially normal in public
Form no attachments
NO empathy or conscience
often social predators
hurt family and friends without feeling guilt
value relationships that benefit themselves
Social relationships
can empathize with close friends or family
will feel guilty if they hurt people close to them

14. Psychopaths vs Sociopaths
Outward Behavior
can be extremely charming but they are only pretending
do not make any emotional bonds
obsessively organized
no emotional response to the actions of others
inability to form genuine relationships
Outward Behavior
impulsive
hot-tempered
erratic
weak/unable to resist their impulses

15. Psychopath vs. Sociopath
Interpersonal relationships
very manipulative
abuse the people around them
form symbiotic or parasitic relationships
mimic/manipulate human emotions
Interpersonal relationships
capable of empathy and guilt
can form close bonds
capable of sustaining a “normal” relationship

16. Psychopaths vs Sociopaths
Careers:
have very successful careers
try to make others like and trust them
Driven to be rich/famous
Most successful CEO’s have a large number of psychopathic behaviors and traits
Serial killers (some) want to be caught, it is the only way they will get the “credit” and the fame
Careers:
find it hard to maintain steady employment
day laborers
part-time or temp work
homeless/ vagrants
fringes of society
Seasonal jobs
Low –to –minimal skills