Sociopaths and Psychopaths: Understanding the Differences and Why They’re Grouped Together

If you’re familiar with the modern International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10, ICD-11), you may know that it doesn’t separate sociopaths from psychopaths. While there are differences between these terms, they share a similar core, which is why they’re combined into one personality disorder for easier diagnosis and treatment. From a treatment perspective, when the core of the disorder is the same, the distinction becomes less important for clinicians.

However, the concepts of psychopathy and sociopathy do have significant differences that are worth understanding. In modern psychiatry, there’s also a division between primary and secondary psychopathy: primary refers to psychopaths, and secondary to sociopaths. This division is acceptable and simply represents different names for forms of the same disorder.

Characteristics of Psychopaths

So, who is a psychopath? A psychopath is someone who lacks a sense of danger, has a very dulled sense of fear, and experiences emotions and feelings much less intensely than most people. Some emotions—especially social ones like shame, guilt, or a sense of duty—are absent altogether, while others are very weak or missing as well.

Psychopaths often enjoy manipulating and controlling others. They have leadership qualities, largely due to their psychopathy. They don’t feel compassion or have moral boundaries. Their actions are driven purely by self-interest, and they can commit crimes or harm others without remorse.

From a psychoanalytic perspective, psychopaths lack a “super-ego.” They’re often bored and seek out dangerous activities or excitement to entertain themselves.

• Unable to form attachments
• Habitual liars
• Can make a good first impression
• Display superficial charm
• Usually appear calm
• Unwilling to help others unless it benefits them
• Avoid responsibility
• Selfish and egocentric
• Convinced of their own uniqueness
• May have ADHD or behavioral problems in school, such as fighting or skipping classes; tend to calm down with age
• May have brief episodes of depression or aggression
• Very talkative

Characteristics of Sociopaths

Now, who is a sociopath?

• Often aggressive and easily angered
• Frequently gets into fights
• Often involved in crime or ends up in jail
• Lacks empathy and compassion, like psychopaths
• Emotions are weak or absent, except for strong anger
• Doesn’t care if others suffer from their actions
• Poor at predicting the consequences of their actions, often harming themselves and others
• Often struggles with gambling, alcohol, or drugs—not to escape reality, but because they can’t resist their impulses
• Frequently unable to follow social norms, even when necessary
• Manipulative and deceitful
• Prone to reckless actions

In summary, psychopaths and sociopaths are very similar. Psychopaths are like “Professor Moriarty”—evil geniuses, calm and cold-blooded, often found among politicians and business leaders. Sociopaths are more like street thugs or brawlers. Psychopaths are calm, logical, cautious, and often intelligent. Sociopaths are risk-takers, reckless, aggressive, and bold.

A sociopath is like a lone wolf or a stray dog, while a psychopath is like a crocodile.

Table: Differences Between Psychopaths and Sociopaths

Why Do People Become Psychopaths or Sociopaths?

Modern psychiatry suggests these disorders are largely inborn—you’re either born a psychopath or sociopath. There’s some truth to this: some children will never become psychopaths, no matter what, while others can be shaped into true monsters.

However, upbringing, parental relationships, and environment play a bigger role. A child may be predisposed to antisocial personality disorder, but only upbringing and environment determine whether they actually become a psychopath or sociopath.

Childhood of Antisocial Personalities: Why Do They Turn Out This Way?

To become a psychopath or sociopath, a person needs certain inborn traits. But upbringing and family environment are key factors. Whether someone becomes a psychopath or sociopath depends on their environment. A predisposed child raised in a criminal or alcoholic family is more likely to become a sociopath. A predisposed child from a wealthy but emotionally neglectful family is more likely to become a psychopath. Psychopathy can be seen as a higher form of antisocial personality disorder, meaning a sociopath can become a psychopath as they adapt to their environment, but not the other way around.

Children with a tendency toward antisocial disorder (ASD) generally have most of the characteristics of normal children, but with certain personality quirks. How others respond to these quirks determines whether they develop into something serious.

Often, a vicious cycle begins: the child is “strange,” so they’re bullied or punished, which makes them angrier and more aggressive, leading to more punishment and provocation, and so on.

No one is born evil. But there’s a social “us vs. them” algorithm that leads to bullying and exclusion of those who are different. Adults are more restrained by social norms, but children are not, so emotionally distant kids are often bullied, which can lead to aggressive behavior.

Children with ASD react differently to punishment than typical children. A typical child thinks:

• I did action A.
• I was punished for it.
• Punishment is unpleasant.
• I’ll avoid action A to avoid more punishment.

A child with ASD thinks:

• I did action A.
• I was punished for it.
• Punishment is unpleasant.
• The people who punished me are bad and cruel.
• I need to get back at them.

This difference means that punishment doesn’t regulate the behavior of a child with ASD—it actually makes things worse. They may sabotage, repeat the punished behavior, or act out. When caught and punished, they may cry, beg for forgiveness, and promise to behave, but as soon as they’re left alone, they repeat the behavior.

Children with ASD can still make friends and have normal abilities, including fear and a dislike of punishment.

Common Traits of Children with ASD

• Prone to fighting and easily offended: They get into fights, see neutral gestures as insults, and react strongly to minor issues.
• Lack of attachment to their mother or weak attachment.
• Aggression toward strangers or reluctance to interact with them.
• Avoidance or destructive behavior in social settings: At events, they may run away, hide, scream, cause scenes, or break things.
• Lack of respect for adults: Fear of punishment may force compliance, but if an adult restricts them, they see that person as an enemy and may sabotage or break agreements.
• Strange mischief: They may break or damage things for no clear reason.
• Aggression toward relatives even before adolescence, including threats, swearing, or fighting.

These behaviors can also be seen in other childhood mental disorders. Since children’s minds are still developing, these symptoms may disappear as they grow. That’s why antisocial personality disorder isn’t diagnosed before age 16. But if these traits are persistent and present in all situations, they may indicate a risk for developing antisocial personality disorder.

What to Do If Your Child Shows Signs of ASD?

Psychopathy can actually be useful in life and help people reach high positions in society. Many politicians and businesspeople are psychopaths, which is what sets psychopathy and sociopathy apart.

Sociopaths are impulsive and almost always end up in jail sooner or later, often because they act without thinking about the consequences. Psychopaths, on the other hand, are calm, adaptable, strategic, talkative, and polite, which helps them make connections and succeed.

Here’s what you should do to help your child grow up well-adjusted:

• Avoid psychological and physical abuse—don’t hit, kick, ignore, compare, or shame them.
• Don’t leave them alone for long periods without social contact.
• Don’t give orders or set strict boundaries without explaining why.
• Don’t lecture or force your opinions on them.
• Keep violence out of their life—don’t fight or argue in front of them.
• Keep them away from “bad influences” like bullies, addicts, or criminals, especially older ones.

Unfortunately, many parents do these things without realizing the harm. Combined with a child’s predisposition, this can lead to sociopathy or psychopathy.

So, what should you do instead?

• Expose them to social situations from an early age, especially with peers.
• Don’t scold or punish; instead, explain why certain behaviors are better and offer rewards for good behavior.
• Help them resolve social conflicts. If parents ignore their child’s conflicts, the child will handle them in their own way—often by fighting.
• Develop empathy by reading books together and discussing characters’ feelings, sharing your own emotions, and asking about theirs.
• Respond calmly to “strange” behavior, explaining why it’s not in their best interest and what they could gain by behaving differently.

Such a child may still be somewhat “cold” or antisocial, but within normal limits. They can adapt to society and avoid major problems.

If you ignore such a child and don’t raise them, they’ll likely become a sociopath (if raised in a dangerous environment) or a psychopath (if their basic needs are met but they’re left alone).

If you want to raise a highly active psychopath, do the following:

• Set challenging tasks to develop logic and strategic thinking.
• Offer rewards for success, but make sure failure isn’t punished.
• Leave them alone for long periods so they become self-reliant.
• Train empathy by discussing and naming emotions—both theirs and others’.
• Teach them how to manipulate others in various ways.

About “Activity”

“Activity” refers to how much a mental disorder interferes with a person’s life and how well they fit into society. High activity means someone with a personality disorder can work and live without attracting legal trouble. Low activity means their condition causes problems and prevents them from achieving their goals.

Both sociopaths and psychopaths can be highly active, but sociopaths rarely find a place in society without ending up in jail. Highly active sociopaths are rare and usually found among boxers, soldiers, or mercenaries. Highly active psychopaths are often politicians, businesspeople, or officials.

How to Interact With Psychopaths and Sociopaths

How should you interact with a psychopath? The best answer: Don’t interact with them at all!

In reality, the best approach is to avoid them. But first, you need to know who you’re dealing with. Here’s a quick summary:

• Sociopath: Impulsive, aggressive, prone to gambling and drinking, often rude and quick-tempered, may shout for no reason, poor at planning, can be intimidated by someone stronger.
• Psychopath: Can be very polite, friendly, and smiling; always evaluating you; likes to give advice, control situations, and command; always calm and hard to upset; even major crises don’t shake their composure; talkative and flattering; may use veiled threats or manipulation; plans actions carefully.

You can intimidate a sociopath if you’re much “tougher” than them, but if they get the chance, they’ll remember and get revenge. This won’t work with psychopaths—they may pretend to be scared, but will plot against you, turn others against you, or blackmail you.

For a psychopath, what’s a problem or conflict for a normal person is just a game or entertainment. They may create drama simply because they enjoy it. No matter how strong you are, you’ll eventually get tired, but they won’t.

You can manipulate a sociopath by provoking their impulsiveness, making them look foolish, or challenging them. You can also mirror their aggression to show you’re not a pushover. If you don’t respond to aggression, they’ll see you as weak and try to humiliate you. Alternatively, you can ignore their aggression and avoid contact.

With a psychopath, you can try to fight back if attacked, then deliberately back down to show you’re not a threat or competitor. You can also act calm and non-confrontational, but make it clear you can defend yourself if needed. Psychopaths are attracted to people who aren’t a threat to them.

You can try to become part of a psychopath’s “entourage,” but you’ll have to accept their authority and do their bidding. Don’t try to manipulate a psychopath—they see it as an insult and may retaliate harshly.

Again, the best way to deal with psychopaths is not to deal with them at all. If you must interact, be prepared to submit and play along. Treat it like a job.