Why Are We Drawn to Sociopaths and Psychopaths?

Sociopath vs. Psychopath: What’s the Difference? How do sociopathy and psychopathy develop? Why do such people break social norms, and what makes them so attractive to us? How can they be both villains and heroes? What sociopathic traits are found in the world of big business, and what role do sociopaths play in culture and popular cinema? Let’s break it down.

Let’s not confuse chainsaw-wielding psychopaths with sociopaths—those “strange,” original people who exist on the edge of normalcy but are still part of society. These terms are nearly synonymous, describing personalities with the same core but different emotional spectrums.

Psychopaths are people with an antisocial orientation. Psychopathy is a diagnosis marked by pronounced pathological behavior with fully intact thinking. Sociopathy is a milder form of psychopathy. If a person, despite their antisocial tendencies, can still function in society but actively disregards rules and norms, we’re dealing with sociopathy. Classic traits include charisma, high intelligence, lack of nervousness, a tendency to lie and be hypocritical, inability to feel shame, remorse, empathy, or love, irritability, egocentrism, and a deficit of morality and ethics.

The Roots of Sociopathy and Psychopathy

From a psychoanalytic perspective, sociopathy is a dynamic personality structure, alongside others like masochistic or hysterical types. We all have a personality structure shaped by genetics and personal history. Sooner or later, everyone faces trauma, but only a few receive such a diagnosis.

Where does sociopathy come from? Biologically, a sociopath’s hormonal system produces less serotonin. Such a person can’t “get enough” from social interaction, can’t draw necessary emotions, or feel empathy. They need a much stronger stimulus to satisfy their emotional needs. They also react more aggressively to external stimuli than “normal” people—this is their response to any potential threat.

Sometimes, childhood trauma plays a role: early experiences of violence or death leave a mark on the psyche. The adrenaline rush from such events can become a lifelong sentence. Typically, these individuals struggle with trust and lack respect for authority.

Like the heroines in Diane Setterfield’s debut novel “The Thirteenth Tale,” children can be sociopathic even in seemingly perfect families. They believe they can do anything that makes them comfortable, and adult prohibitions are seen as a challenge. Over time, such “adrenaline junkies” can develop into psychopaths.

Usually, a psychopath’s childhood is a nightmare of adult arbitrariness or a total absence of rules. They’re often raised by indifferent, “absent” mothers who may have their own history of abuse, depression, or are overworked, or who are simply weak victims of a tyrannical husband.

If a future sociopath grows up in a relatively stable environment, they have a chance to integrate into society and even gain recognition. For example, they might catch criminals like Sherlock Holmes or solve life-and-death puzzles like Dr. House. Sherlock, in his conversation with Moriarty, says, “I am you.” And that’s only partly a metaphor.

Sociopaths in Society and Pop Culture

A sociopath can climb high on the social ladder thanks to intelligence, stress resistance, and the ability to step over others without remorse.

What does a socialized sociopath look like? Such a person feels total indifference toward people and social norms. For “ordinary” people, rules make the world predictable and safe, and empathy gives it warmth and meaning. The sociopath, however, operates outside the law, doesn’t need excuses, and seeks goals externally. Nancy McWilliams, author of “Psychoanalytic Diagnosis,” notes that this diagnosis is rooted in a basic lack of human attachment and reliance on primitive defenses.

Importantly, sociopaths are not insane and can be held responsible for their actions. They know right from wrong and understand the laws they consciously break. When committing crimes, they don’t suffer from inner conflict—they feel total permissiveness.

They juggle norms with virtuosity. A sociopath might reject traditional holidays, conventional thinking, national identity, keeping mementos, honoring family, following medical advice, or even comfort (they might live in a car, a forest hut, or travel on foot). They trust no one and nothing, testing everything for themselves. For them, there are no laws—only their own.

Sociopaths easily tolerate loneliness and often change partners. Lacking empathy, their desire to start a family is pragmatic: it helps them integrate into society. A good example in film is the main character of “House, M.D.”

The Thin Line: Sociopaths and Psychopaths

Such people attract us with their uniqueness and extraordinary talents, but living with them is nearly impossible. It’s important to remember that sociopaths themselves are incapable of deep relationships. Adult love is built on the ability to feel and empathize with another. For a sociopath, others are just tools for achieving goals—almost like inanimate functions. Exploitation is at the core of their relationships. The stronger the sociopathic traits, the less likely they are to form a family.

Sociopathic traits can also exist within the bounds of social norms. In this case, we’re dealing with someone who does what others can’t—not just negative, but also positive, creative, or even heroic acts. They work in war zones, in places of blood and death, in dangerous fields like big business or high-responsibility jobs. They’re at sea, in space, underwater, or wherever chaos reigns.

This is what sets sociopaths apart: they take on responsibilities that ordinary people can’t. They walk the edge of death and survive. Their knowledge is almost sacred. When faced with death, they feel neither suffering nor guilt. That’s part of their allure.

The psychopathic type is often reflected in literature, mythology, and film—including pop culture. In mythology, they’re the epic hero—the one who descends into hell and returns. The hero is a former warrior, legitimized by our consciousness. Our minds can’t tolerate violence and lawlessness. If someone breaks the rules but stays with us, they become a hero with special status. At the same time, a psychopath who doesn’t turn toward society must be punished. They’re either a hero or a criminal—there’s no middle ground. There’s no warm world with a campfire deep in the cave, with children, women, and elders.

In modern mythology, like the TV series “Game of Thrones,” the entire Lannister clan displays sociopathic traits. They feel no remorse for their cruelty and revel in absolute permissiveness: child murder, incest, executing their own son, attacking their father—all of this is normal for them.

The whole family is marked by a special right—the right to choose what’s right. As the characters say, “A Lannister always pays his debts.” But it’s more accurate to add: “If they want to.” Serving the Lannisters is only for money. In their world, no one expects loyalty or love—everything is bought and sold. They master the emotional language of manipulation like no one else.

Living with a Sociopath: Is It Possible?

Is it possible to live in a community with a sociopath? You can cooperate with them. You can serve them. You can offer your support, but don’t expect the same in return. The goal will always be theirs, as will the main prize. As the saying goes, lions don’t care about the opinions of sheep. Their main psychological defense—magical thinking—makes them rulers in a sense.

On a global, sociological level, the world of big business is full of sociopathic traits: calculation, manipulation, ruthlessness, and the pursuit of goals without reflection. In everyday life, a sociopath acts the same way: unable to feel, they choose action. If they regret anything, it’s only that their latest scheme didn’t work out.

It’s no surprise that the Lannister kingdom is the most comfortable in “Game of Thrones”—the best lands, pleasant climate, beautiful women, and the sweetest fruits. It’s a prototype of a world ruled by the ideology of profit—a dream and a fear for most ordinary, neurotic people. The sociopath’s world is one where anything is possible. But at some point, they’ll blow up even that world, just as the Sept of Baelor was destroyed.

A sociopath can look beyond the usual meanings, actions, and goals—beyond the horizon—while others remain in their caves, with hearths, children, elders, pink silk curtains, and standard IKEA furniture. The sociopath is both terrifying and magnetic, both the Dragon and the Hero who slays the Dragon. There’s no place for them in the middle of the norm—they’re always on the edge, at the exit, or beyond the “101st kilometer.”

They have no morality, and when there are no moral laws, “High Sparrows” with their sermons always appear. As in ancient times, the shaman is a necessary figure beside the leader. It’s the self-proclaimed Shaman who will explain the shadow side of the hero’s deed to the people, speaking with the voices of gods who legitimize new laws.