What makes someone a psychopath?

Question

What makes a person a psychopath/sociopath? What is the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath? Does the label of psychopath make a person more likely to engage in those kinds of behaviors?

DaniJ · Accepted Answer

a sociopath is someone who suffers from an antisocial behavior disorder. (In order to be classified as a disorder and not just "shy", the behavior must be deviant, distressing, and dysfunctional). Many people are sociopathic, and you would never know because they hide it so well. Most sociopaths go out of their way to cover it up, may be charming, or manipulative, show a lack of guilt or empathy, and may seem to feel entitled. They also may seek thrill in their lives in order to be content. (Think BBC's Sherlock - and remember he's high-functioning) Most sociopaths never become like a serial killer or something, but when they do, it is like they don't value human life. Their lack of empathy makes them willing to do just about anything without remorse, if it will help them achieve something. If someone is in the way, they will see killing that person as a logical way of solving the problem.

A psychopath is similar, but it manifests in much more flamboyant behavior and aggression. They tend to be quite impulsive, and have less control over their actions. Many times, in an attempt to escape this lack of control, they attempt suicide but fail. They live sort of parasitically, living off other people, and often have very promiscuous love lives.

I'm not sure about the last part of your question, but it would be interesting to see a study done.

washize · Accepted Answer

Both psychopath and sociopaths have damaged parts of their brains.

Both psychopaths and sociopaths have damage in the frontal lobes of their brains.

That can be because of a development issue or because of an injury, or a combination of the two.

Psychopaths is more hereditary, because they often have more damage or non functioning parts of the frontal love.

sociopath is more so caused by environment they have more functioning parts of the frontal lobe, but still have parts that are damaged and non functioning.

Psychopaths are pleasure seeking people, they lack the ability empathize and are often risk takers. They can also express Erratic behavior. They are normally indifferent to the existence of other people.

Sociopaths are people who also lack empathy, however they understand how to mimic and "play the role" in social interactions. They don't like people or the company of other people. They often have very negative or ill thoughts towards people.

However being a sociopath or a psychopath doesn't mean that they will become a criminal. Many sociopaths and psychopaths lead very normal and fulfilling lives.

Psychopaths and sociopaths are more likely to commit crimes or be criminals if they are subject to an environment with no boundaries or an extensively harmful environment.

britannny · Accepted Answer

I hear a lot of conflicting opinions about the difference between sociopaths and psychopaths. I hear that there's a difference, but then I also hear that "sociopath" is just an outdated term for "psychopath". I've read that the difference in what term you use is if you believe it's root is because of social factors or biological factors. Psychologists who believe people are born this way use the term psychopath, and psychologists who believe society created them use the term sociopath.

A psychopath (or sociopath, whatever term you see fit) is, in a nutshell, a person who has no conscience. Or a virtually nonexistent conscience that they can manipulate. Supposedly, one in 25 of us fit the profile of a psychopath. Granted I'm no psychologist, but I believe that statistic.

And no, I don't believe labeling a person as a psychopath makes them more likely to engage in psychopathic behaviors. You either are a psychopath or you're not. Me calling you a psychopath won't make much of a difference. And besides, the majority of them go unnoticed, so there's no one around labeling them as a psychopath.

AHadley · Accepted Answer

As one myself:

Psychopaths and "sociopaths" are exactly the same thing; the word "sociopath" came about because of the stigma surrounding the word "psychopath". They suffer from a condition called Dissocial Personality disorder, which can, amongst other things, lead to an apparent lack of empathy. This in turn can lead them to have a skewed moral compass, inability to accept responsibility (or perceiving it differently to most) and appearing manipulative to others (that's typically reserved for "controlled psychopaths" who can turn their empathy and emotions on and off at the drop of a hat).

Most psychopaths become successful lawyers or surgeons; jobs where emotion gets in the way and logic wins out. Very, very few go on to become violent criminals.

Final word; most of us see our condition as an advantage, as it allows us to approach situations with reason and logic, with minimal emotional bias. The downside is that we can appear cold and manipulative to others.

KERMlT · Accepted Answer

Likes.com has a page on it.

caligirl3 · Answer

i know socipaths are the ones that think they are better and smarter then anyone else. And the lack empathy and don't care about others. A sociopath can kill their own child, parent, sibling cause it benefited them and they don't think anyone will ever suspect their crime cause they are too smart, they are very controlled and can plan things. A psychopath also lack empathy and don't feel for other but they can't control what they do, a psychopath killer would just go out randomly killing people for not reason. And not all sociopaths and psychopath are killers. Its a mental disorder some are born that way, other might have suffered a brain damage and others are just unlucky and had an awful childhood that shaped them to become psychos.

why-makoto-kun · Answer

Lack of frontal lobe activity, especially the orbitofrontal prefrontal cortex region, or damage to those areas can be a cause.

Breathe · Answer

there was an article about the power of psychopaths, and it talked about surgeons, CEOs, serial killers etc..

The lack of empathy and being in control of emotions is what makes those people able to do what they do. If a surgeon cared about the lives of his patient too much, he would much more likely fail than succeed. The best surgeons were studied and they shared teh "psychopath" traits in their brains as killers...

Pretty insane sh*t when you think about it.

Anonymous · Answer

what makes a person a psychopath or sociopath? Well what makes them that is a doctors diagnosis of it :) OK we're done here.

Anonymous · Answer

I was diagnosed with ASPD (being a psychopath) when I was 15, as far as I'm aware there is not difference between psychopath and sociopath and are both referred to as antisocial personality disorder. It is characterised by effective flattening (dulling of emotion) and a distinct low level of empathy.

Gawesome · Answer

But you're supposedly Confucius! Don't you have the answers to that?!? I thought you were suppose to be a wise man Confucius...so disapointing...lol :P

Koldhearted · Answer

Idk the definition of psychopath but a sociopath is one who doesn't value people or their emotions and feels nothing for them. They feel others are objects placed here for their pleasure.

biracialQT · Answer

I love this question and all the answers given! I've always had an uncommon interest in psychopathic/sociopathic criminals :)

Daxusinferno · Answer

By definition someone who has no empathy/sympathy and its actually genetic

Anonymous · Answer

women don't give average guys a chance so they become killers and rapists

SwissCheeze · Answer

One word Women.

What makes someone a psychopath?

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