Sociopath vs. psychopath: What do these terms really mean?

It can be common to hear a selfish or dangerous person casually described as a “sociopath” or “psychopath.” You may have wondered what those words refer to in psychological terms. Both labels can be somewhat imprecise, and neither is currently used as an official diagnosis. In general, the terms “sociopath” and “psychopath” both originated as descriptions for a person with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). This challenging mental health condition can involve a lack of regard for consequences, rules, social norms, and the feelings of other people. Perhaps the key sociopath vs. psychopath distinction may be the level of impulsivity, volatility, and manipulative behavior a person exhibits. The symptoms of ASPD may manifest differently depending on which of these traits is more prominent. If you believe you or a loved one may be living with ASPD, online therapy may offer professional insight and support.

Sociopathy and psychopathy: Outdated terms?

Although most mental health professionals today prefer not to describe patients as sociopaths or psychopaths, these terms generally have roots in the study of psychology. At one time, “psychopathy” was used as a catch-all term for a wide variety of mental health conditions. The word is thought to be derived from the Greek words for “soul” and “suffering.” 

As other mental health conditions acquired more precise clinical descriptions, psychologists began to reserve the word “psychopath” for people who appeared outwardly stable and confident while displaying immoral or socially deviant behavior.

In 1930, psychologist George Partridge popularized the term “sociopath” as a replacement for “psychopath,” which he felt was overly vague and confusing. He identified a personality type defined by a persistent tendency toward behavior that was disruptive to relationships and communities and often harmful to other people.

As later researchers built on Partridge’s work, his concept of sociopathy was refined, updated, and eventually replaced by the diagnostic term antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Today, most mental health professionals use ASPD to describe the kinds of personalities and behaviors that most people mean when they use the words “sociopath” and “psychopath.”

Understanding antisocial personality disorder

Antisocial personality traits may be hard to identify at first, especially since people with ASPD may be motivated to conceal them. An official diagnosis of this mental health condition often relies partly on observing the person’s long-term patterns of behavior. Many individuals with ASPD have histories of reckless, hurtful, or manipulative actions. They may have frequent run-ins with law enforcement, and they often have unstable personal lives with few sustained relationships.

Can children be sociopaths or psychopaths?

Though a minor can’t receive an official diagnosis of ASPD, the relevant behavior patterns often date back to childhood. A young person who displays these traits may be diagnosed with conduct disorder, and they’re usually more likely to develop antisocial personality disorder later in life.

There’s often debate within the scientific community about whether these mental health conditions are primarily due to genetics or environmental factors. Some researchers have found evidence of brain differences that could be characteristic of antisocial personality disorders.

For example, a 2020 neuroimaging study reported that individuals with lifelong patterns of antisocial actions usually had lower cortical thickness and surface area in specific parts of the frontal and temporal lobes. These differences were normally concentrated in regions of the brain associated with motivation, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Notably, this reduction wasn’t typically seen in the brains of people whose behavioral problems were limited to adolescence.

Sociopath Vs. Psychopath Vs. ASPD

A mental health professional generally won’t use “psychopath” as an official diagnosis. Still, some researchers view psychopathy as a distinct personality characteristic. They’ve identified several psychopathic traits that often cluster together independently of other mental health conditions.

An individual with antisocial personality disorder – someone who would formerly have been classified as a sociopath – may show high levels of psychopathy, but this isn’t always the case. Researchers estimate that only about one-third of “sociopaths” could also be considered psychopaths. Moreover, there may be people with strong psychopathic traits who don’t meet the criteria for ASPD.

Neurological research has found some brain differences that seem to be associated with psychopathy, but not necessarily with sociopathy. 

Although updated research may be necessary, one study indicated that people with ASPD and high levels of psychopathy usually had lower volumes of gray matter in the anterior rostral prefrontal cortex and the temporal poles. These areas have frequently been linked to functions like self-reflection, understanding social situations, and empathizing with others. Participants low in psychopathy normally lacked these structural differences, whether they had been diagnosed with ASPD or not.

Behavioral Differences Between Sociopaths And Psychopaths

Aside from accessing brain scans, there may be other ways you can distinguish between someone with psychopathic traits and someone with antisocial personality disorder.

Psychopaths May Be Charming – At First

One common characteristic reported in people with high levels of psychopathy can be a surface-level personal charisma. This is often described as “glibness” or “superficial charm.” A psychopath may seem friendly, relaxed, and pleasant, quickly winning people over and putting them at ease. This charm is often used to manipulate others for the psychopath’s personal gain. Over time, this facade may wear thin as repeated interactions could reveal a lack of interest in forming deeper bonds.

Psychopaths Are Often Less Emotional

Diminished, flattened emotions may also be common among psychopaths. To those close to them, they may seem cold and detached, rarely displaying strong feelings. This isn’t always the case in people with antisocial personality disorder, though, who can sometimes experience abrupt mood swings and express high levels of rage and hostility.

Sociopaths Might Be More Impulsive

An increased tendency toward risky behavior can be a feature of both sociopathy and psychopathy, both of which seem to involve a decreased concern for consequences. However, someone with high levels of psychopathy may be less prone to acting on impulse. While they may still take significant risks, they might do so in a more calculated way. Someone described as a “sociopath” tends to be more likely to have a criminal record and to be perceived as erratic or unstable.

Guilt May Be Less Common In Psychopaths

People with antisocial personality disorder commonly exhibit self-centered, destructive actions. If they also display high levels of psychopathy, they may be unlikely to feel remorse afterward. These symptoms are usually described as “callous-unemotional traits” in children with conduct disorder, and they seem to be highly correlated with psychopathy in adulthood. A “sociopath” might feel bad if their actions harm friends or family members, while a “psychopath” likely would not.

Psychopaths May Have Inflated Self-Images

Many psychopaths appear to have an exaggerated idea of their own importance and ability. They may overestimate their competence and distort the truth to make themselves seem more impressive. These qualities are usually more strongly associated with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) than antisocial personality disorder.

Some Sociopaths Can Form Emotional Attachments

Because people with psychopathic traits often seem to have limited empathy and emotionality, they may form only shallow bonds with others, usually based on a desire to gain something. This may not be true of all individuals with ASPD, though. Some people with this condition can develop strong emotional attachments with a handful of people, often those with similar attitudes and opinions.

Therapy may help those affected by sociopathy and psychopathy

You may be concerned that someone you know has psychopathic traits or antisocial personality disorder. Or perhaps you’re wondering if you yourself might have some of these characteristics. In either case, it may be helpful to contact a mental health professional. Therapy can help you better understand the roots of antisocial behavior, and it could play a vital role in recovering from the emotional strain caused by the manipulative or coercive behavior of someone close to you.

Benefits of online therapy

Online therapy may be an effective way to address these concerns. Engaging in therapy over the internet can come with an increased sense of comfort and control, which may help you feel more at ease talking about sensitive personal matters like serious mental health conditions. 

Effectiveness of online therapy
In general, there’s strong evidence for the effectiveness of web-based therapy. A growing body of evidence suggests that not only can online therapy be an effective form of treatment for a wide variety of mental health concerns, but it may also be just as effective as its in-person counterpart.