What Makes a Sociopath Different from a Psychopath: Explained

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Chapters

0:00 What Makes a Sociopath Different from a Psychopath

When it comes to mental health disorders, sociopathy and psychopathy are two terms that are often used interchangeably. However, there are significant differences between the two that are important to understand.

First, let's define the two terms. Sociopathy and psychopathy are both personality disorders characterized by a lack of empathy, disregard for social norms, and a tendency towards violent or aggressive behavior. While they share some similarities, there are key differences in the way these disorders manifest.

Sociopathy is often seen as a milder form of psychopathy. People with sociopathy may have a limited ability to feel emotions or empathy, but they are not necessarily violent or aggressive. They may be able to hold down a job and have relationships, but they struggle to form meaningful connections with others. Sociopaths tend to be more impulsive and erratic in their behavior, often acting on impulse without much thought for the consequences.

Psychopathy, on the other hand, is a more severe form of personality disorder. Psychopaths often exhibit a complete lack of empathy, and they have a tendency to manipulate and exploit others for their own gain. They are often charming and charismatic, but this is often a facade used to manipulate others. Psychopaths tend to be more calculating and methodical in their behavior, carefully planning out their actions to achieve their desired outcome.

In terms of diagnosis, psychopathy is considered to be a more severe disorder than sociopathy. Psychopaths are often seen as more dangerous, as their lack of empathy and tendency towards manipulation can lead to more severe consequences. However, both disorders can be difficult to treat, as those with sociopathy and psychopathy often see their behavior as normal and may resist attempts to change.

So, what are the key takeaways here? While sociopathy and psychopathy share some similarities, there are important differences between the two. Sociopathy is often seen as a milder form of psychopathy, with less severe symptoms and less dangerous behavior. Psychopathy is a more severe disorder, characterized by a complete lack of empathy and a tendency towards manipulation and exploitation. Understanding these differences is important in order to better understand these complex mental health disorders.

[Jayjay-gpne]

Sociopaths have hard time controlling their emotions, psychopaths are the opposite with ill intentions, yup makes sense

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Whats the difference?

Sociopaths snap, while psychopaths scheme.

[jaygill]

Suddenly the comment section is filled with psychopaths.

[FridayFroths]

As I get older I think a lot of possibly traumatic events growing up really affected my brain. I’m a very loving and caring person and I don’t do wrong or harmful things, but I find myself often not feeling strongly enough about things I just know I should. I just sort of act how I know I should but deep down I don’t actually feel the emotion I believe certain kind gestures and loving things that happen to me should warrant. It annoys me a lot to be honest.

[elizabethbaker]

I've done a lot of research on this topic as I have a tendency to gravitate towards sociopaths, and I feel like this has been the best brief description I've encountered. I get a lot of flack when I tell people I don't think all or most sociopaths are bad people. These relationships are complicated and haven't always panned out in my experience, but having meaningful and healthy relationships with them isn't entirely unheard of in my experience. As someone who has struggled with managing my own emotions, having close friends who fall under this label has benefited me in learning how to manage my emotions. I also feel after building close bonds with these people, they have also been some of the most reliable people in my life, and have always given me the best unfiltered thoughts and critiques on things that matter to me. I just really appreciate the non-sensational description this video gives and what I feel is a very accurate portrayal.

[henrycoolen]

Sociopath & covert narcissist has some similar traits, dealt with one, those people can fool you for years, very subtly

[myrusEW]

sociopath is raised from pain, trauma, and being ostracized, they’re not able to care about society or themselves, or anything very much. they have emotions, and can love, but that love can quickly fade in the face of their intense anger and triggers. they can heal and be trained out of it with enough time, effort, and healthy environment. i think the difficulty though is that they have a self perception of already being against the world that any instability in the healing process can undo years of work in an instant.

a psychopath is just emotionally void, able to adapt to their environment in the best way to meet their needs. this rarely even means violence, it’s just the violent ones who get noticed because it’s “strange” most billionaires, surgeons, high ranking military and political positions are purportedly psychopaths. being able to not have emotions is very helpful if you happen or have a goal that aligns with the goal of society. they’re very neutral and it really just depends on what said psychopaths goal is. if it’s to have sex, they will try to traditional way and learn the game, however if they can’t, they will go down every other path to make it happen, including illegal ways. but rarely do psychopaths have to jeopardize their freedom to get what they want.

a sociopath sees society as an enemy, hence making themselves the villain of society.

a psychopath sees themselves as the hero.

[Burabshurab]

A psychopath is essentially a person who can’t feel remorse or empathy.

[adrienne]

Thank you, it's exactly what I learned about both types of personality whilst studying psychology many years ago. It would appear that these two types of different characters can live within communities and go undetected! Whilst the person on the wrong end of either will continue to suffer at the hands of these two extremes of personality!

[worsthumantoexist]

The sociopath description was perfect; however, just because a psychopath is capable of doing all those things doesn't mean they do them. Some psychopaths can be narcissistic and/or sadistic. These are your serial killers and manipulators who like “feeling like god”. A good majority of psychopaths are pretty neutral; they may like listening to music, watching shows, etc.; they do things that give them gratification. Most psychopaths you run into are the ones looking for you—the ones you don't see keep to themselves and their small circle.

[Savingdea]

I feel that one emotional response that is never devoid in either - is the sense of fear!!! It’s very real for all minds and that powerful it is never lost.

[Hanvvn]

Thank you i really wanted to know why some people are so evil and lacks empathy even though they had a good childhood and loved family and friends around them and yet they still do disturbing thing to animals and maybe humans

[geoffreythomas]

A sociopath shear overlapping characteristics with psychopath. Sociopaths tend to be emotional hot heads while psychopath are cool calm and collected with their emotions.

[SamuraiSunshine]

My psychiatrist scared me when he asked, do you feel you second guess yourself - and yes i did. I live with one. He is missing understanding.

[jesseday]

Mental illness is a ongoing study I believe we don’t have an accurate understanding

[WrldWideOp]

Psychopaths are soulless, Sociopaths are damaged. This answers the question thts been buggin me every time i see some nutcase snap and kill his own family or loved ones.🤔🤔I always ask “how tf do these psychopaths achieve so much and are sooo successful in life(until they are finally exposed) while there are soo many mentally damaged ppl out there tht struggle just to survive??”🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[yaboy]

I knew a few sociopaths when living in the hood and they either end up killed or in jail.

[ArnoldQMudskipper]

There's a few psychopaths in my workplace.

[infrasonix]

Who wrote the subtitles on this video; furthermore did they do it blindfolded, half awake, at three in the morning?

[killerkdawg]

The way it was taught to me is this:

Psychopaths are people who completely lack empathy. You hold no more significance to them than any other inanimate object, and they have no guilt or remorse for their actions whatsoever. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are latent serial killers (although many are), and it doesn’t mean they will cause physical harm to another person. They think only of themselves, and see other people as mere pawns in their games.

Sociopaths are capable of feeling empathy, and as the video says, they are even capable of forming close friendships/romantic relationships. But they are reckless, impulsive, and are prone to acts of violence without thinking of the consequences of their actions.

Put simply: psychopaths are master manipulators, who meticulously plan everything. Sociopaths love playing with fire, knowing full well that they will get burned. They just don’t care.