Psychopath vs Sociopath Psychopaths and Sociopaths. These terms are interchangeable with each other. According to an article in WebMD (“How Psychopaths and Sociopaths Are Different,” 2023), this is because they are diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder (ASPD). Also, an article in officer.com (“The differences between psychopaths and sociopaths,” 2017) described “many forensic psychologists, psychiatrists and criminologists use the terms sociopathy and psychopathy interchangeably as well.” (p. 1). However, there are differences that set them apart. In this essay, similarities and differences between psychopaths and sociopaths will be explained in terms of emotions, relationships, and crimes, and causes.
Psychopaths are people with…show more content… Article in Verywell Health reports that they take advantage of their relationships for benefit. Haley M. Jones (2023) stated “the more one gets to know them, one begins to realize they are unreliable and very egocentric.” (p. 12). She also stated these individuals are often said to be insincere and untrustful and, what is more, incapacity for love is a common characteristic among them. On the other hand, Haley M. Jones (2023) stated “Right and wrong for someone with sociopathy are developed from how they see the world; hence, their ideas of right and wrong typically do not correspond with societal expectations.” (p. 15). Psychopaths and sociopaths tend to violate laws repeatedly. According to an article in the WebMD (“How Sociopaths and Psychopaths Are Different,” 2023), 50% of people from prison who’s with high psychopathy committed a violent crime within 20 years. David T. Lykken (2018) described that in the experiment in 1945 and 1958, 6 and 8% of boys are respectively responsible for 61% and 68% of crimes. However, according to an article in emedicinehealth (“What Is the Difference Between A Psychopath and A Sociopath” n.d.), psychopaths tend to plan carefully whereas sociopaths commit haphazard and spontaneous…show more content… Jones (2023), “Psychopathic behaviors are more influenced by genetic, biological, and psychological factors.” (p. 15). David T. Lykken said “it may be too difficult for average parents to control and steer clear of trouble.” (2018, p.23). On the other hand, according to an article in Verywell Health (“Sociopath vs. Psychopath,” 2023), environment and upbringings have a larger influence on those who have sociopathy. For instance, if children experience physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, they are likely to become sociopaths. David T. Lykken (2018) also said that not only abuse, neglect but incompetent and unsocialized parents cause them to be sociopaths. As for their brains, according to an article in Verywell Health (“Sociopath vs. Psychopath,” 2023), a part of the brain is called “amygdala” which plays roles in regulating emotions and reacting to dangerous or threatening events. Also, an article in WebMD (“How Sociopaths and Psychopaths Are Different,” 2023) reported that, in MRIs of psychopaths, certain parts of the brain responsible for guilt and empathy had fewer
