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Hare notes that sociopathy and psychopathy are often used interchangeably, but in some cases the term sociopathy is preferred because it is less likely than is psychopathy to be confused with psychoticism, whereas in other cases which term is used may "reflect the user's views on the origins and determinates of the disorder," with the term sociopathy preferred by those that see the causes as due to social factors and early environment, and the term psychopathy preferred by those who believe that there are psychological, biological, and genetic factors involved in addition to environmental factors.[39]
But seriously, I've always understood that when they're not used interchangably, that the psychopath is the crazier acting lunatic that is sadistic while a sociopath presents mostly as a regular person, all the while they're both affected by the same basic disorder (lack of ability to empathize, etc.).
Honestly, I still don't quite understand what a sociopath is even though I've tried reading to figure it out. It's a difficult concept to grasp. But I think they're supposed to be very good manipulators and can like pretend to be something they're not. For example, one if motivated and wanted to could pretend to be a teacher with a history and apply and get a teaching position even though they were never a teacher and don't have a teaching degree. They may even have stories (made up, or borrowed) of their favorite past students, etc. Very convincing. On the more sadistic side, I believe they can like hurt a dog (which when a dog yelps it makes most of us feel bad, like if we step on it), but the psychopath if he wants to hurt the dog he might do it just to hear the dog yelp and sort of "experiment" on the dog's reactions without feeling bad for hurting the dog or reacting to it's pain like most of us would. Anybody who knows better, does that sound about right? (I don't mean to hijack the thread, but hopefully this adds to it.)
But seriously, I've always understood that when they're not used interchangably, that the psychopath is the crazier acting lunatic that is sadistic while a sociopath presents mostly as a regular person, all the while they're both affected by the same basic disorder (lack of ability to empathize, etc.).
Honestly, I still don't quite understand what a sociopath is even though I've tried reading to figure it out. It's a difficult concept to grasp. But I think they're supposed to be very good manipulators and can like pretend to be something they're not. For example, one if motivated and wanted to could pretend to be a teacher with a history and apply and get a teaching position even though they were never a teacher and don't have a teaching degree. They may even have stories (made up, or borrowed) of their favorite past students, etc. Very convincing. On the more sadistic side, I believe they can like hurt a dog (which when a dog yelps it makes most of us feel bad, like if we step on it), but the psychopath if he wants to hurt the dog he might do it just to hear the dog yelp and sort of "experiment" on the dog's reactions without feeling bad for hurting the dog or reacting to it's pain like most of us would. Anybody who knows better, does that sound about right? (I don't mean to hijack the thread, but hopefully this adds to it.)
The hallmark of sociopathy is the inability to feel empathy for other beings. Take you example of hurting the dog. They understand that the dog is in pain, and that they are causing it, but they don't get the same experience of sympathetic pain that other people might get when they see the dog in pain.
Sociopaths also don't learn very well from punishment during operant conditioning. They respond to rewards (things that reinforce), but punishment doesn't seem to prevent repetition the way it does with normal people.
But seriously, I've always understood that when they're not used interchangably, that the psychopath is the crazier acting lunatic that is sadistic while a sociopath presents mostly as a regular person, all the while they're both affected by the same basic disorder (lack of ability to empathize, etc.).
Honestly, I still don't quite understand what a sociopath is even though I've tried reading to figure it out. It's a difficult concept to grasp. But I think they're supposed to be very good manipulators and can like pretend to be something they're not. For example, one if motivated and wanted to could pretend to be a teacher with a history and apply and get a teaching position even though they were never a teacher and don't have a teaching degree. They may even have stories (made up, or borrowed) of their favorite past students, etc. Very convincing. On the more sadistic side, I believe they can like hurt a dog (which when a dog yelps it makes most of us feel bad, like if we step on it), but the psychopath if he wants to hurt the dog he might do it just to hear the dog yelp and sort of "experiment" on the dog's reactions without feeling bad for hurting the dog or reacting to it's pain like most of us would. Anybody who knows better, does that sound about right? (I don't mean to hijack the thread, but hopefully this adds to it.)
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I appreciate your reply. Im trying to understand this myself which is why I did not care about Wikipedia.
The hallmark of sociopathy is the inability to feel empathy for other beings. Take you example of hurting the dog. They understand that the dog is in pain, and that they are causing it, but they don't get the same experience of sympathetic pain that other people might get when they see the dog in pain.
Sociopaths also don't learn very well from punishment during operant conditioning. They respond to rewards (things that reinforce), but punishment doesn't seem to prevent repetition the way it does with normal people.
So what is the difference between sociopath and psychopath then? Would Ted Bundy be classified as a Psychopath or a sociopath?
So what is the difference between sociopath and psychopath then? Would Ted Bundy be classified as a Psychopath or a sociopath?
"Psychopath" isn't a clinical term; it doesn't really have hallmarks the way sociopathy does. People bandy the term "psychopath" around when they mean anything from sociopathy, malignant narcissism, antisocial personality disorder and/or psychosis. Sociopathy focuses specifically on empathy and emotional insight.
I once knew a sociopath. Usually I'm a pretty good judge of character - can tell what sort of person someone is...
But his guy had me totally fooled (for a while). He was a constant liar and would lie about anything and everything. He would lie about things he had no logical reason to lie about!
Sort of a con artist, but a dysfunctional con artist at that! He could of, but did not direct his lying toward achieving any financial gain for himself. Rather he was quite broke. And his constant lying caused him to lose jobs and opportunities to support himself. Thus further reason his actions made no sense whatsoever!
For example someone would invite him to do something with them. He would agree to meet them that afternoon, the next day, or whatever. Then he would not show up. And if you found him and asked about that appointment he made, he would say "I'll be right there" and then would again not show up. And he had no feeling of guilt, sorrow, remorse, or anything else, having inconvenienced the other person.
It was as if it did not matter in the least, to him, what problems he caused other people. As if it never happened!
And same with work. He might put all sorts of mental effort into getting a job, telling tall tales of how wonderful a job he will do, etc., get the job, then not show up!
So he left people shaking their heads... Saying to themselves "Why would a person do that?"
A sociopath really does not have any feelings normally associated with well adjusted people. They see killing as just like you see killing a fly in your house. A example is the recent Boston bombing. You might find a hundred willing to politically place a bomb. But doing it; especially placing that bomb next to a eight year old kid and his younger sister isn't something many could actually do.
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