Who is more aggressive, a psychopath or a sociopath?

Psychopaths have a greater risk at being aggressive and committing violent crimes, although not all Psychopaths are aggressive. Sociopaths are more likely to be aggressive in an emotional mood swing and act out criminally impulsively, without regard for others but not with the intent of hurting others.

Do sociopaths feel love?

Yes. People with ASPD, including sociopaths, struggle with empathy and feeling connected to the people around them but that does not mean they are incapable of love. Most likely, healthy sociopaths have a few people they are very close to and care for greatly, but struggle to have empathy for strangers.

What causes psychopathy?

Psychopathy is a mix of environmental and genetic causations, although researchers believe the genetic cause is stronger. Psychopathy must be inherited to some degree, and most psychopaths also experience some form of childhood trauma.

Are psychopathy and sociopathy the same thing?

No, researchers classify psychopathy and sociopathy as different types of ASPD (antisocial personality disorder). They share many similarities but differ in a few key ways. Psychopaths tend to have less empathy and be more aggressive or violent.

Sociopath vs Psychopath: What’s the Difference?

“Sociopath” and “Psychopath” are terms thrown around quite frequently, but few people understand what they mean. While many people use them interchangeably, they are actually different scientific terms.

Both sociopathy and psychopathy are forms of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), a cluster B personality disorder. This makes them both mental health disorders that have a specific set of symptoms and treatments. Although ASPD (and sociopathy and psychopathy) are often life-long disorders, there are interventions and treatments to reduce the distress symptoms cause and allow a person with ASPD to live normally.

What’s the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath? Let’s find out.

Sociopath vs Psychopath: Similarities

Both a sociopath and a psychopath fall under Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), a personality disorder that is characterized by antisocial behavior, lack of guilt and remorse, and the struggle to maintain healthy relationships.

Because both sociopathy and psychopathy share a cause—ASPD—they share many symptoms, including:

Disregard for social norms and laws
Engagement in criminal behavior
Unable to feel guilt or remorse
Failure to conform to social norms
Possibility of manipulative behavior to achieve goals at the expense of other’s well-being
Consistent conflicts with authority figures and a disregard for rules
Tendency towards aggressive or violent behavior

It’s important to note that sadism is not a part of the symptoms of ASPD, psychopathy, or sociopathy. Although sadism, the trait of getting pleasure from another’s pain, is correlated with psychopathy (more so than sociopathy), the two are not found together enough to warrant it being included in the symptomology. This means that while a psychopath may have a higher risk of showing sadistic, violent behavior towards animals and humans, many do not, and many people without ASPD or psychopathy exhibit sadistic behavior and tendencies. The two are not mutually exclusive.

What’s more likely is for a psychopath and sociopath to manipulate others for their own gain. Because they have difficulty feeling empathy, forming healthy relationships, and maintaining social norms and laws, it is easier for a psychopath or sociopath to manipulate others who have those limitations.

Finally, it’s worth noting that both psychopathy and sociopathy have both an environmental and genetic causation. ASPD is caused by genetics, but research is also conclusive that the right circumstance must also be present: namely, traumatic childhood experiences.

Psychopathy, sociopathy, and ASPD aren’t just personality disorders, they’re also a trauma response, which can complicate treatment.

Sociopath vs Psychopath: Differences

Now that we’ve covered the similarities between a sociopath and a psychopath, let’s talk about the differences, as there are quite a few key differences to know. The most notable difference between a sociopath and a psychopath is their ability to feel emotion.

A sociopath will be:

Impulsive
Reckless
Subject to mood swings
Highly emotional

When a sociopath engages in violent or cruel behavior towards others, they will likely try to justify it. “I know better” or “You never would have listened to me otherwise.” They are more likely to think their behavior is rational or explainable.

A Psychopath on the other hand will:

Lack of emotions or stunted emotions
Difficulty forming authentic human bonds
Difficulty or inability to feel empathy

Violent tendencies are possible for both a sociopath and psychopath, although the lack of empathy in a psychopath means they may more frequently engage in manipulative or harmful behavior towards others. They may do so while cognitively understanding it is wrong, but uncaring of the consequences if the benefit is great for them. They are also more likely to mask their behavior and pretend to care.

Both sociopaths and psychopaths are also at an increased risk for self-harm.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

It’s important to note that neither a psychopath nor a sociopath are inherently violent. A surprisingly small percentage of people with ASPD are violent and seek out violence. In fact, with treatment, many people with ASPD see a decrease in their symptoms and are able to interact healthily with the others around them and themselves.

ASPD usually presents itself around the teenage years, although some researchers believe it can be seen earlier, especially in the cases of psychopathy. ASPD (and sociopathy and psychopathy) are a lifetime disorder, but many people with ASPD see a natural decrease in symptoms as they enter adulthood.

Symptoms of ASPD include:

Disregard for right and wrong, leading to repeated violations of the law.
Deceitfulness, lying, conning others for personal profit or pleasure.
Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.
Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults.
Reckless disregard for safety of self or others.
Consistent irresponsibility, like failing to honor financial obligations or work commitments.
Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

Most people with psychopathy and sociopathy do not become master criminal minds or sadistic murderers. They are people who struggle with interpersonal relationships and interacting with society. They may look unstable, irrational, or cruel to outsiders.

It is possible for both a psychopath and a sociopath to find love and care about people, although without therapy they may still engage in maladaptive and potentially manipulative behavior. It can be difficult to be in a relationship with someone with ASPD who is not being treated. Remember that your love will not cure them. Therapy and medication have proven successful tools in treating ASPD, sociopathy, and psychopathy.

If you or someone you know struggles with either psychopathy or sociopathy, talking to a therapist can help. Lifebulb has online therapists who can meet with you and discuss a treatment plan that meets your needs. Contact our team or browse our list of online therapists near you.

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