Both psychopaths and sociopaths suffer from a medical condition that makes it difficult to show empathy toward others. While there are clear differences between the two disorders, psychiatrists have labeled both disorders as Antisocial Behavior Personality in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV). Sociopaths suffer from a personality disorder that has anti-social traits. Psychopaths, on the other hand, have an anti-social personality disorder with marked aggressiveness.
Sociopaths and psychopaths share a few common traits. Both disorders are often characterized by a lack of conscience, an inability to feel empathy toward others and little respect for the law. Both disorders tend to develop by age 15 and may begin with cruelty toward animals. People who suffer from anti-social disorders are usually impulsive, show little regard to their own safety or the safety of others, lies often, typically has had several run-ins with the law and becomes aggressive on impulse. This can lead to physical assault without regret. Often, the person has difficulty fulfilling financial obligations and does not plan for the future. However, both disorders are controllable with therapy and the right medication.
Due to their extreme attention to detail, psychopaths are often well educated and successful. Although they may be fiscally irresponsible, they are able to hold down jobs and maintain a stable living situation, whereas sociopaths generally are not. Psychopaths are usually organized to a point of obsession, making them appear very neat and in control at work or in school. While sociopaths have more of a tendency to be homeless and out of work or unable to maintain a job, psychopaths often establish themselves in regular neighborhoods or apartments and can be very successful in climbing the career ladder.
Sociopaths find it incredibly difficult to maintain relationships due to their inability to comprehend empathy. They typically do not have a relationship with family, have very few friends and don't get along well with co-workers. Sociopaths often use others for their own personal gain and think nothing of humiliating a victim or a supposed friend. A constant habit of lying for their own personal gain also makes it very difficult to form lasting friendships.
A psychopath, on the other hand, may be able to have normal relationships, even getting married and caring for children. Although they do not feel remorse for acts of violence and cruelty they may comment, they are able to understand human emotion and empathy so that they can manipulate it. Their incredible understanding of human feelings makes it easy for them to impress and persuade others.
Both psychopaths and sociopaths are prone to violence and acts of deceit, however they may behave differently. Sociopaths often explode into violence at a very slight provocation, while psychopaths are very calculating and may take years to plan a crime. Because of this, sociopaths are more often caught than psychopaths. Psychopaths may also plan nonviolent amoral acts for years such as acts of fraud. When confronted with their crime, psychopaths often blame their victim, genetics or upbringing while sociopaths tend to lie about their crimes.
While the two disorders may seem incredibly similar, there are actually important distinctions between them. Criminologists can tell the difference by the crime committed and often by a case history. Although these disorders seem frightening, they can be effectively treated with the proper psychiatric drugs and therapy.
