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happypervert -> What's the difference between a psychopath and sociopath? (1/23/2006 1:55:46 PM)
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I've heard these terms but had only vague ideas about what they meant so I decided to look them up. Interesting stuff and it kinda makes me wish I had studied psychology in school. Perhaps others will find it as enlightening as I do.
from the > Wikipedia link to sociopath <
quote:
1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
2. deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
3. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
5. reckless disregard for safety of self or others
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain steady work or honor financial obligations
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
from the > Wikipedia link to psychopath <
quote:
A psychopath is defined as having no concern for the feelings of others and a complete disregard for any sense of social obligation. They seem egocentric and lacking insight and any sense of responsibility or consequence. Their emotions are thought to be superficial and shallow if they exist at all. They are considered callous, manipulative and incapable of lasting relationships, let alone of any kind of love. It is thought that any emotions which the true psychopath exhibits are the fruits of watching and mimicking other people's emotions. They show poor impulse control and a low tolerance for frustration and aggression. They show no empathy, remorse, anxiety or guilt in relation to their behavior, in short, they truly seem devoid of conscience.
There's a lot to read on those pages and you can get lost in all the links, and from the general descriptions they look a lot alike. Seems like they have similar behaviors but the psychopath is emotionally bankrupt while sociopath is morally bankrupt, but thats just a first impression. But I'll keep reading to see what else I learn.
I wonder if these definitions define "classic" or extreme cases that one would find in prison, but there are other milder cases walking the streets we meet every day. Perhaps too they can be combined -- like a "psychopath with sociopathic tendencies" or something like that. I suppose so because there's another thread about what to do with psychopaths so perhaps this behavior isn't so rare. Rather than hijack that discussion I thought it might be better to discuss how we can identify and differentiate them and there are probably psych geeks (hint hint LA) out there who can help us out.
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