
For people with sociopathy, increased neuron function in certain parts of the brain may factor into the development of some sense of morality. Research from 2013 suggests the difference between psychopathy and sociopathy may relate to differences in the brain, including gray matter volume and amygdala development. Psychopathy, according to Hare, involves no sense of morality or empathy. But they do know the difference between right and wrong. In a nutshell, people with sociopathy may have little empathy and a habit of rationalizing their actions. Instead, people with sociopathy often justify actions they recognize as “wrong.” But that sense of morality doesn’t line up with cultural and social norms.

Robert Hare, the psychologist who created the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R), defined sociopathy as involving a conscience and sense of right and wrong, or morality. Research supports a few of these distinctions - to an extent. The behavior might not necessarily be violent, but it’s typically premeditated. In these interpretations, psychopathy is sometimes seen as involving more planned behavior. But these terms simply offer two slightly different ways of understanding the diagnosis of ASPD. Some psychologists and researchers do make key distinctions between sociopathy and psychopathy.
Sociopath vs pathological liar professional#
A mental health professional won’t diagnose either of the two. In a clinical setting, there’s no actual difference between sociopathy and psychopathy. What’s the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath? Many researchers used sociopathy and psychopathy interchangeably until ASPD was added to the third edition of the DSM in 1980. Unlike “psychopathy,” it wasn’t easily confused with “psychosis.” The prefix also reflected a widely-held belief that the traits and behaviors associated with sociopathy related to socio-environmental factors. Rather than labelling a controlling ex as a sociopath, for example, you could say, “He would regularly remind me he was monitoring my social media activity.”Įxperts first began using the term sociopathy during the 1930s. Instead, focus on specific behaviors and actions. They also carry a lot of stigma, particularly for people living with personality disorders, so it’s best to avoid describing anyone displaying violent or manipulative behavior as “sociopaths” or “psychopaths.” use manipulation, deceit, and controlling behaviorīoth sociopathy and psychopathy have become well-recognized terms among mental health professionals, but neither represent an official diagnosis.

Sociopath vs pathological liar manual#
The most recent edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), which mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions, defines ASPD as a consistent disregard for rules and social norms and repeated violation of other people’s rights. The term sociopath refers to someone living with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) - as does the term psychopath.
