Whereas Psychopathy usually originates from birth or genetics. Sociopathy is usually influenced by the environment or upbringing of a person. They are both classified as Anti Personality Disorder (APD).
Similarities
Both suffer from Anti Personality Disorder.
Both lack empathy. (But in varying degrees)
Both have the potential to be violent.
Despite how the media or Hollywood stereotypes people with APD as dangerous murderers and law breakers. Not everyone with APD is inherently dangerous. However, they can be seen as manipulative and impulsive and that's why they may be perceived as "dangerous".
Differences
Psychopaths are genetically predisposed, they are the way they are as soon as they are born. Genetic factors plus other environmental factors like bad parenting and environment can add to the disorder.
Sociopaths are influenced largely on upbringing and environment. They are not genetically predisposed and are affected with the disorder as a result of bad parenting and environmental factors.
Hence, Psychopaths are born, Sociopaths are made.
Psychopaths are highly manipulative and lack (all) empathy. This means that psychopaths are more likely to be very charming and manipulate people by lying to do their bidding without feeling any remorse or guilt.
They are always in control and are very calculative. Psychopaths are generally very well educated and narcissistic, hence they have to seem in control of their behaviour.
They are unable to form true emotional connections to anything or anyone.
In fact, some studies show that the prefrontal cortex of the brain which is normally responsible for planning complicated cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision-making, and moderating social behaviour has shown little to no activity in a brain of a psychopath.
And the Amygdala of the brain, largely responsible for emotions also has been stated to have little to no activity in a brain of a psychopath.
Sociopaths are more likely to be impulsive spontaneous and erratic, very unlike psychopaths who are always in control.
Sociopaths can form true emotional connections to anything or anyone, however they still lack empathy in some scenarios due to early childhood trauma.
Sociopaths are prone to anger and rage, mainly because they did not learn how to process emotions as a child and now suffer from having to deal with them.
Sociopaths are likely to be uneducated and have trouble keeping a steady job because of their impulsivity and spontaneity that causes them to not plan long-term.
Conclusion
Overall, I think it's important to note that not every single person with APD are notably dangerous. We humans tend to focus more on the bad things in life than the good. So it's generally over publicized that horrific murderers are psychopaths or sociopaths . (Some indeed are, but not all of them.)
People with APD did not ask for this disorder and struggle a lot to deal with their emotions or lack thereof. It's is probably incredibly lonesome at times as it's incredibly hard to empathize with others and form deep connections with people or things.
AN: This chapter was rather hard to write, considering that mental illness is a tricky topic to fully understand or discuss.
Feel free to leave constructive criticism on whatever you feel I've explained wrongly.
Hopefully by reading this, the stigmatisation surrounding people with APD is lessened.
Leave a vote if you enjoyed reading!!! :)
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Life Philosophy
No FicciónIn this book I make chapters surrounding different topics as a means to express myself and try to educate the public. As this is based solely on my opinion, you are likely to clash with me and what I believe and that's okay. But please do not hate a...
