Signs and Behaviors of Sociopaths

The term sociopath is  often used loosely in media and pop culture. But despite being frequently lumped together with psychopaths as likely criminals, not all sociopaths are violent, nor is sociopathy a condition recognized  by doctors or psychologists. In the past, sociopathy was considered a form of psychopathy or a closely related condition. In contemporary medical practice, antisocial personality disorder is the diagnosis that best fits the characteristics associated with sociopathy. Key Takeaways Although the term sociopath is popular, sociopathy is not an actual medical condition.Traits of a sociopath include a lack of empathy, a disregard for social norms of right and wrong, impulsivity, excessive risk-taking, frequent lying, and difficulty maintaining relationships with others.The characteristics associated with sociopathy best fit the description of antisocial personality disorder, which  is  a diagnosable medical condition. A Brief History of Sociopathy In the 1880s, the prefix socio- first came up  in science and medicine.  German-American psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Birnbaum appears to have coined the word sociopathy in 1909. Then, in 1930, American psychologist George E. Partridge popularized the term and contrasted  it with psychopathy. Partridge described a sociopath as an individual who displayed antisocial behavior or defied social norms. In the  first edition of the  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), published in 1952, the condition was identified as sociopathic personality disturbance. Over time, the name continued to change. The modern DSM-5 includes sociopathy under the label  antisocial personality disorder.   Characteristics and Behaviors Most  non-sociopathic individuals display antisocial traits and behaviors  from time to time. A diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder requires an ongoing pattern of behavior that produces a consistently negative impact. The standard criteria for antisocial personality disorder include: A failure to conform to social norms or laws.Lying, usually for personal gain or pleasure, but sometimes for no apparent reason.Impulsive behavior and failure to plan ahead.Irritability, aggression, and poor anger management.Disregard for the safety of self or others.Irresponsibility, typically manifesting in problems maintaining employment and relationships or meeting financial obligations. To be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and have demonstrated the behavior before 15 years of age. The antisocial behavior cannot occur only in conjunction with other disorders (e.g. schizophrenia). Sociopaths  vs. Psychopaths   The difference between sociopaths and psychopaths  depends on how you define the terms. In the modern era, there are three different definitions of sociopathy, which may be compared with psychopathy: Some doctors and scientists contend that antisocial behavior caused by environmental and social factors is sociopathy, while antisocial behavior stemming from genetics or biology is psychopathy.A few researchers consider sociopathy to be  synonymous  with psychopathy, or else a less-severe form of psychopathy. In this definition of sociopathy, a sociopath is simply a type of psychopath.  Canadian criminal psychologist Robert Hare describes a psychopath as an individual who lacks any sense of morality or empathy, while a sociopath is a person who has a different sense of right and wrong from the majority. How Common Are Sociopaths? Deciphering the prevalence of sociopathy is complicated by its changing definition.  However, no matter which definition is used, its not a rare condition. A 2008 American study identified 1.2 percent of its sample as potentially psychopathic, correlating with alcohol abuse, violence, and low intelligence. A 2009 British study reported an incidence of 0.6 percent, correlating the traits  to the male gender, young age, violence, drug use, and other mental disorders. Diagnosed antisocial personality disorder is more common in alcohol or drug abuse treatment programs than in the general population. It occurs more frequently in  individuals who were hyperactive as children. Antisocial personality disorder is seen in between 3 percent and 30 percent of psychiatric outpatients. A 2002 literature review found 47 percent of male prisoners and 21 percent of female prisoners had the disorder. Potential Treatment Sociopathy, antisocial personality disorder, and psychopathy tend not to respond well to treatment. In fact, some  studies indicate treatment may worsen the condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are no drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat antisocial personality disorder. Psychotherapy is often unsuccessful because many sociopaths wont admit they have a problem or else are unwilling to change. However, if the disorder is identified early (by the teen years), the chance of a better long-term outcome increases. Sources Farrington DP, Coid J (2004). Early Prevention of Adult Antisocial Behavior. Cambridge University Press. p. 82. Retrieved May 8, 2018.Hare RD (1 February 1996). Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder: A Case of Diagnostic Confusion. Psychiatric Times. UBM Medica. 13 (2). (archived)Kiehl, Kent A.; Hoffman, Morris B. (1 January 2011). The Criminal Psychopath: History, Neuroscience, Treatment, and Economics. Jurimetrics. 51 (4): 355–397.Mayo Clinic Staff (2 April 2016). Overview- Antisocial personality disorder. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 8, 2018.Mayo Clinic staff (12 April 2013). Antisocial personality disorder: Treatments and drugs. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved May 8, 2018.Rutter, Steve (2007).  The Psychopath: Theory, Research, and Practice. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. p.  37.Skeem, J. L.; Polaschek, D. L. L.; Patrick, C. J.; Lilienfeld, S. O. (2011). Psychopathic Personality: Bridging the Gap Between Scie ntific Evidence and Public Policy. Psychological Science in the Public Interest. 12 (3): 95–162.