Every compelling true crime story grapples with a fundamental question: ‘Why?’ When we encounter the chilling actions of a serial killer or a calculated con artist, our minds quickly search for explanations, desperate to make sense of the incomprehensible.
In media and popular culture, we also hear the terms ‘psychopath’ and ‘sociopath’ used in connection with serious criminals, yet they’re widely misunderstood – often used interchangeably to describe anyone lacking empathy or remorse. But the reality is far more complex.
Understanding the different characteristics and patterns associated with psychopathy and sociopathy can provide valuable insight into the complexities of mental health, criminal psychology, and the key factors that shape human behaviour.
So what’s the truth about psychopaths versus sociopaths? Are they born or made? And what makes identifying them so difficult?
Trigger warning: This article discusses themes of death and violence. Therefore, reader discretion is advised.
What is a sociopath?
Despite its use in the media and popular culture, psychologists say that “sociopathy” is an informal, outdated term used to refer to someone living with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).
ASPD is an official diagnosis, listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) and on the NHS website, whereas sociopathy isn’t.
While ASPD is a spectrum, people with it typically lack empathy and conscience and act out against social norms. Their behaviour can range in severity from occasional bad behaviour to repeatedly breaking the law and committing violent crimes.
ASPD affects 1-4% of the general population, especially men (3% of men versus 1% of women).
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What is a psychopath?
Psychopathy is rare and is thought to affect less than 1% of people in the UK.
Like “sociopath”, the term “psychopath” isn’t an official mental health diagnosis because it doesn’t appear in the DSM. Instead, it’s categorised as a severe form of ASPD.
Research shows that a third of those with ASPD meet the criteria for psychopathy. Psychologists use the Psychopathy Checklist – revised (PCL-R) to assess the presence of psychopathic traits in individuals via interviews and official records.
Sociopathy vs psychopathy – what’s the difference?
As we’ve seen, while the terms psychopath and sociopath are often used interchangeably, both are forms of ASPD, with psychopathy being more severe.
Although “sociopath” is now considered outdated, we’ve used it here to help explain the differences between psychopathy and less severe forms of ASPD.
Behavioural differences
Psychopaths tend to be highly manipulative and charming – taking steps to blend into society and avoid detection. While they can be impulsive, they typically employ a more cold, calculated approach to their actions. They’re less likely to be reactive and can keep up a facade of normalcy for long periods.
Sociopaths, on the other hand, tend to be more erratic, impulsive, and chaotic. They may experience emotional outbursts, including fits of anger and rage, making it more difficult for them to hide their antisocial tendencies and fit into society.
Differences in empathy and conscience
Research often suggests that psychopaths generally lack emotions, including empathy and moral conscience, and may struggle to recognise emotions in others. However, they can imitate emotions to manipulate others, making them particularly dangerous in positions of power or influence.
That said, research into notorious murderers with psychopathic personalities, such as Jeffrey Dahmer and Dennis Nilsen, found that a key driver for their violent behaviour was pain, loneliness, and a deranged attempt to connect with their victims. So, there are some possible exceptions.
Experts generally agree that sociopaths, unlike psychopaths, do have a sense of right and wrong, but will act out against them, and try to rationalise their actions.
Differences in relationships
According to research, psychopaths struggle to form healthy attachments to people and are more likely to have an avoidant attachment style.
Ironically, psychopaths may find it easy to attract partners because of their charm and talent for manipulation – and may feel the need to be loved. However, their inability to feel, express, and recognise a wide range of emotions, coupled with their drive for power, can make it difficult for them to form meaningful relationships. They may even be saddened by their behaviour because they understand its role in isolating them from others even more.
Unlike psychopaths, some sociopaths can form meaningful attachments with a particular individual or group. But these connections may lack depth, be difficult to maintain, and be restricted by their overfocus on their own needs.
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Are sociopaths and psychopaths born or made?
It’s still unclear whether people are genetically predisposed to become sociopaths and psychopaths.
Because sociopaths tend to have a conscience, their behaviour is often strongly linked to environmental factors, such as traumatic early experiences or head injuries.
Research suggests that psychopathy, on the other hand, may, in part, be caused by genetics. For example, the parts of the brain responsible for regulating emotion and impulsiveness have been shown to be undeveloped in some people with psychopathy.
That said, evidence suggests that environmental factors may also play a role. For example, being raised in poorer neighbourhoods prone to violence, having a history of an unstable family where there was substance abuse, or parents who failed to provide parental guidance or attention.
Manifestation in criminal behaviour
Ted Bundy in court. Credit: Donn Dughi / State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
It’s important to note that television portrayals of psychopaths and sociopaths as inherently violent distort clinical reality, and not all people with ASPD are violent criminals. One study even found that some people with ASPD and good impulse control have gone on to be more successful than their peers.
That said, there are some examples of high-profile criminals who have been frequently labelled by psychologists as having psychopathy or sociopathy, or traits of both. We’ll look at some examples below.
- Ted Bundy – One of the most infamous serial killers in U.S. history. He was intelligent, charismatic, and manipulative. Exhibited classic psychopathic traits: no empathy, superficial charm, and remorseless violence. Hervey Cleckley, “the father of psychopathy,” said Bundy was a psychopath.
- Charles Manson – One of the most famous cult leaders in history. In the 1960s, he murdered people and manipulated other people into murdering for him. Exhibited psychopathic traits: lack of empathy, narcissism, and extreme manipulation.
- Bernie Madoff – The New York banker behind the world’s largest Ponzi fraud. Labelled a “corporate psychopath”, research noted psychopathic traits, including superficial charm, a lack of remorse, calmness, and a tendency to cheat.
- Richard Kuklinski – A contract killer for the mob who murdered dozens (possibly hundreds). Exhibited almost every core trait associated with psychopathy.
- Aileen Wournos – Killed seven men in Florida in 1989–1990. Her crimes were impulsive and emotionally driven. She had a history of abuse and trauma and showed signs of deep instability and reactive violence – often associated with sociopathy. She also admitted some guilt.
- Richard Speck – Speck murdered eight student nurses in Chicago in 1966. His behaviour was characterised by impulsive violence and erratic behaviour.
Challenges with diagnosis
Psychopathy and sociopathy are difficult to diagnose because they’re not official clinical diagnoses in the DSM-5 – and instead are part of a spectrum of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
Traits associated with these conditions – such as superficial charm, manipulation, lack of empathy, and impulsivity – can be easily masked, making accurate assessment challenging. Plus, individuals with these traits often don’t seek help voluntarily.
Clinicians rely on tools like the Psychopathy Checklist – revised (PCL-R), primarily used in forensic settings, to identify psychopathic traits. And when assessing ASPD more generally, the NHS says a person must be 18 years old and meet one of the following criteria…
- repeatedly breaking the law
- repeatedly being deceitful
- being impulsive or incapable of planning ahead
- being irritable and aggressive
- having a reckless disregard for their safety or the safety of others
- being consistently irresponsible
- lack of remorse
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Treatment for ASPD
ASPD is one of the most difficult personality disorders to treat, but it can be improved over time with certain interventions.
Examples of ASPD treatments include…
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – used to educate individuals with ASPD about their condition and encourage more productive behaviours by helping them consider and adjust their responses to people and situations.
- Mentalisation-based therapy (MBT) – aims to help people better understand their thoughts and feelings, as well as those of others.
- Democratic therapeutic communities – may help boost community-minded, pro-social thinking in people with ASPD. Therapy groups come together, often in prisons, to work on problems affecting the community.
- Medicine – antipsychotic and antidepressant medicines may be helpful in some instances.
Signs that someone may have ASPD
Spotting ASPD can be difficult because people with it often mask it, appearing engaging and charismatic to gain trust. However, the NHS highlights key signs to look out for. Someone with ASPD may…
- Exploit, manipulate or violate the rights of others
- Lack of concern, regret or remorse about other people’s distress
- Have difficulty sustaining long-term relationships
- Be unable to control their anger
- Lack guilt, or not learn from their mistakes
- Consistently irresponsible behaviour and disregard for social norms
- History of childhood conduct problems
Final thoughts…
Hollywood has blurred the lines between psychopathy and sociopathy, creating misleading stereotypes. But by examining these conditions through a psychological lens, we can gain a deeper understanding of mental health, criminal behaviour, and the intricate forces that drive human actions.
And while evidence suggests that ASPD presents a significant clinical risk for violence, it’s important to remember that not everyone diagnosed will go on to harm themselves or others.
For further reading, check out our article: Are serial killers born or made?
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