Sociopaths: What do you think of them/us?

So these guys go out to research and find correlations and come up with the most valid tests that they can find for a particular condition, and you're argument against that is "bullshit".

Most of us probably have sociopathic tendencies. It's the acting it out that usually gets the reactions.

What's the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath then? Is it that the latter involves violence?

The difference between a psychopath and a sociopath is somewhat blurred, at least according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). DSM-IV lists both definitions together under the heading of Antisocial Personalities because they share some common traits. However, some professionals maintain there is a difference beyond the similarities.

Shared traits of the psychopath and sociopath include a complete disregard for the feelings and rights of others. This usually surfaces by age 15 and may be accompanied by cruelty to animals. These traits are distinct and repetitive, creating a pattern of misbehavior that goes beyond normal adolescent mischief.

Both the psychopath and sociopath fail to feel remorse or guilt. They appear to lack a conscience and are completely self-serving. They routinely disregard rules, social mores and laws, unmindful of putting themselves or others at risk.

Of the more distinguishing traits, some argue the sociopath to be less organized in his or her demeanor, nervous and easily agitated - someone likely living on the fringes of society, without solid or consistent economic support. A sociopath is more likely to spontaneously act out in inappropriate ways without thinking through the consequences.

Conversely, the psychopath tends to be extremely organized, secretive and manipulative. The outer personality is often charismatic and charming, hiding the real person beneath. Though psychopaths do not feel for others, they can mimic behaviors that make them appear normal. Upon meeting, one would have more of a tendency to trust a psychopath than a sociopath.

Because of the organized personality of the psychopath, he or she might have a tendency to be better educated than the average sociopath, who probably lacks the attentive skills to excel in school. While psychopaths can fly under the radar of society, many maintaining families and steady work, a sociopath more often lacks the skills and drive for mimicking normal behavior, making "seemingly healthy" relationships and a stable home less likely. From a criminal standpoint, a sociopath's crimes are typically disorganized and spontaneous, while the psychopath's crimes are well planned out. For this reason, psychopaths are harder to catch than sociopaths, as the sociopath is more apt to leave ample evidence in his or her explosions of violence.

Hence, while similar psychological traits might fall under the antisocial personality heading, from a social and criminalist point of view, the differences between a psychopath and a sociopath may be significant. According to experts, persons with a non-criminal history can also display lesser or varying degrees of either personality type.

Chai, not showing feeling for a specific individual isn't one of the traits of a socio/psycho-path. It's lacking ability to show feeling for anybody. I'm sure you had your reasons for no longer caring about your ex and I'm sure you still cared for other people at that time so we can't really count this as a sociopathic tendency at all.

Ok...but dodging tumbleweeds is still ok, right?

stuh505 wrote:

Ok...but dodging tumbleweeds is still ok, right?

If you can find any in Raleigh.

Isn't that were Andy and Barn used to take the girls to on a special date?

No, that was Mount Pilot.