What is a psychopath and how can we identify someone as a psychopath? How does a psychopath differ from a sociopath?
Currently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) 5 does not make provision for either of the two. Instead, it placed the two terms under, what we know to day as, antisocial personality disorder.
However, there are still some researchers, psychologists and psychiatrists that believe the two terms should be looked at separately as their causes may differ along with some symptoms and traits.
This article will look at some of the following:
- What is a psychopath and how does it differ from a sociopath
- The role of the brain in psychopathology
- The role of the environment in psychopathology
- Traits of a psychopath
- Reasons why the DSM-5 no longer differentiates between psychopath and sociopath
- Difference in behavior between a psychopath and sociopath
What is a Psychopath?
A psychopath is someone who suffers from psychopathy. Or better known as antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). However, sociopathy also falls under this spectrum disorder and may be confused for psychopathy.
The two are not the same which makes it difficult to diagnose for mental health professionals.
Someone suffering from psychopathy may typically experiences four or more of the following symptoms:
- Unable to conform to social norms
- Impulsive
- Deceitful
- Irritable and aggressive
- Reckless disregard for the safety of others
- Lack of remorse
- Irresponsible
The Role of The Brain in Psychopathy
Researchers found that 47% of prisoners world wide were diagnosed with ASPD. Neuroimaging research suggests that those suffering from ASPD may be as a result of abnormal brain anatomy.
Studies found an 11% decrease in prefrontal grey matter volume in ASPD and a reduced white matter fiber bundle, which connects the fronto-temporal and fronto-parietal control networks.
Traditionally researchers have mostly focussed on things that psychopaths lacked:
- Sensitivity to punishment
- Lack of fear
However, these traits are not good at predicting violent or criminal behavior (Zald, 2018). So, they changed their focus to that which psychopaths have in abundance:
- Impulsivity
- Attraction to rewards
- Risk-taking
These traits were found to be more closely linked to violent and criminal behavior.
During multiple tests via PET and fMRI scans, researchers came to the following conclusions:
- Those with psychopathic traits had an exaggerated dopamine response to both amphetamines and reward anticipation.
- Once such an individual focussed on a reward, they are unable to switch their attention until they get what they wanted.
- The anticipation or motivation for reward overrides the possible punishment and fear they may have.
In Freudian terms, their Id would be the driver of their behavior while the ego takes the passenger seat and superego takes the backseat.
Frontal Lobes
The role of the frontal lobes are to navigate voluntary movement, language expression and managing higher executive functions. These include:
- The capacity to plan
- Organise
- Initiate
- Self-monitor and control of responses for the purpose of goal achievement
The Fronto-Parietal Network
This part of the brain is responsible for the following executive functions:
- Problem solving
- Maintaining and manipulating information in working memory
- Decision making in for the purpose of goal achievement.
Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex is involved with regulating our thoughts, actions and emotions via connections with other brain regions. These connections are made possible through white matter. Gray matter on the other hand, facilitates information processing.
The Role of The Environment in Psychopathy
What is a psychopath if not an unfortunate product of abnormal genetics? Well, the environment may also play a role in nurturing these abnormal genes (brain structure and chemistry).
Some researchers have returned to making use of the terms “sociopath” and “psychopath”. According to them “psychopath” refers to a genetic causation while “sociopath” is more likened to a less dangerous individual, but a product of their environment.
So then, what role does the environment play in the causation of a psychopath? According to the Psychiatric Times, psychopaths often grow up in homes with the following characteristics:
- A chaotic family home
- Have a lack of parental guidance and attention
- Parents that abuse substances
- Parents that display antisocial behavior
- Have poor interpersonal relationships
- Adverse neighborhoods
Such individuals may often feel like they had less opportunities or advantages when compared to other “normal” people.
However, the question remains: Even if a psychopath’s environment was normal, in a normal safe neighborhood, no substance abuse, divorce or poor relationships, would they not still display psychopathic tendencies?
I believe that regardless of their environment, a psychopath will still display psychopathic tendencies due to their abnormal brain structure, genetics and hormonal imbalances.
The only difference in environment may bring is the degree in which these tendencies are displayed. A good, healthy, nurturing environment may lessen the degree of displayed psychopathy – teaching the individual between right and wrong and how to deal with negative emotions like anger and frustration.
A negative environment, as listed above, will only do the opposite resulting in more violent crimes and possibly a full cut-off from the normal world.
Traits of a Psychopath
A Canadian researcher, Robert Hare, developed a 20-item Hare Psychopathy Checklist in the 1970s. This checklist features different traits and each are scored on a three-point scale based on how applicable the trait is to an individual.
- 0 does not apply
- 1 applies to a certain extent and
- 2 fully applies
The revised checklist includes the following traits:
Many of these traits coincide with that of a narcissist, or someone with narcissistic personality disorder. When it comes to diagnosing an individual with a personality disorder it’s important to know all the signs and symptoms of these disorders.
It’s a difficult task for a mental health professional to make the correct diagnosis. Since many individuals display symptoms in varying degrees, incorrect diagnoses are inevitable.
We see this regularly, and not only with personality disorders. Some examples would include:
- According to a study at Durham University, around 80% of females with autism are misdiagnosed. Rather they are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, depression or anxiety.
- Bipolar disorder is another example. According to the NIH 67% of patients were overdiagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, a misdiagnosis is also quite common (about 20%) due to sharing similar symptoms with other mental health conditions.
What Does the DSM-5 Say?
As you can notice there is no longer a specific section for sociopathy nor psychopathy. Both fall into the category of antisocial personality disorder.
In the past sociopathy and psychopathy was seen as separate, but since they share similar traits, they have been placed under the same category in the DSM. According to Houser (2015), psychopathy focused more on the cognitive and personality traits associated with the personality disorder. Sociopathy had its focus on the behavioral aspects.
As noted earlier, psychopaths exhibit abnormalities in brain anatomy which coincides with placing the focus on the cognitive aspects associated with ASPD.
Psychopath vs. Sociopath: Traits
Simply put, here are some of the differences that you can expect from a psychopath vs. a sociopath:
Conclusion
There is a clear difference between a psychopath and a sociopath although some traits may share similarities. The problem with distinguishing the two in a clinical setting is the abnormalities of the brain.
Unfortunately, brain scans and research cannot be conducted on each individual who exhibits traits associated with psychopathy. It would just be too expensive and time-consuming.
Therefore the simple solution is to place the two terms under a single diagnosis: ASPD or APD. This may reduce the likelihood of a misdiagnosis.
There’s a lot of research still being conducted around people who suffer from this mental health condition and why they are the way they are.
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