What is a sociopath?

by John M Oldham MD.

In today’s media, it’s not unusual for someone to be referred to as a “sociopath,” often accompanied by sensational news about the person’s crafty, deceptive, self-serving behavior. This is nothing new, since scoundrels have been around throughout history. In the 15^th century, Machiavelli wrote his famous book, The Prince, in which he advocated that fraud and treachery are essential characteristics of ruthless leaders. Over time, this view became so well-known that “machiavellianism” became one of the ingredients of “The Dark Triad,” along with narcissism and psychopathy, referring to malevolent personality types in general. Is there a difference between sociopathy and psychopathy, since the terms often seem to be used interchangeably? Here’s what Britannica says: “To put the matter simplistically, psychopaths are born, and sociopaths are made” (https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-psychopath-and-a-sociopath-and-how-do-both-differ-from-narcissists). That’s how I think about it. Psychopathic individuals drew the unlucky straw at birth, perhaps by being genetically predisposed to become rule-breakers. Sociopathic individuals, on the other hand, may have had good-enough genes but were “inadequately socialized” developmentally. Those of us who are “hard-wired” for defiant, manipulative, exploitative behavior may find it hard to change, or even to want to change. Whereas those of us “taught” to be that way may have a shot at coming into the light, if we’re lucky enough to get a new and better life coach.

Neither of these types is designated “officially” as a personality disorder in the common professional diagnostic systems used today. Where would they show up in the language of NPSP25? Not so much in the realm of the normal, non-pathological personality styles, but as individuals with elements of a variety of the personality disorders, notably narcissistic, paranoid, antisocial, and sadistic.

John M. Oldham, M.D., & Lois B. Morris

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