[BIV]

Hi Lurk:
Sociopaths and psychopaths are the same. You may be referring to psychotics who are truly demented.
There are a lot of sociopaths out there. They often function OK in a group setting and are often charming and witty. However, if you get too close to one, one on one, RUN don’t walk in the opposite direction.
Prayers for the victims.

[9YearLurker]

They haven’t been used as synonyms for decades. They describe two different things, believed to have two different origins:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ambigamy/201107/psychopath-cowboys-sociopath-herds-new-theory-how-evil-happens

http://depressiond.com/sociopath-vs-psychopath-differences-between-psychopathic-sociopathic-personality-disorders/