Psychopaths versus sociopaths: what is the difference? (includes a quiz to see if you are one)

The Conversation ^ | July 27, 2015 | By XANTHE MALLETT — Senior Lecturer in Forensic Criminology at University of New England

[Swordmaker]

Psychopath and sociopath are popular psychology terms to describe violent monsters born of our worst nightmares. Think Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs (1991), Norman Bates in Psycho (1960) and Annie Wilkes in Misery (1990). In making these characters famous, popular culture has also burned the words used to describe them into our collective consciousness.

Most of us, fortunately, will never meet a Hannibal Lecter, but psychopaths and sociopaths certainly do exist. And they hide among us. Sometimes as the most successful people in society because they’re often ruthless, callous and superficially charming, while having little or no regard for the feelings or needs of others.

These are known as “successful” psychopaths, as they have a tendency to perform premeditated crimes with calculated risk. Or they may manipulate someone else into breaking the law, while keeping themselves safely at a distance. They’re master manipulators of other peoples’ feelings, but are unable to experience emotions themselves.

Sound like someone you know? Well, heads up. You do know one; at least one. Prevalence rates come in somewhere between 0.2% and 3.3% of the population.

[Swordmaker]

To save hunting for the link to the Quiz in the article, here is a link to the "AM I A PSYCHOPATH QUIZ?".

I scored 9. . . (Sorry, Anti-Apple Hate Brigade, I am sane—Swordmaker).

[Swordmaker]

How can we get Obama, Valerie Jarrett, and Hillary to take this test?

[Rastus]

How dare you score a 9? I scored a 9! I’ll kill you! /not a psychopath

[sparklite2]

I only scored ten. But I still prefer dogs to people.

[Fungi]

Seven for me but I hardly think it is a valid measure of psychopaths.

[Admin Moderator]

Aced it.

[riri]

Actually, the real test is if you scored high and really don't care.

(:

[Delta 21]

I always knew that their were about 98% of people out there that I continuously have to be on the look out for!

[BlueLancer]

I scored a 20 ... I guess that means that I could be a psychopath but I’m just not trying hard enough ...

[edpc]

I scored 15, so I guess I’m half psychopath?

[PROCON]

I’m still trying to answer which gender I identify with...there’s only 2 listed.

[Jonty30]

I scored 18.

I think it might have more to do with my Asperger’s syndrome than any sociopathic tendencies.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

They would lie and beat the test.

[PROCON]

Aced it as in 0 or 40? {{Gulp}}

[ZOOKER]

Wouldn’t a psychopath lie on every question to manipulate the results?

[BlueLancer]

"Wouldn’t a psychopath lie on every question to manipulate the results?"

It didn't help ...

[PROCON]

They would lie and beat the test.

Who are they?

Do you mean ME?

I'm SANE, sane, I tell you...

[dsrtsage]

I could be wrong but I always thought a psycopath was like Manson, and a sociopath would be like Clinton or Obama

[fivecatsandadog]

I scored 5. Did I win?

[Andy'smom]

I scored 10, too.