See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/348428612

Psychopathy and Sociopathy: A Modern Understanding of Antisocial Personality

Disorder (Review of Literature)

Article · January 2021

CITATIONS READS

0 3,244

3 authors:

Lavina Pratap Bhambhani Shakti Prakash

Raksha Shakti University Rashtriya Raksha University
4 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS    10 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Mahesh Addaya prasad Tripathi

Rashtriya Raksha University
14 PUBLICATIONS   3 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Nanorobotics: a theranostic approach View project

HFDT as a projective technique in the personality assessment of security personnel View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Mahesh Addaya prasad Tripathi on 13 January 2021.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

INDIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES
Vol. 1 (5)/ JAN-MAR 2021 ISSN 2277-7458

Psychopathy and Sociopathy: A Modern Understanding of

Antisocial Personality Disorder
(Review of Literature)

*Lavina Pratap Bhambhani, M Sc. Forensic Psychology, *Shakti Prakash , Lab. Technician
*Mahesh A. Tripathi, Assistant Professor, (Forensic Clinical Psychology)
*School of Forensic Science & Risk Management, Rashtriya Raksha University

Abstract
The term "Sociopath" often uses arbitrarily to describe a person who is non-conscience. The term "psychopath"
suggests a sociopathic person who is simply more dangerous, like a serial killer or mass murder. Clinically,
sociopathic or psychopathic are those people who exhibit the characteristics of antisocial personality disorder
(ASPD), classified as pervasive disregard towards the rights and feelings of others. In the contemporary period both
the term is considered separately to describe two types of ASPD. At times both the terms are used interchangeably
though each has its lines of distinction that can be broadly described. This review focuses on the term’s
“psychopath” and “sociopath”, criminal behavior is a practical, rational which draws upon theoretical science. It
compresses of causes, signs, and symptoms which gives insight to better understand the particular behavior. Due to
a lack of awareness in society about psychopaths they are generally considered villains, not like other patients
suffering from disorders. However, sometimes we are unable to differentiate between sociopaths and psychopaths;
attempts are made to clarify them easily.
Keywords: Psychopaths, Sociopaths, Mental illness, case studies, psychiatry

I. Introduction to Psychopaths:
Psychopathy is a disorder marked by a constellation of maladaptive personality traits. It is a neuropsychiatric
disorder marked by deficient emotional responses, lack of empathy, and poor behavioral controls, commonly
resulting in persistent antisocial deviance and criminal behavior. Psychopaths are responsible for an inordinate
proportion of crime committed, and their conning manipulative interpersonal style typically has a broad, destructive
impact on an individual’s life, work, and relationships.(Dennis E. Reidy, September 2013)
According to Merriam Webster, a person having an egocentric and antisocial personality marked by a lack of
remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies.It can be genetic or can be
caused by the environment in which the person lives, which made them psychopaths. (William D. Tillier, n.d.) They
generally have a nature to manipulate the people who are around them and even can play with the emotions of
people who are closer in their life.(Seth Grossman, 2004)
What is Psychopathic?
It is a chronic condition in which the violent behavior or abnormal behavior a person might suffer from and can lead
to criminal behavior or illegal things that are against society’s norms or legal justice system.(Fitzgerald, June 2020)
Checkley’s list of psychopathic characteristics:(Cristina Crego, November 2015)
 Untruthfulness and insincerity.
 Unreliability.
 Pathological egocentricity and incapacity for love.
 Suicide is rarely carried out.
 Absence of “nervousness” or psychoneurotic manifestations.
 Superficial charm and good intelligence.
 Absence of delusions and other signs of irrational thinking.

17
INDIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES
Vol. 1 (5)/ JAN-MAR 2021 ISSN 2277-7458

 Lack of remorse and shame.

 Inadequately motivated antisocial behavior.
 Poor judgment and failure to learn by experience.
 General poverty in major affective reactions.
 Specific loss of insight.
 Unresponsiveness in general interpersonal relations.
 Fantastic and uninviting behavior with drink and sometimes without.
 Failure to follow any life plan.

Introduction to Sociopaths:
Sociopath is a term used to describe someone who has antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). People with ASPD
can’t understand others feelings. They will often break rules or make impulsive decisions without feeling guilty for
the harm caused. (healthline, 2020)Sociopaths may also use “mind games” to control people around them and even
strangers. They may also be perceived as charismatic or charming.(Asperger, 2020)
What Does the Term Sociopath Stands for?
The person showing the least interests in socializing showing antisocial behavior around is generally categorized
under sociopath. It can be caused by any trauma experienced early in their life or some unpleasant or unexpected
experiences that caused them to be sociopaths or antisocial.(Crystal, 2020)
What is Sociopathic?
It is also known as Antisocial Personality Disorder. (Kathleen Smith, 2020)Sociopathic is classified under mental
disorders, in which a person may tend to overlook the right and wrong or sometimes feelings of others or can treat
others harshly and showing no guilt for their behavior.(Kayne, n.d.)
Some traits of sociopaths (Perry, 2015)
 Doesn’t respect social norms or laws: they often break the laws made by society and cross the boundaries.
 Lies deceive others, use false identities or nicknames, and use others for personal benefits: they tend to look
for their benefits out from the surroundings.
 Doesn’t make any long-term plans: they don’t see the pros and cons of the actions made by them.
 How aggressive or aggravated behavior is: they get indulged into physical fights often.
 Doesn’t consider their safety or the safety of others: doesn’t care about the security of an individual.
 Doesn’t follow up on personal or professional responsibilities: this can include repeatedly missing
deadlines, being late to work, and many more. (Becker, 1966)
 Don’t feel guilt or remorse: if they harm somebody or hurt people around them, they don’t feel guilty about
it.

History and Origin

The student of Aristotle named Theophrastus was the first person to bring some light on the “psychopaths” calling
them “the unscrupulous”. The unscrupulous man will go and borrow more money from a creditor he has never paid.
When marketing he reminds the butcher of some service. He has rendered him and, standing near the scales, the
throws in some meat if he can and a soup bone. (Sohail, The Myth of the Chosen One, 2002) If he succeeds, so
much the better, if not, he will snatch a piece of tripe and go off laughing.
Scientists and their contributions:
Name of the Scientist Contributions
Philippe Pinel In 1801, he argued the legitimacy of the psychopathological entity.
Benjamin Rush In the early 1800s, he was a famous American physician and wrote about
similar perplexing cases characterized by lucidity of thought combined with
socially deranged behaviors.

18
INDIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES
Vol. 1 (5)/ JAN-MAR 2021 ISSN 2277-7458

Carl Otto In 1824, the Danish physician Carl Otto published several books and
medical journals which served the purpose of the use of phrenological
examinations in forensic psychiatry as a means to distinguish between the
sane and insane.
Prichard In 1835, he defined the separation between insanity due to defects in
reasoning and insanity owing to defects in “natural affections”
Tilstand I danmark In 1846, selmer stated that the relationship between society and insanity was
fundamental and that it was therefore the duty of the society to establish
psychiatric institutions and treatment for the insane.
Sophus Schack In 1858, he wrote several books, including physiognomist (facial
characteristics), and correlated them with personality traits.
Daniel Hacktuke& Henry In 1874, they were the leading British psychiatrist of the period and
Maudsley supported the Prichard theory. They argued for the existence of a specific
cerebral center underlying “natural more feelings.”
J.L Koch In 1891, He proposed that the label “moral insanity” be replaced by the term
“psychopathic inferiority” under which he included “all mental
irregularities”, whether congenital or acquired.
Kraepelin In 1903, he referred to the term psychopathic personalities. In 1904, he
identified four kinds of people who had features akin to what we speak of
today as antisocial personalities.
Adolf Meyer In 1904, he followed the idea of Koch. He sought to separate psychopathic
cases from psychoneurotic disorders, both of which are grouped in Koch’s
“psychopathic inferiority”
k. Birnbaum In 1909, he was first to suggest the term “sociopathic”
Schneider In 1923, he concluded that the aggressive and impulsive characteristics
described by Kraepelin were found in a variety of different psychopathic
personalities.
August Wimmer In 1926, the Danish psychiatrist Wimmer wrote in his book about the
heredity of mental disorders and an endeavor for racial improvement.
Coriat In 1927, an American psychoanalyst Coriat described the “constitutional
psychopathic” as an antisocial character who is fixed at infantile levels has
unresolved oedipal conflicts.
Wittels In 1937, he differentiated neurotic psychopaths from “simple” psychopaths.
D.K Henderson In 1939, he allied himself with partridge’s basic conclusions but felt that a
useful distinction could be drawn.
HejalmarHelweg He was a Danish theorist who published a book on forensic psychiatry
(1939) which he related his classification of psychopathy to those of such
authors as Kraepelin and Prichard.

Karpman In 1941, He distinguished two variants of psychopathy the “idiopathic” and

“symptomatic”
H. Cleckley In 1941, He published a book named “the mask of sanity” which included
diverse disorders under psychopathy.
Reich &Fenichel In 1945, they both were renowned psychoanalytic scholar, sought to clarify
the difference between the antisocial impulsiveness and the neurotic’s
compulsions.

19
INDIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES
Vol. 1 (5)/ JAN-MAR 2021 ISSN 2277-7458

Friedlandler He was a psychoanalytic theorist, in 1945 he stressed on the fact that the
character structure of psychopathic youngsters remains under the
dominance of the pleasure principle, unguided by an adequately developed
super-ego.

Levy In 1951, he proposed a subdivision to represent different forms of early

experience about psychopathic.
Leary In 1957, he presented a social/interpersonal model paralleling psychiatric
concepts of the antisocial personality was formulated most clearly in the
work of leary.

Bandura and Walters In 1959, he gave a social learning model and has a marvelous contribution
to the field of psychiatry.
Quay (1964) &Werry They both focused on delinquent populations and used multivariate
(1979) statistical techniques to identify distinct clusters or types.
Shapiro In 1965, he has enriched his theory with an important cognitive dimension
(antisocial personality)
Robins In 1966, Robin and his colleagues attempted to unravel the juvenile
antecedents of adult psychopathy and antisocial behavior.
Millon In 1969, he introduced the model of contemporary thought has sought to
anchor “psychopathic” behaviors to developmental learning and
psychological dynamics.

Otto Kornberg (1970- He has a huge contribution in explaining many personality disorders and
1989) presented thoroughgoing analysis and reconceptualization of the antisocial
personality.

B. Bursten In 1972, he proposed that the essential features of classical sociopaths are
their need to bolster their self-esteem by being contemptuous of others and
“needing to put something over them”

Karen Horney & Enrich They contributed views concerning the role of sadism from both an
Formen individual and cultural perspective.
Michael Stone In 1993, explored not merely the “anal of crime” as these relate to
personality.
Mednick In 1996, he worked in collaborations and conducted several studies
concerning predictors and genetics of criminal behavior and the association
between psychopathy and crime.

The Famous Psychopaths of the History:

1. KING LEOPOLD 2
The king of Belgium from 1865 to 1908, King Leopold 2 is best known for ruling over the Congo Free State in
central Africa between 1885 to 1908. When he was ruling in Africa, millions of Congolese people died. The death
toll is estimated between 5 million to 20 million. He aimed to extract rubber and ivory from the Congo region. He
forced Congolese labor and threatened them by horrific abuse from his army, the force publique. The army tortured,
maiming, and slaughter the Congolese labor. People who failed to achieve targets would face mutilation or the army
would cut the hands off his wife or children. After the international pressures over reports of abuse that had leaked
out finally forced Leopold 2 to change his policies.(Stockton, n.d.)

20
INDIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES
Vol. 1 (5)/ JAN-MAR 2021 ISSN 2277-7458

2. ELIZABETH BATHORY
The most prolific serial killer of all time, Elizabeth Bathory specialized in the grotesque and purely vile. She was
born in 1560 and served as countless in the kingdom of Hungary but has since become known for her sadistic
crimes. The number of her victims is disputed but it is believed that she was responsible for torturing and killing
hundreds of girls between 1585 to 1610. The execution method of her crimes is disturbing, as she would torture
them to eat their flesh, stabbing them with needles and burning parts of the face, genitalia, and many others. She
tortured them for weeks and many would starve or else be burned or frozen to death. It is widely believed that would
bathe in their blood under the delusion that it would help her retain her youth. Elizabeth was kept in small rooms
after her crimes were revealed, two guards watched her die in the last days of her life. (MANOUKIAN, n.d.)
3. HEINRICH HIMMLER
He was born in 1900, Heinrich was the second most powerful Nazi and possibly the most feared man in Nazi
Germany. He served as the head of the police forces in Germany and command of the German concentration camps,
organizing and ensuring that the death trains ran on time. His decisions caused the death of 11 million people which
includes Poles, Russians, Communists, Jews, and other groups. It is said that Himmler’s house contained furniture
and books made from the bones and skins of his Jewish victims. He eventually committed suicide by poison in 1945.
(All That's Interesting, 2014)
Signs and Symptoms of Psychopaths:
 Manipulating others and can manipulate emotions.
 Liars and cheaters.
 Lack of emotions.
 They are impulsive and tend to blame others for being responsible for it.
 Less responsible.
 Lack of goals in life.
 They usually have a parasitic lifestyle.
 Can involve in criminal offenses.(Lynam, 1998)

Causes which lead to become Psychopaths:

 Genetic heritance
 Environment and surroundings
 Brain injury (R.J.R. Blair, 2006)

Signs and Symptoms of Sociopaths:

 They are generally arrogant in nature.
 Tend to be liars in many cases and cheaters.
 Generally, have bad relationships or abusive relationships with people.
 Irresponsible and fails at work or in life.
 They don’t show empathy to others around them.
 Impulsive.
 They can be destructive in nature.
 Aggressive towards living beings (humans and animals).(Jeffrey M. Burns, n.d.)

Causes which lead to become a Sociopaths:

 Genetic heritance.
 Traumatic experiences.
 The way of thinking patterns or after some diagnoses.(PETERSON, n.d.)

21
INDIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES
Vol. 1 (5)/ JAN-MAR 2021 ISSN 2277-7458

Difference between Psychopaths and Sociopaths:(Pemment, 2013)

Sociopaths
Make it clear that they don’t care what others feel.
They usually behave aggressively and impulsively.
They are prone to fits of anger and rage.
They rationalize their behavior.
They fail to maintain work and personal life.
It is difficult for them but can form emotional
attachments.
Psychopaths
They pretend to care.
They show cold-hearted behavior.
They usually fail to recognize other people’s stress.
They have relationships that are shallow, empty, and
fake.
They maintain a normal life as a cover for criminal
activity.
They don’t form genuine emotional attachments but
may love people in their own way.

Psychopathy and the Cases:

1. Chinmoy Chakraborty vs Bharati Chakraborty on 19th July 1989.
The respondent has been suffering from mental illness and psychopathic disorders but there is a method in her
madness. The respondent repeatedly used to shout, cry aloud, and start singing at odd hours. The petitioner has
failed to prove his case that the respondent is a patient of intermittent schizophrenia and psychopathic disorders. As
the result, he has dismissed the suit refusing the petitioner decree for dissolution of
marriage.(https://indiankanoon.org/, n.d.)
2. A seventy-one-year-old retired army doctor, Somnath Parida from Bhubaneshwar allegedly murdered his wife,
chopped her body into pieces, and dipped them into chemicals to dispose of them for some time. The body parts
were found in 22 steel containers in 2 boxes as well as sharp-edged weapons and surgical instruments used in cutting
the body at his house. Sources say he was not at all short-tempered, but still, nobody could imagine the mode of
Operandi used by him. The case is still pending in the court.
Conclusion:
The term “psycho” is commonly used by people to tease or relate it with mental illness. There is no term called
“psycho” in neurology or psychiatry, it always needs some special explanation. The lack of knowledge in society
fails to differentiate thin lines between disorders and particular behaviors. The efforts are made in this review to
understand the sociopaths and psychopaths. As we often fail to understand the line between them. The psychopathic
crimes were committed in history and till today are at a steady growing stage. Psychopathic behavior should be
understood in a better manner by society, doctors, and the judicial system. The proper education and guidelines
should be made available for the general publi
References
 (2020, 12 28). Retrieved from healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/sociopath
 (2020, 12 28). Retrieved from Asperger: https://www.aspergers101.com/the-destroying-sociopath/
 All That's Interesting. (2014, June 28). (ati) Retrieved 12 30, 2020, from https://allthatsinteresting.com/famous-
psychopaths/5
 Becker, H. S. (1966). outsiders studies in the sociology of deviance. london: the free press A Division of
Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc, NEW YORK.
 Cristina Crego, T. A. (November 2015). Cleckley's Psychopaths: Revisited. Journal of Abnormal Psychology .
 Crystal, G. (2020, 12 28). Retrieved from Wisegeek : https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-sociopath.htm
 Dennis E. Reidy, M. C. (September 2013). Reducing Psychopathic Violence: A Review of the Treatment
Literature. researchgate.
 Fitzgerald, M. (June 2020). Criminal Atistic Psychopathy. NOVA.

22
 INDIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES
Vol. 1 (5)/ JAN-MAR 2021 ISSN 2277-7458

 https://indiankanoon.org/. (n.d.). Retrieved 12 30, 2020, from https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1540105/

 Jeffrey M. Burns, R. H. (n.d.). JAMA Network. Retrieved 12 30, 2020, from
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/783830
 Kathleen Smith, P. L. (2020, 12 30). Psycom.net – Mental Health Treatment Resource Since 1996. Retrieved
from https://www.psycom.net/antisocial-personality-disorder/
 Kayne, R. (n.d.). Wisegeek logo. Retrieved 12 30, 2020, from https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-
between-a-psychopath-and-a-sociopath.htm
 Lynam, D. R. (1998). Early Identification of the Fledgling Psychopath:Locating the Psychopathic Child in the
Current Nomenclature. Journal of Abnormal Psycology, 107(4), 566-575.
 MANOUKIAN, M. (n.d.). https://www.grunge.com/. (grunge) Retrieved 12 30, 2020, from
https://www.grunge.com/244597/the-crazy-real-life-story-of-historys-most-prolific-female-murderer/
 Pemment, J. (2013). Psychopathy versus sociopathy: Why the distinction has become crucial. Elsevier, AVB-
00752; No of Pages 4.
 Perry, C. (2015). The" Dark Traits" of Sociopathic Leaders: Could They Be a Threat to Universities?. . 57(1), 17-
25.
 PETERSON, T. J. (n.d.). HealthyPlace Blogs. Retrieved 12 30, 2020, from
https://www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/sociopath/sociopath-causes-the-making-of-a-sociopath
 R.J.R. Blair, 1. K. (2006). The development of psychopathy. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 4,
262–275.
 Seth Grossman, C. M. (2004). Personality Disorders in Modern Life . Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.
 Sohail, D. K. (2002). The Myth of the Chosen One. Toronto, Canada: White Knight Publications.
 Sohail, D. K. (2002). The Myth of the Chosen One. Toronto, Canada: White Knight Publications.
 Stockton, R. (n.d.). https://allthatsinteresting.com/. (ati) Retrieved 12 30, 2020, from
https://allthatsinteresting.com/king-leopold-ii-congo
 William D. Tillier, C. A. (n.d.). Review of Psychopathy. Retrieved 12 28, 2020, from
http://www.positivedisintegration.com/psychopathy.htm

23

View publication stats