Sociopath: What Does That Even Mean?
October 24, 2008 by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Earlier I told you about how I loved the way Private Practice handled a storyline in which a mother thought her son was a sociopath.
When I hear the word “sociopath,” I cringe. I admit it. Not because I think people shouldn’t use the word “sociopath,” but because, well, it’s a scary word. “Sociopath” has been connected to names like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson, and John Wayne Gacy, and – hello – those were some scary peeps.
But what exactly qualifies someone as a sociopath? What is sociopathic behavior? It’s not really something you’ll find in an informational pamphlet down at your local community mental health center, is it?
I decided to do some research (i.e. GOOGLE), and found these sites that may provide a bit of insight regarding sociopathy:
- Sociopathic.net doesn’t really cover sociopaths; rather, it’s more of a personal site that’s all about “different perspectives” and “anti-establishment viewpoints.” Still, the owner includes Sociopathic and Psychopathic Development which does offer a good bit of information about sociopaths.
- How to Manage Sociopathic Behavior at eHow offers seven “instructions” that, in my opinion, should only be used if you’re trying to get a better understanding of sociopathic behavior (and not actually trying to manage your own, or another’s, sociopathic behavior – contact a professional, NOT eHow, OK?).
- VT Massacre: Sociopaths Explained is from Viewzone Magazine (which, from what I can tell, is a magazine about “interesting stuff”) and discusses sociopathic behavior based loosely on famous names like Cho Seung, the VT shooter.
- Suite101.com provides a collection of articles related to sociopathy, including other related disorders like antisocial personality disorder, narcissism, and psychopathy. Suite101.com also provides Psychopath, Sociopath or Antisocial Personality, which discusses each of the disorders and why the names tend to be used interchangeably.
- Inside the Mind of a Sociopath offer an excerpt from Martha Stout’s The Sociopath Next Door: The Ruthless vs. the Rest of Us, a pretty well-known book about the subject from what I understand, as well as a list of other books and related online resources about sociopathic behavior.
So, there you have it. It’s not a long list, but it provides links to some pretty good information if you want a working knowledge about sociopaths. If you know of any other resources, or have firsthand experience, share in the comments!
Image: SXC and Hugo Humberto Plácido da Silva.
I dated a sociopath (not knowing at first, of course) for a little while. It is a very, very scary thing. She was the worst mistake ever.
I believe a great many sociopaths have actually been created by those around them. I do think there is a biological component to it as well (a predisposition). More about this here.
Surrendering to the sociopath we created – our kids
@ James – I’m sorry you had a bad experience. I hope the woman has received treatment or some kind of help?
@ Kelly – Thanks for sharing the link!
hi i have been doing some research on sociopaths and i believe that it is biological at least the part where their brain works differently but it is how they are brought up that makes them who they are— i people that do hurtful things is always because they are hurting inside— these people are sick and need help for some reason the mental health community pretty much treats them like lepers and that is uncalled for– but insanity comes from pain and insane situations i wish i was a therapist so i could help these people—
In response to Robin, clearly you have not done your research very well. If you had, you would know that no ordinary therapist could ‘cure’ a sociopath. In fact, they are amazingly skilled in hiding their lack of remorse and empathy to fit in with society. They are often charming and use their status within society to manipulate people and situations to their own personal gain. This is by far one of the scariest mental illnesses as sociopaths are more commonly occurring in positions of great power such as company/corporation managers. These people could be our bosses and we wouldn’t know. There is currently no known method of therapy or appropriate medication which would ‘cure’ someone of this behaviour which is why your comment is so blatantly naive.