Social Impacts Of Psychopaths And Sociopaths

Social Impacts of Psychopaths and Sociopaths Name Institution/Affiliation Course Professor Date Social Impacts of Psychopaths and Sociopaths Introduction Every society is made up of different characters and personalities. There are those who lie consistently while there are those who wish to be and often are controlling or manipulative. However, some of these people have a certain limit or cannot go past a certain level mainly because their human nature or selves stop them. One’s conscience or moral code is often always there to call things to order when it seems like things are getting out of hand. But what happens when one chooses to ignore those disturbing noises in our heads or genuinely lacks this disturbing noise? Where should we take these people and are they fit to live with other people? Well, the answer is yes, and the truth is, they have been living among other people since man first set foot on earth. Some people call them selfish, but science describes them as psychopaths and sociopaths. People who fit into these categories are indeed different from what one would call normal. They exhibit behavior which often irks and hurts others, and the most disturbing thing is, they never seem to care. Well, it is indeed not strange to find a person asking themselves whether such people have any social impact or effects on the society. This entire article is solely based on the statement above and seeks to determine the social impacts of sociopaths and psychopaths while also providing further information concerning these conditions. Differences between a Normal Person, Psychopath, and Sociopath First of all, people see the world differently and tend to have differing opinions all the time. Therefore, perceiving things differently is not a sign or symptom of psychopathic or sociopathic behavior. However, sociopaths and psychopaths are indeed different from normal people, but this does not mean they look and sound different. A sociopath or a psychopath can look and sound normal like everyone else, but that does not mean they are normal or perceive things and the world like the other people. They will not stand out in a crowd, but once one interacts with them, they get to experience a side of humanity that is not quite common. Below is an in-depth elucidation of the differences between normal people, sociopaths, and psychopaths. * Normal people do not lie and manipulate others like how sociopaths and psychopaths do. Do not be confused here. Normal people do lie, but a majority have a limit on the things they lie about and the reason why they are lying. However, for sociopaths and psychopaths, lying is normal. Sociopaths and psychopaths lie to manipulate, and they do this consistently. * Another major difference between normal people and sociopaths and psychopaths is that normal people feel guilty. However, after manipulating those around them and those who love them, sociopaths and psychopaths do not feel any remorse or guilt. Sociopaths and psychopaths try to rationalize their actions, and some even exempt themselves from blame. * One another difference between normal people and sociopaths and psychopaths is that the former knows when to accept they are wrong but the latter two never accept they are wrong. A normal person will accept and even own their mistake. A sociopath will not accept or own their mistake and will make use of illogical arguments and excuses even though they know they are wrong and are being illogical. When it comes to a psychopath, they will make up excuses as well and will try to run away from responsibility but only because they believe they are right. * Normal people are sympathetic or have and practice empathy. However, sociopaths and psychopaths lack empathy and are never willing to show or practice it. For sociopaths, it is often said that they know when they are showing these behaviors and are being a problem to other people. However, psychopaths fail to practice empathy because they are built or have grown to believe they are like that. Are Sociopaths and Psychopaths Born or Made? Well, like many mental conditions, there are no specific or known causes of sociopathy and psychopathy. Therefore, it is not known whether sociopaths or psychopaths are born as themselves, or they grow to develop such traits and characters. However, it would be wrong not to acknowledge some studies which have tried or have even gone ahead to state that sociopathy and psychopathy are innate. In a 2009 article, Richard reported about some scientists who have discovered some brain differences between psychopaths and normal people. “Scientists have identified biological brain differences that mark out psychopaths from other people – offering hope of spotting the disorder before it triggers heinous crimes” CITATION Ric09 \l 1033 (Alleyne, 2009). He continues to note that “if the link to brain wiring can be proved it could have far-reaching consequences with the prospect of psychopaths being diagnosed and treated with new therapies.” However, the link has not been proven yet and therefore, it has not been established whether psychopathy is indeed innate. Conversely, it is essential to acknowledge that the brain of psychopaths and sociopaths are different and hence the differences they often exhibit. While biological causes of sociopathy and psychopathy are yet to be proven, environmental factors have indeed been proven. Apparently, where and how one grows up can determine their development of sociopathic and psychopathic behaviors. “Early life experiences or trauma, such as extreme poverty, abuse, rejection, and other adverse conditions, can, if the biological nature allows, be part of the causes of sociopathy” CITATION Tan16 \l 1033 (Peterson, 2016). “Secondary psychopathy is often conceptualized as a disturbance in emotional and behavioral control arising from adverse environmental influences such as abuse, poor parenting, rejection, or neglect. Secondary psychopaths are described as being hostile, impulsive, and reactive in their antisocial and violent behavior, and as experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and negative emotions” CITATION Bri12 \l 1033 (Brian, et al., 2012). Therefore, from the above, it is indeed plausible that one’s environment impacts sociopathic and psychopathic behavior. Diagnosing Sociopaths and Psychopaths From the movies, sociopaths and psychopaths stand out. They present themselves as people who can be easily discerned. Movies like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho have shaped the narrative surrounding the discussion of psychopaths and sociopaths. Therefore, people associate them with killers and people who should not be allowed to live and thrive with other people. However, research indicates that sociopaths and psychopaths live among us and it can be a problem to identify with or to spot one. While discussing psychopaths, Burkley notes that “these depictions are a far cry from what actual psychopaths are like” CITATION Mel18 \l 1033 (Burkley, 2018). She continues to note that the above “fact makes psychopaths harder to spot in a crowd than you might think (Hint: He’s usually not the crazy-eyed guy in the black trench coat walking down the abandoned street.).” The same, apparently, applies to sociopaths. Well, how then can sociopathic, psychopathic behavior be diagnosed or spotted in a person? This is indeed a difficult question as indicated below, all it takes is a keen person but one who is also aware and knowledgeable on issues to do with sociopathy and psychopathy. Sociopathic behavior is different to psychopathic behavior. While some sources indicate them as one condition, it is essential to understand that they are quite different. “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifies sociopathy by a range of personality and behavioral traits that describe how a person functions, how he or she relates to others, and how those beliefs express themselves by action” CITATION Mar18 \l 1033 (Purse, 2018). These traits are used to complete the clinical diagnosis of any sociopathic mind. They include the following: * Self-functioning characteristics – these attributes are related to “what a person is like and how that person views his or her actions or goals” CITATION Mar18 \l 1033 (Purse, 2018). Some of the attributes here include self-centeredness, having objectives or goals solely based on one’s fulfilment, and the attainment or having one’s self-esteem boosted by pleasure, power, or personal gain. * Interpersonal characteristics – these here are solely concerned with how one seems to interact or behave while with other people. Sociopaths will often exhibit a lack of empathy as well as an inability to have or form any meaningful relationships with other people. * Behavioral characteristics – these simply represent how one behaves or the manipulative ways sociopaths use to control other people. They include aggression, use of lies, as well as emotional manipulation. As already noted, psychopathic behavior is indeed different from sociopathic behavior. Characters diagnosed with either condition can exhibit similar characteristics, but this does not mean they are the same thing or should be considered the same thing. “The concept of psychopathy has been known for centuries but only in recent years has there been considerable research attention paid” CITATION Sco161 \l 1033 (Bonn, 2016). Psychopathy, therefore, is not a recent term but one that has been in the mainstream for some time now. However, while it is not a recent term, tools for diagnosing it have been scarce but Dr Robert Hare did help by developing the Psychopathy Check List-Revised (PCL-R). This list works by providing a “clinical assessment of the degree of psychopathy that an individual possesses” CITATION Sco161 \l 1033 (Bonn, 2016). The PCL-R tool is considered a powerful tool and has been in use for more than three decades. Bonn notes that it attempts “to measure a distinct cluster of personality traits and socially deviant behaviors which fall into four factors: interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial.” Below are some traits which make up the four factors: * Interpersonal traits – insincere charm, manipulation, lying, and lavishness. * Affective traits – traits making up this factor include a lack of empathy, irresponsibility, low or thin affect, and a lack of guilt or remorse. * Lifestyle behaviors – a lack of objectives or goals in life, impulsivity, scrounging orientation, and irresponsibility. * Antisocial behaviors – juvenile delinquency, a majority of them cannot control their behaviors, and also had childhood behavioral issues. To be regarded as a psychopath, one has to have all the affective, interpersonal, lifestyle, and antisocia...