Lecture Notes: Differences Between Sociopath, Psychopath, and Narcissist

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. Ramani
• Host: Kyle Kittleson
• Topic: Differences between sociopaths, psychopaths, and narcissists

Key Definitions

Narcissist

• **Traits: **
  • Lacks empathy
  • Grandiose
  • Entitled
  • Constantly seeking validation
  • Arrogant
• Core Issue: Disorder of self-esteem
• Emotional Response: Feels guilt and shame (more shame due to concern about public perception)
• Behavior: Feels bad after doing something wrong but mostly due to public opinion

Psychopath

• **Traits: **
  • Lacks empathy
  • Grandiose
  • Entitled
  • Constantly seeking validation
  • Arrogant
  • No guilt or shame
• Emotional Response: No remorse after doing something wrong
• Behavior: Can lie easily (even on lie-detector tests), don’t get stressed, perform well under pressure (e.g., hired assassins, serial killers)
• Cause: Believed to be born this way, may have genetic factors like a different autonomic nervous system
• Physical Response: No physiological arousal (e.g., heart racing, sweating) in stressful situations
• Brain Activity: PET scans show different brain function, especially in areas related to empathy
• Criminal Inclination: High likelihood of committing both violent and white-collar crimes

Sociopath

• **Traits: **
  • Similar to psychopaths but with slight differences
  • Do bad things without caring
• Cause: Made, often through environment (e.g., rough neighborhood, criminal family upbringing)
• Emotional Response: May feel some stress and discomfort but learn to adapt
• Behavior: Might initially show stress (e.g., heart racing, sweating) but adapt over time, can be 'trained' in rule-breaking
• Criminal Inclination: Often involved in survivalist criminal behavior

Differences Between Psychopaths and Sociopaths

• Origin: Psychopaths are born, sociopaths are made
• Behavior: Psychopaths are naturally less affected by stress and consequences, while sociopaths adapt to their environment
• Emotional Response: Psychopaths lack a natural stress response, sociopaths may have some initial discomfort but adapt

Diagnostic Criteria

• Antisocial Personality Disorder: Used as a diagnostic term for psychopathy
• Early Signs: Pattern of problematic behavior before age 15 (e.g., truancy, violence, stealing, animal cruelty, setting fires)

Treatment and Therapy

• Therapy Sessions: Rarely sought voluntarily, often court-ordered
• Effectiveness: Limited, as these individuals do not see the benefit of therapy

Real-World Implications

• **High Risk Relationships: **
  • Dangerous to be in a relationship with a sociopath or psychopath
  • Can lead to intimate partner violence
• Manipulation: These individuals can be superficially charming but manipulative, viewing others as tools for their own gain

Summary

• Overall Understanding: Clear distinctions between sociopaths, psychopaths, and narcissists in terms of origin, emotional response, behavior, and treatment

Conclusion

• Final Thoughts: Importance of understanding these differences for safety and awareness in relationships and society
• Further Resources: Visit medcircle.com for more information on mental health