Have you ever come across or known a sociopath? And what were they like?

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   Ranziposted 11 years ago

   Have you ever come across or known a sociopath? And what were they like?

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   nnmsposted 11 years ago

   I don't want to come across with them even in my dream..hahaha...
   
   Psychopaths are remorseless and pleasing people and should be avoided at any cost.

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      Ranziposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Then that would definitely be a nightmare

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   conradofontanillaposted 11 years ago

   Ranzi,
   I read about a sociopath in the book of Joseph Wambaugh, entitled "The Blooding," published in 1989.
   The fellow is Colin Pitchfork who raped and murdered two girls in England. Colin was a good baker, had a wife and a child. He could make friends among his co-workers. He was in good control of himself that he could hide his inner turmoils. During interrogation by the police he told the truth for as long as he was allowed to control the confession.He told of his heinous crime matter-of-factly without any remorse. That even before the DNA fingerprinting of his blood sample could be completed. I include part of his profile in my Hub "Why Criminals can never fool DNA fingerprinting nor escape from it." Wambaugh has plenty of clinical characterizations of a sociopath in his book derived from several authors.

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      Ranziposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow sounds like a great read. He seems like a classic psychopath who may have started of as a sociopath. Thanks for your answer.

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   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   Yet again I am going to sound bad by answering a question I should probably stay far away from, but I can't help myself.
   Definition of Sociopath - : of, relating to, or characterized by asocial or antisocial behavior or exhibiting antisocial personality disorder
   The label sociopath is a mental health description just like bipolar or depression. There are a lot of huge stereotypes and misconceptions about sociopaths. Mostly because the first thing many think of is serial killing rapists when they here the word. Which is not reality because most sociopaths are not violent.
   In reality, were you aware that approximately 3% (or an estimated 9 million) of the USA population are sociopaths. Sociopaths do have emotions, just not felt in the same way "normal" (man I hate that word) people feel them. They are often married with children who they genuinely care about in their own way. They are usually successful and happy people who make those around them happy.
   Were you aware that Aspergers, a form of autism, presents very similar to sociopathy? A lack of being able to understand human emotion is a common trait.
   With all that said I would encourage anyone who has the stereotypical thoughts of sociopaths to do some reading. Mental Illness is a real problem. We can not simply accept which ones are ok and which ones aren't. It's an illness that a person does not choose. We need to get to a point where all mental illnesses are accepted.
   To limit the thoughts on sociopaths to criminals is equivalent to saying all depressed people are suicidal, it simply isn't true.

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      Ranziposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi peeples, thanks for clarifying. I should have been more clear in my question that a sociopath is different from a psychopath and not necessarily violent but only have a certain chemical in their brain that produces guilt missing.  Great answer

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      Gareth Pritchardposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Right on, all human beings have the capacity to murder so that must mean all human beings are potential murders, the police think so, we also all have the potential for mental health breakdowns so potentially were all mad as well.

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   Ranziposted 11 years ago

   Just to clarify that a sociopath is not necessary a cold blooded psychopath, but rather someone who can manipulate, steal, lie and hurt people on an emotional and financial level, however the only difference is that they don't feel guilt or remorse, even if they wanted to. The chemicals that produce guilt is actually missing from they brain and apparently they were born without it. So therefore they are able to hurt people more easily without the feelings of shame and guilt most people experience.
   
   Below are some traits you might come across in a person who may be a sociopath (however please don't confuse the next person you come across with these traits as a sociopath, as they may do most on the list but feel guilt, empathy and shame. Also a sociopath may not always do all the behaviours on the list.
   
   -Glibness and Superficial Charm
   -Manipulative and Conning
   -They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible.
   -They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
   -Grandiose Sense of Self
   -Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
   -Pathological Lying Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
   -Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
   -Shallow Emotions
   -Incapacity for Love
   -Lack of Empathy
   -Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
   Irresponsibility/Unreliability

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      conradofontanillaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wambough distinguishes between a sociopath and psycopath. Well, he is not a clinician. There must be some ways to prevent, treat and cure both illness. The case of Colin Pitchfork happened to be the first one solved by DNA fingerprinting.

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      Ranziposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      @conradofontanilla from all the research I've done apparently there is no cure for both of these illnesses. But who knows, anything is possible.

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   fpherj48posted 11 years ago

   Good Day, my friends and fellow-writers.....A topic I cannot resist.  My background is strongly associated with Behavioral Science and the continual study of human nature, is a true passion of mine.  45 years, is no short term to base knowledge and experience upon.....so I would like to humbly offer my response to your question and interesting thread of comments, Ranzi.
   In only "some" circles of psychiatry does a definitive line exist between the "Sociopath" and the "Psychopath.".....For the most part, they share more like symptoms and behaviors than they do dissimilarities.  The key thing to keep in mind is that ALL Psychopaths ARE Sociopaths, while the opposite is rarely true.  All Sociopaths do not present as Psychopaths.  Yes, this is important to know.
   Your question refers to whether we have "ever come across a sociopath..& what are they like?"   My respective answers are, Yes, HUNDREDS...and they are all unique, just as any "type" of  group of individuals are...so to speak.   Having said this, psychologically speaking, they do share the integral traits that lend themselves toward an authentic diagnosis of a bons-fide Sociopath.  Tearing this term down.....which SOUNDS much more sinister than it actually is.....simply means that a person has a "Social Illness" (or pathology).  Explanations for this pathology are ENDLESS.   Sociopaths are not readily identified in terms of a casual acquaintance or basic overview of a particular individual.  Aside from thorough clinical diagnosis, a lay person may be able to identify this person, through close, continual observation and interaction.
   You'll have to just believe me, Ranzi, when I assure you that you and most everyone else, actually knows, associates with, lives near and or works with, NUMEROUS sociopaths.  This is a simple fact, whether one is aware or unaware of it. 
   Finally, my suggestion would be to research and study on this intriguing pathology, if you have a serious interest.  You'll be glad you did.

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      conradofontanillaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Colin said opportunity made him indulge his urge. That could be true of a dictator, who had fooled a judge to acquit him of a crime. He went on to fool a nation then died of kidney trouble. Verbal attack did not ruffle him; countered thru others.

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      Ranziposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for all you in depth knowledge! And yes I totally agree with you when you say that many are living amongst us and we may never know who  these people are. I believe perhaps because they spend most of their lives mastering the art of deceit.

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