Psychopathic: meaning, definitions and examples

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psychopathic

[ˌsaɪ.kəˈpæθ.ɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

personality traits

Relating to or suffering from a chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behavior.

Synonyms

antisocial, sociopathic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
psychopathic	Used in a clinical context to describe an individual with a severe personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy, and often criminal tendencies. It often implies a more severe and innate condition than 'sociopathic'. The doctor diagnosed the patient as psychopathic due to his violent tendencies and lack of remorse In movies, psychopathic characters are often portrayed as ruthless villains
sociopathic	Used to refer to a personality disorder characterized by a disregard for societal norms and the rights of others, with less emphasis on innate traits and more on environmental factors than 'psychopathic'. Sociopathic behavior is seen as more influenced by context and upbringing. The detective described the criminal's actions as sociopathic due to his manipulative and deceitful behavior Sociopathic individuals may appear charming but they often have a hidden agenda
antisocial	Commonly used to describe behavior that is hostile, disruptive, or harmful to societal norms and values. It can refer to a general dislike for social interaction in everyday language, but in a clinical sense, it denotes behaviors that are overtly aggressive or harmful. John's antisocial behavior made it difficult for him to make friends People with antisocial tendencies often isolate themselves from social activities or do things that annoy others

Word

Description / Examples

psychopathic

Used in a clinical context to describe an individual with a severe personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy, and often criminal tendencies. It often implies a more severe and innate condition than 'sociopathic'.

The doctor diagnosed the patient as psychopathic due to his violent tendencies and lack of remorse
In movies, psychopathic characters are often portrayed as ruthless villains

sociopathic

Used to refer to a personality disorder characterized by a disregard for societal norms and the rights of others, with less emphasis on innate traits and more on environmental factors than 'psychopathic'. Sociopathic behavior is seen as more influenced by context and upbringing.

The detective described the criminal's actions as sociopathic due to his manipulative and deceitful behavior
Sociopathic individuals may appear charming but they often have a hidden agenda

antisocial

Commonly used to describe behavior that is hostile, disruptive, or harmful to societal norms and values. It can refer to a general dislike for social interaction in everyday language, but in a clinical sense, it denotes behaviors that are overtly aggressive or harmful.

John's antisocial behavior made it difficult for him to make friends
People with antisocial tendencies often isolate themselves from social activities or do things that annoy others

Examples of usage

He was diagnosed with psychopathic tendencies.
She exhibited psychopathic behavior towards her colleagues.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

criminal behavior

Relating to or denoting a person suffering from chronic mental disorder with aggressive, antisocial behavior.

Synonyms

antisocial, sociopathic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
psychopathic	Used to describe someone with a chronic mental disorder characterized by abnormal or violent social behavior. Often used in clinical, forensic, or psychological contexts. It has a strong negative connotation. The criminal displayed psychopathic tendencies that were concerning to the investigators. Her psychopathic behavior included a lack of empathy and impulsive decisions.
sociopathic	Describes someone with a personality disorder characterized by pervasive patterns of disregard for other people's rights, often associated with deceit and manipulation. It is often used interchangeably with 'psychopathic', though it can imply slightly less violent behavior. The term carries a strong negative connotation and is mostly used in clinical or forensic settings. The detective suspected that they were dealing with a sociopathic individual due to the calculated nature of the crimes. His sociopathic tendencies were evident in his callous treatment of others.
antisocial	Describes someone who tends to avoid social interactions and does not conform to societal norms. It can be used in a psychological context to describe Antisocial Personality Disorder, but it is more commonly used in everyday language to describe socially withdrawn or inhospitable behavior. It can also have a negative connotation but is less severe than 'psychopathic'. He began to exhibit antisocial behavior, avoiding friends and family. Her antisocial tendencies made it difficult for her to form friendships at school.

Word

Description / Examples

psychopathic

Used to describe someone with a chronic mental disorder characterized by abnormal or violent social behavior. Often used in clinical, forensic, or psychological contexts. It has a strong negative connotation.

The criminal displayed psychopathic tendencies that were concerning to the investigators.
Her psychopathic behavior included a lack of empathy and impulsive decisions.

sociopathic

Describes someone with a personality disorder characterized by pervasive patterns of disregard for other people's rights, often associated with deceit and manipulation. It is often used interchangeably with 'psychopathic', though it can imply slightly less violent behavior. The term carries a strong negative connotation and is mostly used in clinical or forensic settings.

The detective suspected that they were dealing with a sociopathic individual due to the calculated nature of the crimes.
His sociopathic tendencies were evident in his callous treatment of others.

antisocial

Describes someone who tends to avoid social interactions and does not conform to societal norms. It can be used in a psychological context to describe Antisocial Personality Disorder, but it is more commonly used in everyday language to describe socially withdrawn or inhospitable behavior. It can also have a negative connotation but is less severe than 'psychopathic'.

He began to exhibit antisocial behavior, avoiding friends and family.
Her antisocial tendencies made it difficult for her to form friendships at school.

Examples of usage

The criminal's psychopathic actions shocked the community.
His psychopathic behavior led to multiple arrests.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Greek words 'psyche' meaning 'soul or mind' and 'pathos' meaning 'suffering or feeling'.
It was first used in the early 20th century to describe a specific type of personality disorder.

Psychology

Research shows that individuals with this personality type often struggle with impulse control and may engage in risky behavior.
Studies indicate a potential link between certain brain structures and psychopathic behaviors, particularly in areas relating to emotion processing.

Pop Culture

Characters in films like 'American Psycho' embody traits associated with this type of personality, often leading to a chilling narrative.
The media often dramatizes psychopathic behavior, sometimes misrepresenting the reality of those living with the condition.

Criminal Justice

Some research suggests a significant representation of psychopathic traits among certain criminal offenders, particularly those committing violent acts.
Law enforcement professionals use specific assessments to identify such traits to better understand criminal behavior.

Neuroscience

Neuroscientific studies have found differences in brain activity in regions associated with empathy and moral decision-making among those with psychopathic traits.
Some scientists explore how genetics may play a role, suggesting a hereditary component to these personality traits.

Translations

Translations of the word "psychopathic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 psicopático

🇮🇳 मनोवैज्ञानिक

🇩🇪 psychopathisch

🇮🇩 psikopat

🇺🇦 психопатичний

🇵🇱 psychopatyczny

🇯🇵 サイコパス的な

🇫🇷 psychopathique

🇪🇸 psicopático

🇹🇷 psikopat

🇰🇷 사이코패스적인

🇸🇦 سايكوباثي

🇨🇿 psychopatický

🇸🇰 psychopatický

🇨🇳 精神病态的

🇸🇮 psihopatski

🇮🇸 geðveikislegur

🇰🇿 психопатиялық

🇬🇪 ფსიქოპათიური

🇦🇿 psixopatik

🇲🇽 psicopático

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,017, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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23014 pontiff
23015 derided
23016 alighting
23017 psychopathic
23018 specs
23019 incitement
23020 idiosyncrasies
...