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Sociopathic Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿฆนโ€โ™‚๏ธ
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sociopathic

[หŒsษ™สŠsษชษ™หˆpรฆฮธษชk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

personality traits

Relating to or showing the traits of a sociopath, which include a lack of empathy, disregard for social norms, and manipulative behavior.

Synonyms

antisocial, psychopathic, unemotional.

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Word Description / Examples
sociopathic

Used to describe a person who has a personality disorder that involves persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy, and often criminal activity. It's often used in psychological or criminal contexts.

  • The main character in the movie was a sociopathic genius who manipulated everyone around him.
  • Detectives believed the suspect exhibited sociopathic tendencies.
psychopathic

Refers to someone with a severe personality disorder marked by persistent antisocial behavior, lack of empathy, and often violent tendencies. It's typically used in criminal psychology and forensic settings and carries a very negative connotation.

  • The forensic psychologist described the inmate as psychopathic due to his complete lack of remorse.
  • Studies have shown that psychopathic individuals can be charming but deceitful.
antisocial

Generally used to describe someone who avoids social interactions or struggles with social norms. It can also denote a personality disorder characterized by disregard for others' rights and lack of remorse. Its usage ranges from everyday language to psychological contexts.

  • Tom's antisocial behavior made it difficult for him to make friends.
  • Individuals with antisocial personality disorder may often find themselves in trouble with the law.
unemotional

This term describes someone who shows little or no emotion. Itโ€™s often used in everyday language to describe someone's demeanor or reaction in various situations.

  • She remained unemotional even after receiving the awful news.
  • His unemotional response to the beautiful scenery was surprising to everyone.

Examples of usage

  • He displayed sociopathic tendencies from a young age, such as a lack of remorse for his actions.
  • The sociopathic behavior of the criminal shocked the community.
  • She was skilled at manipulating others due to her sociopathic nature.
Context #2 | Adjective

medical

Relating to a mental health condition characterized by a disregard for the rights of others and a lack of remorse or guilt.

Synonyms

amoral, antisocial, psychopathic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sociopathic

Often used in a psychological or behavioral context to describe a person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience. It is generally considered negative.

  • The character in the movie showed sociopathic tendencies, manipulating others without any sign of remorse.
psychopathic

Used primarily in a clinical setting to describe someone with a personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and often, bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits. Highly negative connotation.

  • The detective suspected that the heinous crimes were committed by someone with psychopathic traits.
antisocial

Refers to behavior that goes against the norms of social conduct, often leading to social isolation. It is not always linked to psychological issues but more to behavior that is unfriendly or unforthcoming.

  • John's antisocial habits made it difficult for him to maintain friendships.
amoral

Describes a person or action that shows an indifference to or disregard for morality. Unlike 'immoral,' it doesn't indicate that the person acts against morality on purpose but simply that they do not consider moral aspects.

  • The company's amoral policies prioritize profit over human well-being, ignoring the ethical implications.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor diagnosed him with sociopathic personality disorder.
  • Her sociopathic tendencies led to destructive behavior.
  • Individuals with sociopathic traits may struggle to form genuine emotional connections.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Sociopathy is often identified as part of a broader condition known as antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).
  • Individuals with sociopathic traits often struggle with forming genuine emotional connections, impacting their relationships.
  • Research shows that sociopathic behavior may be influenced by both genetic factors and environmental factors, such as childhood experiences.

Pop Culture

  • Films and TV shows often feature sociopathic characters, such as in 'Dexter', where the protagonist uses his traits to enact a personal justice.
  • The character of Hannibal Lecter from 'Silence of the Lambs' is a classic portrayal of a sociopathic personality, showcasing extreme intelligence and manipulation.

Criminal Justice

  • Sociopathic traits can sometimes be linked to criminal behavior, as individuals may disregard rules and social norms.
  • Law enforcement professionals often receive training to identify behaviors associated with sociopathy in criminal investigations.

Literature

  • Many classic literary works explore sociopathic characters, such as in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', where ambition overshadows empathy.
  • The exploration of sociopathic tendencies often raises ethical questions about morality and human behavior, found in works like 'Crime and Punishment' by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Origin of 'sociopathic'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'sociopathic' is derived from 'socio-' meaning 'social' and 'pathic', which means 'suffering' or 'feeling'.
  • Historically, it was first used in the early 20th century to describe serious behavioral issues linked to antisocial personality traits.

The term 'sociopathic' originated from the word 'sociopath,' which was first introduced in the early 20th century to describe individuals with antisocial behavior tendencies. It has since been used in psychology and psychiatry to characterize a specific set of traits related to disregard for social norms and lack of empathy. The study of sociopathy continues to evolve, with ongoing research into its causes and potential treatments.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,954, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.