Confusion about sociopaths, psychopaths and antisocials

The Lovefraud website and blog describe people who have no heart, no conscience and no remorse. This personality disorder is shrouded in confusion. What exactly are these people? And what do you call them?

Lovefraud calls them “sociopaths.”

However, the description Lovefraud uses of their traits and behaviors is based upon the work of Dr. Robert Hare, author of Without Conscience. He calls them “psychopaths,” and has requested that the term be used in reference to his work.

The confusion about the terms—another is antisocial personality disorder—makes it difficult for people to learn about the condition. Consequently, there are millions of unaware potential victims walking the planet, ripe for targeting by these predators.

Terminology confusion

The condition was once called “insanity without delirium” and “moral insanity.” The term “psychopath” dates to the late 1800s. In 1930, G. E. Partridge introduced the term “sociopath.”

One of the classic books about this disorder is The Mask of Sanity, first published by Hervey Cleckley in 1941. He uses the term “psychopath.”

In 1952, the American Psychiatric Association adopted the term “sociopath.” Then the third edition of the association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III), published in 1980, used the term “antisocial personality disorder.” The most current version of the manual, DSM-IV, still uses that term.

Dr. Hare, however, feels that the definition of antisocial personality disorder in the manual is too broad to accurately describe the personality disorder, and he sticks with “psychopath.” His diagnostic tool, the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, is considered the most accurate for identifying the condition.

Dr. Hare wants the term “sociopath” to refer to people who are socialized into an antisocial culture, such as a gang. However, “sociopath” is still used by many sociologists and criminologists to describe the criminal personality.

In summary, the professionals are all over the map on terminology and definitions.

Popular usage

In the meantime, thanks to movies and media hype, the general population tends to associate the term “psychopath” with raving serial killers. There is so much baggage associated with this term that most people can’t comprehend that the personality disorder may describe their spouse or significant other.

That’s why Lovefraud uses “sociopath.” The goal is to help people get past the initial revulsion to the term “psychopath” and examine the traits, which may hold the answers they seek.

Still, the situation is a mess, and makes it difficult to educate people about the danger that may be lurking next door, appearing to be a normal, engaging neighbor or co-worker.

Lovefraud urges the psychiatric profession to settle on an accurate term and definition. Then maybe the rest of us would have a chance to learn it and avoid becoming victims.