What's the difference between a Sociopath and a Psychopath?

Actually, both of these terms are now meaningless. There never were any established diagnostic criteria for either condition, but the terms were used to indicate someone who behaved in a way that was contrary to established behavioral norms, usually in an aggressive or criminal manner. These diagnostic labels have been replaced by a new one: Anti-Social Personality Disorder. Personality disorders are grouped in clusters, and this particular one is part of Cluster B (Dramatic Disorders). For more information about personality disorders in general, you can go to:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peresonality_disorder

And for more information on anti-social personality disorder specifically, you can go to:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder

behavenent.com/antisocial-personality-disorder

If it's of any help, the ICD-9-CM and DSM-IV diagnostic code number for this disorder is 301.7. This is the code number insurance companies use when figuring out what they will pay for treatment services.

Hi Stardust,

Sociopathy and psychopathy are often used interchangeably, but in some cases the term sociopathy is preferred because it is less likely than is psychopathy to be confused with psychoticism, whereas in other cases which term is used may "reflect the user's views on the origins and determinates of the disorder," with the term sociopathy preferred by those that see the causes as due to social factors and early environment, and the term psychopathy preferred by those who believe that there are psychological, biological, and genetic factors involved in addition to environmental factors. Here's a link where you can read more about it. Regards.