sociopath
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A person with a persistent pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others. This is associated with a lack of empathy, remorse, and often involves manipulative, deceitful, or criminal behavior. The clinical term is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
Usage
The term "sociopath" is used to describe a person whose behavior is characterized by antisocial actions and a profound lack of conscience. It is often used in clinical, forensic, and general contexts to discuss severe personality pathology. * The film's antagonist is a cunning sociopath who feels no guilt for his crimes. * Experts debated whether the criminal's actions were those of a sociopath or were influenced by other factors.
Advanced Usage
- In clinical/forensic psychology: While "sociopath" is a common term, the official diagnostic label in manuals like the DSM-5 is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). The term "sociopath" may imply the disorder stems more from environmental factors (e.g., upbringing) as opposed to "psychopath," which sometimes implies more innate traits, though this distinction is not always consistently applied.
- Colloquial vs. Clinical Use: In everyday language, "sociopath" is sometimes used hyperbolically to describe someone who is merely selfish or manipulative. In a strict clinical sense, it refers to a severe and pervasive disorder.
Variants and Related Words
- Sociopathic (adjective): Having the characteristics of a sociopath.
- He displayed sociopathic tendencies from a young age.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) (noun): The formal psychiatric diagnosis.
- Psychopath (noun): A similar term often used interchangeably with "sociopath," though some theoretical models differentiate them based on the origin of traits (biological vs. environmental) or the presence of specific characteristics like emotional detachment.
Synonyms
- Antisocial personality
- (Informal/Historical) Psychopath
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To have a sociopathic disregard for...: Used to emphasize a complete and callous lack of concern.
- The CEO showed a sociopathic disregard for the safety of his employees.
- Sociopathic behavior: Actions typical of a sociopath, such as manipulation, lying, or aggression without remorse.
- The constant lying and lack of empathy were clear signs of sociopathic behavior.
Noun
- someone with a sociopathic personality; a person with an antisocial personality disorder (`psychopath' was once widely used but has now been superseded by `sociopath')