2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43
Let's explore in this article what is the difference between psychopath, sociopath, narcissist and paranoid, drawing on the experience of the classics of psychoanalysis, with many years of experience in psychotherapy of such patients.
It is customary to refer to psychopathy as congenital mental disorders (nuclear / constitutional, organic psychopathy). Sociopathy is also a type of psychopathy, only acquired as a result of the negative influence of society (regional psychopathy).
Psychopathy is located on a continuum from borderline to psychotic.
According to the results of the SMIL test, psychopaths usually have high scores on the scale of psychopathization, rigidity and impulsivity.
Psychopathy can have any accentuation - narcissistic, paranoid, hysterical, schizoid, mixed (mosaic psychopathy).
Narcissistic, paranoid and manic individuals are most prone to sociopathy due to a low level or lack of empathy, denial of feelings, sharp fluctuations between the feeling of their own grandiosity, omnipotence and insignificance, aggressive affects, fragility of identity.
The difference between a paranoid person and a narcissistic person is that the paranoid sees in people a potential threat to his own safety (I am convinced that those around him are negatively disposed towards him, partners are cheating, the paranoid cannot get rid of the thought that some kind of betrayal is about to happen). Such beliefs are a projection of the paranoid, that is, he attributes his aggression and hostile attitude towards people to others.
The narcissist is more concerned about his own importance, prestige. The narcissist's sense of shame and his main fear are associated with the fact that he will lose his image of grandeur in the eyes of others. Therefore, the narcissist almost does not remove the mask of arrogance, neglect, derogatory and cruel to the objects of his envy.
The feeling of guilt (that which is realized), remorse is not peculiar to narcissists. Guilt is replaced by shame - "how will others react to this, how will they perceive me?"
The narcissist tries to make a good first impression on significant, idealized people, while the paranoid is difficult to make a good impression due to suspicion, hostility. The paranoid seeks solitude from society, can only communicate benevolently with people who fully share his views and have proven their loyalty.
Both the paranoid and the narcissist are afraid of becoming dependent on significant objects and are overwhelmed by the sense of the omnipotence of the people who care about them, they do not know how to be sincerely grateful.
The difference between the paranoid and the other types discussed in this article is that the paranoid can be quite adaptive and function at a neurotic level. Also, a paranoid is capable of sincere love and affection if he has repeatedly convinced himself of the loyalty of his friend, colleague, partner. However, the slightest shadow of distrust, humiliation on the part of another can lead to rage and vindictiveness.
In a narcissist, rage appears when he feels a threat to his self-esteem and prestige.
A sense of grandeur and control helps maintain a sense of identity in these individuals.
The paranoid maintains his self-esteem through a constant struggle against injustice, which he sees everywhere, and ill-wishers, and the narcissist through achievement, a race for prestige.
Deprived of these defenses, such people feel like no one and can become depressed.
Nevertheless, not severely disturbed paranoids and narcissists are more or less built into society and can function normally in it.
It is difficult for a psychopath to live according to the laws of society and morality. Adaptive psychopaths can channel their affects into work, risky sports, effective in wartime, they always seem to be balancing on an abyss. The maladaptive mostly become criminals.
What personality traits influence the formation of a sociopath's criminal behavior?
1. Violation of the emotional-volitional and motivational sphere (it is difficult for them to obey the routine, fulfill financial obligations, go to work every day, take care of their children, inconsistency in interpersonal relationships, lack of planning for their lives, various addictions)
2. Impulsivity (aggression, expressed in fights, illegal actions, vandalism, violence).
3. Lack of compassion, feelings of guilt, remorse, inability to reflect. Watching drama films does not elicit empathic responses in them.
4. Lack of fear for your life (risky behavior, recklessness for the sake of getting a drive, profit).
5. Life according to the primitive hedonistic type (the meaning of life is to get personal pleasure, preferably fast).
6. Cruelty to people, animals, attack on those who are weaker.
At the same time, the researchers note that some sociopaths who became criminals as a result of the influence of social factors (went along the "crooked path") are still prone to empathy and a sense of guilt, may be puzzled by moral principles.
An example of such budding sociopaths is shown in the 2018 film On the District. Two childhood friends carry out orders from a criminal organization, but they have a taboo on committing any crimes. For example, “knocking out” debts from businessmen with the help of threats and violence is normal, but hitting women is not. However, one of the friends oversteps the line and injures his boss's unfaithful friend at his direction. This hero of the film, played by Danila Kozlovsky, has an identity crisis - on the one hand, the desire for omnipotence and quick profit by completing absolutely any assignments, and on the other hand, moral throwing, unwillingness to feel like a dead bastard.
What factors lead to the formation of a sociopathic personality?
Many researchers say that it is physical and psychological abuse experienced in childhood, an authoritarian father and a conniving mother.
From my personal experience of communicating with the wives of drug addicts and persons who have served a prison term, in the family of such men there is a father who is absorbed in earnings and carries out a conditional upbringing, and a mother who calls her son a worthless moron and, at the same time, does not refuse him anything in material terms, apparently, trying to compensate for the lack of love and indifference towards the child by his financial spoilage or connivance.
A significant role in the formation of sociopathy is played by pedagogical neglect, anger at parents and teachers.
The combination of sociopathic, narcissistic and paranoid traits in one personality leads to dire consequences and the most terrible crimes involving both women and children. An example of such cruelty was demonstrated by Dmitry Grachev, called the Serpukhov maniac.
Dear readers, thank you for your attention to my articles
Author: Burkova Elena Viktorovna
Recommended:
Sex. In Bed With A Sociopath And A Narcissist
1. Sociopath. The hallmark of a sociopathic man is a high level of aggressiveness, rapid satiety, boredom and the need for some kind of shaking experience. A sociopath loves to break the law and morality. Most often he is deprived of empathy, does not know how to talk about his feelings, has a great passion for manipulation, loves to brag about his victories, his strength.
About Groups “STOP Narcissist, Psychopath”. And Some Reflections On Narcissist Therapy
Groups and communities with names that include the words “narcissist, psychopath, abuse, sociopath” have now become popular on Facebook. The lion's share of the participants are women. People join such groups to share life experiences of abuse and to gain support.
How To Tell A Narcissist And A Psychopath At The Start Of A Relationship
How to tell the difference between a narcissist and a psychopath at the beginning of a relationship. When he still looks perfect, sweet and suave, and not a cruel cold abuser and a monster. I got caught in a psychological group by a post from a girl in style - she barely got out of a relationship with a narcissist, and then again a sweet and courteous boy was caught, and apparently does not seem to offer anything, but I seem to be falling in love, but I cannot understand h
Sociopath And Psychopath. Is There A Difference?
Psychologist, CBT approach Chelyabinsk It happens that clients come to a consultation with a request to recognize whether their partner is a sociopath / psychopath or not. Even psychologists sometimes find it difficult to give clear criteria for a sociopath, describing him in polarity:
Who Is A Psychopath? Criteria For A Psychopath. Differences Between Psychopath And Sociopath
What is the most important criterion for psychopaths? They have absolutely no feelings. The manifestation of various emotions and feelings is important for social life, the main ones regulating our behavior in society - fear, guilt and shame.
