Page 186 - ILIAS ATHANASIADIS AKA RO1

Origins and Development

There are some who say that "sociopaths are made and psychopaths are born," but this

characterization may be too far broad.

While it is true that psychopathy is believed to have genetic components (perhaps
caused by the underdevelopment of the parts of the brain that regulate emotion and

impulsiveness), there are clearly other factors that contribute to the behavioral disorder.

A well-regarded study into psychopathy suggested that psychopaths often have a history
of an unstable family life and/or were raised in poorer neighborhoods prone to violence.

Many have had parents who were substance abusers and who failed to provide parental

guidance or attention.2

This typically translates to unstable and failed relationships in adulthood and a fixated
sense that you have been "robbed" of opportunities and advantages afforded to everyone

else.

Sociopathy also tends to be associated with harmful childhood experiences, including
sexual abuse, physical violence, or parental instability.

This differentiation may suggest that nature plays more of a role in the creation of a

psychopath than a sociopath.

This is supported in part by a 2014 review of studies in which as many as a third of
people diagnosed with sociopathy essentially "give up" their antisocial behavior in later

life and develop well-adjusted relationships.

Sociopaths have a conscience, albeit a weak one, and will often justify something they
know to be wrong. By contrast, psychopaths will believe that their actions are justified

and feel no remorse for any harm done.