In modern society surrounded by the weird combination of genes and environment, a disease called antisocial personality disorder is emerging. Sociopaths are included in this disorder. In the word ‘sociopath’, ‘socio’ means ‘social’ and ‘path’ means ‘a pain from a disease’. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMMD), it is defined as a wide pattern of ignoring or disturbing others’ right. Core characteristics of sociopaths are that such people do not feel a guilty conscience, are paranoid about lies or fraud, and do not follow the social norms.
A sociopath can look attractive and sociable outwardly. However, sociopaths can take advantage of other people to achieve their successes. They consider their life as a game or gambling and think others as a target for only themselves. Also, sociopaths feel bored easily and have a strong desire for stimulation, so they become interested in dangerous behaviors. Some sociopaths are abnormally cruel or enjoy aggressive behaviors like a child. For example, they play with fire excessively or mistreat animals. Another property of sociopaths is pretending to acknowledge their faults. If their faults are discovered, they pretend to regret, appeal to others’ sympathy, and try to cover their faults.
There is another personality disorder called psychopath. It is already well-known and similar in that both of sociopaths and psychopaths lose social discernment. However, there are some differences among them. Psychopaths cannot control their emotions and show extreme emotional reactions, but sociopaths are very good at controlling their own emotions and take advantage of others’ emotion for themselves. Theoretically, psychopaths arise from biological and genetic factors. On the other hand, environmental factors in childhood, such as trauma, ostracizing, and serious abuse, seem to nurture sociopaths. In conclusion, sociopaths are more intelligent in controlling emotions and influenced by environmental and acquired factors.
As the competitiveness of modern society increases, the number of sociopaths continues to climb. The best solution is preventing people from becoming sociopaths. Childhood is very important because environmental factors have a more significant influence on childhood. If parents and society provide affection and the child receives enough education about public morality, sociopaths will not appear. Also, if socially moral culture can be praised, environmental factors causing sociopaths will be reduced. Nevertheless, every society includes sociopaths. However, the condition is not incurable. As the causes differ from person to person, there is no exact remedy. It can be cured by using behaviors caused by sociopath. By indoctrinating thought that behaviors can be obstacles for ultimate success, frequency of antisocial behavior can be reduced. Another treatment option is using a secondary disease that occurs among sociopaths.