Particularly in recent years, the words “psychopath” and “sociopath” have become some of the internet’s hottest insults, effectively blanket terms for anyone not acting in a way that the user wants.
It’s used in various comment sections, tossed around by news reporters and journalists, and is a frequent presence in the mouths of many of those who have no idea what it even is.
Historically, the exact nature of sociopathy -- now officially referred to as Antisocial Personality Disorder -- has been the subject of debate even within psychiatric circles. The term was first coined in 1909 by German psychologist Karl Birnbaum, used to describe nearly any form of “socially deviant” behavior, quickly becoming a catchall for everything from homosexuality to alcoholism. In the 1940s, Hervey Cleckley narrowed the diagnosis, and it began to take on some of the more familiar characteristics. As time progressed, it took direction from both clinicians and Hollywood, taking root in popular culture as a favored scapegoat. Though the term itself has fallen out of use in psychiatric circles due to its countless negative connotations, it maintains a persistent connection -- and equivalence -- to Antisocial Personality Disorder, a real disorder that affects real people, who, for the most part, are not monsters or killers and live life pretty much like the rest of us.
I’ve seen the argument that we may as well strip terms like “narcissist” and “paranoiac” from colloquial diction, too, if we get rid of “psychopath” and “sociopath”; after all, these descriptors are also linked with disorders. But there’s a key difference: words like “narcissism” and “paranoia” have been around for centuries, long before their associated disorders, and their primary use remains to describe behaviors non-clinically. For instance, if a Redditor or YouTube commentator calls someone “narcissistic,” the standard interpretation is “you display narcissistic behaviors,” not “I think you have a medical problem.” The term “sociopath,” however, has no meaning outside of the disorder. If that Redditor or YouTube commentator called another a “sociopath,” the most reasonable takeaway is “you are in line with my idea of Antisocial Personality Disorder.”
The majority of internet users, of course, have very little real knowledge of psychology, and fewer actually have the credentials to actually make diagnoses. Combined with comments sections that favor sensationalist remarks over correct ones, the term gets fused with a lot of misuse and misinformation, transforming its public perception from a mental disorder into a conglomerate of poorly-prepared opinion. It’s, frankly, a disservice to the whole of psychology by denying it proper scientific consideration.
Perhaps even more worryingly, however, it encourages a culture that avoids taking responsibility. Throwing around “sociopath” ignores the vast web of influences that contribute to criminal or antisocial behavior and pinpoints all blame on the perpetrator -- an easy and frequently satisfying conclusion, but not one that could conceivably better society.
