Psychopathy (or sociopathy is defined as either an aspect of personality or as a personality disorder, characterized by enduring dissocial or antisocial behavior, a diminished capacity for empathy or remorse, and poor behavioral controls or fearless dominance. There are various definitions which are only partly overlapping and sometimes appear contradictory.[1]
The 4th and 5th editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) have a diagnosis of Antisocial (Dissocial) Personality Disorder (ASPD), which states: “The essential feature of antisocial personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. This pattern has also been referred to as psychopathy, sociopathy, or dyssocial personality disorder.” Although no psychiatric or psychological organization has sanctioned a diagnosis titled “psychopathy”, assessments of psychopathy characteristics are widely used in criminal justice settings in some nations, and may have important consequences for individuals.[2] The term is also used by the general public, in popular press, and in fictional portrayals.[3]
Although American psychiatrist Hervey Cleckley’s work on psychopathy probably influenced the initial diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality reaction/disturbance in the DSM, as did American psychologist George E. Partridge’s work on sociopathy, in 1980 the somewhat different diagnosis of ASPD was introduced. However, Canadian psychologist Robert D. Hare repopularised the construct of psychopathy in criminology with his Psychopathy