Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Is There a Difference Between a Sociopath and a Narcissist

Often I wonder if there is a difference between someone who is a sociopath and someone who is a narcissist. I did a piece once on the difference between bullying and a control freak, because there seemed to be an overlap in that area as well. Sometimes it is best to go to the actual definitions to eek out the differences between some of our similar yet different meanings.

Here is some interesting sources of information on the qualities of a sociopath:

Profile of a Sociopath

Dictionary.com definition

How to Spot Mr. or Mrs Cold or Charming

Here are some interesting sources of information on the qualities of a narcissist:

Profile of a Narcissist

Definition of Narcissist

How to Spot a Narcissist

Here are some interesting sources that talk about the differences between a sociopath and a naricissist:

The Sheep and The Wolf

Discussion on the Difference Between a Narcissist and Sociopath

Narcissist or Sociopath, What is the Difference?

Basically, it seems that in order to exist, the Narcissist needs YOU (or their victim) to validate their special rarified existence.

To a Sociopath, YOU (or their victim) are but a plaything, and a means to an end.

2 comments:

Winterskiprincess said...

http://pollywantanarcissist.blogspot.com/2010/10/if-youre-worried-narcissist-is-bad.html Found this excellent blog on this related subject. I have first hand knowledge of this...lucky lucky me...

Winterskiprincess said...

Psychopath's they say are an alternate word for sociopath, but I think psychopath's are a lot more willing to do quite obvious criminal behavior (such as pedophile, armed robbery, murder, rape,...) In reading, I think a sociopath stops short of that by simply using in an inappropriate manner.