From a general perspective, psychopathy and narcissism may seem closely related.
Some people use the terms “psychopathy” and “narcissism” interchangeably to describe people who appear to be arrogant or conceited, put their own needs first, and care little about the feelings of others.
But despite some potential overlap in behaviors, psychopathy and narcissism are distinct concepts:
Psychopathy is an informal term for antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), a mental health condition that involves a long-standing pattern of disregard for social norms and the rights of others.
Narcissism refers to narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), a mental health condition that involves grandiose attitudes and behaviors, feelings of superiority and self-importance, and an intense need for admiration.
Below, we’ll explore these conditions in more depth, including key points of intersection between the two.
Psychopathy and Narcissism Are Two Very Different Things — Here’s What You Need to Know
- Psychopathy
- Narcissism
- How They Compare
- Psychopathy
- Conclusion
From a general perspective, psychopathy and narcissism may seem closely related.
Some people use the terms “psychopathy” and “narcissism” interchangeably to describe people who appear to be arrogant or haughty, put their own needs first, and care little about the feelings of others.
But despite some potential overlap in behaviors, psychopathy and narcissism are distinct concepts:
Psychopathy is an informal term for antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), a mental health condition that involves a long-standing pattern of disregard for social norms and the rights of others.
Narcissism refers to narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), a mental health condition that involves grandiose attitudes and behaviors, feelings of superiority and self-importance, and an intense need for admiration.
Below, we’ll explore these conditions in more depth, including key points of intersection between the two.
What is sociopathy?
Again, sociopathy isn’t an official diagnosis. It refers to antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).
Has anyone ever said, “Stop being so antisocial,” when you don’t feel like hanging out in a crowd? This usage is very common, but it’s not entirely accurate. Sociopathy doesn’t mean “avoiding social interaction”—a better definition is “being social.”
In short, people living with ASPD tend to have little social responsibility and show a lack of regard for the rights, property, and safety of others.
They may:
Ignore rules or laws
Be cynical and contemptuous toward others and the world in general
Manipulate and exploit others — by lying, cheating, or stealing, for example
Justify their actions and show little guilt or remorse after hurting others
Act impulsively
Become easily agitated or aggressive, which may lead to physical conflict or damage to property
These patterns don’t appear suddenly, either. Mental health professionals won’t diagnose this condition in anyone younger than.
In addition, a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder also requires a history of conduct disorder, and at least some signs of this condition must be present by age.
What is Narcissism?
Narcissism generally refers to narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). This condition involves a selfish, arrogant attitude that masks deep-seated feelings of inferiority and an incomplete sense of self.
A person with narcissistic personality disorder may:
Be arrogant, haughty, and entitled in their actions and attitudes
Believing they are superior to others expecting special treatment and being “the best” of everything
Spending a lot of time indulging in fantasies about their intelligence, strength, or attractiveness
Needing a lot of praise and admiration from others
Has tantrums when challenged
Easily manipulates or exploits others to get what they want
Has difficulty recognizing the needs and feelings of others
Holds grudges and tries to “get revenge” in malicious or passive-aggressive ways
Learn more about the key signs of narcissistic personality disorder in romantic relationships.
Early signs of narcissistic personality disorder may begin to appear during the teenage years. However, many teens display these traits without having NPD. In most cases, mental health professionals will likely avoid diagnosing this condition until age 18.
As with all NPD diagnoses, NPD requires a consistent, stable pattern of behavior, and it can take longer to recognize these traits in teens and young adults.
Here’s what treatment for NPD might involve.
Also know that it’s possible to have some traits of narcissism — or any personality disorder, for that matter — without meeting the full diagnostic criteria for the condition.
How do they compare?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) classifies both NPD and antisocial personality disorder under Cluster B personality disorders.
Experts describe conditions in this cluster as those that involve unpredictable, highly emotional, dramatic, or volatile interactions with other people.
Complicating this overlap in symptoms is the fact that these conditions can occur together. Research suggests that co-diagnosis is fairly common. Experts have also noted that having both narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder leads to worse mental health outcomes overall.
However, digging beneath the surface of each condition reveals many differences as well.
People with narcissistic traits:
They generally do not show the same disregard for rules and laws as people with antisocial personality disorder
They may show some degree of empathy for others, such as their children or pets
They are not necessarily reckless or disregardful of their safety
People with antisocial traits:
They do not typically need admiration and praise from others
They may often use violence or aggression to resolve conflicts
They do not typically express the same envy of others as people with narcissistic personality disorder
Comparing causes
While experts do not know the exact causes of either personality disorder, they share some of the same risk factors, including:
Adverse childhood experiences, including abuse, rejection, and neglect
Unhealthy family dynamics
A family history of the condition
As for the differences, evidence suggests that there are some additional risk factors for antisocial personality disorder, including:
Parental smoking, drug use, or severe stress during pregnancy
Exposure to violence in the community or among peer groups
Low family income or Socioeconomic status
Irregularities in brain structure and brain chemistry
On the other hand, narcissistic personality disorder may be partly related to excessive admiration and praise from parents.
Where Does Psychopathy Fall?
Psychopathy, like sociopathy, refers to antisocial personality disorder.
You won’t find psychopathy in the DSM-5, because it’s not a true mental health diagnosis. However, some experts consider it a more extreme subtype of antisocial personality disorder.
It can be helpful to think of antisocial personality disorder as a kind of spectrum, with psychopathy at one end. According to psychologist Robert Hare, who created the Psychopathy Checklist-R (PCL-R), people with psychopathy — or the more extreme form of antisocial personality disorder — completely lack empathy for others and a sense of morality, or right and wrong.
On the other hand, people with psychopathy (or the less severe form of antisocial personality disorder) may show little empathy for the needs and feelings of others, as well as some recognition of the difference between right and wrong. They may also justify their behavior when their actions don’t conform to typical social norms.
Some have also suggested that sociopathy involves more impulsivity and less of a tendency to plan. But again, these distinctions are not formally recognized.
There is also malignant narcissism to consider. Some experts use this informal term to describe a severe presentation of narcissistic personality disorder that involves a combination of narcissistic and antisocial traits, along with aggression, sadism, and mania.
However, not everyone with narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder will have this exact combination of traits.
Conclusion
People with personality disorders such as narcissistic personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder often don’t realize how their behavior affects others, and they may not understand why it’s a problem.
Keep in mind that personality disorders tend to involve a complex set of symptoms, which aren’t always easy to understand. Ultimately, only trained and experienced mental health professionals can accurately distinguish between narcissism and sociopathy.
If you think a friend or family member has some antisocial or narcissistic traits, the best way to offer support is to encourage them to reach out to a mental health professional.
