15 Signs of a Sociopath: Traits & Characteristics

What Is a Sociopath?

Sociopaths are psychologically disturbed people with a severe form of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Sociopaths tend to have a history of behavior problems, criminal involvement, aggression or abuse towards others, and difficult relationships. Some may also display narcissistic traits, and narcissistic sociopaths can be especially dangerous and manipulative. A sociopath may struggle with drug or alcohol problems, and exhibit a pattern of irresponsible or impulsive decision-making that has caused problems in their life.¹

Psychopath Vs. Sociopath

While the terms psychopath and sociopath are sometimes used interchangeably, many experts argue that there are differences between the two. Both sociopathic and psychopathic people have antisocial personality disorder, but psychopaths are believed to have an even more severe form of ASPD than sociopaths.

Main differences between sociopaths and psychopaths include:^1,4

15 Signs & Traits of a Sociopath

The signs of a sociopath are not always obvious, especially since some sociopaths have become very skilled at deceiving, charming, and manipulating others to get what they want.⁵ This can make it very difficult to spot a sociopath in your life, especially if they are someone you don’t know very well or interact with on a regular basis.

Here are 15 sociopath signs and traits to watch out for:

1. A Hunger for Power & Dominance

Both sociopaths and psychopaths are commonly found at the head of corporations, governments, and in positions of great power. This may be no coincidence. Sociopaths have a tendency to be power-hungry and may spend a lot of time and effort attaining positions where they can control, dominate, and have authority over others.² Once they obtain power, they commonly misuse and abuse it in ways that are irresponsible, destructive, and harmful to others.

2. Devious or Deceptive Tendencies

Another common characteristic of a sociopath is the tendency to be devious, dishonest, or deceptive. Sociopaths are often caught telling lies, exaggerating or distorting the facts, or misrepresenting the truth in order to get what they want.⁵ When caught in a lie or confronted about their dishonesty, they will use denial, projection, or redirection to squirm out of accountability.⁴

3. Ruthlessness in the Pursuit of Their Goals

Sociopathic people are ruthless in their efforts to get what they want. Because they aren’t held back by normal reservations, moral and ethical principles, or concern for others, there aren’t many lines they won’t cross to reach a goal. They may lie, cheat, steal, and use other people in order to get more money, power, or something they’ve decided they want.^1,2

4. Hostile or Aggressive Towards Others

Hostility, anger, and aggression are other common traits found in sociopaths. Sociopaths are more likely to hold racist, sexist, or misogynistic ideals or have hostile feelings towards both individuals and societal groups. They are more likely to be violent or abusive towards people, although some sociopaths will use more covert forms of violence (like teasing, bullying, guilting, etc.) to obtain what they want.^1,2,4

5. Easily Angered or Irritated

Unlike other people who experience a wide range of emotions such as happiness, sadness, fear, guilt, and anger, a sociopath may only have access to a few. Anger is one of the most easily accessible emotions for the sociopath, and one that shows up frequently in their relationships, work, and daily life. They can be easily angered, irritated, and prone to yelling, aggression, or outbursts when upset.⁴

6. Irresponsible Decision Making

One of the main signs of a sociopath is a pattern of reckless, irresponsible, and impulsive decision-making throughout their life. While everyone occasionally makes irresponsible or rash choices, a sociopath consistently makes poor choices, including ones that endanger themselves or others.^1,3 Unlike other people, they do not seem to ‘learn’ from these mistakes, and will instead continue making them over and over again.

7. Superficial Charm & Powers of Persuasion

Sociopaths can be charming, cunning, and highly persuasive people who easily get people to like, agree with, and help them. These traits are superficial in nature and tend to wear off the more often a person has to interact with them. For example, you start dating a sociopath and they drop the charm now that they “have you.”^4,5

Over time, it will become clear that the sociopath is not an honest or trustworthy person, and most people will distance themselves from them. Still, they can be very good at making a first impression, captivating others, and persuading people to do things for them.⁵

8. Broken Moral Compass or Limited Conscience

Sociopathic individuals do not have a working moral compass and show limited regret when they’ve made a bad choice or harmed someone else. This limited ability to empathize or feel remorse shows up in a number of ways. Sociopaths may knowingly act in ways that harm other people by lying, stealing, or taking advantage of them. While some sociopaths do feel a twinge of regret afterward, it is usually not enough to stop them from doing the same thing in the future.^4,5

9. Few Close Bonds or Relationships

Because one of the hallmark sociopath signs is the inability to empathize or a disregard for the feelings and needs of others, it is very difficult for a sociopath to form close bonds with another person.^1,2,4 They may have a few close relationships (often with family members or a significant other) but are generally unable to form healthy, lasting relationships. This is why many sociopaths have a long list of exes, “frenemies,” and people they’ve betrayed, wronged, or abandoned who now distrust or dislike them.⁵

10. Manipulative Tendencies

Manipulative tactics are another classic sign of sociopathy and may include a pattern of lying, guilting, or coercing people into doing things for them. Sociopaths use their charm, powers of persuasion, and emotional manipulation to control the actions and choices of others, often for their own self-serving interests.⁴ Some sociopaths manipulate individuals because they find it entertaining.

11. Entitlement & Impunity

Feeling entitled or above the law is another common characteristic of a sociopath. Sociopaths feel as though they should be exempt from following rules. They may demand that other people make exceptions or bend the regulations for them, and also make exceptions in holding them accountable or punishing them when they break the rules.⁵

12. Social Devianance

Sociopaths have little or no regard for social norms or moral codes. They frequently act in ways that violate the unspoken rules of society most people follow. These include small infractions like waiting in lines, taking turns, or telling half-truths, as well as larger violations that harm others or break laws. This same tendency can also show up as sexual promiscuity, even when the person is committed to a monogamous relationship.^1,2,5

13. Cheap Thrill-Seeking Tendencies

Many people who have sociopath symptoms seek out cheap thrills, even when doing so puts them or others at risk. These may include overindulging in drugs or alcohol, sex, food, or expensive shopping or casino outings. Seeking out cheap thrills is commonly driven by impulses and urges that arise at the moment. This behavior may also be related to their tendency to become easily bored. ^1,2,4

14. Opportunistic in all the Wrong Ways

Opportunists are people who find ways to turn situations (including hardships) into advantages, but sociopaths seek out or create hardships for people for their own advantage. This makes them antisocial opportunists who attempt to profit or gain from misfortune and view the struggles of others in a positive light.

15. Emotional Detachment

A final sign of a sociopath is emotional detachment, which may show up as being cool, callous, or emotionally absent. When other people are freaking out, the sociopath may be unusually calm. On the other hand, when someone would feel guilty or sad, the sociopath may seem perfectly content and happy. These abnormal emotional reactions are often a sign that there is some ‘missing’ emotional wiring in a person, which is one of the telltale traits of a sociopath.²

Sociopathic Characteristics in Kids & Teens

A person cannot be formally diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder until the age of 18. However, the diagnosis of conduct disorder is sometimes used to describe antisocial (or sociopathic) traits and tendencies in kids and teens. Studies have found that 25-40% of those with conduct disorder will receive a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder in adulthood. Still, not every child or teen who is diagnosed with conduct disorder will experience ASPD symptoms as an adult.

Children who are naturally more impulsive, inattentive, and hyperactive are believed to be at higher risk for developing antisocial behaviors and traits, as are children of neglectful or overly permissive parents.^1,6

Common characteristics of early antisocial or sociopathic traits in children include:³

• A consistent, repetitive pattern of behavior that violates rules, norms, or the rights of other people
• Aggression against people or animals
• Bullying, threatening, or intimidating others
• Initiating physical fights
• Use of a weapon to seriously harm others
• Physical cruelty to people and/or animals
• Theft (i.e. mugging, purse snatching, shoplifting, etc.)
• Deceitfulness
• Breaking into other people’s property
• Lying to obtain favors, goods, or to avoid obligations
• Staying out past curfew
• Running away from home overnight
• School absences or skipping classes
• Symptoms are severe enough to interfere with social, academic, or occupational functioning

Can Sociopathy Be Treated?

Antisocial personality disorder is widely considered one of the most difficult disorders to treat. While all personality disorders are difficult to treat,  sociopaths are also much less likely to seek treatment.⁷ Their lack of empathy for others and remorse for their actions means that they are unlikely to change their behavior, even when it’s become problematic. However, a sociopath who has a true desire to change should not feel like it’s pointless or hopeless to seek out help from a therapist or other professional. There is evidence that some people are able to improve their symptoms with treatment for ASPD including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or group therapy programs.⁷

Final Thoughts

The signs and traits of a sociopath are not always obvious or easy to spot, especially because true sociopaths have such a foreign way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. A lack of conscience and empathy, disregard for rules and norms, and impulsive and aggressive tendencies are all common traits of a sociopath.^1,4,5 These traits make a person more likely to use, exploit, abuse, or harm other people, so many sociopaths are dangerous people to allow into your life. Knowing the signs of a sociopath can help you identify people so that you can set boundaries, distance yourself from them, and limit their ability to negatively impact you or important parts of your life.^4,5