Psychopathy is not a formal diagnosis, but a term often used to describe antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), a lifelong condition that involves low empathy, manipulation, and impulsivity. Learn about the criteria, causes, and treatment options for ASPD and how it differs from sociopathy. Psychopathy, or psychopathic personality, [1] is a personality construct [2][3] characterized by impaired empathy and remorse, persistent antisocial behavior, [4] along with bold, disinhibited, and egocentric traits. Psychopathy is a mental disorder causing a person to lack empathy. Learn the traits and the difference between a psychopath and sociopath. Persons suffering from psychopathy—sometimes called psychopaths—commonly exhibit a lack of empathy or remorse and manifest impulsiveness, manipulativeness, and deceitfulness, among other negative traits and behaviours. In addition, psychopathy leads some persons to commit criminal offenses.
