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Sociopaths are those that suffer from antisocial personality disorder. These characters lack a moral sense of right or wrong. They feel no guilt over their actions and are often wrongly confused with psychopaths: Most sociopaths are misanthropic and see other people as tools by which to achieve their objectives or simply see them as playthings to be manipulated and moulded as they see fit. Sociopaths do not seek pleasure from inflicting pain and suffering upon others, but they do not feel remorse either because for them, the ends justify the crude, impersonal means.

Almost all sociopaths in fiction can be considered to do things because they feel justified. Sociopaths are not to be confused with psychopaths despite many similarities. Sociopaths are generally harder to detect  than psychopaths as the former are usually better organised, more reserved and self-contained, and are willing to use unethical means if it helps them achieve their objectives or gets them closer to what they want. Psychopaths, on the other hand, are far more temperamental because they have a compulsive need to satisfy their desires; they seldom-- if at all-- seek material or social gain from their vicious acts, and are also far more likely to resort to rape, murder or torture because the very act of inflicting pain or murder is what gives them a gratification akin to those of substance abusers. Furthermore, sociopaths are essentially made from environmental factors, while psychopaths are known to be born with a compulsive need for violence and disdain.

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