Sociopathic Tendencies: Jo Butafuoco And The Sociopath

by peder.sande | July 27, 2009 at 09:10 am

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ABC's exclusive with May Jo Butafuoco, details her husband and his sociopathic tendencies. The definition of a sociopath is similar to the definition of a psychopath, but slightly different. Both are classified as a form of anti-social personality disorder, but the cause of the sociopathic tendencies are believed to be socialized as opposed to a psychopath with an innate temperament.

He believes psychopaths are born with temperamental differences such as impulsivity, cortical underarousal, and fearlessness that lead them to risk-seeking behavior and an inability to internalize social norms. On the other hand, he claims sociopaths have relatively normal temperaments; their personality disorder being more an effect of negative sociological factors like parental neglect, delinquent peers, poverty, and extremely low or extremely high intelligence.

Marry Jo Buttafuoco was shot in the face by a sixteen year old, who had was having an affair with Joey Buttafuoco. Ms. Buttafuoco has now released a book, which she states is an attempt to warn others who are in relationships with people who display sociopathic tendencies.

Seventeen years after she was shot in the face by her then husband's teenage lover, Mary Jo Buttafuoco called her ex-husband Joey Buttafuoco a "sociopath and a liar."

Psychopath and sociopath are described as archaic terms by the DSM4. Antisocial personality disorder is used to classify people who exhibit either psychopathic or sociopathic tendencies.

The DSM4 outlines the diagnostic criteria for what was formally know as a sociopath. The person must have three or more of these symptoms to be labeled as a sociopath. The criteria can be used as a test for a sociopath.

Diagnostic criteria

Three or more of the following are required:[1]

Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;

Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;

Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead;

Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;

Reckless disregard for safety of self or others;

Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations;

Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.