Answer:
All sociopaths share three common characteristics. They are all very egocentric individuals with no empathy for others, and they are incapable of feeling remorse or guilt.
I've had much experience with sociopaths, men and women, although more men are diagnosed. Sociopaths lack empathy. They are literally unable to put themselves into someone else's shoes and this is why they can do "messed up" things to people without feeling remorse about it. Some are charming and may compliment you a lot, being manipulative. They see people as objects to be used for sex, money or anything they fancy. They have a "grandiose" sense of self, aka thinking the world revolves around them. many normal people have told me that they seem somewhat scary, that they are not sure what the sociopath will do next or to them. In a sense, they dont think people are "real" with real emotions and feelings and they do not understand why "normal" people display emotions, such as crying. They see crying as a weakness. To normal people they may seem like the biggest "a**holes or b*tches" they've ever met.
Some causes:
1) Abuse is a big cause. They were most likely hurt badly and left alone to deal with it BY THEMSELVES at a young age and no one comforted them. This is why they are sort of like a predator who must keep themselves alive, using people for the things they need. They are extremely exploitative. They are used to taking care of themselves. They are extremely self centered and somewhat narcissistic (although Narcissistic Personality Disorder is VERY different from a sociopath) This may be another reason they seem like very strong people but in reality they are just lacking many normal human emotions. They use others because they don't care about people.
2) In my studies in psych wards of these types of people, Female sociopaths' fathers are sociopaths as well. The father does not care therefore divorcing the mother, abandoning the family, abusing and so forth. Mostly all female sociopaths learn from and take after their fathers. Especially if the mother is "soft" or very caring, the female sociopath daughter will take advantage of the mother or see her as weak and want to be just like her sociopath father. This disorder can be genetic but is made permanent through environmental factors.
Another thing to keep in mind. I have read that female sociopaths "are not as violent as males," This could not be more false. Female sociopaths can be extremely violent and aggressive. Ive witnessed a female sociopath threatening terrible things to another girl in a psych ward i worked in and almost beating her to death with the things around her. All sociopaths are dangerous, male or female. Men are seen as masculine and tougher in our society and this is why people mistake them to be more violent when it reality this is not the case. If you know someone who is a diagnosed "sociopath" just stay away. It is not a disorder, It is WHO THEY ARE. They do not feel guilty for the terrible things they do to people. They will say sorry but they dont mean it. I heard this saying "they know the words but not the song." They know exactly what to say but deep down they do not mean it.
A study found a strong genetic component for extreme antisocial behavior: fighting, bullying, lying, cheating and stealing among children with high callous/unemotional traits (psychopaths). Extreme antisocial behavior among children without callous/unemotional traits appeared to have a stronger environmental influence(sociopaths).
The majority of criminals would meet the criteria for antisocial personality disorder but only 10 to 15 percent meet the criteria for psychopathy. Gang members, for instance, who kill or steal for their group might be viewed as people with antisocial personality disorder, or sociopaths. But unlike psychopaths, they may truly love - and would never hurt - their own families, and they also may feel guilt or remorse about their crimes.
Though investigators are searching for psychopathy genes, Hare believes there will never be just one gene but more likely a cluster of genes that somehow influence such traits as impulsivity, fear and empathy. Even if such genes are found, experts say, it doesn't mean there is such a thing as a natural-born killer. At the same time, most experts agree that genetic factors likely come into play because most people who have deprived, abusive or otherwise rotten childhoods don't grow up to become cold-blooded murderers.
"You're not born a psychopath but the foundation is there," Hare says. "We're all born with temperaments that can be shaped by the environment."
Furthermore, most psychopaths aren't violent offenders. Those raised in deprived environments may grow up to be street criminals, for instance, whereas those raised in privileged homes may become corporate criminals, says Hare. Others won't be criminals at all
Psychopaths may be influenced by a bad home environment but they also can come from seemingly happy, loving homes, where "no matter how much love mommy gives, the child just doesn't connect," says Hare.