describe the difference between a malignant covert narcissist and a sociopath?

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Malignant Covert Narcissist: My self-esteem rises as I make you feel badly about yourself. I use these interactions to manage my self-esteem. I do this covertly while pretending to be nice.

• Jenny and her Covert Narcissist Teacher

“I asked the class to draw ducks. Jenny. Your duck—if that is what it is—looks more like a pig. (Teacher holds Jenny’s drawing up so the whole class can see it). Class: This is an example of what I don’t want to see.”

Sociopath: I want something that you have. I will figure how to take it away from you. If possible, I will do this in a way you never suspect. If I am impulsive, unintelligent, and not particularly good at subterfuge, I may just bop you over the head, grab it, and run.

(Note: Please read Athena Walker on her carefully thought out differences between a Psychopath, a Sociopath, and someone with an Anti-Social Personality Disorder to get a fuller picture.)

Sociopaths are not particularly interested in using other people for self-esteem enhancement, although they do not mind getting admiration. They generally see other people as “marks.” A “mark” to a Sociopath is a potential target who they can con out of something.

A Sociopath’s basic interpersonal questions are: “Does this person have something I want?” “How do I get it?”

• Dandy Dan and the Mark

Dandy Dan (his nickname among his fellow thieves and gamblers) was a conman who worked the boats. This meant that he took cruises for the express purpose of cheating some naive citizens out of their cash. He usually did this by chatting up a few men up until he found one who liked a “friendly” card game. Dandy Dan was an experienced card cheat and once in a game with his chosen mark, could easily relieve him of cash without arrousing his suspicion.

Punchline: Although both Narcissists and Sociopaths share lower than normal empathy for other people, they have different motives for what they do. All Narcissists—whether Covert, Exhibitionist, or Malignant—need other people to help regulate their self-esteem. Sociopaths do not."